Santa sightings in Columbia, SC

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Santa sighting at the South Carolina State Museum | Photo provided by the South Carolina State Museum

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.

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