Columbia’s Congaree Vista is getting ready to light up for the holidays again. Vista Lights, the neighborhood’s signature open house, returns Thursday, November 19, starting at 6 p.m., with more than 60 galleries, shops and restaurants expected to open their doors for the occasion.
The event has ushered in the holidays in Columbia for 40 years, according to Cola Daily, and this year marks its 41st edition. Organizers at vistacolumbia.com confirm the evening officially kicks off at 6 p.m., with live performances starting at 6:15 p.m. to set the mood before the night’s centerpiece.
Tree Lighting and Live Music Anchor the Evening
The traditional Vista tree lighting ceremony is set for 7 p.m., taking place outside the River Runner Outdoor Center at the corner of Lincoln and Gervais streets, per Cola Daily. Once the tree is lit, Chris Reed and the Bad Kids are scheduled to take the stage, followed by the Soda City Brass Band, which will play until 9:45 p.m.
Families won’t have to look far for entertainment of their own. The free Kid’s Zone, presented by 94.3 The Dude, will once again take over Lincoln Street, as noted on the event’s official page. The zone includes children’s activities, face painting, balloon art, reindeer snacks and visits with Santa.
Street Closures and Parking Plans
Getting around the Vista will look a little different for the night. Park and Lincoln streets are scheduled to close to traffic from 5 to 10 p.m., while Gervais Street is set to close between Pulaski and Assembly streets starting at 6 p.m., according to vistacolumbia.com.
Street parking will be available for attendees, and parking meters are free after 6 p.m. Free parking is also offered at the South Carolina State Museum, and Steel Hands Vista — located at 705 Gervais St. — is offering free rides via a shuttle that will run a continuous loop from the museum’s lot to the brewery from 5:45 to 9:45 p.m.
Artisan Market Returns for a Third Year
Outside the Columbia SC Visitors Center on Lincoln Street, the Vista Lights Artisan Market is being held for the third year, the event page states. Vendors confirmed for the market include Bee Bottom Art, Found & Altered, Hammered Daisy and Southern Fried Stitching.
The market has grown steadily since its debut. It launched as a new feature at the 39th annual event with 11 local vendors, and expanded to 17 vendors by the 40th annual celebration, according to a Cola Daily report on that year’s event.
Visitors are encouraged to arrive early and shop local businesses throughout the evening, giving themselves time to hit the shops, the market and the Kid’s Zone before the music winds down for the night.
