As we enter the holiday season, many of us begin to think about traveling for a quick getaway to spend time with family. We suggest a weekend in Asheville, NC. We know things look different this year as communities in Western North Carolina are still recovering after Hurricane Helene.
“We are encouraging customers to support local businesses by visiting respectfully, with heart, patience, and planning,” said Explore Asheville, the city’s tourism bureau. Before you start packing your bags, here’s everything you need to know about the area + our insider recommendations.
Sloppy Jai (Kheema Pav) dish from Chai Pani | Photo by COLAtoday team
Things to do
The Biltmore Christmas at the Biltmore is underway with 56 trees decking the halls of the historic home. Of course, it isn’t a trip to the expansive property without a stop by Biltmore Village for your complimentary wine tasting.
Fuel up
Chai Pani Chai Pani received a 2022 James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurant and is described as “Mindblasting Indian Street Food.”
Fill your time with relaxing activities like golfing, dining, and enjoying a spa day. | Photo by COLAtoday team
Where to stay
The Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa Golf on the grounds, book a spa day, sit by the fireplaces, dine, or find more to do at this long-time resort in Asheville.
Book Club Night | 6 p.m. | The Nickelodeon | $12 | Gather at The Nick for a special screening of “Wicked,” featuring a talkback after the film with All Good Books.
Thursday, Dec. 5
The Holiday Market | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Richland Library Sandhills | Free | Indulge your senses in a vibrant celebration of local flavors, crafts, and community spirit.
DDSN Holiday Market | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs Central Office | Free | Find the perfect gift for everyone on your list while supporting talented individuals in our disabilities and special needs community.
Midlands Clay Arts Society 2024 Holiday Sale | Thursday, Dec. 5-Saturday, Dec. 7 | Times vary | Stormwater Studios | Free | Local ceramic artists will showcase their sculptural, functional, and whimsical wheel-thrown and hand-built ceramic art.
A Thousand Horses | 7 p.m. | The Senate | $20 | Newberry natives Michael Hobby and Bill Satcher of A Thousand Horses return with their new single “Highway Sound,” blending Southern Rock, Classic Country, and Americana.
Saturday, Dec. 7
SC Gingerbread House Competition and Exhibition | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | AIA Columbia | Free | The second annual competition will showcase hand-crafted gingerbread creations from teams in the design/build community and professional bakers.
Uptown Holiday Hop | 4-8 p.m. | Uptown Columbia | Free | Join the Uptown Columbia Association and businesses from Elmwood, Earlewood, and Cottontown for a festive evening filled with local flavor, holiday cheer, and community spirit.
WECO Bottle and Biergarten 5th Anniversary | 11 a.m.-10 p.m. | WECO Bottle and Biergarten, West Columbia | Free | Celebrate with a collab beer with Columbia Craft, food by La Dolce Vita Pizza and Tacos Oink Oink, and live music.
Wednesday, Dec. 11
2024 WIP Leadership Breakfast | 7:30-9 a.m. | Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center | $30+ | Join Women in Philanthropy for their annual Leadership Breakfast to hear from keynote speaker Darci Strickland Rush on embracing professional growth and creating a lasting impact in our community.*
General admission is $10, with free entry for kids 12 and under. | Photos provided by Junior League of Columbia
Temperatures are dropping, but the Junior League of Columbia’s Holiday Market is here to lift your spirits.
From Thursday, Dec. 5 to Sunday, Dec. 8, head to the South Carolina State Fairgrounds to shop for unique gifts from 160+ vendors. Plus, don’t miss these festive highlights:
Holiday Ball | Friday, Dec. 6 | Enjoy live music, private shopping, delectable bites, and cocktails at this 21+ event.
Sundaes with Santa | Sunday, Dec. 8 | Bring the kiddos for games, crafts, ice cream sundaes, and photos with Santa.
Barrio Tacos, located on Devine Street near Whole Foods, is showing that it is permanently closed. If you can’t live without the build-your-own tacos restaurant, there is a location on West Main Street in Lexington.
Coming Soon
Is there anything better than a Pub sub? More chances to order a Pub sub. The new Publix grocery store is nearing completion and will open in the first quarter of 2025 in Northeast Columbia near Spears Creek Church Road. The project was estimated to cost ~$7.6 million. (The Post and Courier)
Weather
Protect your plants + pipes, y’all. Columbia is experiencing an unusual hard freeze and according to the National Weather Service, low temperatures are expected again on Thursday. Citizens can expect to see more average temperatures over the weekend. (The State)
Holiday
The Main Street District is hosting an inaugural Elf on a Shelf Scavenger Hunt which will run from Tuesday, Dec. 3 through Monday, Dec. 30. Over 20 elves are hidden in various businesses within the district. See how to participate.
Sports
Is Bryce Young playing his way into the Carolina Panthers starting quarterback job in 2025? Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Carolina Pantherswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Biz
Looking to expand your network? Several business organizations in The Midlands are collaborating to host a holiday meetup for advertising, business, marketing, and public relations professionals on Thursday, Dec. 12 from 6-9 p.m. Socialize, network, and enjoy hors d’oeuvres + beverages. Grab tickets.
Fun Fact
COLAtoday does not have paywalls because we believe access to essential local news is priceless. You can support our free, daily newsletter with a donation. Think of it like buying us coffee — or tea, if that’s more your style. Thank you for your support.
Wellness
Brrr… It’s getting cold outside. If you have COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), changing seasons can cause a flare-up of symptoms. The good news: There are ways to manage them. Learn more.*
Tech
Want to turn four-hour tasks into 15-minute wins? Download your free ChatGPT mastery guide for 100 battle-tested prompts you can copy/paste ASAP — no coding required. Plus, the guide explores how to use AI ethically at work.*
Travel
Planning to take your RV on the open road in 2025? Buy coverage online in minutes with Roamly, rated five stars by thousands of RV owners.*
Wellness
Discover the secret to hearing every detail with the Horizon IX by hear.com. These discreet, rechargeable hearing aids deliver sound so clear and natural, you’ll forget you’re wearing them. With phone connectivity, award-winning service, and flexible payment options, join the 425,000+ customers who love them.*
Category
History
Put COLA on the map
Voting for finalists closes on Wednesday, Dec. 11. | Map via Proxi Maps
The results
You’ve submitted your favorites, now it’s time for us to reveal the finalists for the COLAtoday historical marker contest. Check out the nominations below, and don’t forget to vote for your favorite.
Finalist #1 Villa Tronco Italian Restaurant, submitted by reader Tripp R.
Finalist #2 The Zesto ice cream cone, submitted by reader Michelle M.
Finalist #3 Rockafella’s, submitted by reader Robert L.
Finalist #4 Constan Car Wash, submitted by reader Chip S.
It doesn’t stop there — we got more submissions than these. Just check outour map of unofficial historical locations — both locally and across the nation.
Voting closes Wednesday, Dec. 11 — so be sure to vote for the historical location you’d love to see recognized for its significance.
Need stocking stuffers for everyone on your list? We’ve got you covered.
🎁 For the skincare aficionado: Laneige’s No. 1 bestselling lip mask in the candy cane flavor. 🎁 For those who eat, sleep, and breath organization: A mini label maker with creative functions and templates. 🎁 For the jewelry-obsessed: A stackable 18K gold plated necklace that you can customize with their initial. 🎁 For those who love to hit the trails: A classic knit beanie to keep their noggin warm while hiking. 🎁 For someone who’s always on the go: A magnetic portable charger that can charge up to four devices at once.
I absolutely loved reading through all of the historical marker submissions + wanted to share reader Tom B.'s submission as an honorable mention. It gave me the coziest vibe and I couldn’t help but share about Claussen’s Bakery.
“As a youngster growing up in the Five Points area of Columbia, I fondly recall the warm aroma of baking bread wafting about Greene St. in the afternoon. Each afternoon, I’d often make the trek on foot from the old Columbia High School on Marion St. near downtown to our home in Shandon. I never measured the distance which led across the oldest part of the Carolina campus to Five Points but it was lengthy one. Eventually, I made my way further south to attend college in Alabama, leaving behind my Soda City hometown for good. As I approach my 84th year, I’ll return to my roots in my mind...drawn by the fragrant smell of baked bread of Claussen’s Bakery. The site is now an overnight place to spend a night, I think. If so, I couldn’t think of anything more pleasant.
Editor’s note: Claussen’s received a historical marker in 2016. It was erected by the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society, The Greater Sullivan Neighborhood, and the Greenville Branch of the NAACP.
}})
