Columbia's Holiday Season Runs Down 7th Street. Here's the Calendar From Friday's Tree Lighting to the 40th Parade.

"We encourage everyone to attend all nine First Fridays because each one will be different," Columbia Main Street Director Kelli Johnson said in March, when her organization announced the 2026 First Fridays season through Main Street Media of Tennessee. Friday, Nov. 6, is number eight, and it opens the holiday season. The ninth comes four weeks later on Dec. 4. The 40th annual Christmas Parade follows the next evening.

First Fridays set up on West 7th Street. The parade starts at the split on West 7th and finishes on East 7th. Two of the smaller ticketed events of the season are on East 7th too, at BAD Bakery. Most of downtown Columbia's December happens along that one street.

The street, west to east

Here's how the season lines up if you walk 7th Street from west to east:

1. The split on West 7th Street. This is where the Christmas Parade lines up and steps off on Dec. 5.
2. West 7th Street itself. It's part of the 2026 First Fridays footprint, which Columbia Main Street expanded this year.
3. The Public Square. The whole Square is now inside the First Fridays area, and the parade passes through it.
4. One block of South Main Street. This is the third piece of the expanded footprint and home to the new First Fridays stage.
5. East 7th Street. The parade ends here. BAD Bakery is here too, at 106 E. 7th St., and it's hosting both Deck the Gingerbread and Breakfast with Santa.

The bigger footprint is new for 2026. Earlier First Fridays used West 7th and half of the Square. This year's covers all of the Square and adds the South Main block. Columbia Main Street said the extra room lets it place vendors and activity areas better.

Friday, Nov. 6: the tree lighting comes with a First Friday

The Holiday Kickoff & Tree Lighting is the November First Friday, which runs 5 to 8 p.m. The tree lighting is folded into the regular monthly setup. That means food trucks, craft vendors, a Game Zone with yard games, the Young Entrepreneurs Market for sellers 17 and under, and downtown shops and restaurants staying open into the evening.

Music starts at 6:30 p.m. on the new amplified stage on South Main Street. Columbia Main Street suggests bringing a chair or blanket. Acoustic performers also play along the streets and inside some downtown storefronts and restaurants. As of this week, Visit Columbia's tree lighting page still says "Details coming soon!" for the Nov. 6 event.

Check the forecast before you go. Last year the Columbia Daily Herald reported that predicted storms pushed the 2025 tree lighting back a day, from its First Friday to Saturday, Nov. 8, still from 5 to 8 p.m. Columbia Main Street announced the change in a Nov. 6 press release. If the weather looks rough on Nov. 6, look for an update from Columbia Main Street before you head downtown.

The four weekends between the two Fridays

After tree lighting night, the season leaves 7th Street for a few weekends and then comes back. Here's what's on the Visit Columbia holiday calendar:

The largest of these is A Very Maury Christmas, the 12th annual holiday market at The Factory at Columbia. It has more than 75 curated vendors, a Mini Makers section and Santa. Santa is there from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday and 1 to 3 p.m. on Sunday. The Saturday ticket costs twice as much as Sunday's and buys three more hours of shopping.

On Nov. 28, the Saturday after Thanksgiving, both events are small. At Deck the Gingerbread, one $50 reservation covers a single house for a whole group, with drinks, a Christmas movie and materials to take home. BAD Bakery recommends reserving ahead. That evening, The Mulehouse hosts comedian Jeff Allen's family-friendly clean show about relationships, parenting, aging and family life. The listing gives two start times. The summary says 7:30 p.m., while the overview lists a VIP meet-and-greet at 6, doors at 6:30 and the show at 7. Plan for the earlier time and confirm with the venue.

Dec. 4 and 5: two nights in a row on the same blocks

The season comes back downtown for its busiest stretch. The Merry Makers Market is the theme of the year's last First Friday on Dec. 4. Less than a day later, the 40th annual Columbia Christmas Parade steps off at 6 p.m. Saturday from the split on West 7th Street, heads toward the Square and ends on East 7th. Columbia Main Street describes it as an hour to an hour and a half of parade. Admission is free. Columbia Main Street runs it with the City of Columbia.

A few float rules shape what you'll see from the curb.

• No theme. Organizers ask entrants to use their "Christmas imagination" instead.
• No candy thrown. Every applicant has to agree to this on the entry form.
• No Santa Clauses on floats. Columbia Main Street states this plainly.
• Lights, snow machines and inflatables are allowed, which suits a parade that starts after dark.
• Every entry carries a banner with its organization's name.

Businesses and groups that want to enter can apply through Columbia Main Street until Monday, Nov. 30. Entry costs $25, and the committee reviews each application before sending a payment link. Questions go to (931) 560-1507 or [email protected].

The weekend after the parade

The last two events on the calendar both fall on Dec. 12 and 13, with one back on East 7th and one by the river.

A Worthy Clause 5K & Fun Run is Saturday, Dec. 12, at Riverwalk Park. RunSignup lists the address as 102 Riverside Drive. The timed 5K starts at 9 a.m. and costs $32.80 with fees. The one-mile fun run starts at 9:45 a.m. and costs $22.20. Registration stays open until each race begins. The presenter, A Worthy Cause, says 75% of race proceeds go to its nonprofit partners. RunSignup names them as aMuseum, Bright Apple and The Well Outreach.

That same weekend, BAD Bakery holds Breakfast with Santa from 10:15 to 11:30 a.m. on both Dec. 12 and Dec. 13. A reservation includes a family breakfast, a Santa visit and an instant keepsake photo. Reservations are required. Prices go by party size: $90 for up to three guests, $115 for four and $140 for five. On Dec. 12 you could run the 5K at 9 and still make the 10:15 breakfast, as long as you leave a few minutes to get from the river to East 7th Street.

Twice in this calendar, Santa shows up at a ticketed event, first at the market at The Factory in November and then at the bakery in December. The parade between them keeps him off its floats.

If you own property near Columbia's Square and wonder how a downtown with a full calendar affects its value, Loy Hardcastle is happy to talk it over, before the parade or after. Let's Connect.