Take the 2012 Lexington SC Holiday Challenge to get in the holiday spirit!
Experience Lexington's favorite holiday events with family and friends this December 2012. We challenge you to get in the holiday spirit and attend as many Lexington SC holiday events as you can this holiday season! Print the 2012 Lexington SC Holiday Challenge check list and hang it on your fridge today. Check off each holiday event as you go and post holiday pictures on our Facebook page. Share this Holiday Challenge with family and friends so that you can celebrate the holidays together. Visiting Lexington SC from out of town this holiday season? Take advantage of special discount hotel rates from our local hotel partners. How many holiday events can you attend during your Lexington visit?
Read more about the exciting events in the 2012 Lexington SC Holiday Challenge and get in the holiday spirit today!
Lights Before Christmas
November 17, 2012 - December 30, 2012 from 6PM - 9PM
Columbia's longest running holiday tradition is back again for the 2012 holiday season! Enjoy 1 million twinkling lights, countless animated images, dazzling music in motion lights, and warm memories around the Jingle Bell Bonfire. Santa will visit Riverbanks Zoo every night until December 23rd for this special Lights Before Christmas event. Hot cocoa, marshmallows, and other festive foods are available for purchase. Call 803-779-8717 for more information.
Holiday House Tours
November 17, 2012 - December 31, 2012
Tues - Sat 10AM - 4PM | Sun 1PM - 5PM | Closed Mondays, Christmas, and New Years
Take guided tours of Historic Columbia Foundation's house museums this holiday season. The Robert Mills House, Hampton-Preston mansion, and Mann-Simons Cottage are all decorated for the season. Guides will provide stories of holidays past in Columbia and discuss how families decorated and entertainted during hte 19th and early 20th centuries. View a variety of holiday decorations in each house. Learn more at www.historiccolumbia.org.
Holiday Lights on the River
November 21 - December 31, 2012
Holiday Lights on the River is the Midlands Largest Drive-Through Lights Show! Saluda Shoals Park comes alive in a blaze of more than a million sparking lights. Enjoy over 400 themed, animated light displays on a two mile loop of the park. Call 803-772-1228 for more information.
Ice Skating at Boyd Plaza
Open until January 6, 2012
Mon - Thurs 11AM - 9PM | Fri - Sat 11AM - 10PM | Sun 1PM - 9PM | Closed Christmas Day
Columbia's cool new ice skating rink invites you to celebrate the season on ice! City of Columbia and Magic Ice USA have partnered to bring an outdoor ice skating rink called Main Street Ice to Boyd Plaza. Main Street Ice is located in front of the Columbia Museum of Art, at the corner of Hampton and Main Streets. Call 803-545-3100 for more information.
Snowville
Open until February 24, 2012
Pack your mittens for a frosty, fun-filled trip to Snowville. EdVenture's most popular seasonal exhibit is back and cooler than ever! Snow fun awaits in the North Pole. Play a game of ice hockey, get the chills in the Blizzard Booth, or take a 25 foot long ride down Sled Hill. Call 803-779-3100 for more information.
The Christmas Doll Musical
November 23 - December 2, 2012
Set in 1840's London, Lucy and Glory Wolcott live at Grimstone union at the mercy of the cruel Matron Wick and Mistress Branch. Lucy invents stories about a family she barely remembers and a long lost doll named Morning Glory to humor her sister. When a deadly fever sweeps through the workhouse, the 2 sisters escape to hte mean streets of London, where they encounter many colorful characters, learning to survive on their own. Recommended for ages 5 and up. Call 803-691-4548 for more information.
The Lights of Cayce
November 29, 2012 - December 31, 2012 at 6PM
Bring your family to experience a winter wonderland that would get Mr. Scrooge himself into the Christmas spirit. Prepare to be enchanted by the sparkle of the season! Beginning November 29th through the end of the year, visitors to Cayce City Hall can enjoy the magic of thousands of twinkling lights and dazzling holiday displays. Each year's display unveils a number of new sculptures and stunning displays.
Carols Along the Riverwalk
November 30, 2012 at 6PM
Join us at the Cayce Riverwalk Park N Avenue Entrance to experience the sounds of Christmas. Several area church choirs will be located throughout the first half mile of the park. Visitors can wander from choir to choir enjoying holiday musical selections. The Riverwalk will be lighted with luminaries and hot apple cider will be served free of charge.
Jingle All The Way 5K Run
December 1, 2012 at 9:45AM
Dress up in your favorite holiday gear to show your holiday cheer for the 2012 Jingle All The Way 5K Run! Run through the City Center, the vibrant Vista, and the beautiful University areas of downtown Columbia. At the finish line, runners will find an array of refreshments. Awards will be presented to the top male and female finishers.
Carolina Carillon Holiday Parade
December 1, 2012 at 9:45AM
Join us for the 59th Annual Carolina Carillon Holiday Parade featuring dozens of floats, marching bands, drill teams, and live performances. Beginning at Gervais and Bull Streets, the parade will proceed west on Gervais. Call 803-799-1216 for more information.
Town of Lexington Snowball Festival
December 1 - 2, 2012
The Town of Lexington Snowball Festival will kick off with a 5K race benefiting PattyPacks. Saturday evening is Adults Night Out at the Town of Lexington Snow 'Ball'. This formal dance includes food and libations. Sunday is jammed packed with the unveiling of a cell phone walking tour of historic downtown Lexington, the annual Christmas Parade, a concert, and a tree lighting at the new Lexington Square. Call 803-356-8238 for more information.
Cayce Historical Museum's 23rd Annual Holiday Open House
December 1, 2012 at 6PM
The sights, sounds and tastes of Christmas abound at the Museum's 23rd Annual Christmas Traditions Holiday Open House. The theme for this year is Recipe for Christmas. Each room of the Museum will be decorated with trees and crafts from the 18th century to present. The Open House will also feature live entertainment, docents dressed in period attire, and light refreshments.
Train Rides With Santa
December 1, 8, 15, 2012
Hop on a train ride with Santa Claus at the South Carolina Railroad Museum. Bring your letters for Santa before he heads back to the North Pole. Train trips depart at 9:30AM, 11:30AM, 1:30PM, and 3:30PM. Call 803-712-4135 for more information.
West Metro Holiday Parade of Lights
December 2, 2012 at 5:30PM
12th Street in West Columbia & Cayce come alive with thousands of Christmas lights to kick off the holiday season! Parade begins on the corner of Hwy 1 (Meeting Street) and 12th Street, and proceeds down 12th Street ending at 12th and Frink Street. Call 803-794-6504 for more information.
This Man Called Jesus 2012 Performance
December 2, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 2012
This Man Called Jesus is a Christmas Drama that draws thousands of visitors each and every year. This FREE Christmas performance features a cast of over 405 with live animals, inspiring music, awesome sound effects, and spectacular lighting. This is a must see Christmas event. Seats are first come, first served. It is recommended to arrive 90 minutes ahead of time to get your seat. Call 803-356-4304 for more information.
Silver Bells, Golden Harps, Brass Magic
December 4, 2012 at Dreher High Performing Arts Center
December 20, 2012 at Harbison Theater at Midlands Tech Harbison
The sounds that bring us into the magic of the holiday season: bells, harp, and brass. Guest artists include Palmetto Brass, Katie Taylor, harpist, Southern Bronze Handbell ensemble, Young Sandlapper Singers, and Katie Quackenbush Vocal Scholarship Winner. Call 803-381-5481 for more information.
A Charlie Brown Christmas
December 6 - 9, 2012
Watch as this beloved holiday classic comes to life before your eyes. A talented cast of students along with local children's choirs will perform A Charlie Brown Christmas. $2 of each ticket will be donated to charities helping children and animals. Call 803-691-4548 for more information.
Blue Christmas Elvis Special
December 7, 2012 at 7:30PM
Rock n roll your way into the holiday spirit with Workshop Theatre's Blue Christmas Elvis Special. Award-winning Elvis tribute artist Rick Wade returns to Workshop to treat you and your family to a variety of Elvis Christmas classics. Call 803-799-6551 to get your tickets today.
The Nutcracker
December 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 2012
Columbia City Ballet presents The Nutcracker! This amazing performance dazzles South Carolina audiences each and every season. Do not miss this incredible opportunity to see a holiday favorite. Make it a holiday family tradition! Purchase The Nutcracker tickets online today.
Lexington County Museum Christmas Open House
December 9, 2012 from 2PM - 5PM
Experience traditions of the past at the Lexington County Museum at the Annual Christmas Open House. Many of the 30 historic houses on the Museum complex will be open and will feature period Christmas decorations. This event is FREE to the public. Enjoy live music and light refreshments including hot apple cider and gingerbread. Call 803-359-8369 for more information.
Bah, Humbug - Scrooge's Christmas Musical
December 14 - 16, 2012
Share the magic of this wonderful musical adaptation of everyone's favorite Christmas classic. Bill Francoeur's original music beautifully accompanies this uplifting retelling. Ebenezer sings 'Bah, Humbug', dooming himself to visits from three Christmas Spirits. Ebenezer's revelation that 'Life Was Meant to Live' brings a heart-warming conclusion to Dicken's beloved tale. Call 803-799-2510 for tickets.
Nights of Wonder
December 14 - 23, 2012
Visit Saluda Shoals Park for the Nights of Wonder this December 2012. Take a ride on the Red-Nose Express Hayride or ride the Saluda Shoals Choo-Choo through the lights. Enjoy concessions, crafts, and Santa's Gift Shop. Visitors can roast marshmallows and visit with Santa. Nominal fees apply for various events. Call 803-772-1228 for more information.
Winter Fest
December 15, 2012 - January 1, 2013
Celebrate the winter season at the South Carolina State Museum. This two week long celebration of the winter season features a Family Fiesta, Polar Express Night, scrapbooking for kids, seasonal Star Labs, nature crafts, board games, and several visits from Santa himself. Call 803-898-4952 for more information.
Polar Express Night
December 21, 2012
Visit the South Carolina State Museum for a magical night with a special screening of the modern classic The Polar Express. Visitors will enjoy hot chocolate and cookies after the screening. Call 803-898-4921 for more information.
Danielle Snyder
Lexington SC Events
