What will be the big news in Columbia in 2025? | Photo by COLAtoday
Happy (almost) New Year, Columbia. We’re so excited to kick off 2025 with you + for all of the possibilities the new year holds.
This year, a song by a local musician you’ve never heard might become your new favorite, a restaurant might open right down the street, and that new business you’ve been watching come together for months could finally open to the public.
As we prepare for a promising new year, we want to know what you want to read about each morning.
Are you trying to find out if your favorite festival is returning this year, or wondering about an upcoming development in town? Do you want to know where to get the best bowl of ramen? Is there a piece of Columbia history you’ve always wanted to know about? What news gets you excited about opening our newsletter each morning?
This year, to celebrate 2025, we thought we’d answer 25 of your questions.
Fireflies Holiday Lights | Tuesday, Dec. 17-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.*
Wednesday, Dec. 18
Ask the Gardener Happy Hour | 4-6 p.m. | Gardener’s Outpost — Cottontown| Free | Bring your questions, share your experiences, and connect with fellow gardening enthusiasts.
Thursday, Dec. 19
“The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical” | Thursday, Dec. 19-Saturday, Dec. 21 | 8 p.m. | Trustus Theatre | $40 | Now back for a fourth time, the 2023 cast returns under the direction of Robin Gottlieb.
Friday, Dec. 20
Krystal Grand Opening Event | 10:45 a.m. | Krystal, Orangeburg | Free | Join Krystal and SC native Charlamagne Tha God, along with his wife and business partner Jessica Gadsden-McKelvey, as they celebrate the grand opening.
Zesto on Forest Drive in Forest Acres is closing later this month as the owner retires. Known for its burgers, ice cream, and nostalgic drive-in charm, stop by for a final treat before the doors close between Christmas and New Year. Zesto still has two Midlands locations in West Columbia and on North Main Street.
Traffic
Columbia Parking Services is offering free parking this holiday season. Meters and decks are free citywide Tuesday, Dec. 24 (evening) through Thursday, Dec. 26, and Tuesday, Dec. 31 (evening) through Wednesday, Jan. 1. Five Points meters will operate per usual on Thursday, Dec. 26.
History
Dr. Matilda Evans, one of SC’s earliest Black physicians, is being honored through a new biography and preservation project. Plans include transforming her Columbia home in the Waverly community into a museum celebrating her medical, civic, and community contributions. (Free Times)
Tech
Google has donated $1 million to the South Carolina Office of Resilience to weatherize low-income homes damaged by Hurricane Helene. The funding supports energy-efficient rebuilding efforts, aiding long-term recovery and resilience for families in impacted areas.
Community
Did you wake up to the sound of booms on Monday? Fort Jackson held a holiday run starting at 6 a.m., with howitzer fire near Darby Field marking each team’s finish as soldiers prepare to head home for the holidays. (Cola Daily)
Try This
Fit Columbia is offering a restorative yoga and sound bath experience on Thursday, Dec. 19, from 6-7:15 p.m., ahead of the winter solstice. The $25 session features crystal singing bowls to help you find balance looking ahead to the new year.
Sports
Bryce Young’s four turnovers cost the Carolina Panthers in their 30-14 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Carolina Pantherswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Cause
Did you know? When you donate blood, you can save lives andget rewarded (think: gift cards). The Blood Connection hosts blood drives across the Midlands seven days a week, making it convenient to find a location + give back. Make an appointment.*
Travel
Going the EV route could save you more than just gas money. Many auto insurance companies now offer up to 10% off EV and hybrid vehicle premiums, rewarding your eco-friendly choice with additional savings. View Money’s Best Car Insurance list to find coverage tailored to your ride (and wallet).*
Grab your snow board and catch a rail at Appalachian Ski Mountain. | Photo by @appalachianskimtn
We’ve felt some chilly temperatures in Cola this winter, but we’re still waiting for snow. The good news is plenty of winter activities are just a road trip away.
Instead of sitting home with snow envy, we’re rounding up places to ski, snowboard, and tube near Columbia.
Skiing + snowboarding
Appalachian Ski Mountain | Blowing Rock, NC | ~3 hour 15 minute drive from Columbia | $36+ (lift tickets) and $26+ (rentals) | Calling all adventure seekers, this mountain — featuring twelve slopes, two terrain parks + an ice skating arena — is for you.
Tubing
Black Bear Snow Tubing | Hendersonville, NC | Opens Dec. 21 | ~2 hour 15 minute drive from Columbia | $30+ | While this is a snow tubing round up, we think it’s notable that Black Bear also offers summer tubing.
The Gamecock women’s basketball team is heading back to Las Vegas in 2025 for the inaugural Players Era Women’s Championship during Thanksgiving week. Featuring blue blood programs like Texas, UCLA, and Duke, the tournament offers players the opportunity to participate in over $1 million worth of NIL activities, like sponsorship deals + promotional appearances with Players Era partners.
