71+ Christmas Events & Activities (2022) in Columbia, SC

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 lightings, 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.

Our guide is broken down into a few categories of holiday favorites, plus a huge, all-inclusive list of holiday events that you can scroll through by date. Use the table of contents below to help you navigate.

This Guide to Holiday Events Around Columbia Includes:
After Christmas! Winter Break and New Year’s Celebrations in Columbia
Christmas Parades Near Columbia
Holiday Shows and Theater
Tree Lighting Ceremonies Near Columbia
Season-long Holiday Events in Columbia, SC
Everything! The Biggest List of Holiday Events in Columbia, SC

Bonus: Our Special Columbia, SC Christmas Things to Do Lists

Holiday shopping events near Columbia, SC — **Holiday Shopping Events**

Santa in Columbia, SC — **Holiday Shopping Events**

Lights at Segra Park — **Fireflies Holiday Lights**

River at Holiday Lights on the River — **Fireflies Holiday Lights**

Season-long Holiday Events in Columbia

See Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 4D at the South Carolina State Museum. Shows run from November 19th, 2022 through January 1st, 2023. Purchase Rudolph tickets in advance!

See our HUGE guide to holiday lights in Columbia, with 11+ places to see lights in the Midlands! Including:
- Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo has dates starting November 19th through December 30th, 2022. Walk through one million lights, see Santa, ride the Gingerbread Express and the Candy Cane carousel, and lots more! Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for kids ages 2 to 12. Members will get one free visit, but guest passes will not be accepted.
- Fireflies Holiday Lights at Segra Park, runs November 19th through December 31st, 2022. Check out the newest light display in Columbia!
- Holiday Lights on the River at Saluda Shoals Park start November 23rd and runs through December 31, 2022. Check out our Kidding Around Review of Holiday Lights on the River.
- Carolina Lights starts December 3rd, 2022 and runs through December 26th, 2022 (closed on Christmas Day.)

South Carolina Railroad Museum Santa Train runs the first 3 Saturdays in December, 2022. Get your tickets online now!

The Biggest List of Christmas Events in Columbia, SC

Back to the top.

Holiday Theater & Performing Arts

So many holiday shows and concerts to choose from! Columbia is fortunate to have the Kroger Center with a wide variety of shows for Christmas ranging from the traditional ballet The Nutcracker to holiday concerts, and more!

Back to the top.

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, 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 2022 Carolina Carillon Holiday Parade in Downtown Columbia, SC will be held on December 3rd, 2022. The parade begins at the intersection of Sumter Street and Laurel Street at 9:45 am. The parade route ends at Senate Street.

Back to the top.

Tree Lightings Around Columbia, SC

Back to the top.

After Christmas! Winter Break and New Year’s

7 Ways to Celebrate New Year’s With Kids Columbia, SC

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!