It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas around West Columbia. 

For additional Christmas cheer this year, the City of West Columbia has been busy adding new decorations to be enjoyed by those who drive by and for others who want to get interactive with the Christmas spirit. 

The new additions include: lighted garland and bows to the lamp posts on 12th Street; Christmas banners on State and Meeting streets; new decorations, including updated wreaths and garland added to City Hall; and Christmas interactive art sculptures at Riverwalk, the Interactive Art Park on Meeting Street and Carraway Children’s Park. 

“The new Christmas interactive art sculptures are going to be a favorite for everyone,” said Kelli Ricard, West Columbia’s events manager. 
She also referenced the kayak Christmas Tree that is at the Riverwalk Amphitheater until Jan. 4. 

“It is the perfect place for a family Christmas photo,” Ricard said.
Ricard then described some of the features for the season. 

“The Santa Canoe will be set up at Carraway Children’s Park under the pavilion. It has Santa, an otter and a turtle in a canoe,” Ricard said. 
Visiting children to the park can change the clothing on the otter and the turtle and get into the canoe with Santa and his friends for a photo.

Ricard said the interactive aspect of the sculpture will give kids and parents another reason to love Carraway park.  She also said there is a  giant present and light bulb sculpture set up on the bricked area at the Interactive Art Park on Meeting Street.

“It’s a perfect place to record your visit and share it on social media,” she said. 

This year the city of West Columbia will present a video of its annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony because of COVID concerns. The tree-lighting will be pre-recorded and released on Dec. 4. There will also be “greetings” videos from West Columbia City Council members and city staff.

Other events in the West Columbia area:
The South Carolina State Museum will illuminate the dome of its planetarium, Thursday (Nov. 19) at a public event from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.. The effect is to turn the dome into a giant snow globe. The dome will light up every night after dark throughout the holiday season.
Additional information can be found at this link: http://scmuseum.org/calendar/holiday-planetarium-lighting/

The “Lights Before Christmas” at Riverbanks Zoo is a tradition for many in West Columbia because of the easy access. The entrance to the zoo’s Botanical Gardens is off of Sunset Boulevard in West Columbia. The Lights Before Christmas features more than one-million lights, a variety of illuminated images, a 30-ft. animated Christmas tree. 

The Lights Before Christmas opens at Riverbanks Zoo Saturday (Nov. 21) and continues through Dec. 30. The dates for The Lights Before Christmas in November are Nov. 21, Nov. 22 and Nov. 25. Also Nov. 27, Nov. 28, and Nov. 29. 
The Lights Before Christmas dates in December are: Dec. 2-thru -6 and Dec. 9-thru -13 and Dec. 16-thru-23 and Dec. 26-thru-30.
Timed arrival tickets are required and must be purchased in advance.
Click here for a link: https://www.riverbanks.org/events/lights-before-christmas

It’s going to be a wonderful holiday season, and the City of West Columbia is a great place to experience it.