As soon as identified by the phrase jumble Lights Earlier than Christmas – although they stayed lit previous the vacation – the newly christened Lights at Riverbanks is likely one of the most uncommon Christmas gentle shows in South Carolina. And after I say uncommon, I imply that it is advisable head into the capital metropolis subsequent weekend and see these lights.
Lights at Riverbanks is a uncommon alternative to discover the Riverbanks Zoo & Backyard at evening. However don’t go anticipating to see all kinds of wildlife swinging from timber and growling atop fake rocks. The animals are asleep. And also you’re there to see the a million lights, fireplace pits, and get an image taken with Santa.
Discover out every part it is advisable find out about attending the Lights at Riverbanks.
When Can I See the Lights at Riverbanks?
The Lights at Riverbanks is held on choose dates from 5-9 p.m. Remember to test the schedule twice.
2020 Lights at Riverbanks Schedule
- Saturday, November 19 – Sunday, November 20, 2022
- Wednesday, November 23, 2022
- Friday, November 25 – Sunday, November 27, 2022
- Wednesday, November 30, 2022 – Sunday, December 4, 2022
- Wednesday, December 7 – Sunday, December 11, 2022
- Wednesday, December 14 – Friday, December 23, 2022
- Monday, December 26 – Friday, December 30, 2022
How A lot Does Lights at Riverbanks Price?
Admission to the Lights at Riverbanks is $15 for adults, $12 for kids age 2-12, and free for kids below 2.
Christmas Lights
I attempted counting the variety of Christmas lights on show
on the zoo however like several slacker I gave up after 100. There’s loads.
Most likely about 1,000,000.
The Lights at Riverbanks was some of the spectacular shows of Christmas lights I had ever seen. Strings of lights wrapped across the trunks of palm timber and highlighted particular person branches of timber. There have been so many lights they forged shadows of inexperienced, crimson, and pink throughout the sidewalk and mirrored within the water of ponds.
Quirky gentle shows sat on each nook and tucked into
each alcove. Twinkling lights dangled from the tree branches overhead. A complete
tunnel of lights awaited guests to Ndoki Village in a far nook of the zoo.
I walked by the zoo 5 occasions the one evening I went. If I had been an area I’d have gone not less than two separate nights. However not less than I’ve loads of fairly footage to recollect it by though I’m sure I’d always remember that occasion.
READ MORE: 4 Locations to Discover Lovely Christmas Lights in Columbia, SC (Up to date for 2021)
Animated Story Tree
I didn’t get it at first. I stood again watching lights
dancing round a towering Christmas tree in the course of the zoo. Patterns.
Shapes.
Then I understood: it was a narrative tree! Animals traveled throughout the tree as tales unfolded. Households stopped in awe to look at the show. It was actually one of many extra attention-grabbing points of interest on the zoo throughout Lights at Riverbanks.
Images with Santa
What Christmas occasion is full with out Santa Claus? Every evening till December 23 Santa might be discovered on the Safari Camp lined shelter after 6 p.m. Images with Santa are free since you deliver your personal digicam. The road moved fairly fast and I used to be shocked at how effectively it was managed contemplating there was no pesky photographer directing visitors (full disclosure: I’ve been that pesky photographer up to now).
READ MORE: 9 Unbelievable Christmas Occasions You Don’t Wish to Miss in Columbia, SC (Up to date for 2021)
Jingle Bell Bonfire
If I had been to select a favourite second of my favourite evening throughout Christmas in Columbia, it might have been the half hour I spent making s’mores on the Jingle Bell Bonfire. An unlimited propane fireplace pit between the ocean lions and aquarium lit up the evening.
A close-by vendor offered the elements wanted to make good s’mores. A pair minutes of roasting a marshmallow on the open flame and also you had been prepared for a scrumptious deal with in the course of the Lights Earlier than Christmas.
Trip the Carousel
Have you ever ever ridden a carousel at evening? I don’t know if it’s actually any totally different than driving in the course of the day however it seemed like a neat factor to do in the course of the Lights at Riverbanks. An extended line of households eagerly waited for the possibility to hop onboard and take a couple of spins.
There have been a few fireplace pits within the massive pavilion beside the carousel. It was an opportunity for individuals to heat their fingers or simply have a very good chat beside an open fireplace. It was actually a spot I loved taking a load off my toes for a couple of minutes (I circled the zoo 5 occasions, keep in mind?).
Getting There & Parking
There is just one option to get to the Riverbanks Zoo & Backyard
however fortuitously it’s a simple approach. The Greystone Boulevard exit on Interstate
126 leads on to the zoo. Simple off, straightforward on while you’re prepared to depart.
Nearly as quickly as you flip down Rivermont Drive you’ll see
the doorway to the zoo on the proper. There was a gentleman standing on the market
after I arrived directing visitors to the parking tons.
There may be loads of parking on the Riverbanks Zoo & Backyard.
The higher parking is to show left after coming into the zoo parking zone, drive beneath
the footbridge, and park on the different finish. That is the closest you’ll get to
the principle entrance.
Simply in case all this parking is full, that footbridge
crosses the railroad tracks to an infinite parking zone on the opposite facet. That
parking zone is accessed from Rivermont Drive earlier than turning into the zoo. There
is an elevator at both finish of the footbridge to help with accessibility.