Join us for the 39th Annual Vista Lights presented by Prisma Health on Thursday, November 21, 2024!
This is the neighborhood's signature open house which has ushered in the holidays in Columbia for over 30 years. More than 60 galleries, shops, and restaurants open their doors to showcase their holiday treasures and delicious dishes. Make your plans and reservations now! NO CONCEALABLE WEAPONS ALLOWED.
View the full line-up for information for Vista Lights 2024 here!
Visitors are encouraged to arrive early, shop local businesses, help us light the tree at the Montessori School of Columbia Stage and enjoy all the businesses have to offer. The free Kid’s Zone presented by 94.3 The Dude will once again take over Lincoln Street with activities for children, face painting, balloon art, reindeer snacks, visits with Santa and more.
The whole Vista community will be part of the festivities. Vista Lights presented by Prisma Health will begin at 6pm. Park and Lincoln Streets will be closed to traffic from 5-10 p.m. Gervais Street will be closed to traffic from Gadsden to Assembly Streets at 6 p.m. Galleries, shops and restaurants will stay open late, showcasing their holiday best.
The Vista Guild asks that you please follow COVID-19 protocols while at Vista Lights. Please avoid physical contact with others including handshakes, fist bumps and high-fives. Additionally, please practice social distancing while at Vista Lights and please properly wear a face mask when social distancing isn’t possible or while inside Vista businesses.
FREE parking is available in the City of Columbia garage at Lincoln and Washington Streets (behind Aloft Hotel), and at the South Carolina State Museum. Steel Hands Vista is offering free rides from the museum’s lot to Steel Hands Vista (705 Gervais St.) on a continuous loop from 5:45-9:45 p.m. The City of Columbia parking garage on Park Street (beside the Hilton Hotel) is $20 due to an event at Colonial Life Arena. Street parking is available and meters are free after 6 p.m.
ENTERTAINMENT
Make sure to visit the Montessori School of Columbia Stage near the corner of Lincoln and Gervais Streets. At 6:15pm there will be live performances from:
Mrs. Jenkins Dance Academy
The Southern Strutt
Suzuki Academy
Columbia City Jazz Conservatory
Ann Brodie’s Carolina Ballet
The Columbia Tappers
Palmetto Performing Arts
South Carolina Ballet
Southeastern School of Ballet
Unbound Dance
Columbia Ballet School
Following the performances, join us for the traditional tree lighting ceremony at 7 p.m. Join Prisma Health and City of Columbia dignitaries as we light the Vista tree outside River Runner Outdoor Center. Following the tree lighting, enjoy music from Station Seven Band until 9:45pm on the Montessori School of Columbia Stage.
In partnership with Blue Marlin, we ask that you support our Stuff the Trailer Toy Drive. We ask that new, unwrapped toys be dropped off in the trailer outside Blue Marlin during the week of November 18. These will personally be brought to support families in Western North Carolina in the tragic aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
New this year, be sure to stop by the Vista Lights Artisan Market outside the Columbia SC Visitors Center on Lincoln Street. Visit the below local artists for holiday gifts:
Bee Bottom Art | Cait Maloney Creative | Copper nugget |
The Ghost Lady | KiRoKa Essentials | Liberation is Lit |
Revisionist Studio | Royal African Co. LLC | Sealine Soap Company |
Southern Curiosities | xoxoJLo Crochet |