We found three Christmas markets and winter events in and around Columbia with 2026 dates posted: two holiday markets and one winter wonderland event. One is free to get in. They’re in Columbia and Lexington. Each card has the dates and hours, what it costs to get in, and notes on strollers and things for little kids.
By date
Tap one for hours, prices, stroller notes and what’s there for little kids.
Holiday market · to Nov 15 · SC State Fairgrounds20NovFriWild LightsWinter wonderland · to Jan 10 · Riverbanks Zoo and Garden3DecThuSnowball Festival Christmas Craft FairHoliday market · to Dec 4 · Icehouse AmphitheaterNothing matches that filter yet.
Markets
Dates, hours and prices come from each organizer’s, venue’s or city’s own page.
SC State Fairgrounds · Columbia, SC · about 2 miles away
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden · Columbia, SC · about 3 miles away
Icehouse Amphitheater · Lexington, SC · about 12 miles west of Columbia
Good to know: 66 local vendors. Friday adds the tree lighting at 6:30 p.m. and a showing of Elf at 7:30; the Snowball carnival with Santa photos follows Saturday from 11 to 3.
Before you go
TimingGo when it opensWeekday afternoons and opening hour are the least crowded, which makes a stroller much easier.
DressLayer upOutdoor markets get cold after dark. Mittens and a blanket for the stroller help.
StrollerCheck the stroller noteSome markets get packed on weekend evenings. A carrier can be easier there.Keep planning
November: things to do in ColumbiaEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in ColumbiaEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in ColumbiaFree days, free events and places that never charge
Indoor play in ColumbiaIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in ColumbiaBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Thanksgiving weekend in ColumbiaParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Christmas parades in ColumbiaParades and tree lightings with dates and start times
Christmas trains in ColumbiaPolar Express, Santa and lights trains with datesThe Nutcracker in ColumbiaBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas break in ColumbiaWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1
This week in ColumbiaDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every ThursdayGood questions
Craftsmen's Christmas Classic at SC State Fairgrounds: Nov 13 – Nov 15. Adults $10, ages 6 to 12 $1, under 6 free. Tickets are good all three days. Wild Lights at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden: Nov 20 – Jan 10. Snowball Festival Christmas Craft Fair at Icehouse Amphitheater: Dec 3 – Dec 4. Free.
Wild Lights (Columbia, SC · about 3 miles away): Nov 20 – Jan 10.
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 30, 2026, and we recheck them every week through December. How we choose and check.
One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Columbia that weekend, holiday markets included.
