43nd Annual Marion du Pont COLONIAL CUP International Steeplechase Race Day and Special Celebration

Saturday, November 17, 2012
The quintessential southern horse race, the Colonial Cup is one of the Midlands' finest annual events. Families and friends turn out to the Springdale Race Course each fall to celebrate horse-racing and enjoy a full day of family fun. Infield activities include Jack Russell Terrier races, Carousel, Mule Wagon Rides, Pony Rides, American Flag Coloring mural where adults and children alike can leave their thank yous to our troops (after the Colonial Cup the mural will be sent overseas to our military), Blue Star Moms and Ronald McDonald House volunteers staffing the mural tent, Buffalo Soldiers, face painting, military equipment display, and concessions. Horse racing begins shortly after noon and 6 races will be run. Paddock Shoppes retail village. Visit the Colonial Cup website for info and tickets.

Save the Dates! Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Show: Jamil Temple

Friday November 16, 2012 - Sunday November 18, 2012

A fabulous show of beautiful giftable jewelry - unique pieces you won't find anywhere else. Handmade and one-of-a-kind. Fossils, minerals, rocks, artifacts... amazing selection of collectibles. Grand prize drawing for lovely diamond ring! If you love gems, jewelry or have someone on your gift-list who does, come to this incredible show! I have been many times and I (Kathy, event picker extraordinaire) highly recommend it! Visit the website for details and for a $1 discount coupon to print!

Bigger & Better! Snowville | EdVenture Children's Museum

Monday November 19, 2012 - February 24, 2012

Starting November 19, every day is a SNOW DAY at EdVenture! Snowy fun awaits in the North Pole. Climb an ice capped mountain, explore an ice cave, or have a snowball fight with a snowman! Play a game of ice hockey, get the chills in our Blizzard Booth, or take a 25ft long ride down Sled Hill! Grab a hold of this wintry world and create a snow-filled postcard to share with your friends. Then, flurry over to the South Pole for a mix of more winter fun. Visit the Antarctic Research Station to observe penguins, build an ice floe, and learn what life is found in the Southern Ocean. Hold on to your snow hats folks, this is one cool winter experience! EdVenture will be open on Monday, November 19 in celebration of Snowville. This wintry wonderland continues through February 24th. Free with museum admission. More at the EdVenture website.

A Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner at Ruth's Chris!

Our seasonally inspired Thanksgiving dinner celebrates the rich flavors of the season.

$35.95 ($12.95* for children under 12) Details at the Ruth's Chris website.

Turkey Cupcakes for Thanksgiving! Cupcake

Order Now!

Picture your dining room table this Thanksgiving with a platter of plump turkey cupcakes! And where can you get them... Cupcake, of course! Order today! Visit the Cupcake website. Trying to think of a novel corporate gift idea? Make Doing Business Sweeter this Holiday with a dozen scrumptious little heavenly cakes decorated for the holidays from our friends at Cupcake!

Home for the Holidays

Thanskgiving Day Buffet: Doubletree by Hilton

Thursday November 22, 2012
Make Your Reservations Now Before They Fill Up!

Appetizers, chilled seafood, breakfast items, carved ham and turkey, traditional sides and desserts! Enjoy a fabulous buffet from 11am - 2pm as you relax amid the beautiful surroundings of the Doubletree by Hilton hotel on Bush River Road.... flyer and contact info here! Out-of-town guests? The Doubletree is offering a special $89 holiday rate! Find out more here!

Conflict Zone: A Groundbreaking Look at War | SC Confederate Relic Room & Military Museum

Now - February 23, 2013

Conflict Zone: a Groundbreaking Look at War is a collection of images from the front lines of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, captured by some of the world's leading combat photographers and journalists. The exhibit features 65 poignant and diverse photos, including everything from images of combat and wounded and fallen soldiers to Iraqi and Afghan children and Iraqi war widows. “Conflict Zone” covers a wide range of experiences, which provides the viewer with a glimpse of life in a war zone from the military perspective as well as that of the Iraqi and Afghan citizens. The exhibit also features a seven-minute video of a battle in Afghanistan shot and produced by Jeff Newton of CBS. This traveling exhibit is a project of the Independence Fund, a Beaufort-based non-profit that serves severely soldiers and their families once they return home from war with serious physical or emotional wounds. More information is at the Museum's website.

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Workshop Theatre

Now - Saturday November 24, 2012

You are cordially invited to George and Martha’s for an evening of fun and games. If you decide to accept, be prepared to witness the savage, verbal attacks that masquerade as “Humiliate the Host,” “Get the Guests,” “Hump the Hostess” and “Bringing Up Baby.” Details and ticket info at the Workshop website.

NOVEMBER HOLIDAY EVENTS!

Holiday Lights on the River: Saluda Shoals | The Midlands Largest Drive-Through Lights Show! From November 21st through December 31st, Saluda Shoals Park will come alive in a blaze of more than a million sparkling lights. Holiday Lights on the River features over 400 themed, animated light displays on a two-mile loop of the Park! Enjoy the Dazzling Dancing Forest synced to holiday music, stroll the twinkling Wetland Wonderland Walking Trail , zip through a series of lighted arches and experience downhill tubing without the snow on Winter Wonder Ride, an125 foot, exciting, fun-packed family ride. Visit the Saluda Shoals Park website for details.

Holiday House Tours, every day except Monday, November 16 through December 31. Enjoy the holiday season with guided tours of our house museums. The Robert Mills House, Hampton-Preston Mansion, and Mann-Simons Cottage are all decorated for the season. Guides will provide stories of holidays past in Columbia and discuss how families decorated and entertained during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Historic Columbia Foundation website

The 23rd Festival of Trees will be held Nov. 15-17 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. Festival of Trees features decorated trees, wreaths and other holiday items that are up for bid during a weekend-long silent auction. Palmetto Health Foundation

Riverbanks Zoo & Gardens' 25th Lights Before Christmas Experience Columbia's longest running holiday tradition November 17 – December 30 @ 6:00-9:00pm. (Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) Riverbanks website.

The Nutcracker Ballet presented by Carolina Ballet at the Township Auditorium, November 21- Nov. 25. Info at the Township's website.

The Christmas Doll is performed by the Columbia Children's Theatre and tells of poor children in 1840's London who find a magic doll. November 23 - December 2. Info at Columbia Children's Theatre site.

USC Concert Choir's Christmas Concert: The University of South Carolina’s premier choral ensemble, the Concert Choir, continues a much loved holiday tradition that has put people in the Christmas mood for more than 50 years. The free program includes a variety of sacred works and Christmas songs from early and Baroque works to works by contemporary composers of the 21st century and best-loved Christmas carols. USC School of Music website has more info.

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Fresh Party Ideas - Festivus! South Carolina! German Winter Holiday and More!...Ideas for the Perfect Celebration! Greater Columbia Holiday Party Planner!

Check out this directory of restaurants and facilities, each with its own unique ability to make your party extra-special this year! Everyone of these establishments offers a dedicated staff, willing to make your event one your guests will remember forever! Holiday Party Planner 2012

South Carolina Bluegrass Festival: Myrtle Beach

Thanksgiving Weekend Nov. 23-25, 2012

Do you love bluegrass music? Here's your chance to see some of the country's finest bluegrass musicians play during a 3-day festival in Myrtle Beach! Head over the day after Thanksgiving, and enjoy the beach, holiday outlet shopping and THE BEST BLUEGRASS MUSIC FESTIVAL IN ALL THE SOUTH!

The Winter Wonderettes: Town Theatre

Friday November 23, 2012 - Saturday December 8, 2012
“Mister Santa, bring us a dream...”
The Winter Wonderettes actually features YOU and the other members of the audience as the employees of Harper’s Hardware Store. You may be in the sales department along with one of the four Wonderettes, Betty Jean, who claims that she’s “practically Vice President.” After all, Betty Jean does sign your checks!! Or you could be in lumber, accounting, or even electrical fixtures!! Your boss, Mr. Harper, has invited The Marvelous Wonderettes to entertain you and your family and friends at the annual Christmas party – Harper’s Hardware Holiday Happening! Along with Betty Jean, who considers herself the self-anointed clown of the group, is Cindy Lou who is the “sassy, sexy” member as well as Betty Jean’s best friend. Then there’s the over achiever and leader of the group, Missy, and rounding out the quartet is the little bit silly, little bit giddy and little bit pregnant, Suzy. So sit back relax... you’ve worked hard this year... and let The Winter Wonderettes lead you through tonight’s holiday festivities! Go to Town Theatre's website for ticket info!

SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE : Township Auditorium

Presented by AEG LIVE
Friday November 30, 2012

So You Think You Can Dance’s ninth-season Top 10 finalists make their way to Township Auditorium as part of the 2012 Live Tour. The Season 9 tour line-up includes these top 10 finalists: Audrey, Chehon, Cole, Cyrus, Eliana, George, Lindsay, Tiffany, Will and Witney! Sizzling, one-of-a-kind dance routines as seen on the TV show that recently received six Emmy ® nominations! “Now in its 9th season, I continue to be inspired by the ever-evolving, magnificent talent that is out there. It warms my heart to be able to share our discoveries with the nation,” stated Nigel Lythgoe who is a judge and co-creator of the hit Fox show. “I have every confidence that this year's top ten will blow you away.” Get your tickets here!

Elvis Special is Sure to Deliver Christmas Hits! Workshop Theatre

Friday December 7, 2012

Rock 'n' roll your way into the holiday spirit on December 7 with Workshop Theatre's Blue Christmas Elvis Special. Award-winning Elvis tribute artist Rick Wade returns to Workshop to treat you and your family to a variety of Elvis Christmas classics during this "one night only" holiday special. This is a must-see for every fan of the King of Rock 'n' Roll! Curtain is at 7:30 p.m. VIP tickets are $25 and include a meet-and-greet with Elvis. General admission tickets are $15. Tickets can be purchased by clicking here or by calling the Box Office at 803-799-6551.

Nights of a Thousand Candles: Brookgreen Gardens

Weekends beginning Friday December 7, 2012 through December 22, 2012

Brookgreen Gardens comes to life amid the soft glow of more than 5,500 hand-lit candles and countless sparkling lights from 3 - 10 p.m. Walk the paths with a warm cup of cider, hear the sounds of hand bells ringing, carolers singing, and celebrate the season with family and friends. This annual event has become a holiday tradition when the gardens become a wonderland of lights and candles and outstanding entertainment. Dinner catered by Inlet Affairs is available in addition to admission prices. More at the Brookgreen Gardens website.

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