Friday — Dec. 1

Snowball Festival
Lexington’s Snowball Festival is back in action most of the week, with a Christmas Craft Fair (4-8 p.m. Thursday and Friday), a Christmas Carolighting Ceremony for the town Christmas tree (6:30 p.m. Friday), and a parade (which rolls through downtown at 3 p.m. Sunday). Apart from the parade, all events take place at the Icehouse Amphitheater (107 W Main St.). Two film screenings and the Saturday carnival previously scheduled for this weekend have been postponed to later in the month due to the threat of rain. Find more info at facebook.com/townoflexingtonsc.

The Picken Pearls (concert)
Bill’s Music Shop & Pickin’ Parlor (710 Meeting St. in West Columbia) hosts a performance by The Picken Pearls. Get ready for a set full of bluegrass classics and beloved gospel tunes. Showtime is 8 p.m., and admission is a $10 donation. Visit billsmusicshop.com for more information.

Annual Tree Lighting
The City of West Columbia holds its 19th annual tree lighting ceremony at West Columbia City Hall (200 N. 12th St.). The program will include Christmas carols, greetings, and the lighting of the West Columbia Christmas Tree. There will also be special guests, including the East Point Academy Chorus, the Busbee Creative Arts Academy Chorus and an essay contest based around the theme “What Christmas Means To Me.” This event begins at 6:30 p.m. and is free to attend. Visit westcolumbiasc.gov for more information.

Saturday — Dec. 2

Christmas Light Boat Parde on Lake Murray
The Capital City/Lake Murray Country regional tourism board presents its signature holiday event, as residents decorate boats with creatively arranged holiday lights and parade past the Lake Murray Beach Park (1837 N Lake Dr.) There will be Christmas carols and a fireworks finale (and a familiar face, Chronicle managing editor Jordan Lawrence, among the judges). Gates open at 4:30 and parade begins at 6 p.m. Find more info at lakemurraycountry.com.

Lexington Youth Ballet Recital
The Academy dance studio presents their Lexington Youth Ballet Recital at River Bluff High School (320 Corley Mill Rd.). Come watch the kids display what they’ve learned to a selection of classical and holiday music overseen by The Academy’s Artistic Director, Regina Willoughby. There are performances at 3 and 7 p.m., and admission costs between $15 and $20. Visit theacademyoflyb.com for more information.

The Dirt Road Disciples (concert)
The popular Lexington band The Dirt Road Disciples perform at the Skyline Club (100 Lee St. in West Columbia). Enjoy the band’s repertoire of classic rock, blues and Outlaw country starting at 9 p.m. Admission is free. Visit facebook.com/skylineclub803 for more information.

Christmas in Cayce
The City of Cayce and the Cayce Historical Museum (1800 12th St.) continue the week’s ongoing holiday events with a tour through history during the Christmas Traditions Open House. Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy apple cider, cookies and Christmas music, and learn about how Christmas used to be in the distant past. This event is free to attend and runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The events also include the fourth annual Tree Lighting Ceremony (6 p.m. at City Hall). Visit caycesc.gov for more information.

“A Christmas Carol” (play)
The Columbia Children’s Theatre and Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College (7300 College Dr.) present the classic tale, “A Christmas Carol.” This production is filled with local talent of all ages including Best of Columbia-nominated actors Liv Moody and Julian Deleon. Performances are at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. and tickets are $15. Visit harbisontheatre.org for more information.
Sunday — Dec. 3

Christmas On The Mount (concert)
The Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church (1000 B Ave.) presents their “Christmas On The Mount” event. Enjoy live music from popular Columbia acts Prettier Than Matt, Admiral Radio, Danielle Howle w/ Josh Roberts and many more. This event begins at 6:30 p.m. and is free to attend, though a collection will be taken up to benefit Central South Carolina Habitat For Humanity. Visit .facebook.com/ChristmasAtRedBank for more information.

Holiday Market
Hidden Creek Stables (1122 Rawl Rd.) hosts a Holiday Market. Bring the family and enjoy fun activities while doing your holiday shopping, with all merchandise provided by local vendors. The market runs from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and is free to attend. Visit hiddencreekstable.wixsite.com for more information.

Thursday — Dec. 7

Hen’s Night Out Holiday Market
The FARM 1780 (1127 Corley Mill Rd.) presents their annual Hen’s Night Out Holiday Market. Enjoy bottomless wine and delicious charcuterie while browsing holiday items from over 50 different vendors. Each ticket includes a plate with farm-grown ingredients and a holiday bag with custom Hen’s Night Out swag. This event runs from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and admission is $49. Visit thefarm1780.com for more information.

Paisley and the Birdwalkers (concert)
Head over to New Brookland Tavern (122 State St. in West Columbia) before it moves to a new location and check out a performance by Paisley and the Birdwalkers. The Columbia band plays its distinct mix of country and power pop after opening sets from The Simplicity, Radio Banter, Third Floor and Henry Luther & Cocaine Fairies. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and showtime is 7 p.m. Visit newbrooklandtavern.com for more information.

Across the County Line

“The Great American Trailer Park Musical”
On Dec. 1, the Trustus Theatre (520 Lady St. in Columbia) opens an uproarious holiday play called “The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical.” Directed by Robin Gottleib, the story concerns the residents of Armadillo Acres, a mobile living community: “Everyone’s filled with warmth and beer. But when a freak bout of amnesia strikes the trailer park Scrooge, neighborly love is put to the test.” Showtime is 8 p.m. and tickets are $35. The production continues through Dec. 17. Visit trustus.org for more information.

Columbia Christmas Extravagana
Need some help getting ready for the holidays? Head over to the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center (1101 Lincoln St.) for their annual Columbia Christmas Extravaganz. There will be more than 150 local vendors on site selling everything from ornaments and jewelry to holiday clothing and décor. The Christmas Extravaganza runs Saturday and Sunday (10 a.m.-4 p.m.), and admission is $7. Visit columbiaconventioncenter.com for more information.

“The Nutcracker” (ballet)
Columbia Classical Ballet welcomes the holidays to the Koger Center for the Arts (1051 Greene St.) starting Dec. 1, with itsannual production ofthe classic Tchaikovsky ballet overseen by Columbia Classical Ballet Artistic Director Brooklyn Mack. Showtime on Dec. 1 is 7:30 p.m., and the production continues through Sunday. Tickets cost between $10 and $25. Visit kogercenterforthearts.com for more information.

Aiken Youth Orchestra and Aiken Youth Ensemble Concert
The Aiken Center for the Arts (122 Laurens St. SW) hosts a Christmas concert on Dec. 4. The evening includes performances of holiday favorites played by the Aiken Youth Orchestra, the Aiken Youth Ensemble and Beginning Strings. Showtime is 6:30 p.m. and this event is free to attend. Visit aikencenterforthearts.org for more information.