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Mark Your Calendar for Festive Fun in the Community

The most wonderful time of the year is here, and there’s no shortage of festive fun happening in Columbia ✨🎁☃️. Make the most of the holiday season with our round-up of family-friendly events!

 

Community holiday events

Festive Fridays: CA and the Downtown Columbia Partnership are bringing back this free family-friendly event series! Come out to the Downtown Columbia Lakefront for festive activities like winter crafts, ice sculptures, a photo booth, hot cocoa and s’mores over a toasty fire on Friday, December 6 and Friday, December 13 from 5:30-8pm. Click here for more info. A third Festive Friday event on Friday, December 20 for ages 21+ will feature a cocktail crawl with food and drinks from several local restaurants.

Holiday Market at Color Burst Park: Visit Color Burst Park from Friday, December 6-Sunday, December 8 for the annual holiday market, which is full of festive goods from local artisans. Click here for more info.

52nd Annual Holiday Mart: Shop for seasonal gifts created by 120+ juried artists at the Howard County Holiday Mart show on Saturday, December 7 (9am-3:30pm) at Gary J. Arthur Community Center. Tickets are $4 per person presale online, $5 at the door (kids ages 4 and under are free). Click here for more info.

The Nutcracker on Ice (Sold out): Enjoy the magic of The Nutcracker on Ice show by the Columbia Figure Skating Club, taking place Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15 at the Columbia Ice Rink. CA loves hosting this beloved tradition every year. Click here for more info. 

Winter Family Concert: Bring the family to Columbia Orchestra on Saturday, December 21 (10:30am and 1pm) to enjoy the sounds of the holiday season, including crowd favorites from The Nutcracker. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for kids ages 13-18 and kids ages 12 and under are free. Click here for more info. 

Howard County Annual Kwanzaa Celebration: Dive into the rich traditions and cultural heritage of Kwanzaa on Saturday, December 28 from 2-5pm at the Harriet Tubman Cultural Center. This year’s celebration includes family-friendly activities, inspirational speakers, live performances, and a showcase of local artisans and vendors. This event is free and open to anyone. Click here for more info.

Annual Menorah Lighting: More information coming soon! Save the date for the annual Menorah Lighting in honor of Hanukkah at the Harriet Tubman Cultural Center on Monday, December 30 from 6-8pm.

 

Village holiday events

Dorsey’s Search Storytime with Santa: More information coming soon! This event will be held on Friday, December 13. Click here for more info. 

Dorsey’s Search Breakfast with Santa: More information coming soon! This event will be held on Saturday, December 14. Click here for more info.

Harper’s Choice Breakfast with Santa: This kids-only event includes a yummy pancake breakfast, crafts and shopping in a “secret shop” for family members at Harper’s Choice Community Association on Saturday, December 7 from 9am-12pm. Click here for more info.

Kings Contrivance Cookies with Santa: Come enjoy crafts, cookie decorating and a photo with Santa at Amherst House on Saturday, December 7 from 2-4pm. This event is $6 per person for CA residents and $6.50 for non-CA residents. Click here for more info. 

Kings Contrivance Lunch with Santa: All ages are welcome to enjoy a lunch with Santa at Amherst house on Saturday, December 14 from 11:30am-1:30pm. Each $7 ticket ($7.50 for non-CA guests) includes a craft, pizza lunch, cookie decorating and a photo with Santa. Click here for more info.

Oakland Mills Breakfast with Santa: All ages are welcome to come to The Other Barn for Breakfast Snacks with Santa on Saturday, December 7 at 9am and 9:45am (two seatings). Tickets are $8 each. Click here for more info. 

Oakland Mills Gingerbread House Decorating: All ages are welcome to come to The Other Barn on Wednesday, December 11 from 6:30-8:30pm to decorate a gingerbread house. This event is $20 per house (up to four people) and all supplies are included. Click here for more info. 

River Hill Photos with Santa: Visit Claret Hall on Saturday, December 7 from 5-7:30pm for a visit with Santa, a printed photo and a seasonal craft. This event is free – advance registration is required. To ensure a comfortable experience for guests with sensory sensitivities, sensory-friendly visits will be available at the beginning of the event. To wrap up this festive photo-op, pets (and their humans) are welcome to visit with Santa during a limited number of slots. Click here for more info. 

Owen Brown Snacks with Santa: Come to Owen Brown Community Center on Saturday, December 7 from 9:30-11am for snacks and photos with Santa. Only children visiting with Santa require a ticket. Free for Owen Brown residents. Click here for more info (found in the Owen Brown community newsletter).

Wilde Lake Breakfast with Santa: Enjoy a continental breakfast, classic Christmas cartoons, kids-only shop (prices range from 50 cents to $10) and meeting with Santa at Slayton House on Saturday, December 7 from 9am-12pm. This event is $15 per person (including breakfast and one photo with Santa). Click here for more info. 

 

Have a happy holiday, Columbia 

Wishing you a season full of joy, health and happiness!

Don’t forget to follow CA on Facebook and Instagram for more holiday-related information. Plus, sign up for the Do More newsletter for fun CA events sent straight to your inbox.