5 Things: Holiday Lights, BODY WORLDS and Native American Films

Where:  500 Wildlife Parkway, Columbia
When: Starts Saturday until Dec. 30, from 6 to 9 p.m.
Cost: $8 for adults, $6 for children ages 3-12. Kids 2 and under are admitted free.
Info: Head over to Riverbanks Zoo for an evening of animated images and Music in Motion lights show. Guests can also stop by Santa's Village to see Santa Claus at every Lights Before Christmas event until Dec. 23. All Riverbanks members are eligible to receive one free visit when they show their membership card and picture ID at the gate. Guest passes are not accepted. Guests are encouraged to buy their tickets online in advance. The cost of admission will increase $2 for any tickets purchased at the gate after 5:00pm.

 

44^th annual Columbia Gem & Mineral Show

Where:  Jamil Temple, 206 Jamil Road, Columbia
When: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. today; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; 12 to 5 p.m. Sunday
Cost: $4 for adults, Children 12 & under are free; All military and their dependents are free on Sunday
Info: The Columbia Gem & Mineral Society is hosting the 44^th annual Columbia Gem & Mineral Show starting today until Sunday. Guests have the opportunity to see a variety of treasures including gems, crystals, fossils, rocks and minerals. The show will also feature geodes from Mexico for sale and you can have your piece cut for you while there. These geodes, which are geological rock formations, may contain quartz, amethyst and other materials, according to the Columbia Gem & Mineral Society. For more information, visit the group’s website http://www.cgams.org.

 

The 22^nd Festival of Trees

Where:  Village at Sandhill, Two Notch and Clemson roads
When: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and  12 to 4 p.m. Sunday
Cost: Free admission
Info: The 22^nd Festival of Trees is a two-day event where guests can bid on a variety of holiday items including decorated trees, wreaths and tabletop trees during a silent auction. The two days will be filled with live entertainment and Santa will be available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 12 to 3 p.m. Sunday for pictures. Proceeds earned from the event will benefit Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital. For more information, visit the Palmetto Health Foundation website.

 

BODY WORLDS Vital

Where:  South Carolina State Museum
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday (See website for more dates and times); Museum hours Mon, Tues, Thurs, and Fri. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: Children (ages 3-12) $6 for members, $12 for individuals; Adults (ages 13-61) $8 for members, $18 for individuals; Seniors (ages 62 and up) $7 for members, $15 for individuals
Info: Visit the South Carolina State Museum to explore the wonders of the body. Gunther von Hagens’ BODY WORLD Vitals is an exhibit showcasing the human body and the body in motion. Guests will see the “contrasting view of the reality between healthy and unhealthy lifestyle choices. “ For more information, visit the South Carolina State Museum website.

 

14^th annual Native American Indian Film and Video Festival

Where:  Nickelodeon Theatre, 937 Main St

When: 11 a.m. Sunday
Cost: $5.50 to $7.50, free for tribal cardholders for shows at Nickelodeon 

Info: The Nickelodeon Theatre will feature films by and about Native Americans and international indigenous people. The festival is presented by the Eastern Cherokee, Southern Iroquois and United Tribes of South Carolina, Inc., in collaboration with Newberry College and USC’s Office of Multicultural Student Affairs. For more information on films shown, visit the Nick’s website.