Light Up Your Holidays
November 19, 2019
November 19, 2019
We’ve heard that Christmas decorations and lights make people happy. Psychologists are even saying that putting up Christmas decorations spark feelings of pure joy and happiness and can modify happy hormones in your body. Well, during late November and December you are sure to have a smile on your face while visiting the Capital City/Lake Murray Country region…we have Christmas lights galore! Check out all of the events that will brighten your spirits and light up your holiday…
On November 21, Vista Lights will take place in the Vista in downtown Columbia, 701 Gervais Street. There are holiday lights, live entertainment and performances and holiday treasures available for purchase.
It is also very magical in Newberry, SC. The season kicks off with Main Street Lights and a tree lighting in front of the Community Hall (1209 Caldwell Street, Newberry) on November 22 at 5pm. Newberry’s Main Street will be transformed for an evening of Christmas fun; street musicians will play holiday tunes. In addition, every Friday in Newberry, take the kids to see the snow! For more details, visit NewberryChristmas.com.
Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo (500 Wildlife Parkway, Columbia) starts November 23 and runs through December with select evenings from 5-9pm. Visit riverbanks.org for full schedule.
Our state Christmas tree has more than 13,000 LED lights and 900 ornaments. Make plans to attend the 53rd annual Governor’s Carolighting at the SC State House (1100 Gervais Street, Columbia) on November 24th from 5:30-7:30pm.
Holiday Lights on the River at Saluda Shoals Park takes place on November 27th and runs through December 31st, every evening from 6-10pm. This is the midlands largest drive through lights show. There are over 400 animated light displays of all shapes and sizes. The entrance is located at the east entrance of the park at 6071 St. Andrews Road, Columbia. Find out more at icrc.net.
In Lexington, the Snowball Festival begins on Friday, December 5th and runs through December 8th. The tree lighting will take place on December 6th from 6-8pm at the Lexington Square, the corner of East Main Street and South Lake Drive.
On Lake Murray, for the first time since 1980, there will be a Christmas Light Boat Parade on Saturday, December 7th at 6pm. Families can watch the beautifully decorated boats from the Lexington Park Site (1797 North Lake Drive, Lexington) at the Lake Murray Dam. Register your boat at LakeMurrayCountry.com.
Also, on December 13th from 4-8pm, Five Points will host “A Starry Night.” The streets are lined with beautiful lighted trees and the merchants are open for holiday specials. This is a FREE event for the entire family.
In Cayce on December 14th at 5:30pm, there’s a Holiday Parade of Lights where visitors can take a ride through the Cayce City Hall complex and enjoy thousands of twinkling lights. The parade begins at 1800 12th Street in Cayce.
Lastly, as part of the South Carolina State Fair’s 150 anniversary, they are debuting a new drive through holiday light show at the SC State Fairgrounds. Carolina Lights will feature more than 100 individual light displays. This route will be in the George Rogers Blvd. area. For additional info, visit scstatefair.org.
So, make holiday plans to Visit Lake Murray Country to make your holiday season BRIGHT!
By: Jayne Baker