New Year’s Eve — Dec. 31

Holiday Lights on the River

One more night to see “millions of sparkling lights.” Holiday Lights on the River at Saluda Shoals Park (6071 St. Andrews Rd.) says it’s “the Midlands’ largest drive-through light show,” and it ends on Dec. 31, going from 6 to 10 p.m., offering one last chance to view more than three miles of animated light displays. Admission for cars is $25. Find more info at icrc.net.

Steel Hands Brew Years Eve Party Steel Hands (2350 Foreman St. in Cayce) will celebrate the new year during regular brewery hours. Country-rock combo Whiskey Tango Revue will offer live performances between 1 and 5 p.m. There will be two cornhole tournaments going from 1 to 4 p.m. There will be a food special in the form of a schnitzel plate. The free event goes from noon to 6 p.m. Find more info at facebook.com/steelhandsbrewing.

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 the City of Columbia fireworks. The festivities start at 8 p.m. Find out more at facebook.com/blackrooster.

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 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 Year’s Eve on The Farm

The Farm (1127 Corley Mill Rd.) offers a “casual night of oysters, BBQ and bluegrass” to close out 2021. The barbecue 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

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.

Until the Ball Drops

Blue Moon Ballroom (554 Meeting St.) has a formal affair (“dress code strictly enforced”) on tap. Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served, and DJ Pretty Boy Mell will spin tunes. The event goes from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets start at $25. Find out more by contactinggoodfellasentertainmentgroup@gmail.com.

New Year’s Eve Party

New Year’s Eve Party Local band Civil Remedy — which trips convincingly between rock, country and blues — is the entertainment at the Lake Murray VFW (950 Rock Creek Rd. in Leesville) as it hosts a New Year’s celebration. The band plays from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Food will be served from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Doors open at 5 p.m. Find more info at facebook.com/vfw6740.

Saturday — Jan. 1

The Charles Page Trio (concert)

Chayz Lounge (607 Meeting St.) is sold out for its Jazz New Year’s Eve Soiree on Dec. 31, but you can still go see The Charles Page Trio play an appropriately titled Night of Soulful Grooves on the first day of the new year. The band promises hits from the likes of Stevie Wonder; Beyonce; The Spinners; Michael Jackson; Frankie Beverly & Maze; Earth, Wind & Fire and more. More info is available at chayzlounge.com.

Across the County Line

New Year’s Fireworks

For a second straight year, Columbia isn’t having Famously Hot New Year, its big downtown concert and block party, due to COVID-19. But the city will still have a big fireworks show that, from the sound of it, should be easily seen from some of the Lexington County banks of the Congaree River. The Post and Courier Columbia reports, citing Mayor Steve Benjamin, that Columbia is looking to produce the show, which is allocated $15,000 front he city’s hospitality tax coffers, from as high a point as possible in downtown, so as to make it visible to as many people as possible. For updates, keep an eye peeled to the City of Columbia’s social media pages.

Historic Columbia Holiday House Tour

New Year’s Eve offers a final day to check out Historic Columbia’s properties decorated for the season. Per the group’s website, “At the Robert Mills House, guests will see how a home of its size might have been decorated in the 1820s during the time before Christmas trees were popular. Across the street at the Hampton-Preston Mansion, Christmas of the 1860s was very different from today in many ways but some of the traditions we carry on today have their roots from this time.” The final day’s tour is at noon. Purchase admission ($15) at The Gift Shop at Robert Mills (1616 Blanding St.). More info is available at historiccolumbia.org.

Concerts at the Township

The Township Auditorium (1703 Taylor St.) has two big concerts coming up. Charlie Wilson (he of Gap Band fame and he of general funk/R&B excellence) will headline a New Year’s Weekend Celebration on Jan. 1 (8 p.m., $71-$127). On Jan. 6, popular country singer Riley Green performs (7:30 p.m., $39.50-$75). Find out more at thetownship.org.