Thursday — Dec. 23

Christmas Eve Eve Cookout

Steel Hands offers an opportunity to relax a bit before the heart of the holidays truly descend. The cookout will feature a “Jerk Before Christmas” grilling menu featuring grilled jerk chicken leg quarters and specials on take-home beer. The event goes from 5 to 8 p.m. Find out more at facebook.com/steelhandsbrewing.

Christmas Eve — Dec. 24

Christmas Eve at The Chophouse

The Chophouse of Chapin offers a decadent three-course meal to celebrate the night before Christmas. The dinner goes from 3 to 6 p.m. and costs $75 per person. Drink specials will include have-price beer and bottles of wine in addition to $6 dessert cocktails and half-priced desserts at the adjoining Deca Dessert Bar. Find out more and make reservations at chophouseofchapin.com. The restaurant will also have a dinner and celebration on New Year’s Eve.

Wednesday — Dec. 29

Trivia at Hazelwood

Drink some local Lexington beer and answer some questions, as Hazelwood Brewing Company (711 E Main St.) hosts its weekly trivia night. The event starts at 7 p.m. More info can be found at facebook.com/hazelwoodbeer. “the Midlands’ largest drive-through light show,” and it returns Nov. 25 through Dec. 31, going from 6 to 10 p.m. nightly. In addition to the more than three miles of animated light displays, there will be a “winter wonder tube slide,” a hayride and train that go through the lights, a laser light show on the Wetland Trail and holiday movie screenings. No activities Christmas Eve or Christmas night. Santa’s Claus’et Gift Shop (get it?) will offer holiday shopping.

Concessions, beer and wine will be available for purchase. Admission for cars is $25. Find more info at icrc.net.

New Year’s Eve — Dec. 31

New Years Eve on the River

Ring in the new year right on the Congaree River at Stone River (121 Alexander Rd. in West Columbia). The party promises expected amenities (live jazz music, complimentary champagne toast and oyster roast and other goodies will be prepared by Scott Hall (the chef of Bone-In Barbeque fame), the bluegrass will be played by Randy Lucas and friends, and there will be beer, wine and a champagne toast in addition to cocktail hour. Tickets are $125. More info is available at thefarm1780.com.

Brandon Mullis & O’Hara’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve

At O’Hara’s Public House (131 East Main St.), the bar promises “three hours of acoustic fury” from Brandon Mullis, along with abundant food and drink available for purchase. The show starts at 8 p.m. and goes “‘til 2022.” Find out more at facebook.com/oharasph.

New Years Eve Bash

To ring in the new year with country flair, turn to Skyline Club (100 Lee St. in West Columbia). Country-rapper Lenny Cooper — whose “Fire Up” appropriately bids revelers to “Crack another beer / We can all get lit” — leads a lineup that also includes Camo Brian and Ryan Perry. There will be a balloon drop and a champagne toast. Show starts at 8 p.m., with doors opening at 6 p.m. More info is available at skylineclubsc.com.

New Year’s Eve Dance Party

Or go the bluegrass route at Bill’s Music Shop & Pickin’ Parlor (710 Meeting St. in West Columbia), which will entertain attendees with dancing set to a DJ and live music from Bob Strickland & Freestyle. Bring a dish or dessert to share, and enjoy a non-alcoholic toast at midnight. The event goes from 7 p.m. to midnight. An $18 donation ($30 per couple) is requested. Find out more at facebook.com/billsmusicshop.

NYE Cover Show

The tradition keeps going at New Brookland Tavern (122 State St. in West Columbia), as four local bands gather to dress up as a favorite band and play their songs. This year’s show features Rex Darling (as Billie Eilish), Death Ray Robin (as My Chemical Romance), Flippant (as Queens of the Stone Age), and Outerego (as Tame Impala). The show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $18 ($15 in advance). More info is available at facebook.com/NBTavern.

Across the County Line

Carolina Lights

If you’re seeking yet more holiday lights, look no further than the State Fairgrounds (1200 Rosewood Dr. in Columbia), where the Carolina Lights drive-thru continues through Dec. 26 (except for Christmas Day). There’s music available via radio that you can sync your experience to, and chocolate chip cookies and milk will be available to purchase. Hours are 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 6 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. More info is available at scstatefair.org.

Eve of the Eve (concert)

Celebrate the not-quite-penultimate night of the Christmas season with some jazz in the lobby of the Koger Center (1051 Greene St. in Columbia), as the ColaJazz Little Big Band performs Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $23. Find out more at kogercenterforthearts.com.