Country Inn & Suites By Carlson, Columbia at Harbison, SC

Beginning with a 5k run, Holidays Lights on the River is a huge event offering fun for the entire family all season...

Beginning with a 5k run, Holidays Lights on the River is a huge event offering fun for the entire family all season long. A huge, drive-though display of holiday lights takes over Saluda Shoals Park beginning in November. The two-mile looped drive features more than 300 displays. Additional activities are planned in the week prior to Christmas during the Nights of Wonder: horse-drawn carriage rides, hay rides, choo choo train rides, a giant marshmallow roaster, concessions, crafts, and the chance to visit with Santa. Nominal fees ($1 to $5 dollars apply).

Hours: Fri, Nov 23, 2012: 6pm - 10pm Sat, Nov 24, 2012: 6pm - 10pm Sun, Nov 25, 2012: 6pm - 10pm Mon, Nov 26, 2012: 6pm - 10pm Tue, Nov 27, 2012: 6pm - 10pm Wed, Nov 28, 2012: 6pm - 10pm Thu, Nov 29, 2012: 6pm - 10pm Fri, Nov 30, 2012: 6pm - 10pm Sat, Dec 1, 2012: 6pm - 10pm Sun, Dec 2, 2012: 6pm - 10pm Mon, Dec 3, 2012: 6pm - 10pm Tue, Dec 4, 2012: 6pm - 10pm Wed, Dec 5, 2012: 6pm - 10pm Thu, Dec 6, 2012: 6pm - 10pm Fri, Dec 7, 2012: 6pm - 10pm Sat, Dec 8, 2012: 6pm - 10pm Sun, Dec 9, 2012: 6pm - 10pm Mon, Dec 10, 2012: 6pm - 10pm Tue, Dec 11, 2012: 6pm - 10pm Wed, Dec 12, 2012: 6pm - 10pm Thu, Dec 13, 2012: 6pm - 10pm Fri, Dec 14, 2012: 6pm - 10pm Sat, Dec 15, 2012: 6pm - 10pm Sun, Dec 16, 2012: 6pm - 10pm Mon, Dec 17, 2012: 6pm - 10pm Tue, Dec 18, 2012: 6pm - 10pm Wed, Dec 19, 2012: 6pm - 10pm Thu, Dec 20, 2012: 6pm - 10pm Fri, Dec 21, 2012: 6pm - 10pm Sat, Dec 22, 2012: 6pm - 10pm Sun, Dec 23, 2012: 6pm - 10pm Mon, Dec 24, 2012: 6pm - 10pm Tue, Dec 25, 2012: 6pm - 10pm Wed, Dec 26, 2012: 6pm - 10pm Thu, Dec 27, 2012: 6pm - 10pm Fri, Dec 28, 2012: 6pm - 10pm Sat, Dec 29, 2012: 6pm - 10pm Sun, Dec 30, 2012: 6pm - 10pm Mon, Dec 31, 2012: 6pm - 10pm

This unique festival started out back in the 1970s as a fundraiser for a new town library. Over the years, it has grown...

This unique festival started out back in the 1970s as a fundraiser for a new town library. Over the years, it has grown and grown, and today attracts more than 50,000 visitors. Okra does indeed feature prominently (if you've never tried it, this is a great opportunity), but along with the fried green pods you can sample a wide range of other tasty Southern tidbits. Besides entertainment, scheduled non-stop all weekend, you can enjoy browsing craft booths, touring a petting zoo, catching the parade and taking a whirl on a ride or two.

Hours: Fri, Sep 28, 2012: 6pm - 11pm Sat, Sep 29, 2012: 9am - 5pm

Riverbanks Zoo is transformed for the holidays with hundreds of unique light displays. Many of the colorful light...

Riverbanks Zoo is transformed for the holidays with hundreds of unique light displays. Many of the colorful light creations depict animals -- monkeys swinging from trees, elephants splashing in the water, frogs leaping. You can also visit with Santa, sip some hot cocoa, and maybe recapture a bit of your youthful holiday spirit!

Hours: Nightly Sat, Nov 17, 2012: 6pm - 9pm Sun, Nov 18, 2012: 6pm - 9pm Mon, Nov 19, 2012: 6pm - 9pm Tue, Nov 20, 2012: 6pm - 9pm Wed, Nov 21, 2012: 6pm - 9pm Fri, Nov 23, 2012: 6pm - 9pm Sat, Nov 24, 2012: 6pm - 9pm Sun, Nov 25, 2012: 6pm - 9pm Mon, Nov 26, 2012: 6pm - 9pm Tue, Nov 27, 2012: 6pm - 9pm Wed, Nov 28, 2012: 6pm - 9pm Thu, Nov 29, 2012: 6pm - 9pm Fri, Nov 30, 2012: 6pm - 9pm Sat, Dec 1, 2012: 6pm - 9pm Sun, Dec 2, 2012: 6pm - 9pm Mon, Dec 3, 2012: 6pm - 9pm Tue, Dec 4, 2012: 6pm - 9pm Wed, Dec 5, 2012: 6pm - 9pm Thu, Dec 6, 2012: 6pm - 9pm Fri, Dec 7, 2012: 6pm - 9pm Sat, Dec 8, 2012: 6pm - 9pm Sun, Dec 9, 2012: 6pm - 9pm Mon, Dec 10, 2012: 6pm - 9pm Tue, Dec 11, 2012: 6pm - 9pm Wed, Dec 12, 2012: 6pm - 9pm Thu, Dec 13, 2012: 6pm - 9pm Fri, Dec 14, 2012: 6pm - 9pm Sat, Dec 15, 2012: 6pm - 9pm Sun, Dec 16, 2012: 6pm - 9pm Mon, Dec 17, 2012: 6pm - 9pm Tue, Dec 18, 2012: 6pm - 9pm Wed, Dec 19, 2012: 6pm - 9pm Thu, Dec 20, 2012: 6pm - 9pm Fri, Dec 21, 2012: 6pm - 9pm Sat, Dec 22, 2012: 6pm - 9pm Sun, Dec 23, 2012: 6pm - 9pm Wed, Dec 26, 2012: 6pm - 9pm Thu, Dec 27, 2012: 6pm - 9pm Fri, Dec 28, 2012: 6pm - 9pm Sat, Dec 29, 2012: 6pm - 9pm Sun, Dec 30, 2012: 6pm - 9pm

A three-day celebration of Greek culture, hosted by Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. Enjoy lively and fun traditional...

A three-day celebration of Greek culture, hosted by Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. Enjoy lively and fun traditional music and dance with all-day performances, take a tour of the church, join in on spirited discussions of Greek history and culture, catch a colorful video presentation, and of course, eat! Gyros, souvlaki, spanakopita, dolmathes, keftedes, and baklava -- all come in abundant quantities. You will not leave hungry or unhappy!

Hours: Thu, Sep 13, 2012: 10am - 10pm Fri, Sep 14, 2012: 10am - 10pm Sat, Sep 15, 2012: 10am - 10pm Sun, Sep 16, 2012: Noon - 8pm

The Congaree Vista district sparkles during this annual holiday celebration. Along with the official lighting of the...

The Congaree Vista district sparkles during this annual holiday celebration. Along with the official lighting of the Christmas tree, festivities include carriage rides, live music, open houses, art gallery exhibits, and more from over 60 different venues.

Hours: Thu, Nov 15, 2012: 5pm - 10pm

The Robert Mills House & the Hampton ­ Preston Mansion become oyster central for this annual celebration of the...

The Robert Mills House & the Hampton ­ Preston Mansion become oyster central for this annual celebration of the lowly but prized shellfish. Stuff yourself with steamed or fried oysters, and then kick back with a cold beverage and enjoy the afternoon's agenda of local bands.

Hours: November 2013

In central Five Points, this popular after-work event features live music on Thursday evenings in April and May. ...

In central Five Points, this popular after-work event features live music on Thursday evenings in April and May. Beverages and refreshments are available, and proceeds from all beverage sales benefit Palmetto Place and Pets Inc., two local charities.

Hours: Thu, Apr 5, 2012: 6:30pm Thu, Apr 12, 2012: 6:30pm Thu, Apr 19, 2012: 6:30pm Thu, Apr 26, 2012: 6:30pm Thu, May 3, 2012: 6:30pm Thu, May 10, 2012: 6:30pm Thu, May 17, 2012: 6:30pm Thu, May 24, 2012: 6:30pm Thu, May 31, 2012: 6:30pm

This has become a popular event for families with small children. The colorful kid's parade and costume contest allow...

This has become a popular event for families with small children. The colorful kid's parade and costume contest allow trick-or-treaters to show off their finery. Plenty of Halloween-themed activities, food, and drinks.

Hours: Wed, Oct 31, 2012: 5pm - 10:30pm

Wear your lucky green when you head to this longstanding Columbia favorite. Families and older crowds love the parade...

Wear your lucky green when you head to this longstanding Columbia favorite. Families and older crowds love the parade and the assortment of arts and crafts stalls. Younger crowds flock to the more raucous side of the festival, where green beer flows and bands play. Plenty of food, arts and crafts, games and activities keep this event growing each year.

Hours: Sat, Mar 16, 2013: 10am - 6pm

The state's annual agricultural fair has morphed into something much more, with big-name concerts, a wide range of rides...

The state's annual agricultural fair has morphed into something much more, with big-name concerts, a wide range of rides and midway attractions, and the ubiquitous fair food. Past performers have included Lee Greenwood, Sara Evans and the Jonas Brothers. Other highlights range from dairy cow milking demonstrations to sand sculpture construction to basketball demo games. Tons of kids' activities.

Hours: Event times vary; call for details Wed, Oct 10, 2012 Thu, Oct 11, 2012 Fri, Oct 12, 2012 Sat, Oct 13, 2012 Sun, Oct 14, 2012 Mon, Oct 15, 2012 Tue, Oct 16, 2012 Wed, Oct 17, 2012 Thu, Oct 18, 2012 Fri, Oct 19, 2012 Sat, Oct 20, 2012 Sun, Oct 21, 2012