You better watch out. You better not cry. You better not pout. I’m telling you why. Santa Claus is coming to town.
Tell your kiddos + grandkids they don’t have to stay up all night on Christmas Eve to catch a glimpse of Santa, because he’s coming to Columbia.
We are making a list and checking it twice of all the events around town you can plan to see Old Saint Nick — and tell him what you want for Christmas — before Dec. 25. 🎅
- Riverbanks Zoo Lights Before Christmas | Select evenings in December | 5-9 p.m. | Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens | $10+ | Visit Santa’s Village for the ultimate North Pole experience.
- Cayce Christmas Drive-Thru | Thurs., Dec. 2 | 6-8 p.m. | Cayce City Hall | Free | Enjoy musical performances, lights + a visit from Santa.
- Tree Lighting + Movie | Fri., Dec. 3 | 6:30-10 p.m. | Icehouse Amphitheater | Free | Sing Christmas carols, take pictures with Santa + watch The Muppet Christmas Carol. 🎄
- West Columbia’s 17th Annual Tree Lighting | Fri., Dec. 3 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Columbia City Hall | Free | Enjoy live entertainment and readings from Mrs. Claus.
- 68th Annual Carolina Carillon Holiday Parade | Sat., Dec. 4 | 9:45 a.m. | Sumter and Laurel Street | Free | Don’t miss the Official Holiday Parade of SC.
- Santa Saturday at the Museum | Sat., Dec. 4 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | SC State Museum | $3.45+ | Enjoy 50% off general admission to see Santa.
- Breakfast with Santa | Sat., Dec. 4 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Cayce Moose Lodge #462, 1541 Old Dunbar Rd., West Columbia | $5 | Bring the kids for pictures with Santa, crafts + more.
- Cooking with Santa | Sat., Dec. 4 | 10:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m. | Seven Oaks Park | Free | Bring the kids to cook Christmas-themed snacks + Santa-approved recipes. 🍽
- Holidays at Edventure | Sat., Dec. 4-Sun., Dec. 5, Sat., Dec. 11-Sun., Dec. 12, Sat., Dec. 18-Thurs., Dec. 23 | Times Vary | Edventure Children’s Museum | $10.95+ | Visit with Santa, Mrs. Claus + Jolly Elf.
- Santa Train Rides | Sat., Dec. 4, 11 + 18 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | SC Railroad Museum, 110 Industrial Park Road, Winnsboro | $20+ | Take the kids on a special train ride with Santa.
- Sundaes with Santa | Sun., Dec. 5 | 12-4 p.m. | SC State Fairgrounds | $8 | Enjoy sweets with Santa at the Junior League Holiday Market.
- Sunday with Santa | Sun., Dec. 5 | 12-3 p.m. | Columbia Metropolitan Airport | Free | This event is open to both travelers + the general public.
- Sensitive Santa | Wed., Dec. 8- Fri., Dec. 10 | 5:30-8 p.m. | Edventure Children’s Museum | Free | Children with sensory issues can meet Santa in a calm environment.
- Santa is Coming to Kid’s Night | Wed., Dec. 8 | 5-7 p.m. | East Bay Deli West Columbia | Free | Kids can hand-deliver their letters to Santa and eat for free.
- Story Time with Santa | Fri., Dec. 10 | 3:30 p.m. | South Congaree-Pine Ridge Branch Library, 200 Sunset Dr., West Columbia | Free | Don’t forget your kid’s letter to Santa to put in his special mailbox. 📮
- Cookies and Cocoa with Santa | Fri., Dec. 10 | 5-6:30 p.m. | Columbia College | Free | Registration is encouraged.
- Cookies and Beer Pairing | Sat., Dec. 11 | 4-9 p.m. | River Rat Brewery | $20 | There will also be cookie decorating for kids, an ugly sweater contest + a visit from Santa. 🍪
- Restaurant Visit from Santa + Mrs. Klaus | Mon., Dec. 13 | 5:30 p.m. | D’s Wings | Free
- NoMa Warehouse Holiday Weekend Market | Fri., Dec. 17- Sat., Dec. 19 | Times vary | NoMa Warehouse | Free | Shop, sip, snack, socialize + see Santa.
- Bagels with Santa | Mon., Dec. 20 | 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Bruegger’s Bagels, 945 Lake Murray Blvd., Irmo | Price of purchase
Not really into the man in the red suit, but still want to get into the holiday spirit? Whip out your calendars + plan ahead for all of Columbia’s December events.
