Christmas Eve Services in Columbia (2026)

Christmas Eve Services
Written by Kelsey Cecil

Updated November 8, 2026 · Checked weekly

11 churches in the Columbia area with Christmas Eve services on Thursday, December 24, 2026. 1 has posted 2026 times so far; the others held Christmas Eve services in recent years and usually post their times in late November or December. Every listing links to the church's own page, so you can check the latest schedule before you go.

The short version

  • 11 churches with Christmas Eve services on Thursday, December 24, 2026. 1 has posted 2026 times so far.
  • Earliest family service: 2:00 PM at NewSpring Church Columbia.
  • Latest service posted: 4:00 PM at NewSpring Church Columbia.
  • 4 church traditions, listed in the same format, alphabetically.

Planning the rest of the season? See Christmas events for kids in Columbia and Christmas train rides in South Carolina.

Kelsey Lizee Cecil with Rally, the real corgi

Why we made this

A story my mom wanted to write. So I wrote it for her.

On Christmas morning in 2020, I found out I was pregnant with my son, Holden.

Read Kelsey’s story

That same day, my mom went into a coma. She never woke up. Two months after her memorial, I lost my dad too.

My mom had spent years telling me about a story she wanted to write: a little corgi named Rally who rides the train to visit his "grand-paw-rents." She never got the chance. So I wrote it for her.

Rally Takes the Train is a picture book about Rally's first train ride. He packs his turtle toy, his green bone and his orange ball, and meets the conductor. Then he goes through a dark, scary tunnel and finds the light on the other side. Every page is hand-painted in real watercolor. My kids will never meet their grandparents, but this book is how they get to know them.

In college I was a religion minor, and I believe Rally Takes the Train was made for all children, from all religions in the world.

Christmas could have become the hardest day of my year. Instead, I decided to use Rally to bring Christmas magic to as many families as I can.

Kelsey Lizee CecilLearn more about the book (opens in a new tab) →

Christmas Eve service times in Columbia

Thursday, December 24, 2026. Times from each church's own page.
TimeChurchService
2:00 PMNewSpring Church ColumbiaFamily
4:00 PMNewSpring Church ColumbiaFamily

Churches with Christmas Eve services in Columbia

Showing all 11 churches. Filters, calendar, directions and church links unlock free with your email.

NewSpring Church Columbia

Bush River Road

  • 2:00 PMCandlelight Service (Family service for kids and adults)
    Family
  • 4:00 PMCandlelight Service (Family service for kids and adults)
    Family

657 Bush River Rd, Columbia, SC 29210

(free with email) Directions to NewSpring Church Columbia (opens in a new tab)(free with email) Church schedule for NewSpring Church Columbia (opens in a new tab)

More Columbia area churches with Christmas Eve services

These churches held Christmas Eve services in past years. Most post 2026 times in late November and December; we check every week.

Christmas Eve services by tradition in Columbia

Churches whose tradition we have confirmed, grouped by tradition in alphabetical order, in the same format.

Catholic Christmas Eve services in Columbia (1)

Catholic services in other cities

Episcopal Christmas Eve services in Columbia (7)

Episcopal services across South CarolinaEpiscopal services in other cities

Lutheran Christmas Eve services in Columbia (1)

Lutheran services in other cities

Presbyterian Christmas Eve services in Columbia (1)

Presbyterian services in other cities

Rally’s Christmas research

Rally the corgi researches Christmas events for kids in Columbia.

  • New events every weekWe research new events daily and send you one email a week with the new ones we find in Columbia.
  • Exclusive access to free eventsFind the free Christmas events in Columbia before they fill up.
  • Every button on this pageFilters, add to calendar, directions and every church link open right away.
  • Rally’s Christmas Eve Express and a free advent calendarEarly access to Rally the corgi’s Christmas Eve tracker, plus a free digital advent calendar to count down to Christmas.
  • One-tap add to calendarSave any service or event to your Google, Apple or Outlook calendar so you never miss it.

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More Christmas Eve services near Columbia

All Christmas Eve services in South CarolinaAll Christmas Eve services in the United States

More Christmas for families in Columbia

Family Christmas plans in and around Columbia, from Rally’s own guides.

Questions about Christmas Eve services in Columbia

What day is Christmas Eve in 2026?

Christmas Eve is Thursday, December 24, 2026. Most churches in the Columbia area hold services from the afternoon into the evening.

How many churches in the Columbia area hold Christmas Eve services?

This page lists 11 churches in the Columbia area with Christmas Eve services. 1 has posted 2026 times so far; the rest held Christmas Eve services in past years and usually post times in late November or December.

What is the earliest Christmas Eve service in Columbia?

Of the times posted so far, the earliest is 2:00 PM at NewSpring Church Columbia.

What is the latest Christmas Eve service in Columbia?

Of the times posted so far, the latest is 4:00 PM at NewSpring Church Columbia.

Which churches in Columbia have a family or children's Christmas Eve service?

Churches with a family or children's service posted for 2026 include NewSpring Church Columbia. Family services are usually earlier and shorter, often with a children's pageant or simple songs.

Are there candlelight Christmas Eve services in Columbia?

Yes. NewSpring Church Columbia lists a candlelight service for 2026. Times are on each listing above.

Which parts of the Columbia area have Christmas Eve services?

Churches on this page are in Bush River Road, Central Columbia, Downtown, Northeast Columbia and Shandon. Each listing has its address and a map link.

Which church traditions hold Christmas Eve services in Columbia?

The 11 churches on this page include 7 Episcopal, 1 Catholic and 1 ELCA. Episcopal: Church of the Good Shepherd, St. David's Episcopal Church and St. John's Episcopal Church. Catholic: The Basilica of Saint Peter.

Which Columbia churches have not posted 2026 Christmas Eve times yet?

Church of the Good Shepherd, First Presbyterian Church, Incarnation Lutheran Church, St. David's Episcopal Church, St. John's Episcopal Church, St. Luke's Episcopal Church, St. Martin's-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church, St. Michael & All Angels' Episcopal Church, The Basilica of Saint Peter and Trinity Episcopal Cathedral held Christmas Eve services in recent years but have not posted 2026 times. We check their pages each week.

Which Columbia churches had a family Christmas Eve service last year?

St. David's Episcopal Church, St. John's Episcopal Church, St. Michael & All Angels' Episcopal Church and Trinity Episcopal Cathedral held a family or children's Christmas Eve service last year. Their 2026 times are not posted yet.

When do churches in Columbia post their Christmas Eve times?

Most churches post between late November and mid December. We check every church on this page each week and add 2026 times as soon as they appear on the church's own page.

Is there an Episcopal Christmas Eve service in Columbia?

Yes. This page lists 7 Episcopal churches in Columbia with Christmas Eve services, including Church of the Good Shepherd (Downtown), St. David's Episcopal Church (Northeast Columbia) and St. John's Episcopal Church (Shandon). Their 2026 times are not posted yet.

Is there a Catholic Christmas Eve Mass in Columbia?

Yes. This page lists 1 Catholic church in Columbia with Christmas Eve services, including The Basilica of Saint Peter (Downtown). Its 2026 times are not posted yet.

Is there a Lutheran Christmas Eve service in Columbia?

Yes. This page lists 1 Lutheran church in Columbia with Christmas Eve services, including Incarnation Lutheran Church (Shandon). Its 2026 times are not posted yet.

Is there a Presbyterian Christmas Eve service in Columbia?

Yes. This page lists 1 Presbyterian church in Columbia with Christmas Eve services, including First Presbyterian Church (Downtown). Its 2026 times are not posted yet.

How is this list put together?

We list every church we find in Columbia that holds a Christmas Eve service, in the same format. Churches with 2026 times come first, with family services at the top and then by start time. No church pays to be listed or to be placed higher.

Is this page connected to any church or faith?

No. Rally Takes the Train is a children's book. This is a free public listing of Christmas Eve service times and addresses, and it does not endorse any church or faith.

How can a church add or correct its listing?

Church staff can email kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com with the church's name and a link to its Christmas Eve page. We check corrections against the church's own page, usually within 24 hours.

Where can I find Christmas Eve services elsewhere in South Carolina?

Our page for South Carolina lists every city we cover in the state, with Christmas Eve services by city and by tradition.

Where can I find Christmas events for kids in Columbia?

Our guide to Christmas events for kids in Columbia lists Santa visits, holiday lights, shows and free events for 2026, each checked on the host's own website.

Rally Takes the Train book cover

Rally Takes the Train is a picture book about a corgi’s first train ride to visit his grand-paw-rents. Our story

A free public listing. Rally Takes the Train is a children’s book and does not endorse any church or faith. Every church is listed the same way, and no church pays to be listed or placed higher. Times come only from each church’s own page; check it before you go. Church staff: send corrections to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com.

Kelsey Cecil
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Episcopal Christmas Eve services in Charleston (2026)