What is there to do in Columbia this holiday season? Where are the holiday events near me? If you’re looking for Christmas events in Columbia, SC, and holiday season activities, you have come to the right place.
We’ll be updating this huge list all season long with holiday parades, seasonal live entertainment, theater, live music, crafts, Santa, tree lighting, light displays, Christmas carols, and lots more! Get ready for Christmas Day and celebrate the season with all of these fun, festive holiday events!
So, get that hot cocoa ready and cue up that holiday playlist. Bookmark this list and check back often so you don’t miss out on any of the festive fun this season in the Midlands.
Bonus: Our Special Columbia, SC Christmas Things to Do Lists
Christmas in Columbia, SC: Video
What to see this Christmas in Columbia? Sometimes you just need a sneak peek video at holiday fun to help you decide what to do to celebrate the holiday. Check out some of the cool Christmas light shows and things we’ve seen this year!
Season-long Holiday Events in Columbia
South Carolina Railroad Museum Santa Train runs the first 3 Saturdays in December, 2025. Get your tickets online now!
See our HUGE guide to holiday lights in Columbia, with 20+ places to see lights in the Midlands! Including:
- Wild Lights at Riverbanks Zoo has dates starting November 21st through January 11th, 2025. This is the second year for this new lights experience at Riverbanks Zoo. The experience will include visits with Santa through December 23rd.
- Fireflies Holiday Lights at Segra Park, runs November 21st through January 3rd, 2026. Want to know more? Kidding Around visited the Fireflies Holiday Lights, here’s the KACOLA Fireflies Holiday Lights review.
- Holiday Lights on the River at Saluda Shoals Park starts November 26th and runs through December 31, 2025. Check out our Kidding Around Review of Holiday Lights on the River.
The Biggest List of Christmas Events in Columbia, SC
We will be adding to this list as the holiday events in Columbia heat up. Bookmark this list and check back often!
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Want to see the Christmas Events happening in the Lake Murray area? Here’s our Holiday Guide to Lexington, Irmo, and Chapin.
Holiday Theater & Performing Arts
Holidays in Columbia wouldn’t be complete without holiday shows and there are so many shows and concerts to choose from! Columbia is fortunate to have the Koger Center for the Arts with a wide variety of shows for Christmas ranging from the traditional ballet The Nutcracker to holiday concerts, and more!
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Where is Santa?
If you’re looking for the big man in red, you’ll want to pop over to our exclusive Santa page. The elves gave us the inside scoop on all of Santa’s visits around Columbia, including photos with Santa, and we’re passing them on to you. So, go visit Santa in Columbia, SC!
Christmas and Holiday Parades Around Columbia
Is there anything better than a Christmas parade when it comes to free, festive fun? Grab some hot chocolate, pack up some Christmas cookies, bring the kids, and enjoy some holiday season fun!
Carolina Carillon Holiday Parade
The 2025 Carolina Carillon Holiday Parade in Downtown Columbia, SC will be held on December 6th, 2025. The parade begins at the intersection of Sumter Street and Laurel Street at 9:45 am. The parade route ends at Senate Street.
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Tree Lightings Around Columbia, SC
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After Christmas! Winter Break and New Year’s
Time to celebrate the start of 2023! How will you celebrate with your family in Columbia this year? We have 7 family-friendly celebrations for New Year’s in Columbia, plus a few more ways you can ring in the New Year!
Stay Busy! Columbia’s Winter Break Bucket List
Don’t be bored over winter break! This bucket list has 20 ways to have fun over winter break in Columbia, SC!
Looking for more this holiday season? Don’t miss the rest of KACOLA’s holiday content!
- Santa Sightings: Where to See Santa Around Columbia
- Where to see holiday lights near Columbia, SC
- Shop local: Locally owned shops with great gifts
- Holiday Markets and Shopping Events
- Free Christmas Things to Do in Columbia, SC
