1. Vista Lights
First up is Vista Lights, a night where businesses in the Vista stay open late, offering complimentary beverages, hors d’oeuvres and shopping discounts. The event is in its 30th year, and the traditional tree-lighting ceremony will be brighter than ever with more than 25,000 lights.Vista Lights is 5-9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19. Attendees should gather around the stage and tree at Gervais and Lincoln streets by 6:30 p.m. to see holiday music and dance performances. Mayor Steve Benjamin and Maj. Gen. Roger Cloutier Jr. of Fort Jackson will light the tree at 7 p.m.
New this year is a VIP area for members of the military and their families outside Blue Marlin at 1200 Lincoln St. For more information and a detailed list of store offerings, visit www.vistalightssc.com or call (803) 269-5946.
2. Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden
Stroll through the Riverbanks Zoo aglow with nearly 1 million twinkling lights and countless animated images. Holiday music and a snow machine add to the festive atmosphere. Grab some hot cocoa and marshmallows and sit around the Jingle Bell Bonfire, or tell Santa what you’re wishing for during one of his nightly visits.See the lights 5-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20-Wednesday, Dec. 30 (but the zoo is closed Nov. 26, Dec. 24 and Dec. 25). Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for children 2-12, and free for children younger than 2. Visit www.riverbanks.org.
3.Holiday Lights on the River
For those of us without elfin energy, Holiday Lights on the River is great because you don’t even have to get out of your car.From Wednesday, Nov. 25 through Thursday, Dec. 31, roll through the Midlands’ largest drive-through lights show featuring more than 400 themed, animated light displays on a 2-mile loop of Saluda Shoals Park.
The Dazzling Dancing Forest has lighted trees synced to classical and holiday music. See the 3-D Victorian Village, Old Man Winter and Twelve Days of Christmas displays all decked out in sparkling lights.
If you do want to get out of your car, you can zip through lighted arches on the 125-foot Winter Wonder Ride, take a spin on the Red-Nose Express Hayride to the Wetland Walking Trail or chug along the Saluda Shoals Choo-Choo through the lights.
There will be concessions (hello, s’mores) for sale, crafts and shopping at Santa’s Claus’et Gift Shop. Santa will be visiting Dec. 11-23. There’s also a nightly laser light show open 6-10 p.m.
Admission is $15 per car, $25 for 15-passenger vans or $40 for buses. Activity fees apply. Call (803) 772-3903 or visit www.icrc.net/holiday-lights.
4.Governor’s Carolighting
Join South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley at the lighting of the State House’s Christmas tree. Various choirs will perform at the event at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 30. The free event is on the north steps of the State House, 1100 Gervais St. Visit www.columbiacvb.com for details.
5. Fantasy of Lights
Holiday cheer arrives in the form of 1 million lights at the Swan Lake Fantasy of Lights in Sumter. More than 150 lighted figures illuminate the Swan Lake Iris Gardens and help make this event one of the state’s largest Christmas light displays. The floating Christmas tree is always a favorite.There will be an opening ceremony at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1 and light displays will be open nightly through Thursday, Dec. 31. Hours are dusk to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and dusk to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Drive through or park, walk and take photos. Details at (800) 688-4748 or www.sumtersc.gov/fantasy-of-lights.aspx.
6.Christmas in Cayce
Christmas in Cayce is a multiday festival of holiday events beginning Thursday, Dec. 3 with the city’s 38th tree-lighting ceremony. Bring canned goods for the Cayce Cares Food Drive. Then, visit Cayce City Hall through Thursday, Dec. 31 for sparkling light displays.On Saturday, Dec. 5, go back in time at the Cayce Historical Museum, which will have Christmas decorations in every room and docents in period costumes.
The main event is the West Metro Parade of Lights at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, which begins at the corner of 12th Street and U.S. 1. Crowds are expected to surpass 20,000, so get there early and grab a seat. See www.cityofcayce-sc.gov for details.
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