Mix and mingle, wine and dine, and holiday shop 'til you drop at our annual Vista Lights, a Columbia tradition. Vista Lights, the neighborhood's signature open house, has ushered in the holidays in Columbia for more than 30 years on the Thursday before Thanksgiving.
More than 90 galleries, shops, and restaurants open their doors to showcase their holiday treasures and delicious dishes. The Vista Guild also organizes live entertainment and performances to get attendees in the holiday spirit as the Mayor of Columbia lights the Vista's tree at the corner of Gervais and Lincoln Streets.
Vista Lights, held Thursday, Nov 16th from 5 p.m. — 10 p.m. is looking for a few special vendors to set up on Lincoln Street in the Vista for our annual Holiday kickoff. With a history of a crowd of over 10,000 people during the evening this is a wonderful opportunity to offer your crafts, goods or information as the holiday season begins! For information on becoming a vendor for Vista Lights, please download the Vista Lights Vendor Information Sheet. 2017 Vista Lights Vendor Information Sheet
For information on becoming a sponsor for Vista Lights, please download the Vista Lights sponsorship kit
2017 Sponsorship Information
Kick off the holiday season and visit the gallery full of holiday gifts and ornaments. Featuring artwork by Columbia native Eileen Blyth.
Featuring Susan Lenz’s “Building in Stitches,” which celebrates its opening in the main gallery. Cindi Saad will also showcase her original handmade jewelry. Other gallery spaces will be open, as will the art supply store.
CPR Cell Phone Repair is offering $20 off all phone repairs over $100 and a 20 percent discount on all merchandise.
Offering refreshments and exhibiting new paintings by Ellen Taylor Interiors artists. Also showing new furniture and accessories.
Offering refreshments and 15 percent discounts on all regularly priced merchandise as well as free gift wrapping. Open until 8:30 p.m.
Enjoy light bites and wine with 10 percent discounts on select items. Open until 8:30 p.m.
Featuring Clark Ellefson’s studio and recent work including handmade modern lighting and robots. Serving refreshments and craft beer and wine.
Watch artists in live glass-blowing demonstrations. Offering light snacks and refreshments.
River Runner is the new Hobie Kayak retailer for Columbia. These special kayaks will be on display outside and inside the shop. Take this opportunity to sit in the kayak and pedal drive the unit.
Get your holiday shopping started early at Urban Outfitters.
Studio artists present new work.
Offering light refreshments and hot cider.
Enjoy wine and beer samples outside near 1201 Lincoln Street. Register to win a week on a digital billboard!
Copper Horse Distilling will serve their Copper Cream Whiskey liqueur and USC’s Saint Thomas More Parish Choir will perform.
Serving light hors d’oeuvres and live painting by resident artists with local entertainment.
Enjoy an extended happy hour until 8 p.m. with a 25 percent discount at this eclectic party spot. Local craft beers available and stick around after Vista Lights for “Useless Trivia” with host Parthenon John. Rest your feet and charge your phone with one of our “Chargbots.”
Offering refreshments and featuring works by Mark Flowers: “Washing the Dust.” Flowers lives near Asheville, N.C. and is a native of Greenville, S.C.
Offering samples of Blue Marlin’s famous shrimp and grits under the Lincoln St. canopy and a special VIP area for military families from 5:30 – 8 p.m. The private room will be open with a cash bar.
All merchandise and six packs offered at 15 percent discount in the store. Outside grab koozies and craft beers for $4 at this new Vista beer emporium.
Offering a special treat with the purchase off the menu at the Vista’s burger hot spot.
Offering assorted cupcakes, various sweet treats and wine.
Enjoy discounted menu prices and hang out with beer trucks, food, coffee and hot chocolate outside.
Selling beer and wine outdoors and offering free hot longhornchocolate and s’mores on Gervais Street at the fire pit.
Meet Mel and have a slice of cheese or pepperoni pizza and beer by the glass.
Live music by Etheridge & Kimpland.
Offering shrimp sliders and house chips on the street in front of the restaurant.
Check out the annual “Gathering in the Alleyway.” Draft beer and wine to sample and purchase. Sample SakiTumi food and a local artist will also be painting a piece for onlookers.
Offering free warm praline samples, discounts on holiday gift orders and live music. Children under age 12 can decorate ornaments for $2. Preview holiday trays, gift baskets and more.
Offering discount vouchers and free candy.
Enjoy a special cupcake just for Vista Lights.
Enjoy 15 percent discounts in the Giftique, on products and future beauty appointments booked that night.
Stop by for bubbly and bites.
Offering discounts on Botox and Microdermabrasion Treatments, free chair massages and hand chemical peels. Also offering discounts on holiday gift cards and free swag bags.
Offering $20 skin rejuvenation facials with a FREE Microdermabrasion or chemical peel and swag bags with free gift cards.