Vista Lights
More than 60 local galleries, shops, and restaurants open late to showcase holiday items and dishes throughout the district. Attendees can enjoy live stage performances, an artisan market on Lincoln Street, and a tree lighting ceremony outside River Runner Outdoor Center. Family-friendly activities include face painting, balloon art, reindeer snacks, and visits with Santa.
Thu, Nov 19, 2026 All ages
See more Christmas lights near Columbia
Plan Your Visit
Tickets
The Kid’s Zone is free. Parking at the South Carolina State Museum and rides from the museum’s lot to Steel Hands Vista are free.
Hours
Vista Lights begins at 6pm; live performances begin at 6:15pm; the tree lighting is at 7 p.m.; Chris Reed and the Bad Kids and the Soda City Brass Band perform until 9:45pm.
Neighborhood
The Vista
Food & Drink
Participating restaurants showcase holiday dishes.
Parking
Free parking is available at the South Carolina State Museum. Steel Hands Vista offers free continuous-loop rides from the museum’s lot to Steel Hands Vista (705 Gervais St.) from 5:45-9:45 p.m. Street parking is available, and meters are free after 6 p.m. Park and Lincoln Streets close to traffic from 5-10 p.m.; Gervais Street closes from Pulaski to Assembly Streets at 6 p.m.
Location
Tips & Advice
- Park free at the South Carolina State Museum and take the free Steel Hands Vista loop to Gervais Street, since Park and Lincoln Streets close to traffic.
- Arrive early to shop the local galleries, shops and restaurants before the stage performances and the tree lighting near Lincoln and Gervais Streets.
- Make restaurant reservations ahead, because more than 60 Vista businesses stay open late for the night and organizers urge visitors to plan and reserve now.
- Bring the kids to the free Kid's Zone on Lincoln Street for face painting, balloon art, reindeer snacks and a visit with Santa.
- Leave any concealable weapons at home, because the Vista Lights organizers do not allow them at the event.
Special Events & Promotions
- Chris Reed and the Bad Kids, then the Soda City Brass Band, play after the tree lighting.
- Steel Hands Vista runs free continuous-loop rides from the South Carolina State Museum lot.
Links & Contact
Run by Congaree Vista Guild
Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide, not the organizer of this event. For tickets, entries, vendor spots or questions, contact the organizer directly through their contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I park?
There's free parking at the South Carolina State Museum. Steel Hands Vista runs free rides on a continuous loop from the museum's lot to its spot at 705 Gervais St. Street parking is also available, and the meters are free in the evening.
What is there for kids?
The free Kid's Zone, presented by 94.3 The Dude, takes over Lincoln Street. It has children's activities, face painting, balloon art, reindeer snacks and visits with Santa.
What's happening on the stage?
Local performing groups take the stage near the corner of Lincoln and Gervais Streets. Next comes the tree lighting outside River Runner Outdoor Center with Prisma Health and City of Columbia dignitaries. After that, Chris Reed and the Bad Kids play, followed by the Soda City Brass Band.
Is there a market?
Yes. The Vista Lights Artisan Market is back for its third year, outside the Columbia SC Visitors Center on Lincoln Street.
Which streets are closed to traffic?
Park and Lincoln Streets close to traffic for the evening. Gervais Street also closes between Pulaski and Assembly Streets.
Browse Christmas in Columbia
Always check the official website for the most current information.
We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.