We had a reader write in sharing a love for our historic marker map — which you should add to if you haven’t already — and asked if we would consider doing something similar for local holiday lights. Reader Stanton shared, “Every year we go driving around looking at Christmas lights. It would be nice to have suggestions for all those neighborhoods that decorate at level 10.”
So, we’re looking for you to inform us on this one. Readers and we alike are looking to grab hot cocoa, turn on the seat warmers, crank up the holiday music + go for a drive to explore festive displays right in our neighborhoods.
You’re in the driver’s seat. Where are some of Cola’s best (level 10) holiday light displays? Think: neighborhood, public, or residential displays. Submit your favorite place to see holiday lights in Cola to our local map by Thursday, Dec. 5.
We’ll get you started
We added the first points on the map, featuring three light displays around the Midlands you shouldn’t miss.
Fireflies Holiday Lights | Friday, Nov. 15 to Saturday, Jan. 4 — exclusion dates apply | Segra Park, 1640 Freed St., Columbia | $10+ | Read about what you can expect at this year’s holiday light show. Spoiler alert — it will feature more lights + entertainment for the whole family.
Holiday Lights on the River | Wednesday, Nov. 27-Tuesday, Dec. 31 | 6-10 p.m. | Saluda Shoals Park | $25+ | Journey through more than three miles of lights featuring colorful, animated light displays of all shapes and sizes
Riverbanks Zoo & Garden - Lights Before Christmas | Select nights Friday, Nov. 15 through Sunday, Jan. 12 | 5-9 p.m. | Riverbanks Zoo and Garden | $20+ | Take your photo with Santa, roast marshmallows at the Jingle Bell Bonfire, and be sure to wear your hat. Pro tip: it snows nightly at Riverbanks during the Lights Before Christmas.
Ready to add your own? Submit here.
Reader recommendations
We had a few readers write in and share their favorite neighborhood displays with us. Take a look (and then a drive.)
Be Merry And Shine Bright | 1500 State St., Cayce
This corner lot features 15 +vignettes from “Land Before Time”, “Under The Sea,” “Mickey and Minnie,” “How The Grinch Stole Christmas,” “Rudolph And The Misfits Of Misfit Island,” plus many more.
Holiday Light Show Synced to Music | 2528 Heyward St., Columbia
The title says it all. Returning for its 4th year and running from 5:30-11 p.m. every night, this light show consists of over 2,000 individually controllable multicolor LEDs attached to the house and arranged throughout the yard, and I’ve spent a ton of time synchronizing everything to several holiday-themed songs that play in a loop. We get a ton of in-person viewers each night, and I’m coming up on 100,000 views on YouTube, so people seem to really like it!
Impressive residential home display | 133 Autumn Oaks Ln., Lexington
“Elmwood Park neighborhood”
City of Cayce Lights at Granby Gardens Park | 1800 12th St, Cayce
Pro tip: Let the lights come to you + don’t miss the Annual CWC Holiday Parade of Lights, taking place on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 5:30 p.m.
Bonus: We also asked our followers on Instagram for some holiday light tips and a few other folks shared.
“The house on Norfolk and Hudson in West Cola is my absolute favorite. It makes the image in this post look like a level 5.” — @tjkimel
“Harborside neighborhood in Lake Carolina. Beautiful every year.” — @joncaggiano
“Wildwood has pretty lights.” — @julia29180
“Lake Carolina” — @mssunshine803
