About a week before Thanksgiving, someone flips a switch, and Christmas lights sparkle throughout Columbia. South Carolina’s capital city transforms into a winter wonderland with drive-through Christmas lights, decorated neighborhoods, and dazzling displays. And visitors can enjoy some of the lights from the comfort of a car.
Browse the list of best places to see Christmas lights in Columbia, and mark your calendars to see these before the New Year.
Christmas Lights in Columbia Map
How to use this map: Click the icon in the top-left corner to open the Map Legend, then click on any of the legend items to display more information. If you have a Google account, click the (very faint) star at the end of the map’s name to save this map to your account, then access the map from your smartphone during your trip.
Vista Lights
The Vista is one of Columbia’s charming neighborhoods. The 48-block neighborhood around Gervais and Huger Streets is an official South Carolina Cultural District because of its cultural, architectural, and historical heritage.
Vista Lights is an annual celebration kicking off the Christmas holiday season in the capital city. Celebrated for 38 years, the event is an open house introduction to more than 60 local retail shops, art galleries, and restaurants. It’s an excellent opportunity to find Christmas gifts made by local artisans and discover a new favorite restaurant.
The event starts at 6 p.m. with live music and Santa Claus on Lincoln Street. A tree lighting ceremony at 7 p.m. keeps the evening going.
The event is free, but you’ll be tempted to spend money at the retail shops and restaurants.
Fireflies Holiday Lights
For the second time, Segra Stadium – home of the Columbia Fireflies Minor League Baseball team – is transformed into a spectacular Christmas light display in Columbia.
Fireflies Holiday Lights features more than one million LED lights throughout the stadium and baseball field. Displays cover the diamond, fill the seats, and wrap around the stadium.
Although visitors are not allowed onto the baseball field, it’s a rare opportunity to walk along the warning track surrounding the field. But the best way to experience the spectacular light show is to walk the stadium’s perimeter around the outfield seats.
The event also includes the Richardson Tree Farm, visits with Santa Claus, and marshmallow roasting on firepits.
Fireflies Holiday Lights is held from Thursday, November 16 until Sunday, December 31 – except for November 20, November 23, November 27, and December 25. The light display is open from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Tickets to the event start at $10 per person in November and increase to $12 in December. Parking is free at the Freed Street Parking Garage.
Wild Lights at Riverbanks Zoo & Garden
Long after the animals go to sleep, things get wild at the Riverbanks Zoo & Garden. Wild Lights is an annual Christmas holiday light display featuring more than 60 larger-than-life 3D displays, bonfires, and photos with Santa.
READ MORE: How to Experience the Wild Lights at Riverbanks Zoo & Garden in Columbia, SC
The 3D displays tower over the guests while meandering the concrete paths through the zoo. Go for a nighttime ride on the carousel, take a photo with Santa, and roast marshmallows on the bonfires during this spectacular Columbia event.
Wild Lights is open from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. on select dates from mid-November through mid-January. Tickets vary in price from $20-$25 for adults and $15-$20 for children.
Governor’s Carolighting
South Carolina’s Christmas holiday season begins with the Governor’s Carolighting. During the annual event, Governor Henry McMaster lights the State Christmas Tree on the north side of the State House facing Main Street. The free event begins at 6 p.m.
The tree remains lit every night through the end of December.
Sleigh Bell Stroll
One of Columbia’s hallmarks and most exciting family Christmas events is the Holiday Lights on the River at Saluda Shoals Park. The dazzling display of Christmas lights, from static displays to animated wonderlands, lines the paved road through the park so visitors can admire the displays from the comfort of their cars.
The Sleigh Bell Stroll is a fascinating one-time opportunity to see the spectacular lights without any cars. Participants park at the east entrance near St. Andrews Road and walk the 2-mile route through Saluda Shoals Park.
You’ll have two hours to experience the Christmas light display in peacefulness. Then, a bus brings everyone back to the parking lot.
Registration is required by November 20 for this event. It costs $7 per adult and $2 per child.
Holiday Lights on the River
The Holiday Lights on the River is Columbia’s longest drive-thru Christmas light display. The 2.5-mile route features dozens of sports-themed light displays, animated displays, and displays hanging from trees.
At the Environmental Center, visitors can roast marshmallows on firepits, explore the Santa Claus’et Gift Shop, and go for a hayride. Get a professional photo with Santa and then pick up a Tin Can Kettle Corn bag. Go for a short walk on the Wetlands Trail to experience a stunning laser light show.
READ MORE: How to Drive Through the Holiday Lights on the River at Saluda Shoals Park in Columbia, SC
The Holiday Lights on the River is held nightly from November 23 until December 31, except for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Admission is $25 per vehicle. It takes about an hour to drive through the light display casually.
Carolina Lights
Experience the Carolina Lights drive-through holiday light show from the comfort of your car. The drive-through experience features over 100 LED light displays along a circuitous route through the South Carolina State Fairgrounds.
Concessions halfway through the show sell chocolate chip cookies, milk, water, and soda. But the best way to enjoy this event is to bring your snacks.
Carolina Lights is exclusively a drive-through experience with no other events. The gates open at 6 p.m. every night from December 8 through December 24, except for Mondays. Cost is $20 per car.
After exiting the light show, visitors can request a re-entry pass to experience the drive-through light show again on the same night.
