The holiday season is upon us, and Santa Claus is making his merry way through Columbia, spreading joy and cheer! Here’s your ultimate rundown of where and when you can catch the jolly man in red:
Date: Thursday, November 16 – Saturday, December 24
Time: Varies
Location: Columbiana Centre, 100 Columbiana Circle, Columbia 29212
Details: Capture magical moments with Santa, accommodating even your furry friends and catering to special needs with Santa Cares Day.
Date: Select Nights November 17 – January 14
Time: 5 – 9 p.m.
Location: Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens, 500 Wildlife Pkwy Columbia 29210
Details: Enjoy the holiday spectacle with dazzling lights and a chance to meet Santa until December 23.
Santa Stops Around the City:
Date: Saturday, November 18
Time: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Location: 2931 Augusta Road, West Columbia 29169
Details: Immerse yourself in the enchantment of Santa & Me on Saturday, November 18, at EdVenture Children’s Museum. Your little ones can snap a photo with Santa, share their wish list, create a personalized plate with guidance from The Mad Platter team, and most importantly, craft an ornament for children spending their holidays at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital. Tickets begin at $20, with all proceeds dedicated to supporting Prisma Health Children’s Hospital.
Date: Sunday, November 19
Time: 12 – 4 p.m.
Location: 211 Gervais Street, Columbia 29201
Details: Feel the wonder of Santa & Me on Sunday, November 19, at EdVenture Children’s Museum. Let your kids capture a photo with Santa, share their wishes, design a unique plate with guidance from The Mad Platter team, and, most notably, create heartfelt ornaments for children spending their holidays at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital. Tickets are available from $20, with every purchase contributing to the support of Prisma Health Children’s Hospital.
Date: Tuesday, November 28
Time: 5 – 7 p.m.
Location: 3250 Airport Blvd, West Columbia 29169
Details: Santa is making his grand appearance at CAE this month! This year’s “Santa at CAE” promises to be even more spectacular. Joining the festivities is Mrs. Claus herself, ready for photos, while stations for cookie decorating, ornament crafting, and hot cocoa await. The event welcomes everyone for FREE and is open to the public. Photos are on a first-come, first-served basis, and no reservations are required. Feel free to bring your own camera to capture those precious family moments. Surface parking is complimentary for the initial half-hour; thereafter, regular rates apply.
Date: Tuesday, November 28
Time: 5 – 8 p.m.
Location: 4711 Forest Drive, Columbia 29206
Details: Sweet Seasons offers a family-friendly atmosphere with complimentary entry and a range of enjoyable activities for children at no cost, such as meeting Santa and The Grinch, face painting, balloon artistry, mesmerizing bubble performances, magical illusions by a magician, and a live show by The Hot Sauce Band! Additionally, delightful dinner, desserts, and drinks from fantastic local Forest Acres vendors are available for purchase on-site.
Date: Tuesday, November 28
Time: 6 – 9 p.m.
Location: 2423 Fish Hatchery Road, Cayce 29033
Details: Family Night provides opportunity for photos with Santa and his wife
Date: Saturday, December 2
Time: 9 – 11 a.m.
Location: 920 Beatty Road, Columbia 29210
Details: Children aged 2-12 are welcomed to partake in a delightful morning of festivities as the event hosts its yearly Breakfast with Santa! Attendees can capture a photo with Santa, relish a scrumptious breakfast, engage in arts & crafts, and much more! As space is limited, it’s advised to secure a spot by registering in advance!
Date: Saturday, December 2
Time: 9 – 11 a.m.
Location: 1112 Hummingbird Drive, West Columbia 29169
Details: Don your pajamas and join for a Santa photo station, along with games, crafts, and a unique telling of Santa & the Nativity story at 10 a.m.
Date: Saturday, December 2
Time: 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Location: 200 Leisure Lane, Columbia 29210
Details: There’s no better moment to foster a child’s passion for cooking and baking than during this enchanting season. Join Flavored Fork in the kitchen, where your child can cook alongside the cheerful old elf himself, preparing his beloved snacks and other recipes approved by Santa.
Date: Saturday, December 2
Time: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Location: 1541 Old Dunbar Road, West Columbia 29169
Details: Free for all Children 6 years and younger, $7 for everyone else. Breakfast includes scrambled eggs, Waffle, bacon, sausage and fruit cup.
Dates: Saturday, December 2, 9, and 16
Times: 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 6pm
Location: 110 Industrial Park Road, Winnsboro 29180
Details: Santa makes a special appearance at the Rockton, Rion, and Western Railroad. As passengers revel in their countryside journey through Fairfield County, Santa strolls through the train, engaging with everyone. However, due to limitations, he cannot sit with children or have them on his lap. The train ride extends until Santa interacts with all the children, accepting letters with a request for limited physical contact.
This year introduces a new addition: Twilight with Santa! During the initial seating, passengers enjoy hot chocolate, chocolate chip cookies, and stories in the historic dining car. In the subsequent seating, passengers engage with Santa, singing Christmas carols in one of the coaches. At the midway point, there’s a stop where individuals from the dining car switch places with those visiting Santa, creating a repeated and enjoyable experience for all aboard.
Date: Saturday, December 2
Time: 1 – 7 p.m.
Location: 107 West Main Street, Lexington 29072
Details: Join the Town of Lexington for this year’s Snowball Festival Carnival at the Icehouse Amphitheater! Event features small carnival rides, face painting, balloon artists, + more! Food will be available for purchase. Stay for the showing of The Santa Clause (PG) at 5:30 p.m.
Date: Saturday, December 2
Time: 6 – 9 p.m.
Location: 1800 12th Street, Cayce 29033
Details: Guests have the chance to immerse themselves in the festive ambiance at the Cayce Historical Museum’s yearly Christmas Traditions Holiday Open House. Throughout the museum, rooms will showcase vibrant Christmas tree decorations while providing live entertainment and light refreshments. Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus will make an appearance, accompanied by a historical lantern tour. Excitingly, this year marks the debut of an outdoor Christmas market featuring local vendors offering a variety of gifts, food, and beverages.
Date: Sunday, December 3
Time: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: Cantey and Goodman Buildings at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds, 1200 Rosewood Drive, Columbia 29201
Details: Dress your children in their Sunday best for photos with Santa, enjoy games and crafts with your family, and top off the fun with an ice cream sundae bar! Tickets sold only at the door for $8/child.
Date: Thursday, December 7
Time: 4 – 7 p.m.
Location: 7223 St. Andrews Road, Columbia 29212
Details: Bring the family, the kids and even the furbabies to Metro Mortgage for cookies and pictures with Santa!
Date: Friday, December 8
Time: 5:30 – 7 p.m.
Location: 119 N Church Street, Lexington 29072
Details: Wear your Christmas PJ’s, fill your belly with pancakes, and visit with Santa! Professional Pictures (Lovejoy Photography) with Santa (Santa Frank) and a Christmas Craft for each child. Ticket cost is $20 per child (one adult admitted free per child); additional adults or children $10 each.
Date: Saturday, December 9
Time: 9 – 11 a.m.
Location: 301 Gervais Street, Columbia 29201
Details: The initiative offers complimentary admission to families with children, teenagers, young adults, and adults seeking a tranquil, sensory-friendly, and disability-inclusive visit to the museum. Individuals who are neurodiverse, autistic, or have diverse disabilities are encouraged to engage in the optional activities listed or explore the museum’s galleries at their own comfortable pace. Moreover, a morning ASL interpreter, sponsored by Colonial Life and facilitated by certified interpreters from the SC School for the Deaf and Blind, is available for enhanced accessibility.
Date: Sunday, December 10
Time: 3 – 6 p.m.
Location: 532 Congaree Avenue, Columbia 29205
Details: Join us for an afternoon of Holiday cheer in the Five Points District! Horse Drawn Carriage Rides – Sidewalk Sales – Pictures with Santa – Hot Chocolate Bar – USC’s Cockapella Carolers.
Date: Monday, December 11
Time: 5 – 6:30 p.m.
Location: 1301 Columbia College Drive, Columbia 29203
Details: Drop in for your annual Christmas photo with Santa, decorate a sugar cookie or ornament, and enjoy some hot chocolate! Photos will be provided with the donation of a non-perishable food item or a $5 donation to the Koala Food Pantry.
Date: Monday, December 11
Time: 6 – 9 p.m.
Location: 415 Meeting Street, West Columbia 29169
Details: Restaurant Sighting and Photo Opportunities
Date: Thursday, December 14
Time: 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Location: 498-1 Town Center Place, Columbia 29229
Details: Bring your kids (or fun loving friends) to meet Santa at Top Dawg Tavern! Make sure to bring your Christmas List for him to take back to the North Pole and your camera phone to take lots of photos!
Date: Friday, December 15
Time: 2 – 5 p.m.
Location: 5580 Sunset Blvd, Lexington 29072
Details: Stop in for photos with Santa and enjoy cookies.
Date: Friday, December 15
Time: 6 – 8 p.m.
Location: 2204 Park Street, Columbia 29201
Details: A Hot Chocolate Bar, S’mores, Live Music, a chance to take pictures with Santa Claus, and a tractor ride to view all the illuminated lights in the Elmwood Park Historic District of Columbia will be available.
Date: Saturday, December 16
Time: 8 – 11 a.m.
Location: 951 Pine Street, Pelion 29123
Details: Meal provided, crafts and games, and children visit with Santa and Mrs. Klaus for pictures and receive stocking treats.
