Columbia Holiday Guide

Whether you live in Columbia or are visiting to do your holiday shopping, most people in the area know Columbia is a hub for major outlets. The mall is home to Sears, Lord and Taylor Nordstrom, the Apple Store and over 100 other stores. Shopping centers near Snowden River Parkway include a Home Depot, Wegmans, BJs Wholesale, Walmart and other major retailers.

But the holiday season in Columbia is also filled with great events like Symphony of Lights and the Nutcracker on ice. Find out what's going on in Columbia for the holidays and for other shopping options, check out the Ellicott City Holiday Shopping Guide.

Places to shop:

Mall in Columbia – The mall is home to more than 100 stores. During the holidays the mall offers a festive atmosphere complete with a towering poinsettia tree and Santa Claus.

Greenberries – The Oakland Mills consignment shop offers gently used children’s clothing, maternity wear and baby accessories. The shop also carries a wide variety of new baby gear. Greenberries was voted best consignment store from 2010-2012 by Maryland Family Magazine and Howard Magazine.

Wegmans – The grocery superstore just opened this summer and offers a wide range of pre-cooked food, fresh produce, gift items and aisles and aisles of groceries that can turn a day trip into a shopping experience.

CrunchDaddy Popcorn – Who doesn’t love some gourmet popcorn during the holidays? Columbian Dan Bazis cooks up his own unique takes on gourmet popcorn at crunchdaddy.com, including his top-selling “Maple & Bacon Crunch.” Popcorn is available online and hand-delivered to HoCo locals. 

Things to do:

Symphony of Lights – The annual fundraiser for Howard County General Hospital features 70 large animated and stationary holiday light displays throughout Symphony Woods in Town Center. Visitors are able to drive through the display seven days a week between Nov. 19 and Jan. 6. from 6 to 10 p.m. The cost is $20 per car to enter the 20-30 minute drive.

Nutcracker on Ice – The Columbia Figure Skating Club presents “The Nutcracker on Ice”, which will take place Dec. 15 and 16 at the Columbia Ice Rink on Thunder Hill Road in Columbia. Tickets are $13 online or $12 if purchased at the Columbia Ice Rink.

A Christmas Carol at Toby’s Dinner Theatre – Charles Dickens’ iconic Christmas story will be performed throughout the holiday season (Nov. 15 – Dec. 30) at Toby’s Dinner Theatre in Town Center. Tickets are $51 for adults Sunday – Thursday evening, $52.50 on Friday evening, $54 on Saturday evening and $49 on Sunday, children under age 12 are $35.50. Tickets include a dinner buffet.

Savage-Guilford

Savage Mill’s Holiday Magic at the Mill – The over 30 small stores inside the mill will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Dec. 10 to Dec. 24 to accommodate shoppers. In addition, the mill will be hosting Santa and Mrs. Claus, puppet shows, and strolling carolers during December. For exact dates and times of special events – click here.

Do you have a favorite event or shop you go to during the holidays in Columbia? Share it in the comments and we'll add it to the guide!