🎁 Put a bow on it | Your COLAtoday Wrapped is here, and it’s been a big year for the Soda City. Let’s dive into your top stories of 2024, but first, read through some stats.
🤳 Phone eats first | Could a Midlands restaurant see the Keith Lee effect? With so many new dining spots opening across Columbia, it’s tough to know where to start. Luckily, fellow Soda Citizens and traveling food influencers are sharing their favorite bites online, racking up likes + views. Here’s a quick look at local foodies shaping our dining scene.
Events
Events
Saturday, Dec. 14
Greater CWC Parade Day and Holiday Parade of Lights | Friday, Dec. 13-Saturday, Dec. 14 | Times vary | Greater Cayce-West Columbia, Cayce | Free | This longtime community event is perfect for supporting our local small business community and seeing holiday lights.
Accessibility Morning - Meet Santa & The Grinch | 9-11 a.m. | South Carolina State Museum | Free | This program provides free access for families of children, teenagers, young adults, and adults who would benefit from a quieter, sensory-friendly, and disability-adapted experience at the museum.
4th Annual Columbia Fashion Week MET GALA | 6:30-10:30 p.m. | Columbia Museum of Art | $150+ | Step into a night of whimsical couture at the 4th Annual Columbia Fashion Week Met Gala.
Sunday, Dec. 15
Holiday Market | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Azalea Coffee Bar | Free | Grab a coffee and browse this holiday market featuring a DJ and local vendors.
Fireflies Holiday Lights | Sunday, Dec. 1-Saturday, Jan. 4 | 6-9 p.m. | Segra Park | $12 | Enjoy falling snow, visits with Santa, a scavenger hunt, arts + crafts, and over 1.5 million dazzling holiday lights.
Bierkeller Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Market) | Sunday, Dec. 1-Sunday, Dec. 22 | 12-7 p.m. | Bierkeller Brewing Company | Free | Enjoy a cozy setting, a German-inspired Christmas market, local vendors, specialty foods, festive lights, and more.
Tuesday, Dec. 17
Sip & Plant Workshop: Wreath Decorating | 6:30-8 p.m. | Gardener’s Outpost | $55 | Create the perfect holiday gift and decoration by beautifying an organically sourced wreath.
Trending McRib season is here — the seldom-available sandwich is temporarily back at McDonald’s. Availability + pricing vary by location, so we recommend checking with individual stores or the McDonald’s app. Psst — the McRib Locator reported the sandwich has been spotted at the Lugoff restaurant.
Shop Pro tip for kids gifts:Consider gifting the family a membership to the EdVenture Children’s Museum. Why? Experiences keep toys out of the living room and kids out of the house. Browse kid-friendly activities for more gift ideas.
Fun Fact Quick — what’s the weirdest thing in our state? Is it the AT&T Microwave Cone Antenna Tower? That’s pretty strange, but according to FiftyGrande’s list of the “50 Weirdest Roadside Attractions,” the South of the Border just past the North Carolina-South Carolina line on I-95 is even stranger.
Sports Hear Locked On’s reaction to Mike Shula as the new Offensive Coordinator at South Carolina. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the South Carolina Gamecockswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Maybe you have some extra time on your hands, or maybe you’re just in the giving spirit. All we know is there are more than enough great causes in Columbia to support with your time. Whether you’re an animal lover, an artsy type, a natural mentor, or a healthcare enthusiast — there’s a nearby volunteer opportunity for you. Here are ~40 ways to get involved in Soda City.
Natural-born teachers and mentors
Girls on the Run Columbia | Inspire girls to strengthen confidence and other important life skills. Sign up to become a coach and guide a team through the curriculum.
If the holidays are your favorite time of the year
Epworth Children’s Home | Volunteer or donate to “Christmas with Epworth” — an annual drive for community members to fill the holiday wishes of children at Epworth.
If you live and breathe Columbia
Historic Columbia | Support fun + educational events, work as an interpretive guide, host walking tour guides, and more.
Touch screen compatible gloves. Beat winter dryness + rough skin by keeping hands protected when you’re out and about, thanks to gloves that still let you use your phone.
In case you missed it — we teased this news during our BullStreet District roundup reel, and the “coming soon” news is finally here.
The BullStreet District announced The Lawn — a 3,750 sqft artificial turf play area with tiered seating, an event stage, café and bistro tables, catenary lights, and more — is set to open in the first half of 2025. The communal space will be located at the heart of The Bennet at BullStreet apartments, the WestLawn building, and the revitalized Williams Building, which will soon be home to Coastal Crust Wood-fired Pizza.
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