Holiday Lights

Wild Lights at the Zoo

Grab the kids and head over to the Riverbanks Zoo & Garden (500 Wildlife Pkwy.) for the annual Wild Lights event. Stroll through the Zoo and discover nearly 60 large-scale handcrafted lanterns inspired by nature. There are also interactive activities, photo ops, and seasonal favorites including nightly snowfall and visits with Santa. Begins at 5 p.m., and admission is $19.99 for children ages 2-12 and $24.99 for adults. Children under 2 are free. Event runs Nov. 17-Jan. 14. Visit riverbanks.org for more information.

Holiday Lights on the River + Sleigh Bell Trot/Stroll

Want to test your endurance and take in some bright holiday lights? Head over to Saluda Shoals Park (6071 St. Andrews Rd.) for the Sleigh Bell Trot event. This unique nighttime four-mile timed run takes place amid the festive light displays of Holiday Lights on the River Nov. 20 two days before the annual display opens fully. Trot Awards await the first, second and thirdplace finishers. The Sleigh Bell Trot runs from 7 to 9 p.m., and registration is $35 per person in advance and $40 the day of the event Visit itsyourrace.com for more information. The Sleigh Bell Stroll is the next day, with a two-mile, nighttime family fun walk taking place amid the festive light displays. Event goes from 6 to 8 p.m. Admission costs $7 per person ($2 per child 2 and under). The Holiday Lights on the River display opens properly Nov. 22, featuring millions of sparkling lights through Dec. 31. Runs nightly 6-10 p.m. Find more info at icrc.net.

Friday — Nov. 17

The Edgar Loudermilk Band (concert)

Bill’s Music Shop & Pickin’ Parlor (710 Meeting St. in West Columbia) hosts a performance by The Edgar Loudermilk Band. Led by acclaimed upright bassist Edgar Loudermilk, the band plays a lively mix of bluegrass and gospel. Showtime is 8 p.m., and admission is a $10 donation. Visit billsmusicshop.com for more information. 

Oyster Roast for a Reason

The Icehouse Amphitheater (107 W. Main St.) is the place to be for a special event, the Oyster Roast For A Reason. Enjoy live music while indulging in delicious oysters, Southern sides and much more, all to help raise money for Mission Lexington. This event runs from 6 to 9:30 p.m., and admission is $50. Visit icehouseamphitheater.com for more information.

Friendsgiving

The FARM 1780 (1127 Corley Mill Rd.) invites you to their annual Friendsgiving celebration. Celebrate friendship and community while you shop locally. Each $49 ticket includes a plate with farm-grown ingredients, bottomless wine, and a holiday bag with custom Hen’s Night Out swag and other goodies from participating vendors. Friendsgiving runs from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Visit thefarm1780.com for more information.

Britt & Gould (concert)

Steel Hands Brewing (2350 Foreman St. in Cayce) hosts a performance by the popular local duo Britt & Gould. Singer/guitarists Dave Britt and Adam Gould play a large, varied selection of covers and originals starting at 6 and running until 10 p.m. This show is free to attend. Visit facebook.com/steelhandsbrewing for more information.

Saturday — Nov. 18

Vincent Neil Emerson (concert)

The East Texas singer/songwriter Vincent Neil Emerson brings his rootsy acoustic folk-country to the New Brookland Tavern (122 State St. in West Columbia). Showtime is 7 p.m., and tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Visit newbrooklandtavern.com for more information.

“Puppy Pals Live!”

The Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College (7300 College St. in Irmo) turns into a festival of furry friends as they present “Puppy Pals Live!”: “What’s better than a puppy? A rescued one who can do his own stunts! As seen on ‘America’s Got Talent,’ Puppy Pals is a family friendly action-packed show. Watch as adopted and rescued dogs perform a plethora of stunts and breathtaking feats like climbing ladders, jumping rope, and even backflips. This interactive show will be full of surprises and canine comedy.” Showtime is 3:30 p.m., and admission is $40 ($15 for children under 12). Visit harbisontheatre.org for more information.

Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show

The 55th Annual Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show returns to the Jamil Shrine Temple (206 Jamil Rd. in Columbia). There will be Jewelry, beads, loose stones, fossils, minerals, gold, silver and tools for sale and geodes sold and cut. You can also see the Columbia Gem & Mineral Society Club members’ rock collections on exhibit and lapidary demonstrations, and there will be a South Carolina amethyst on display. This event runs Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday (noon-5 p.m.).Aadmission is $6. Visit cgms.rocks for more information.

Native American Lifeways

If you’re interested in Native American history, or just history in general, you might enjoy Native American Lifeways at the 12,000 Year History Park (1120 Ft. Congaree Tr. in Cayce). Walk the trails at the park and learn more about the Native American role here and how the historic resources of the park are relevant to the lives and culture of Native peoples today, including the Cherokees and Catawbas. This event runs from 2 to 4 p.m. and is free to attend. Visit cayce12000years.com for more information. 

Sunday — Nov. 19

Saluda River Club Holiday Market

The Chickawa Outdoor Center (629 Chickawa Dr.) hosts the Saluda River Club’s Holiday Market. Let the kids play at the Craft Center while you shop over 35 local artisans and businesses from Lexington. The first 100 guests receive a reusable shopping bag courtesy of Whitehead Orthodontics. The Holiday Market runs from 1 to 5 p.m. and is free to attend. Visit facebook.com/srcholidaymarket for more information.

Monday — Nov. 20

Book Club

The Cayce-West Columbia Branch library (1500 Augusta Rd.) hosts their weekly Book Club: Scary Story Society meeting. Explore a variety of interesting and scary tales from all horror genres. The book club meets at 6 p.m., and this event is free to attend. Visit lexcolibrary.com for more information. 

Across the County Line

Alexandra Kay (concert)

Popular independent country music artist Alexandra Kay plays at The Senate (1022 Senate St. in Columbia) Nov. 18 as part of her All I’ve Ever Known tour. Doors open at 7 p.m., and showtime is 8 p.m. Tickets are $25. Visit  thesenatecolumbia.com for more information. 

Masters of Soul (Concert)

The Newberry Opera House (1201 McKibben St.) brings a little R&B to the holidays with a performance from the Masters of Soul. The group’s “Motown Xmas” concert features classic Motown hits and beloved holiday favorites. Showtime is 6 p.m., and tickets cost between $45 and $55. Visit newberryoperahouse.com for more information. 

“The Nutcracker” (ballet)

The Columbia Music Festival Association and Ann Brodie’s Carolina Ballet present “The Nutcracker” at Township Auditorium (1703 Taylor St.) Nov. 22-26. Brodie’s troupe is joined by international artists Sakura Oka, Ihosvany Rodriguez, Leonardo Victorino and Jimmy Moon. Tickets cost between $16.50 and $22.50 and showtime Nov. 22 is 10 a.m. Visit thetownship.org for more information. 

Bloodies & Bagels

The Water Kickers, a Columbia acoustic Americana duo of Kelley and Brodie Porterfield, perform at the Aiken County Historical Museum (433 Newberry St. SW). The band performs as part of the museum’s Bloodies & Bagels fundraiser, and bagels, cider and Bloody Marys will be for sale. The Water Kickers perform from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Visit aikencountymuseum.org for more information.