Hello Columbia! Welcome to this week’s list of fun things to do in the Columbia metro area!
Santa Saturdays | Saturday, Dec. 9 | 11 am – 3 pm | South Carolina State Museum, 301 Gervais St., Columbia | $6.95 – $8.95 | Meet Santa at the South Carolina State Museum, see holiday shows, explore four floors of exhibitions and shop in the museum store every Saturday leading up to Christmas.
Family Movie Night Under the Stars | Fri., Dec. 8 | 6:30 – 9 pm | Northwest Family YMCA, 1501 Kennerly Road, Irmo | Free | Enjoy a free outdoor showing of the Polar Express on the big screen — food + drinks will be available for purchase.
The Fireflies Holiday Lights at Segra Park has a new addition — the Fireflies Express. The trackless train takes children ages 12 and younger on a ride through the lights + costs $3 per rider (in addition to the event’s entrance fees). The Fireflies Holiday Lights are happening until Sunday, Dec. 31.
Holiday Meeting Street Artisan Market | Saturday, Dec. 9, Saturday, Dec. 16 | 11 am – 3 pm | Interactive Art Park, 425 Meeting St., West Columbia | Free | Stroll through a wonderland of artisan booths showcasing handcrafted jewelry, art pieces, and homemade treats — it’s the perfect place to find one-of-a-kind gifts while supporting local artists.
Holiday Lights on the River at Saluda Shoals Park East in Chapin | The Midlands Largest Drive-Through Light Show! Experience the magic as Saluda Shoals Park comes alive in millions of sparkling lights. Journey through more than two miles of lights featuring colorful, animated light displays of all shapes and sizes! Get details
Bierkeller Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Market) | NOW – Sunday, Dec. 17 | Times vary | Bierkeller Columbia, 600 Canalside St., Columbia | Free | Delight in the charm of a traditional German Christmas market along the Congaree River.
Winter Wonderland at the 1600 Block of Main Street in Columbia | There’s a forecast for snow every weekend in December! Discover the enchantment of Winter Wonderland on Main Street | From 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, enjoy snow with sparkling lights, and festive cheer | Immerse yourself in this holiday spectacle.
Nutcracker Tea Parties | South Carolina Ballet at Koger Center for the Arts in Columbia on Saturday, Dec. 9, Sunday, Dec, 10 & Saturday Dec. 16
Starting your search for a new home? Here are this weeks’ new listings in the Columbia SC Metro!
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**Click on each event for more information and pricing and check with venue for any changes or cancellations**
Friday, December 8th
- Food Truck Fridays at Town Theatre in Columbia on Fridays | 11am – 3pm
- Historic Columbia’s Holiday House Tours at Hampton-Preston Manion in Columbia, event dates
- Wild Lights at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia
Saturday, December 9th
- Holiday Meeting Street Artisan Market | Saturday, Dec. 9, Saturday, Dec. 16 | 11 am -3 pm | Interactive Art Park, 425 Meeting St., West Columbia | Free | Stroll through a wonderland of artisan booths showcasing handcrafted jewelry, art pieces, and homemade treats — it’s the perfect place to find one-of-a-kind gifts while supporting local artists.
- Cars and Coffee Columbia (SC) at AMC Harbison 14 in Columbia
- Breakfast with Santa at Dave & Buster’s in Columbia
- Jamil Shriners Craft Market at Jamil Shrine Center in Lexington
- South American Wine Tasting at Hampton Street Vineyard in Columbia
- 6th Annual Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl at 700 Gervais St b2 in Columbia
- Candlelight Tours at the Robert Mills House and Hampton-Preston Mansion at Robert Mills House in Columbia
- Dinner Detective Interactive Murder Mystery Dinner Show! at Cambria Downtown the Vista in Columbia check dates!
- Cocktail Classroom: Holiday Drinks at Smoked in Columbia
Sunday, December 10th
- Jamil Shriners Craft Market at Jamil Shrine Center in Lexington
Monday, December 11th
- Mommy and Me Dance Class for Ages 0 – 3 at Ann Brodies Center for Dance Education in Columbia on Mondays
- Stargazing at Melton Observatory on Monday nights from 8pm -10pm., weather permitting.
Tuesday, December 12th
- Silent Book Club at the Graduate Hotel in Columbia
- Pups n Pints at The Grand on Main in Columbia
Wednesday, December 13th
- Historic Columbia’s Holiday House Tours at Hampton-Preston Manion in Columbia
Thursday, December 14th
- First Thursday on Main Street- Downtown Columbia
- Sushi Making Class at Hanabi Hibachi & Sushi in Columbia
- Santa Claus at Top Dawg Tavern in Columbia
Recurring Events
- Richland Library – Calendar of Events
- Boku Kitchen + Saloon is hosting Titos Tuesday 4-11 pm, every Tuesday. Boku will have $5 Tito’s cocktails open to close on top of their awesome happy hour which includes $4 Sake Bombs, $5 appetizers, $6 wine and $7 cocktails from 4-7 pm
- Nemo/Vino Tuesday Nights! at SakiTumi Grill & Sushi Bar in Columbia on Tuesdays
- Smoked Oyster Series at Smoked in Columbia every other Tuesdays
- SakiTumi Grill & Sushi Bar is hosting Half-Price Select Sushi & Martini Wednesdays 5-10 pm, The sushi rolls and drinks rotate each week so you never get bored with the same selections!
- Boku Kitchen + Saloon is also hosting Whiskey Wednesday 4-11 pm, every Wednesday. Boku offers their large selection of whiskey 1/2 off. Any and every whiskey in-house!
- The NoMa Flea at NoMa Warehouse in Columbia on Fridays
- City of Columbia Food Truck Fridays at Town Theatre in Columbia on Fridays
- Soda City Market at Main Street in Columbia on Saturdays
- Meeting Street Artisan Market at Interactive Art Park in Columbia on Saturdays
Columbia Metro Arts | Crafts
- Beginning Wheel Throwing Friday at Columbia Art Center in Columbia on Fridays from 2 – 4 pm
- Beginning Throwing Saturday at Columbia Art Center in Columbia on Saturdays from 2 – 4 pm
- Morey Weinstein “The Art of Realism” Gallery Opening at City Art in Columbia, Calendar
- Lee Alexander McQueen & Ann Ray: Rendez-Vous at Columbia Museum of Art in Columbia on Dec. 8
- Accessibility Morning at the SC State Museum In Columbia on Dec. 9
Columbia Metro Live Music / Performance
- Bill’s Music Shop in West Columbia – Calendar of Events
- Tin Roof in Columbia – Calendar of Events
- New Brookland Tavern in West Columbia – Calendar of Events
- Chayz Lounge in Columbia – Calendar of Events
- Pearlz Oyster and Raw Bar Upstairz Lounge in Columbia – Calendar of Events
- Art Bar in Columbia – Calendar of Events
- Steel Hands Brewing in Cayce – Calendar of Events
- Mimsy’s Kitchen & Jazz Lounge – Calendar of Events
Friday, December 8th
- Friday Night Jazz at The Aristocrat in Columbia on Fridays. Enjoy live jazz, great drinks and food every Friday night! Show starts at 8 | Happy hour 4 – 7 pm.
- Live Music Saturdays at Mimsy’s Kitchen in Columbia on Saturdays | 7 – 10 pm
- aloft Columbia Harbison Karaoke NIGHT at 217 Lanneau Ct in Columbia on Saturdays | 8 pm – 12 am | Food, drinks, music and games
- Binge Karaoke Night at 1130 Kinley Rd in Irmo on Saturdays | 7 pm – 10 pm | Food, Drinks, Music and Games. | $5.00 entry includes unlimited song play.
- Katera Live! Fridays at Esther’s Soul Food + Kitchen in Columbia on Fridays
- Trans-Siberian Orchestra – The Ghosts Of Christmas Eve at the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia
- Elf The Musical Jr. – ICRC Children’s Theatre at 11629 Broad River Rd in Chapin
- Matt Rife: ProbleMATTic World Tour at The Township Auditorium in Columbia
- The Two Claras 2023 at Harbison Theatre in Columbia
- Samantha Fish – Shake Em’ On Down Tour | Friday, Dec. 8 | 8 pm | The Senate, 1022B Senate St., Columbia | $32.50 | Guitar virtuoso Samantha Fish, renowned for her eclectic blend of rock, blues, soul, and pop, brings the Shake ‘em Down Tour to town with outlaw country artist Jesse Dayton.
- THE GREAT AMERICAN TRAILER PARK CHRISTMAS MUSICAL at Trustus Theatre in Columbia on Dec. 1 thru 17
Saturday, December 9th
- aloft Columbia Harbison Karaoke NIGHT at 217 Lanneau Court in Columbia on Saturdays
- Live Music Saturdays at Mimsy’s Kitchen in Columbia on Saturdays
- Sax, Keys & Brunch – Corey Stone at Mimsy’s Kitchen in Columbia on Saturdays
- Elf The Musical Jr. – ICRC Children’s Theatre at 11629 Broad River Rd in Chapin
- The Two Claras 2023 at Harbison Theatre in Columbia
- The Local Connection: Acoustic Open Mic at Aloft Columbia Harbison in Columbia
- An Ode to Tim Burton: A Drag Benefit Show for Jaysin Waterfalls at The Attic Lounge in Columbia
Sunday, December 10th
- Elf The Musical Jr. – ICRC Children’s Theatre at 11629 Broad River Rd in Chapin
- The Two Claras 2023 at Harbison Theatre in Columbia
- 1989 Taylor’s Version Drag Brunch at The Hideout in WeCo in Columbia
- The Mickens 27th Anniversary at L. R. High School Theatre in Hopkins
Monday, December 11th
- Morey Weinstein “The Art of Realism” Gallery Opening at City Art in Columbia, calendar
Tuesday, December 12th
Wednesday, December 13th
- Historic Columbia’s Holiday House Tours at Hampton-Preston Manion in Columbia
- The 282d Army Band Holiday Concert at Koger Center for the Arts in Columbia
Thursday, December 14th
- Santa Shag – Dress Christmassy at Bill’s Music Shop in West Columbia
