Columbia Gears Up for the Festive Fifth Annual Light Up NOMA & Cookie Crawl!
Hey Columbia! The holiday season is officially upon us, and what better way to celebrate than with a day filled with cheer, cookies, and community spirit? On Saturday, December 14, 2024, the NOMA (North Main) Business Association, in collaboration with Peak Drift Brewing Company, will unveil the much-anticipated Light Up NOMA & Cookie Crawl. This year marks the fifth anniversary of this beautifully festive event, and locals are invited to join the fun!
Start the Day with a Jolly Breakfast
The day kicks off in a jolly fashion with a Breakfast with Santa! That’s right, kids can tuck into some breakfast goodies and snap photos with Santa Claus himself! Festivities kick off at 8 a.m. in the cafeteria at Eau Claire High School, 4800 Monticello Road. The breakfast doesn’t just include delicious food, but also fun activities like holiday crafts and a hilarious ugly sweater contest! Tickets are a steal at just $5 for kids and $10 for anyone over 13. What a great way to start a day of excitement!
Join the Parade and Shop Local
Following breakfast, get ready for the main event! The Light Up NOMA Parade kicks off at 11 a.m. with the vibrant and energetic Grand Marshal, City of Columbia Councilwoman Tina Herbert. This one-mile parade promises a delightful display of marching bands, dance troupes, colorful floats, and live music. There’s even a special guest popping in from the North Pole! The parade wraps up around 1 p.m., so be sure to grab a cozy spot along the route!
And don’t forget to check out the Holiday Market while you’re there! Open from 10 a.m. at the Leroy Moss Multipurpose Center, the market is the perfect place to score unique gifts and savor tasty treats, all while soaking in that wonderful NOMA community vibe. Plus, Santa will be available for free photos from 1 to 3 p.m. So, it’s a great chance to snag that precious photo ops!
Get Ready for the Delicious Cookie Crawl
Now, here’s where the real sweet fun comes in – the NOMA Cookie Crawl! For just $20 per cookie tin, you can sample an array of mouthwatering cookies while exploring the district. This year, there’s even an option for VIP cookie tins for $35 – they come with a choice of a 4-pack of Peak Drift Brewing Co.’s seltzer or beer, a $10 gift card, plus a one-hour bowling lane pass to The Grand! How cool is that?
With only 250 VIP tins available, make sure to grab yours quickly, as this event has sold out in the past. Pick your tin up from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Peak Drift Brewing Company on N. Main St. and keep the cookie adventure going before it wraps up at 6 p.m.. This year’s lineup features 12 fantastic cookie flavors like red velvet, chocolate chip, and ginger, so come ready to indulge!
A Warm Community Tradition
As evening falls, the festivities culminate with the traditional NOMA tree lighting at the Carolina Kernels parking lot, which is sure to be a beautiful sight. Sabrina Odom Edwards, the executive director of the NOMA Business Association, shared her excitement, saying, “The NOMA district offers a wonderful opportunity for everyone to celebrate the holiday season. We’re thrilled to bring back the cookie crawl this year expanded into a full-day event!”
It’s truly a fantastic way to celebrate the holidays, all while supporting local businesses. Proceeds from this event help fund year-round activities promoting NOMA and its merchants, making it a win-win for everyone involved. So mark your calendars, because this is one holiday experience you won’t want to miss!
For more information and to grab your tickets for the crawl, check out their official page. We can’t wait to see you at the Light Up NOMA & Cookie Crawl! Happy holidays, Columbia!
