Lights Before Christmas

Holidays and animals and lights, oh my! Riverbanks Zoo & Garden (500 Wildlife Pkwy.) holds its annual Lights Before Christmas event on select nights in November and December starting Nov. 20. Hours are 5 to 9 p.m. each night. The festivities include Santa’s Village, an animated LED story tree, the Candy Cane Carousel, the North Pole Express and snacks such as s’mores. Admission is $12 for adults and $10 for children. There are additional fees for some activities. Find out more at riverbanks.org.

Holiday Lights on the River

One of the area’s popular parks will again transform at night with what it says are “millions of sparkling lights.” Holiday Lights on the River at Saluda Shoals Park (6071 St. Andrews Rd.) says at midnight) and at least one not-so-expected amenity (a mobile cigar bar). The party, sponsored by Free Times (the arts and entertainment insert to The Post and Courier Columbia) goes from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets cost $50. More info is available at tickets.free-times.com.

New Years Eve at Black Rooster

Also right on the river is Black Rooster (201 Meeting St. in West Columbia), and the “French-ish” restaurant is also cranking things up for New Year’s Eve. $150 gets you an all-inclusive evening including a cocktail reception, four-course meal, champagne toast and a rooftop bar to view fireworks. The festivities start at 8 p.m. Find out more at facebook.com/ blackrooster.

New Year’s Eve on The Farm

The Farm (1127 Corley Mill Rd.) offers a “casual night of oysters, BBQ and bluegrass” to close out 2020. The barbecue