Get ready to light up the Vista! The annual open house kicks off the holiday season with a celebration of art, culture and culinary treats at more than 60 of the neighborhood’s galleries, entertainment venues, bars and restaurants.

If you’ve never been to the Congaree Vista neighborhood in Columbia, you are in for a treat. It used to be full of warehouses, textile mills and railroad stations but in recent years has been revitalized and is now an artistic and commercial center.

At Vista Lights, visitors will be treated to horse-drawn carriage rides, and several businesses will offer complimentary treats and beverages, all in anticipation of the tree-lighting ceremony with Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin.

This year’s Vista Lights also will feature the program “Find a Mate.” No, “Find a Mate” has nothing to do with speed-dating or finding romance; it’s a community art project by fantastic Columbia-based fabric artist Susan Lenz. Everyone who comes to Vista Lights is encouraged to donate a sock that has lost its mate. Then, Lenz will turn the donated socks into an art quilt that will be unveiled at Artista Vista in April.

Lenz just had a solo show at Charleston’s City Gallery at Waterfront Park, and her work is exhibited throughout the U.S. What’s more, her fabric creations and art quilts are simply lovely. Her participation in Vista Lights and the “Find a Mate” project will help the public learn more about art quilts and allow the community to be a part of creating a work of art.

The 25th Annual Vista Lights celebration will be held on Thursday, Nov. 18 from 5 to 10 p.m. The tree-lighting ceremony will be held at 7 p.m. Click here for more information and if you go – don’t forget your socks!