The 23rd annual Vista Lights in Columbia’s Congaree Vista will ring in the Midlands holiday season. Columbia’s arts and entertainment district give you a head start on holiday shopping and offer a dose of holiday cheer as more than 60 galleries, restaurants, bars, entertainment venues and shops open their doors and offer free hors d’oeuvres, cider and wine during Vista Lights on Thursday, November 20, from 5 – 10 p.m. As always, there will be a tree-lighting ceremony at 7 p.m. with Mayor Bob Coble at the intersection of Gervais and Lincoln streets. The lights on this year’s tree will be green, celebrating a new ongoing recycling effort by the Vista Guild taking place in the Wayne Street lot. Carpool with families and friends and hop on the Captain Telegram Trolley and the Columbia Carriage Works horse and carriage, which will both provide transportation from the South Carolina State Museum free parking lot and travel a loop from the museum to 300 Senate Street (also free parking) to One Eared Cow Glass, stopping in the heart of the Vista and then onto Assembly for just fifty cents each way. Visitors can check out all the Vista has to offer by strolling along the Gervais Street Corridor, which will be closed to traffic from Assembly to Gadsden. Lincoln and Park Streets will also close, from Lady to Senate. Just a few of the events at Vista Lights that will usher in the season: -    The South Rose Band Organ, an old-fashioned organ equivalent to an 18-person orchestra, will provide music, Abundant Life Acapella will sing carols, Christopher Yoder will play classical violin, Jeff Norwood will play the blues, and Bentz Kirby will provide folk music all around the Vista. The Sandlapper Singers will entertain in the lobby of the Hilton at Park and Senate Streets. Artists’ Round Table is having a group show featuring paintings, jewelry, ceramics and metal sculpture at 1213 Lincoln Street.

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