Lexington County Lights

Lights at Riverbanks

The Riverbanks Zoo and Garden (500 Wildlife Pkwy.) hosts its annual Christmas light event (known previously as Lights Before Christmas). The Zoo will be illuminated by nearly a million lights and more than 350 handcrafted images. You can also take a photo with Santa and roast marshmallows at the Jingle Bell Bonfire. The event continues through Dec. 30 on select dates. Visit riverbanks.org for more information.

Holiday Lights on the River

Enjoy an evening of holiday lights and activities at Saluda Shoals Park East (6071 St Andrews Rd. in Columbia). The park will have three miles of lights featuring colorful, animated light displays of all shapes and sizes. There will also be a tube slide, a hayride train, a laser light show on the Wetland Trail, and kids can write and color a letter to Santa in the Environmental Center. Santa will also be there for photos, and Santa’s Claus’et Gift Shop will be open for holiday shopping. Concessions, beer and wine will be available for purchase. The event recurs nightly through Dec. 31, and admission costs between $25 and $75 (available activities vary on some nights). Visit icrc.net for more information.

Friday — Dec. 9

Clay Page

Country singer-songwriter Clay Page performs at the Skyline Club (100 Lee St.). The Georgia native will perform a mix of covers and originals starting at 9 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m., and admission is $5. Visit facebook.com/skylineclub803 for more information. 

Saturday — Dec. 10

The Greater CWC Chamber Holiday Parade of Lights

Cayce and West Columbia’s shared holiday parade rolls at a different time of day than most in the area, sparkling with lights against the December dark. It starts at 5:30 p.m. in front of the Cayce Municipal Complex (1800 12th St.), ending at the corner of U.S. Highway 1 and 12th Street. Find out more at cwcchamber.com.

Gaston Christmas Parade

Enjoy a morning of fun for the whole family as the City of Gaston holds its annual Christmas parade. The parade route runs down Gaston Street onto Mack Street, ending at Gaston Town Hall (131 North Carlisle St.). The parade is free to attend, begins at 9 a.m. and runs until 11:15 a.m. Visit gastonsc.org for more information. 

South Congaree Christmas Parade

Head over to Main Street in South Congaree for a Christmas parade. There will be colorful holiday floats and an appearance by Santa Claus. You can meet Santa after the parade at the town Christmas tree, and there will be trophies awarded to the top three floats. The parade starts at 10 a.m. and is free to attend. Visit facebook.com/TownOfSouthCongaree for more information. 

Kaonashi (concert)

The Philadelphia quintet Kaonashi performs at New Brookland Tavern (122 State St. in West Columbia) with ASkySoBlack, Your Spirit Dies and Severed By Dawn. The band, which mixes metal and rap, headlines the show, which begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15. Visit newbrooklandtavern.com for more information. 

‘Tis the Season Holiday Market

Flora & Fauna Marketplace (4773 Sunset Blvd.) hosts a holiday shopping event with crafters and makers, along with music and stuffed potatoes by Just Jonesin’. The event goes from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Find more info at facebook.com/floraandfaunamarketplace.

WeCo River District Holiday Party

The River District hosts its holiday party at WECO Bottle and Biergarten (626 Meeting St. in West Columbia), with light appetizers and free drink tickets for the first 75 people who bring a new, unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots. The event goes from 6 to 9 p.m. Find more info at facebook.com/wecoriverdistrict.

Irmo Holiday Market

In addition to a variety of local businesses offering products and services, this second annual market also features  activities for kids, live music, face painting and bounce houses along with the opportunity to meet first responders and get a photo taken with Santa. Beer and wine will be available to purchase. The free event at Irmo Community Park (7473 Church St.) goes from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Find more info at facebook.com/irmoholidaymarket.

Sunday — Dec. 11

Christmas Open House

The Lexington County Museum (231 Fox St.) hosts an open house. Many of the 30 historic structures within the museum complex will be open and will feature period Christmas decorations. Light refreshments that would have been eaten by Lexington residents in the 19th century, including hot apple cider and gingerbread, will be served. A blacksmith will be on site practicing his craft and educating visitors about smithing and a cooking demonstration will be taking place in our 19th century Ridgell kitchen as well. The Slave Dwelling Project and its program “Inalienable Rights” will also be featured again this year. This event is free to attend and runs from 1 to 4 p.m. Visit lexingtoncountymuseum.org for more information.

Car Cruise-In and Toy Drive

Steel Hands Brewing (2350 Foreman St. in Cayce) hosts at Cruise-In and Toy Drive. Bring your classic hot rod or muscle car and an unwrapped toy for the Salvation Army Toy Drive. There will be live music, food and craft beer to enjoy, and the event is free to attend. The Cruise-In begins at noon and runs until 4 p.m. Visit facebook.com/steelhandsbrewing for more information. 

Monday — Dec.  12

Pictures With Santa

The Gaston Branch Library (214 S. Main St.) hosts Pictures With Santa. Chat with the big guy before the big day and bring your cameras for pictures. Santa will be at the library from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., and the event is free to attend. Visit lexcolibrary.com for more information. 

Thursday — Dec. 15

Carolina Backwater (concert)

Veteran bluegrass act Carolina Backwater performs at Hazelwood Brewing Company (711 E Main St.). Showtime is 7 p.m., and is free to attend. Visit facebook.com/hazelwoodbeer for more information. 

James Brickey (concert)

Singer-songwriter James Brickey debuts at Savage Craft Ale Works (430 Center St. in West Columbia). Brickey will perform a mix of covers and originals starting at 7 p.m. and running until 10 p.m. The show is free to attend. Visit facebook.com/savagecraftaleworks for more information. 

Across the County Line 

Carter and Holmes Orchids Open House

Carter and Holmes Orchids (629 State Rd. S-36-273 in Newberry) hosts an open house Dec. 9. See some of the most beautiful orchids in the South at one of the world’s longest-running orchid hybridizing programs. The open house is free to attend and begins at 9 a.m. Visit carterandholmes.com for more information. 

“Christmas Time Is Here” (concert)

Join the Columbia Museum of Art (1515 Main St.) on Dec. 9 as it hosts Jazz at the CMA with Mark Rapp, who presents the program “Christmas Time Is Here.” Vocalist Michael Hazin joins trumpeter Rapp for a journey through big band swing, small ensemble work and Sinatra-style crooning. Showtime is 7 p.m., and four person tables (including one bottle of wine) are $200 ($160 for members). Limited individual tickets are $35 ($28 for members and $5 for students).

“Sesame Street Live”

Come see Big Bird, Oscar The Grouch, Grover and all your favorites at “Sesame Street Live” at Colonial Life Arena on Dec. 10. There are two showtimes at 1 and 4:30 p.m., with meet-and-greet options available for each. Tickets cost between $15 and $65. Visit coloniallifearena.com for more information.