Lexington County Lights

Lights at Riverbanks

The Riverbanks Zoo and Garden (500 Wildlife Pkwy.) hosts its annual Christmas light event (known previously as Lights Before Christmas). The zoo will be illuminated by nearly a million lights. You can also take a photo with Santa and roast marshmallows at the Jingle Bell Bonfire. The event continues through Dec. 30 on select dates. Visit riverbanks.org for more information.

Holiday Lights on the River

Enjoy an evening of holiday lights and activities at Saluda Shoals Park East (6071 St Andrews Rd. in Columbia). The park will have three miles of lights featuring colorful, animated light displays of all shapes and sizes. There will also be a tube slide, a hayride train, a laser light show on the Wetland Trail, and kids can write and color a letter to Santa in the Environmental Center. Santa will also be there for photos, and Santa’s Claus’et Gift Shop will be open for holiday shopping. Concessions, beer and wine will be available for purchase. The event recurs nightly through Dec. 31, and admission costs between $25 and $75 (available activities vary on some nights). Visit icrc.net for more information.

Friday — Dec. 23

Shellabration

Steel Hands Brewing (2350 Foreman St. in Cayce) hosts a pre-Christmas Shellabration. Steel Hands will cook out lobster rolls and Philly cheese steaks for those who don’t like shellfish. There will also be live music and drink specials. The Shellabration begins at 12 p.m. and runs until 10 p.m. Visit facebook.com/steelhandsbrewing for more information. 

Easy Does It Duo (concert)

Enjoy an evening of jazz, pop and R&B as the Easy Does It duo takes the stage at Savage Craft Ale Works (430 Center St. in West Columbia). Showtime is 7 p.m., and the duo will play until 10 p.m. The show is free to attend. Visit facebook.com/savagecraftaleworks for more information. 

The Picken Pearls (concert)

Join Bill’s Music Shop & Pickin’ Parlor (710 Meeting St. in West Columbia) for an evening of bluegrass, country and gospel with The Picken Pearls band. Showtime is 6 p.m., and admission is a $10 donation. Visit billsmusicshop.com for more information.

Christmas Party

Join New Brookland Tavern (122 State St.) for their annual NBT Christmas Party. There will be live music, drink specials, and more. The Christmas party costs $25 to attend and begins at 6 p.m. Visit newbrooklandtavern.com for more information. 

Saturday — Dec. 24

Meeting Street Artisan Market

Head over to the Interactive Art Park (425 Meeting St. in West Columbia) for the Meeting Street Artisan Market. The market includes vendors selling original art, crafts, foods, and produce. Support local vendors, interact with the unique sculptures throughout the park, and then head to State and Meeting Streets, and Court Avenue to continue shopping and dining. The Market is free to attend and runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit facebook.com/MeetingStreetArtisanMarket for more information.

JC Jazz Ensemble

Chayz Lounge (607 Meeting St. in West Columbia) and the JC Jazz Ensemble host “A Night Of Soulful Rhythms.” The group, which features trombonist Willie Allen, will perform hits and classics by Stevie Wonder, James Brown, Frankie Beverly & Maze, George Duke, Kem, Michael Jackson, Earth, Wind & Fire, Bill Withers, Beyonce, Chaka Khan, and more. Showtime is 8pm and tickets are $25. Dressy attire is required. Visit chayzlounge.com for more information. 

Tuesday — Dec. 27

Music Bingo

Come play Music Bingo every Tuesday night at O’Hara’s Public House (131 E. Main St.). Enjoy an evening of music-related clues and compete for prizes including O’Hara’s gift cards. Music Bingo begins at 6:30 p.m. and runs until 8:30 p.m. It’s free to attend and play. Visit facebook.com/oharasph for more information.

Wednesday — Dec. 28

Handmade: Stitch 2gether

The Cayce Main Branch Library (1500 Augusta Rd.) hosts Handmade: Stitch 2gether. Relax and work on your current project while chatting with fellow crafters. Bring your needed materials. Handmade begins at 4 p.m. and runs until 6 p.m. It is free to attend. Visit lexcolibrary.com for more information. 

Thursday — Dec. 29

Book Club

Join the Gilbert-Summit Branch Library (405 Broad St.) as they host a Book Club meeting. Unwind with fellow book lovers on the last Thursday of each month with casual discussion, light refreshments and a vote on what to read next. The club meets from 5:30-6:30 p.m. and is free to attend. Visit lexcolibrary.com for more information. 

Across the County Line

The Aristocrat Celebrates the Music of Vince Guaraldi

The Aristocrat (1001 Washington St.in Columbia) rings in Christmas a little early with an evening of jazz music on Dec. 22. Nick Vlandis, Ed Fuqua, and Kyle Duppstadt will perform music from the Vince Guaraldi Trio’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas” starting at 6 p.m. and running until 8 p.m. The Aristocrat will offer craft cocktails, beer, wine and food. This event is free to attend. Visit facebook.com/thearistocrat803

Eve of the Eve Celebration

The Koger Center for the Arts (1051 Greene St. in Columbia) hosts its third annual Eve of the Eve Celebration Dec. 23. The Mark Rapp Group performs live in the lobby, mixing classic Christmas tunes with beloved jazz standards. Showtime is 7:30 p.m, and tickets are $23 for general admission, $18 for military/University of South Carolina faculty/staff and $8 for USC students with a student ID (at the box office only). Visit kogercenterforthearts.com for more information. 

Carolina Lights

In the mood for a Christmas light show? Head over to the State Fairgrounds (1200 Rosewood Dr. in Columbia) daily through Dec. 26 (except for Christmas Day) for the annual Carolina Lights Drive-Through show. The drive-through light experience features more than 100 individual LED light displays along an expanded route in the Lexington Medical Center Fair Park. Admission is $20 per car and $35 for mini-buses. The drive-through runs from 6pm until 10pm. Visit scstatefair.org for more information.

Soda City Market

Head over to Main Street in Columbia for the Soda City Market on Dec. 24. Find everything from food and drink to arts and crafts vendors to clothing at the market, which is inspired by traditional European street markets. It runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is free to attend. Visit sodacitysc.com for more information.

Pajama Christmas Movie Party

If you’re looking for something a little different to do on Christmas Day, check out the 8th Annual Pajama Christmas Movie Party at the Art Bar (1211 Park St. in Columbia). Wear your best PJs (there will be prizes for best solo and couples’ pajamas) and settle in to watch “Violent Night” and “Uncle Buck.” There will be hot chocolate and adult beverages for sale. The party begins at 8 p.m. and is free to attend. Visit facebook.com/artbarvista for more information.