FRIDAY, DEC. 26

Wild Lights
Riverbanks Zoo & Garden (500 Wildlife Pkwy.) invites you and the kids to enjoy Wild Lights. Take a walk through the zoo and check out more than 60 larger-than-life handcrafted wildlife lantern displays inspired by nature. Plus, there’s nightly snowfall, photo ops and visits with Santa. Wild Lights run from 5 to 9 p.m. and admission is $25.99. Visit riverbanks.org for more information.

Big Time Country (concert)
Skyline Club (100 Lee St.) is ready to celebrate Christmas with Big Time Country (the band and the genre). Big Time Country is a seven-piece honky-tonk wonder, and its goal is to have people dancing all night. Showtime is 9 p.m. and the concert runs until midnight. Visit facebook.com/skylineclub803 for ticket information.

Holiday Lights on the River
Bring the family to Saluda Shoals Park (6071 St. Andrews Rd.) to enjoy Holiday Lights on the River. Take in millions of sparkling lights and colorful displays, enjoy some fun activities, concessions, a laser light show and a visit to Santa Claus’ gift shop! Admission costs between $25-$30 per car, depending on the date, and $50-$75 per bus or van. Activities are included with admission. Visit icrc.net for more information.

SATURDAY, DEC. 27

Tokyo Joe (concert)
Popular local rock trio Tokyo Joe performs at O’Hara’s Public House (131 E. Main St.). The band plays a lively mix of covers by artists like Elton John and Tom Petty with its own melodic originals. Showtime is 7 p.m., and the band performs until 11 p.m. This show is free to attend. Visit oharas-public-house.com for more information.

The Terence Young Experience (concert)
Chayz Lounge (607 Meeting St.), and guitarist/bandleader Terence Young invite you to enjoy an evening of uptown soul and smooth jazz with The Terence Young Experience. Enjoy an upscale dinner club experience while taking in Young’s soulful sound, electrifying presence and killer repertoire of jazz and soul classics. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and showtime is 8 p.m. Reserved seating tickets are $50. Dressy attire is required. Visit chayzlounge.com for more information.

The Sam & Illia Band (concert)
Charming variety group The Sam & Illia Band performs at Hemingway’s Music Pub (7467 St. Andrews Rd.). The band kicks off at 8 p.m. with a full song list of classic and modern funk, soul, rock and R&B covers. This show is free to attend. Visit facebook.com/hemingwaysmusicpub for more information.

MONDAY, DEC. 29

Lifelong Learning: Yoga
Want to get limber for your New Year’s Eve celebration? The Cayce-West Columbia Branch Library (1500 Augusta Rd.) has a Lifelong Learning event just for you. Come enjoy a beginner's yoga class from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with your friends and neighbors. Be sure to wear comfortable clothes and bring your own yoga mat, towel or blanket. This event is free to attend. Visit lexcolibrary.com for more information.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 31

Noon Year’s Eve Celebration
Saluda Shoals Park (6071 St. Andrews Rd.) invites you to its Noon-Year’s Eve celebration. This festive, family-friendly event offers the perfect way for children ages three to 12 to celebrate the end of the year with games, laughter and plenty of excitement, all before naptime. From 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., families can enjoy interactive games and activities leading up to a special Mirror Ball Drop at noon. When the clock strikes 12 p.m., kids will count down and cheer as the park welcomes the new year with a daytime twist that’s just as fun (and a lot earlier) than the traditional midnight celebration. Admission for this event costs between $5 and $7. Visit icrc.net/event/new-noon-years-eve for more information.

New Year’s Eve at The Bistro
The Bistro (1085 Lake Murray Blvd.) hosts its annual New Year’s Eve celebration. Guests can enjoy live entertainment, premium drink options and an expansive dinner buffet. Your $100 admission provides a complimentary glass of champagne for the midnight toast, and it allows guests entry at any time during the evening. The menu includes a prime rib carving station, entrees inspired by The Bistro menu, signature sides, small plates and more. This event runs from 4 p.m. to midnight. Visit bistroontheblvd.com for more information.

New Year’s Celebration Cruise
Get ready to board The Spirit of Lake Murray (docked at 216 Shadowood Dr.) for a New Year’s Celebration Cruise. Ring in 2026 aboard The Spirit of Lake Murray with a festive cruise featuring music, food and panoramic views of the lake at night. This 4-hour celebration has live music, fresh hors d’oeuvres, a champagne toast at midnight and more. The cruise runs from 8:30 p.m. to midnight, and admission costs $113.85 per person. Visit facebook.com/SpiritofLakeMurray for more information.

Columbia’s Comedy Countdown
Celebrate New Year’s with a laugh at Corley Mill House & Gardens (221 Corley Mill Rd.). The “Columbia’s Comedy Countdown” event is a laugh-a-minute party featuring top comedians from across the Southeast (including headliner Scott Eason), a brunch-inspired buffet from Scott Hall Catering, a full open bar, party favors, a midnight champagne toast, a late-night dance party and complimentary onsite parking. This event runs from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., and admission is $100. Visit corleymillhouse.com for more information.

Across the county line

Bierkeller Columbia (600 Canalside St.) invites you to its annual Weihnachtsmarkt Christmas Market on Saturday, Dec. 27. Come experience the unique atmosphere of Germany’s Christmas markets right here in Columbia. The market features local vendors, specialty foods, classical live music, holiday and otherwise festive lights, hot mulled Glühwein, hot chocolate and much more. This event is free to attend and runs from noon til 8 p.m. Visit bierkellercolumbia.com for more information.

Historic Columbia invites you to take a Historic Holiday Tour on Saturday, Dec. 27. Step back in time and explore two of Columbia’s most iconic homes: The Robert Mills House and the Hampton-Preston Mansion. Each house is decorated for the holidays with an emphasis on 19th-century items and cultural touchstones. You’ll also hear stories about the local customs and unique ways that people of the Midlands celebrated Christmas back in the day. These 75-minute guided tours run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and admission costs between $14 and $20. Visit historiccolumbia.org for more information.

Attention anime fans: The Columbia Anime-Fest is coming to the Double Tree by Hilton (2100 Bush River Rd.) on Sunday, Dec. 28. Anime-Fest features a full lineup of special guests and voice actors, anime vendors, artist booths, interactive panels and video and cosplay contests. Come join the inaugural edition of this event on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $20. Visit animefests.com/Columbia for more information.

If you feel like ringing in the New Year with friends from your community, head over to New Year’s Eve at Market on Main (1320 Main St. #150) on Wednesday, Dec. 31. Enjoy an open bar with unlimited house liquors, beers and wines, heavy hors d’oeuvres and small plates, live music and a midnight countdown. This event runs from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. and admission costs between $75 and $125. Visit marketonmain.com for more information.

Now that it’s done celebrating Christmas, Bierkeller Columbia (600 Canalside St.) invites you to a German New Year’s Celebration on Wednesday, Dec. 31. Come enjoy a full Franconian feast: Schäuferla has been specially sourced for the occasion and will be served alongside a selection of other Fränkische favorites. And if midnight seems a little late for you to stay up these days, never fear; guests will ring in the New Year on German time at 6 p.m. This event runs from 5 to 8 p.m., and admission is $99. Visit facebook.com/bierkellercolumbia for more information.