It’s the season to gather and have fun during the holiday season. Lexington County has no shortage of festive events, and it seems like there’s an event happening at every corner.
lexington
The annual Snowball Festival is held in Lexington for three days, December 1st through December 3rd. A Christmas craft fair will be held at the Icehouse Amphitheater Pavilion (107 W Main St.) prior to the Snowball Festival. There, you can purchase gifts and produce from 65 local vendors from around the county. The holiday market will be held on November 30th and December 1st from 4pm to 8pm.
After the market opens, a free Snowball Festival event will bring families and the community together over the weekend. Starting at 4 p.m. the night before Dec. 1, the City of Lexington will sing Christmas carols, light the tree, and Santa will be available for photos. All events will be held in the amphitheater and include a screening of “The Grinch” starting at 7:30 p.m.
On Dec. 2, the amphitheater will host small carnival rides and festivities from 1 to 5 p.m., and Santa will once again be available for photos. There will be a screening of “The Santa Clause” at 5:30 p.m.
The Christmas Parade concludes the Snowball Festival, which begins on Main Street on Dec. 3 at 3 p.m. The parade is an annual tradition brought to you by the City of Lexington and the Lexington Jaycees.
In addition to the Snowball Festival and Holiday Market, the town will also host the Downtown Santa Scavenger Hunt for the fourth year. Various Santa decorations will be placed inside restaurants on Main Street, and people will match the decorations to the corresponding restaurant. Treasure hunts can be held at City Hall, the Lexington Chamber of Commerce, or participating businesses. To win a prize, it must be completed and returned by the end of December.
casey
The annual Christmas in Cayce will feature three events over three days from Nov. 30 to Dec. 2, with each event starting at 6 p.m. All Cayce events are free and hosted by the City of Cayce and the Cayce Historical Museum.
The annual tree lighting ceremony will be held at Cayce City Hall on November 30th, and the city will host Carols Along the Riverwalk on December 1st. This three-in-one holiday event concludes on Dec. 2 at the Cayce Museum of History with exhibits and explanations of his 300-year history. Just like Casey’s past Christmases.
west columbia
Next to Casey, the City of West Columbia’s 19th annual Tree Lighting event will bring the city to life on Dec. 1 from 6:30 p.m. on the lawn of West Columbia City Hall.
Four schools in the city will sing Christmas carols, including Busby Creative Arts Academy, Northside Middle School and East Point Academy.
The town of Springdale will also be holding a tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 1 at 6 p.m., with a surprise visit from a man in a big red suit.
The Holiday Parade of Lights, hosted by the Greater Cayce-West Columbia Chamber of Commerce and traveling between the two cities along 12th Street, will be held Dec. 9 at 5:30 p.m.
Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens (500 Wildlife Pkwy.) will host the rebranded Wild Lights through Jan. 14. The illuminations will be held in the evening from 5pm to 9pm every day in December except December 4th-5th, 11th-12th, and 24th-25th. . This year’s illumination is centered around a display of his 57 animal-themed lanterns.
Columbia Metropolitan Airport (3250 Airport Blvd.) will host a free Santa at CAE on Nov. 28 from 4 to 7 p.m., and Santa and his wife will stop by for photos. There is no professional photographer, but the staff will help you take photos. There will also be cookie decorating, ornament making and hot cocoa stations. Surface parking is free for the first 30 minutes only.
Armo
Midland’s self-proclaimed largest drive-through light show will be held in the Irmo neighborhood at Saluda Shoals Park (5605 Bush River Rd.). The illumination has already started on November 22nd and will take place from 6pm until 10pm on December 31st. In addition to over two miles of holiday lights, there’s a professional photo op with Santa, a laser light show in the wetlands, a hayride, a train ride, and a winter tube slide ride. Children can also draw pictures, write letters, and color Santa. Tickets can be purchased on the Saluda Shoals website and cost $25 per car, $50 per 12-15 passenger vehicle, and $75 per bus.
Chapin
The town of Chapin will take you back in time for the third annual Old Timey Christmas on December 9th from 5pm to 9pm. This is another free event held on Beaufort Street in town.
The town will hold a tree lighting ceremony at 6:30 p.m., and Santa and Mrs. Claus will take time out of their busy schedules to visit. There will also be Christmas carols, live music and stalls for shopping. Readings take place throughout the evening.
Perion
On Dec. 16, the Pelion Community Center (951 Pine St.) welcomes children and families to breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus starting at 8 a.m. American Legion Post 101 is hosting the event, which will feature food with the merry saint, plus Nick, crafts, games and stocking treats.
white knoll
Don’t forget about your furry friends. On Dec. 7, Santa and his wife will be at White Knoll Animal Hospital (516 Kyzer Rd.) at 11 a.m. to take photos of your pets. Proceeds from the event will be donated to the organization Make a Friend in Animals or MAFIA, and 4×6 prints can be purchased for $8 and session CDs for $20. Last seating will be at 15:45.