We’re officially full swing into the holiday season. Here’s your list of all of the events going on in Columbia (both in-person and virtually) all month long.
Disclaimer: It is up to readers’ discretion to determine whether they feel comfortable participating in the following events based on COVID-19 protocols and precautions. If you have questions, please contact the event’s organizers directly.
Dec. 1-6
Tuesday, December 1
Show
○ Student Choreography Showcase | Tues., Dec. 1-Fri., Dec.4 | 7 p.m. | Virtual | Free | An original work of talented student choreographers, directed by Erin Bailey. 💃
Learn
○ Research Roundtable | Tues., Dec.1 | 12-1 p.m. | Virtual | $5 | Director of House Museums Fielding Freed will highlight the difference between Christmas in the 19th century vs. today + a behind the scenes tour. 🔍
Wednesday, December 2
TryThis
○ Ribbon Cutting | Wed., Dec. 2 | 11-11:30 a.m. | 2728 Sunset Blvd. Ste 202 | Free | Celebrate the re-grand opening of About you Aesthetics. ✂️
Cause
○ COR Gives: Families Helping Families Wrapping Party | Wed., Dec. 2 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Za’s On Devine | Free | Help wrap gifts, socialize + enjoy your first drink free. 🎁
Thursday, December 3
Holiday
○ Christmas in Cayce | Thurs., Dec. 3 | 6-8 p.m. | Cayce City Hall | Free | Drive through the magical twinkling lights while listening to carolers passing out delicious treats. Dialed Bicycles, Piecewise Coffee, State of the Art Gallery and the Cayce Arts Guild are all participating in the event of the season. 🔔 Ⓟ
Learn
○ Healthy Pond Series: Upland Management for Healthy Ponds | Thurs., Dec. 3 | 2-3:30 p.m. | Virtual | Free | A community based discussion for pond owners where Kim Counts Morganello shares how to support a healthy pond.💧
Dish
○ Oyster Roast | Thurs., Dec. 3 | 6 p.m. | The Grand | $45 | Tickets include all you can eat oysters, two beers + live music. 🦪
Friday, December 4
Film
○ Movies in the Garden | Fri., Dec. 4 | 6-8 p.m. | Hampton-Preston Gardens | $40+ | Get in the holiday spirit with National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation in socially distanced pods + food and drinks from Craft & Draft. 🎬
Show
○ Mark Rapp Group | Fri., Dec. 4 | 8-11 p.m. | The Aristocrat | Free | An amazing night of jazz plus a new food + cocktail menu for the night.🎷
Drink
○ Wine & Cocktail Tasting with The Avenue Events | Fri., Dec. 4 | 3-5 p.m. | 1217 Bull St. | Free | Taste and shop for handcrafted wines from Avenue Events & Design.🍷
FeaturedEvent
○ Winter Wonderland Weekend | Fri., Oct. 4 - Sun., Oct. 6 | 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. | Five Points | Free | Start your holiday shopping locally at Five Points this year where they will be lighting up our storefronts, wintering our windows + making a holiday wonderland experience for shoppers. Ⓟ
Saturday, December 5
Holiday
○ Carolina Lights | Sat., Dec. 5-Sun., Dec. 27 | 6-10 p.m. | South Carolina State Fairgrounds | $20+ | A drive-thru light experience with favorites from last year + several new displays. 🌟
Drink
○ Santa Crawl 2020 | Sat., Dec. 5 | 12 p.m. | Tin Roof | $10 | Dress up in your holiday themed clothes and sip your way to six different bars + compete in the costume contest afterwards. 🎅
○ Wine Tasting & Charcuterie Night | Sat., Dec. 5 | 6-8 p.m. | Swamp Cabbage Brewing Company | $40+ | Sample eight local and international wines then take a few home at a discounted price.🍷
Show
○ Admiral Radio w/ Brown Mountain Lightning Bugs | Sat., Dec. 5 | 6 p.m. | Indah Coffee | $5 | A night full of mellow music, good drinks and socially distant friends. 🎶
○ Chase Rice | Sat., Dec. 5 | 8 p.m. | Columbia Speedway Entertainment Center | $150+ | Calling country music lovers, grab your tickets now. 🎸
TheBuy
○ Santa’s Market Craft Show | Sat., Dec. 5 | 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | Seven Oaks Park | Free | An annual event featuring unique gifts, decorations and one-of-a-kind crafts.🎁
TryThis
○ Plaza Rhythms: Garba Dance | Sat., Dec. 5 | 1:30-3 p.m. | Columbia Museum of Art | $10 | Learn a Gujarati folk dance taught by local dancer Panna Chauhan.💃
Sunday, December 6
Dec. 7-13
Monday, December 7
Dish
○ December Harvest Dinner | Mon., Dec. 7 | 6:30 p.m. | City Roots Farm | $75 | Come ready to feast on a four-course farm-to-table dinner with ingredients from local farmers + artisans. 🥕
○ Buehler Wine Dinner | Mon., Dec. 7 | 6 p.m. | Market on Main | $70 | Four gourmet courses paired with four exceptional wines from Buehler Vineyards in California.🍷
Holiday
○Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration | Mon., Dec. 7 | 6-8 p.m. | 2915 Platt Springs Rd. | Free | Enjoy hot coco + s’mores while carols are sung throughout the park.🎄
Tuesday, December 8
Learn
○ Research Roundtable | Tues., Dec. 8 | 12-1 p.m. | Virtual | $5, free for members | Historical Columbia director of grounds Keith Mearns will discuss the history and future of Camellias in South Carolina. 🌸
Play
○ Ladies on the Green | Tues., Dec. 8 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | The Main Course | $25 | Have a ladies night out featuring a golf lesson and a glass of wine.🏌️♀️
ForKids
○ Virtual Crafty Jammies Night – The Grinch | Tues., Dec. 8 | 7 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Get the kids in their pjs for a special bedtime story while they learn how to make a paper Grinch figure. 🔔
Wednesday, December 9
Arts
○ AiR Presents: Artists Helping Artists | Wed., Nov. 9 | 5-6 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Join Richland Library Artist-in-Residence Crush Rush to learn from and share with artists who have faced the challenges of social injustice. 🤗
Civic
○ Ribbon Cutting & Grand Opening: Oliver Gospel Roastery | Wed., Nov. 9 | 10-11 a.m. | 1120 Taylor St. | Free | Celebrate the new coffee shop who roasts their very own blends right in Cola.☕
Network
○ Holiday Networking | Wed., Nov. 9 | 4:45-6:45 p.m. | 221 Corley Mill Rd., Lexington | $18 | Share holiday cheer while eating, drinking and growing your business + optional headshots will be available.💬
Thursday, December 10
Show
○Mark Rapp’s Jingle Bell Jazz | Thurs., Dec.10-Sun., Dec.13 | 8-9:30 p.m. | Trustus Theatre | $35+ | Four unique holiday concerts bringing together some of South Carolina’s most celebrated jazz musicians. 🎷
Talk
○ The Color of Law: Session One | Thurs., Dec.10 | 6-8 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Explore the concepts discussed in the book The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America, alongside the City of Columbia. 📚
TheBuy
○ Krafty Lights Holiday Market | Thurs., Dec.10 – Sun., Dec. 13 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Free Bird Boutique, 253 Charter Oak Rd., Lexington | Free | Explore goods from different local businesses + enter a giveaway. 🛍️
Holiday
○ Holiday Celebration | Thurs., Dec.10 | 5-9 p.m. | 2208 N Lake Dr. | Free | A festive evening with beer, wine, food trucks + sweets from Betty Jean’s Bakery.☃️
○ Jingle & Mingle | Thurs., Dec.10 | 4-7:30 p.m. | Lake Murray Country Visitors Center | Free | Stop by to shop, talk + eat with Cafe Strudel Food Truck, Columbia Craft Brewery + Enoree River Winery.🎁
Friday, December 11
Drink
○ Bulleit Bourbon & Hess Wine Tasting | Fri., Dec.11 | 6 p.m. | The Main Course | Free | A night of delicious drink tasting with raffles up to $300 + a three month trial membership to the Players Club. 🥃
Show
○ MöSTLEY CRüE - A Tribute to Mötley Crüe | Fri., Dec.11 | 7 p.m. | The Senate Columbia | $25+ | Take a blast to the past for the night and rock out all night long.🎸
Saturday, December 12
Show
○ Jason Isbell And Amanda Shires | Sat., Dec. 12 | 8 p.m. | Columbia Speedway Entertainment Center | TBA | Don’t miss out on seeing these Grammy Award-winning artists.
○ The Nutcracker | Sat., Dec.12-Sun., Dec. 20 | Times vary | Koger Center | $25+ | Eight nights of fabulous performances produced by William Starrett. 🩰
Holiday
○ Tacky Christmas Sweater Party | Sat., Dec. 12 | 6-10:30 p.m. | The Main Course | $60 | Dance, sample beers and decorate Christmas glasses. The best sweater takes home a prize. ☃️
○ Ugly Sweater Party | Sat., Dec. 12 | 7 p.m. | Tin Roof | Free | Break out your best or worst holiday sweater for a chance to win gift cards + other prizes. ☃️
ForKids
○ Family Day: Historic Holidays | Sat., Dec. 12 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Hampton-Preston Mansion and Gardens | $5+ | Learn how families in Columbia celebrated the holidays with historic traditions + crafts for the kids. 🎄
Film
○ Movie Night | Fri., Dec. 11 | 7:15 p.m. | Segra Park | $12 | Tickets include a free popcorn + drink for the screening of “Elf”. 🎅
FeaturedEvent
○ Steel Hands Brewing 2 Year Anniversary | Sat., Dec. 12 | 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. | 2350 Forman Street, Cayce | Free | Celebrate two years of great beer with live music, special releases and games. VIP tickets available for purchase. Ⓟ
Saturday, December 12
Civic
○ SC Floodwater Commission Cleanup | Sat., Dec. 12 | 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. | Friarsgate Community, Irmo | Free | Help dozens of community members in an effort to stop flooding at Rawls Creek.💧
Sunday, December 13
Show
○ Greg Gutfeld | Sun., Dec. 13 | 6 p.m. | Columbia Speedway Entertainment Center | $165+ | New York Times best-selling author Greg Gutfeld presents self-help for people who hate self-help. 🙌
○ KT Tunstall | Sun., Dec. 13 | 8 p.m. | The Senate Columbia | $140+ | A talented UK singer + songwriter you won’t want to miss.🎤
Holiday
○ A Charles Dickens Christmas | Sun., Dec. 13 | 3-4 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Hop onto Facebook Live to watch British actor Howard Burnham perform his adaptation of “A Christmas Carol”. 🕯️
Dec. 14-20
Monday, December 14
TryThis
○ Monday JFF Night | Mon., Dec.14 | 7-9 p.m. | Bang Back Pinball Lounge | Free | All ages + skill levels welcome plus pizzas given away at random all night.🍕
Cause
○ WIP Volunteers at Christmas Warehouse | Mon., Dec.14 | 12:30-4:45 p.m. | South Carolina State Fair | Free | Help is needed to assist at the Salvation Army Christmas Warehouse to guide customers picking up gifts + food.🎁
Tuesday, December 15
Learn
○ Virtual Renovation Rodeo | Tues., Dec.15 | 6-7 p.m. | Virtual | $5+ | Virtually tour the Waverly neighborhood, learning about its restoration process and history of its residents.🏘️
Talk
○ Wheatley Book Group | Tues., Dec.15 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Richland Library online will host a lively discussion of the book “News of the World” by Paulette Jiles.📚
Wednesday, December 16
Arts
○ Art Class: Foundations of Drawing | Wed., Dec.16 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Columbia Museum of Art | $90 | Learn drawing fundamentals from local art educator Mary Hendrix using pencil, charcoal, conté crayon + more.🖌️
TryThis
○ Virtual Open Mic | Wed., Dec.16 | 6-7 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Showcase your music and poetry from the comfort of your home.🎙️
Thursday, December 17
Drink
○ Cider and Chocolate Pairing | Thurs., Dec.17 | 5-8 p.m. | Craft and Draft | $20 | Sample and pair different chocolates + ciders as you wind down from the week.
○ Christmas Bourbon Dinner | Thurs., Dec.17 | 6-9 p.m. | The Grand | $75 | Beginning with a cocktail, the four-course meal will be paired with hand selected bourbons. 🥃
TryThis
○ Virtual Happy Hour-Holiday Cocktails | Thurs., Dec.17 | 5-6 p.m. | Virtual | $5+ | Get in the Holiday spirit by learning the history of holiday cocktails + other beverages.🍾
Friday, December 18
Holiday
○ Red Stripe Management Christmas Gala | Fri., Dec.18 | 6-11 p.m. | Embassy Suites, 200 Stoneridge Dr. | $20+ | Dance the night away at this black tie event with cocktails and a photo booth. 🎟️
TryThis
○ Cookies & Beer Pairing | Fri., Dec.18 | 4-9 p.m. | River Rat Brewery | $20 | Four 8oz. Holiday pours + homemade cookies for you and the kids.🍪
Saturday, December 19
Play
○ Mean Girls Trivia Brunch | Sat., Dec.19 | 11 a.m. | The Grand | Free | Grab a mimosa flight and wear your favorite pink shirt while you compete for prizes. 👚
Sunday, December 20
Show
○ Mike Stone Christmas Showcase | Sun., Dec. 20 | 7-10 p.m. | The Main Course | $20+ | A 6th season finalist on America’s Got Talent, come watch this amazing show with food + drinks. 🎶
○ Columbia Celebrates | Sun., Dec. 20 | 3-4:30 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Tune into Facebook Live to hear the sweet holiday sounds presented by Palmetto Chamber Orchestra. 🎵
Dec. 21-27
Monday, December 21
TryThis
○ Teen Winter Workshop: Wearable Metals | Mon., Dec. 21-Tues., Dec.22 | 1-4 p.m. | Columbia Museum of Art | $72+ | Learn basics metalsmithing, perfect for teens interested in jewelry making, metals, or even a holiday present.👑
Arts
○ Youth Winter Workshop: Holiday Hop | Mon., Dec. 21-Tues., Dec.22 | 9a.m.-12 p.m. | Columbia Museum of Art | $80 | Two festive days celebrating art from around the world, ages 4-7.🖌️
Outdoors
○ Telescope Livestream | Mon., Dec. 21 | 6:30 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Tune into the Facebook livestream to witness Jupiter and Saturn as they merge together to create what some astronomers are calling the Great Conjunction. 🪐
Dish
Mobile Food Monday: Island Noodles | Mon. Dec. 21 | 5-8 p.m. | Curiosity Coffee Bar | Free | Save yourself from a night of cooking and warm up with a tropical island dish. Vegan options available.
Tuesday, December 22
Active
○ 80s Bowling Night | Tues., Dec.22 | 7 p.m. | The Grand | Free | Dress up in your favorite 80s themed clothing, bowl for free and dance the night away.🕺
Play
○ Christmas Music Bingo | Tues., Dec. 22 | 7-11 p.m. | Tin Roof | Free | Get in the holiday spirit with food and drink specials + Christmas tunes. Reservations here. 🎄
Dish
○ Los Chicanos @ WECO | Tues., Dec. 22 | 5-8 p.m. | WECO Bottle & Biergarten | Free | Celebrate taco Tuesday with local eats + sips. 🌮
Wednesday, December 23
WaterCooler
○ Gamecocks Men’s Basketball vs. SC State Bulldogs | Wed., Dec. 23 | 7 p.m. | Colonial Life Arena | $15+ | Clear bag policy in place. 🏀
Show
○ Eve of the Eve: Santa Swings | Wed., Dec. 23 | 8 p.m. | Virtual | Free | A new holiday tradition hosted on Facebook Live with the Cola Jazz Foundation + the Koger Center for the Arts.🎷
TryThis
○ Wednesday Trivia Night | Wed., Dec. 23 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Bang Back Pinball Lounge | Get tested by Mike Daves for a trivia night at the Pinball Lounge in Five Points, prizes will be awarded to the top teams. 🤔
Holiday
○ Holiday Market | Wed., Dec. 23 | 5-8 p.m. | Curiosity Coffee Bar | Free | Local vendors are here for the holiday procrastinators to fill your bags and Marys Arepas will be there to fill your bellies. 🎁
Thursday, December 24
ForKids
○ Christmas Eve Buzzcamp | Thurs., Dec 24 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | The Local Buzz | $45 | A holiday day camp that includes Christmas cookies + fudge making, pajamas, hot cocoa, holiday movies and homemade mac and cheese for lunch. 🍪
Friday, December 25
Show
○ Christmas with The Joint | Fri., Dec. 25 | 8-11 p.m. | The Joint at 1710 Main | Free | Spend the holiday enjoying a free jazz concert performed by Robert Gardiner and Company.🎷
Saturday, December 26
Active
○ Cold Winter’s Day | Sat., Dec. 26 | 7-10 a.m. | Strictly Running | $40+ | A chilly yet exciting race benefiting the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society. 👟
ForKids
○ Family Storytime | Sat., Dec. 26 | 10:30-10:45 a.m. | Virtual | Free | Join Facebook Live to have fun with the whole family + build early literacy skills.📚
Show
○ JaVonne Jones Presents A Night of Rhythm & Soul | Sat., Dec. 26 | 8-10 p.m. | Chayz Lounge | $25 | Hear the electric violinist extraordinaire for a right of soulful rhythm. 🎻
○ Joal Rush Live | Sat., Dec. 26 | 1-4 p.m. | Steel Hands Brewery | Free | Keep the holiday spirit going with this performance on the outdoor stage and a cold local beer in hand. 🍻
Sunday, December 27
Dec. 28-31
Monday, December 28
ForKids
○ Virtual At-Home Camps | Mon., Dec. 28 | 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | Virtual | $20+ | Tune in with the SC State Museum for a virtual winter camp for students ages 6-11. 💻FeaturedEvent
○ Kwanzaa in the Midlands: Ujima | Mon., Dec. 28 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Celebrate family, community and culture during this holiday experience. Ⓟ
Tuesday, December 29
TheBuy
○ Collard-Palooza | Tues., Dec. 29 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | 304 Waccamaw Ave. | Free | Pick up all your greens for your New Year’s meal including collards, mustard, turnip, rutabaga, kale, spinach + lettuce mix. 🥬
Wednesday, December 30
TryThis
○ Wednesday Trivia Night | Wed., Dec. 30 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Bang Back Pinball Lounge | Free | Get your team together to compete for the chance to win prizes.🏆
Thursday, December 31
Holiday
○ Farewell 2020 | Thurs., Dec. 31 | 6 p.m. | The Grand on Main | $50+ | Tickets include entry at The Grand on Main and Main Course in downtown Columbia, two drinks, hors d’oeuvres, NYE champagne toast, a free bowling lane at The Grand on Main or virtual golf bay at Main Course and live music. 🎉
○ Famously Hot New Year: S.C.'s Virtual Party of the Year | Thurs., Dec. 31 | 10:30-12:15 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Tune in to celebrate the start of the New Year for the 10th anniversary of Colas Famously Hot New Year.🍾
○ 2021 NYE Party | Thurs., Dec. 31 | 6-11 p.m. | The Joint at 1710 Main | $45+ | Tickets include your choice of entrée, a cocktail, a champagne toast + a full night of entertainment. 🥂
WaterCooler
○Gamecock Women’s Basketball vs. Ole Miss Rebels | Thurs., Dec. 31 | 7 p.m. | Colonial Life Arena | $10+ | Clear bag policy in place. 🏀
