Free Times Holiday Guide by Free Times

Holiday Guide Gift Ideas and Holiday Happenings

Riverbanks Zooâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lights Before Christmas. Courtesy photo.

publication

Holiday Happenings, pg. 26

2012 Holiday Gift Guide

The work of famous artists throughout history graces many items in the shop, while local artisans bring handcrafted beauty to others. For children, you will find toys and activities of the highest quality. They are not only beautiful, but thoughtful in their design, made to bring out imagination and creativity in play. During the holidays, all gift purchases come with complimentary gift wrapping. This season, come to the CMA Shop for gifts that will be beautiful both before and after theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re opened. Visit the CMA Shop at 1515 Main Street in downtown Columbia. Tuesday - Saturday: 10 am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 5 pm Sunday: Noon - 5 pm 803.343.2159 or columbiamuseum.org

2012 Holiday Gift Guide

The Columbia Museum of Art Shop offers a unique array of beautiful and creative gifts, with everything from jewelry to home decor to paper goods.

S.C. State Museum Store

The unique place for gift giving!

No museum admission required to shop.

Trim Your Tree With State Pride!

Show your Palmetto State pride with elegant, official South Carolina state flag glass Christmas tree ornaments. PLUS each ornament comes in an attractive gift box for giving to friends and family!

2012 Holiday Gift Guide

301 Gervais St., Columbia 29201 f cottonmillexchange.com T 803.898.4967

fine jewelry

blown & slumped glass

fresh & saltwater pearls

woodwork

sterling chain maille

fine art

pearls for men

photography

stainless/sterling

2012 Holiday Gift Guide

pottery

2012 Holiday Gift Guide

2012 Holiday Happenings Breakfast With Santa

Sat Dec. 22. 8-11 a.m. Eggs — with Santa! Bacon — with Santa! Grits — with Santa! $10; $5 kids. Robert Mills House: 1616 Blanding St. historiccolumbia.org.

Carolina Carillon Holiday Parade

Sat Dec. 1. 9:45 a.m. Floats, marching bands, live performances. Begins at Gervais and Bull, parades into the Vista. Telecast by WIS. 799-1216, carolinacarillon.com.

Carolina Freestyle Christmas: Jingle All The Way

2012 Holiday Gift Guide

Sat Dec. 1. 7 p.m. Christmas dance team performance featuring former Mrs. USA Tammy Johns. $14. Newberry Opera House: 1201 McKibben St. 276-6264, newberryoperahouse.com.

Caroling Along the Cayce Riverwalk

Fri Nov. 30. Area church choirs carol along the lighted first half-mile of the park. Hot apple cider will be served. Enter at the N Avenue entrance. 796-9020, cityofcayce-sc.gov.

Cayce Historical Museum Holiday Open House

Sat Dec. 1 6:30 p.m. Rooms decorated with arts and crafts from the 18th century to the present. Cayce Historical Museum: 1800 12th St. 739-5385.

Cayce Tree Lighting Ceremony

Thu Nov. 29 6 p.m. Annual lighting of the tree. Please bring canned goods to decorate the Food Tree. Free. 796-9020, cityofcayce-sc.gov.

The Lights of Cayce

Dec. 1-31. Twinkling lights, dazzling displays, Christmas cheer. Free. Cayce City Hall: 1800 12th St. 796-9020, cityofcayce-sc.gov.

Cayce Neighborhood Tree Lighting

Sat Dec. 1. 6 p.m. Cayce neighborhoods line their streets with lighted trees and decorations. There is much rejoicing. 739-5385.

City of Columbia Holiday Walking Tour of Lights

Sat Dec. 1. 5-7 p.m. Deck the trail at Riverfront park. Fa la la la la, la la la la. Walking trail with an array of holiday lights. Free. Riverfront Park: 312 Laurel St. 545-3083.

Chamber Choir of Kershaw County Christmas Concert Mon Dec. 17. 7 p.m. $5. Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County: 810 Lyttleton St. 425-7676, fineartscenter.org.

A Christmas Carol

Tue Dec. 18. 3 & 8 p.m. A live performance of Charles Dickens’ Christmas classic. $40. Newberry Opera House: 1201 McKibben St. 2766264, newberryoperahouse.com.

Christmas at Red Bank

Sun Dec. 9. 6:30 p.m. An annual holiday celebration featuring local musicians performing traditional and nontraditional Christmas songs. Proceeds benefit Lexington Interfaith Community Services. Red Bank United Methodist Church: 2909 Old Barnwell Rd. rbumc.com.

A Christmas Story

Dec. 13-16. 8 p.m., Thu-Sat; 3 p.m., Sun. $15; $12 students, seniors, military. Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County: 810 Lyttleton St. 4257676, fineartscenter.org.

Christmas with Emile Pandolfi

Sat Dec. 15. 8 p.m. Christmastime is here, and Pandolfi tickles its ivories. $35. Newberry Opera House: 1201 McKibben St. 276-6264, newberryoperahouse.com.

2012 Holiday Gift Guide

Governorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Carolighting at the South Carolina State House is Nov. 26. Photo by Jackie White

Saluda Shoals Holiday Lights on the River runs Nov. 21 through Dec. 31. Photo by Robert Clark

Christmastime in Ireland

Fri Dec. 14. 3 & 8 p.m. Faith and begorrah and ho-ho-ho. Irish wit and wisdom, dancing, more. $30. Newberry Opera House: 1201 McKibben St. 276-6264, newberryoperahouse.com.

Crafty Feast

Sat Dec. 15. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Juried independent craft fair. Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center: 1101 Lincoln St. craftyfeast.com.

A Devine Night Out

Thu Dec. 13. 5-10 p.m. Holiday open house along Devine Street’s swanky boutique corridor. Afterparty at Henry’s. devinestreetcolumbiasc.com.

Famously Hot New Year

Mon Dec. 31. 7 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Annual city-sponsored New Year’s Eve event on Main Street featuring The Wallflowers. Live music, VIP areas, more. Free; $25-$400 VIP. famouslyhotnewyear.com.

Festival of Trees

2012 Holiday Gift Guide

Nov. 16-18. 7-10 p.m., Fri; 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat-Sun. Decorated tress, wreaths and other holiday swag on auction; proceeds benefit Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital. Do it for the kids. Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center: 1101 Lincoln St. 434-7275, palmettohealthfoundation.org/festivaloftrees.

Five Points Festivus

Nov. 30-Dec. 1. Feats of strength! The airing of grievances! Reminder: No tinsel, as it’s distracting. Airing of grievances bar crawl and beer sampling on Fri; shopping and pop-up art tour on Sat. fivepointscolumbia.com.

Gala for a Greener Midlands

Sat Dec. 1. An evening of beauty, dancing and festivities supporting the beautification of the Midlands. Hors d’ouevres, dinner, auction. $75. Holiday Inn: 110 McSwain Dr. 733-2526, keepthemidlandsbeautiful.org.

Glorious: A Modern Worship Christmas

Sun Dec. 2. 4 & 7 p.m. An electric mix of modern worship music for the holiday season. Free. Shandon Baptist Church: 5250 Forest Dr. 7821300, christmasatshandon.com.

Governor’s Carolighting

Mingle and Jingle on Main

Historic Columbia Candlelight Tours and Carriage Rides

The Nutcracker

Dec. 20-21. 5:30-8:30 p.m., Thu-Fri. Enjoy the decorated halls of our historic Robert Mills House and Hampton-Preston Mansion by candlelight on a guided tour; carriage rides through the Robert Mills historic district. $6 tours; $5 carriage rides. Robert Mills House: 1616 Blanding St. historiccolumbia.org.

Historic Columbia Choir Showcase

Sat Dec. 8. Noon-4 p.m. Local elementary school choirs. Free. Robert Mills House: 1616 Blanding St. historiccolumbia.org.

Historic Columbia Holiday House Tours

Nov. 16-31. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Tue-Sat; 1-5 p.m., Sun. Guided tours of historic homes decorated for the holidays. $6; $3 kids. historiccolumbia.org.

Historic Columbia Family Day: Historic Holidays

Sat Dec. 8. 10 a.m.-noon. Enjoy the holidays in the decorated Robert Mills House and learn how the Christmas tree appeared in South Carolina and how a South Carolinian made the poinsettia a well-known holiday decoration. $6; adults free. Robert Mills House: 1616 Blanding St. historiccolumbia.org.

Holiday Celebrations Around the World

Dec. 6-14. 9:30 & 11:15 a.m., Thu-Fri. Columbia City Ballet school performance. Koger Center: 1051 Greene St. columbiacityballet.com.

Lexington Christmas Parade

Sat Dec. 2. 3:30-8 p.m. Parade and celebration on Lexington’s Main Street. Free. lexsc.com.

Mannheim Steamroller

Sun Nov. 25. 4 p.m. Christmas music, but with electric guitars and laser beams. Presented by Broadway in Columbia. $45-$65. Koger Center: 1051 Greene St. broadwayincolumbia.com.

Thu Dec. 6. 6-9 p.m. Holiday-themed block party highlighting visual and performing arts. Part of the First Thursdays on Main series. Free. firstthursdaysonmain.com. Nov. 21-25. 10 a.m., Wed; 7:30 p.m., Fri; 3 p.m., Sun. $12.50-$20.50. Performed by the Carolina Ballet. Township Auditorium: 1703 Taylor St. 576-2350, thetownship.org.

The Nutcracker

Nov. 30-Dec. 2. 3 p.m., Sat-Sun; 7:30 p.m., Fri-Sat. Performed by the Columbia Classical Ballet. $5-$32. Koger Center: 1051 Greene St. columbiaclassicalballet.org.

The Nutcracker

Dec. 8-16. 3 p.m., Sat-Sun; 7:30 p.m., Fri-Sat. Performed by the Columbia City Ballet. Koger Center: 1051 Greene St. columbiacityballet.com.

Ozark Jubilee Presents: Branson Country Christmas

Mon Dec. 10. 3 & 7 p.m. Fiddles! Hillbilly humor! Just like Ned Flanders would want it! $26. Newberry Opera House: 1201 McKibben St. 2766264, newberryoperahouse.com.

Riverbanks Zoo Lights Before Christmas

Nov. 17-Dec. 30. 6-9 p.m., Mon-Sun. Annual Riverbanks Zoo Christmas light display. Closed Nov. 22, Dec. 24-25. $8; $6 kids. Riverbanks Zoo & Garden: 500 Wildlife Pkwy. 779-8717, riverbanks.org.

Saint Nicholas Festival

Sat Dec. 1. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Food, crafts, choirs, and a visit from the real St. Nicholas. Holy Apostles Orthodox Church: 724 Buff St. stnicholasfestival.org.

Saluda Shoals Park Holiday Lights on the River

Nov. 21-Dec. 31. 6-10 p.m., Mon-Sun. Light displays, walking trails, carriage rides, marshmallow roastings, drive-through lighting extravaganza. $10; additional costs may apply. Saluda Shoals Park: 5605 Bush River Rd. icrc.net.

2012 Holiday Gift Guide

Mon Nov. 26. 6 p.m. Lighting of the State House Christmas tree, choir performances. Free. South Carolina State House: Main and Gervais. 737-0769.

The Singing Christmas Tree

Dec. 7-9. 4 p.m., Sat-Sun; 7 p.m., Fri-Sun. The 30-foot tree features 55,000 lights and 130 singers, accompanied by a 30-member orchestra. Free. Shandon Baptist Church: 5250 Forest Dr. 782-1300, christmasatshandon.com.

The Story Tour

Tue Nov. 27. 7 p.m. A Christmas spectacular featuring an all-star cast of Christian recording artists. $22-$77. Colonial Life Arena: 801 Lincoln St. coloniallifearena.com.

University of South Carolina Horseshoe Tree Lighting

Tue Nov. 27. 6 p.m. Fifty-eighth annual tree-lighting ceremony; carolers, too. Free. The Horseshoe: Sumter and College. 777-7130, sc.edu.

Vista Lights

Thu Nov. 15. 5-10 p.m. Holiday shopping, live music, food, drinks and, of course, lights in the Vista. Mayor Benjamin lights the tree, at the corner of Lincoln and Gervais, at 7 p.m. vistalightssc.com.

War Between the States Lantern Tours

2012 Holiday Gift Guide

Sat Dec. 1. 6-9:30 p.m. Scenes from the Civil War are brought to life in this history and comedy presentation. Because nothing says Christmas like the Civil War. Cayce Historical Museum: 1800 12th St. 739-5385.

West Metro Holiday Parade of Lights

Sat Dec. 2. 5:30-7:15 p.m. Floats, bands and animals, all lit with Christmas lights. Yes, even the animals. (OK, maybe not the animals.) Begins at Knox Abbott and 12th Street in Cayce. Free. 794-6505, westmetroparade.com.

Willie Nelson

Sat Dec. 8. 6:30 p.m. What does Willie Nelson have to do with the holidays? Who cares? $35.50-$75.50. Township Auditorium: 1703 Taylor St. 576-2350, thetownship.org.

Winter Fest

Dec. 15-Jan. 1. A two-week-long, family-friendly celebration of the winter season. Highlights include holiday movies, seasonal Star Labs, a scavenger hunt, nature crafts,Â board games, and Santa visits. Free with museum admission. South Carolina State Museum: 301 Gervais St. 898-4952, scmuseum.org.

2012 Holiday Gift Guide

START YOUR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION EARLY

2012 Holiday Gift Guide

Start your healthy living lifestyle with membership at the YMCA. At the Y, you’re a part of a group that’s committed to learning, growing, and thriving every day.

With five locations throughout the Midlands, the Y is always nearby. At the Y, membership means more.

YMCA OF COLUMBIA columbiaymca.org

2012 Holiday Gift Guide

2012 Holiday Gift Guide 34

www.MadisonBallaghHomes.com

2012 Holiday Gift Guide

SHOP THE REGION’S LARGEST SELECTION OF NEW & VINTAGE BOOKS, COMICS, TOYS & RELATED cool stuff

2012 Holiday Gift Guide

Let me help you Kristi Rogers, Mini Motoring Advisor unwrap a Mini for the holiday season Direct: 864-335-3706 this year! BMW-MINI kristi.rogers@century-bmw.com • centurymini.com – Kristi

CENTURY OF GREENVILLE SC

2012 Holiday Gift Guide

A SONIC AUTOMOTIVE DEALERSHIP

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