• Half-Price Select Sushi & Martini Wednesdays | Wednesday, Dec. 14 | 5-10 p.m. | SakiTumi Grill & Sushi Bar, 807 Gervais St., Ste. 103, Columbia | The sushi rolls and drinks rotate each week so you never get bored with the same selections.
• A Night Out with the Autism Society | Wednesday, Dec. 14 | 6:30-9 p.m. | Steel Hands Brewing, 2350 Foreman St., Cayce | Enjoy giveaways, games, fun, and an auction.

• Members Bring a Friend Day! | Thursday, Dec. 15 | 10 a.m.-8 p.m. | Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St., Columbia | Free | The evening includes a tour of featured exhibitions at 6 p.m., a Baker & Baker concert at 7 p.m., and all galleries are open until 8 p.m.
• COLAughs Christmas Comedy Show! | Thursday, Dec. 15 | 7:30 p.m. | Gardener’s Outpost, 1211 Franklin St., Columbia | $10-$15 | COLAugh’s first-ever Christmas comedy show features a 10+ comedian lineup.

• Weekend Holiday Market at NoMa Warehouse | Friday, Dec. 16-Sunday, Dec. 18 | 6-9 p.m. | NoMa Warehouse, 2222 Sumter St., Columbia | Free | Attend this three-day holiday market full of Columbia’s best local vendors, delicious food, hot chocolate, spirits, live music and entertainment, and all of the holiday cheer you can imagine.

• Columbia City Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” | Saturday, Dec. 17, Saturday, Dec. 17, Sunday, Dec. 18 | 3-5 p.m. | Koger Center for the Arts, 1051 Greene St, Columbia | $35-$60 | Join the Columbia City Ballet for their award-winning performance of “The Nutcracker,” and enjoy dazzling costumes, sets + special effects sure to capture your imagination for the holiday season.
• Santa Saturdays at the State Museum | Saturday, Dec. 17 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | South Carolina State Museum, 301 Gervais St., Columbia | $6.95-$8.95 | Santa will be at the museum to meet with guests and members so you can take holiday photos.

• In May, CAE welcomed the South Carolina Air National Guard 169th Fighter Wing in an effort to support their need for a temporary relocation of their F-16 fleet while the runway at McEntire was being resurfaced.
• Throughout the year, CAE’s wildly popular Art in the Airport program showcased and honored four outstanding local artists by utilizing its walls to display their talents for travelers to enjoy. Pro tip: Submissions are open for the 2023 program now through Saturday, Dec. 31.
• This summer through late fall, CAE recognized + celebrated 80 Years of Flight that has taken place on the airport campus.*

• 50º | Cloudy | 24% chance of rain

• Frozen custard and burger fans rejoice; there’s another Freddy’s opening in the Midlands. The new 2,400-sqft location opens today at 111 Swartz Rd., just off East Main Street as you enter downtown Lexington. The new restaurant joins three other area locations in West Columbia, Columbia, and Irmo. 🍦

• There’s a new food truck in town. Parabellum Mobile serves elevated bar and comfort food like this blackened shrimp taco with jambalaya and broccoli slaw. Keep an eye on its schedule so you can catch them around the Midlands. 🌮

• Don’t have time to prep a big meal this holiday season? The State has you covered with seven Midlands restaurants open on Christmas Day. Whether it’s breakfast at Cracker Barrel or a steak dinner at Ruth’s Chris Steak House, this list has you covered. 🥩

• High school basketball teams from across the region will be in the Midlands this weekend at The Bash (formerly The Bojangles Bash) held at Ridge View High School. The three-day event is an elite-level basketball showcase. Grab your tickets here to see these budding stars. 🏀

• GRAMMY-nominated R&B supergroup New Edition announced they are coming to Colonial Life Arena on Thursday, March 9, on their Legacy Tour ‘23. The tour also features a New Jack Swing reunion with Keith Sweat and the original members of GUY. Tickets go on sale Friday, Dec. 16 at 10 a.m.

• Happy Birthday to Bar None. The Five Points staple — known for its service industry-friendly hours and late-night bites — celebrated its 28th birthday on Monday. Stop by soon for a Five Points Special sandwich and a game of shuffleboard. You may just spot a local legend. 🍻

• What gifts are on the radar this season? City Editor Sam is ready to pour into this Columbia skyline mug, and City Editor David is ready to sport this Columbia College washout crewneck sweatshirt. Shop these unique gifts + more at our online shop Six & Main. 🛍️
• (Gift) wrapping up your last-minute shopping? Have a box of cheer delivered by Christmas morning when you order a specialty Carolina Box from Lowes Foods by Thursday, Dec. 15.* 📦

• Managing a divorce or separation during the holidays typically adds a layer of extra stress and strain — not only for parents, but also for children. Find out how to make the most of the holidays for you + your kids with these nine holiday coping tips for divorced families.*

• Open enrollment for individual and family health insurance is now. An enrollment event is happening this week at Simplesurance at 4326 Ft. Jackson Blvd. in Columbia on Wed., Dec. 14 from 12 p.m.-7 p.m. You must enroll by Dec. 15 for Jan. 1 coverage.*

• 94,150. That’s how many passengers traveled through Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) in October 2022. As holiday travel ramps up, CAE is sharing tips + tricks in their holiday travel guide to ensure passengers have everything they need before arriving at the airport. 🎄*

FedEx deadlines:

• Wednesday, Dec. 14 | FedEx Ground
• Tuesday, Dec. 20 | Express Saver
• Wednesday, Dec. 21 | FedEx 2Day
• Friday, Dec. 23 | FedEx SameDay

UPS deadlines:

• Tuesday, Dec. 20 | UPS 3 Day Select
• Wednesday, Dec. 21 | UPS 2nd Day Air
• Thursday, Dec. 22 | UPS Next Day Air

United States Postal Service deadlines:

• Friday, Dec. 16 | USPS Priority Mail Express Military service
• Saturday, Dec. 17 | USPS Retail Ground service, First-Class Mail service, First-Class packages
• Monday, Dec. 19 | Priority Mail service
• Friday, Dec. 23 | Priority Mail Express service