Top Holiday Events for the Kids in Columbia, TN

The holidays have returned to Columbia, Tennessee, and through the month of December, you’ll find family-friendly activities to get you and your children into the spirit of the season. Columbia is full of holiday music and festivities to lift your spirits as this year comes to a close. This list features something for kids of every age, like Santa visits for the little ones and fun concerts for the older kids. Enjoy a sense of family and community in our historic town this season.

Rejoice: Christmas Concerts

The Mulehouse is hosting a family-friendly series of Christmas concerts this December, organized by Compassion International. The Rejoice series offers positive, joyful music that’s sure to put a smile on your face. If you’re ready to attend live, The Mulehouse is open for in-person concerts. If you have smaller children or prefer to stay home, reserve your virtual ticket instead.

The concert series kicks off with Rhett Walker on Dec. 2. Following are Christy Nockles on Dec. 9, Travis Cottrell on Dec. 16, and Matt Maher on Dec. 18. Whether you attend in-person or virtually, these nights full of uplifting, spiritual music will certainly get you into the holiday spirit.

When: Dec. 2, Dec. 9, Dec. 16, and Dec. 18 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Virtual and The Mulehouse, 812 South High St.
Cost: $20-$50 per person, per event

Maury Christmas Historic Home Tour

Explore the history of Columbia, Tennessee, this holiday season on a self-paced tour of historic homes and sites in Maury County. The sites will be open all day on Dec. 3 and 4, allowing your family to visit the locations on their own terms. Each home will be decked out for the Christmas season, and some private homes that you wouldn’t get to see otherwise are on the list. This is a great opportunity for kids to enjoy Christmas decorations and some local history.

The $25 ticket covers both days of the tour, so spread out your activities to cover the weekend. Proceeds from the tour go to The Historic Athenaeum Rectory, which should also be your first stop on the tour.

When: Dec. 3 and 4, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Historic sites in Maury County
Cost: $25

Columbia’s Most Wonderful Weekend of the Year

Columbia’s six stellar antique stores are all hosting holiday open houses all day on Dec. 4. This is the perfect opportunity to get your holiday shopping done and support local businesses at the same time. This event is in partnership with the Maury Christmas Historic Home Tour, offering you a great opportunity to blend the two events and visit the historic homes and shops at the top of your list.

Help the kids select special holiday gifts from the antiques and vintage items at Bleu 32, Accents and Antiques, Columbia Antique Marketplace, Frank’s Old Stuff, Loblolly, and Baxter’s Mercantile. Food and drinks will be available at the open houses.

When: Dec. 4, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Historic Columbia, TN (start at 108 W 7th St.)
Cost: Free

One Christmas Evening…Room for One More

Give your kids the gift of beautiful music this season. Ensemble band Foster Party of 8 is performing this Christmas season at Columbia Central High School to raise funds for the high school band. The high school choir and band will also join in to perform some of your favorite Christmas tunes. Pre-event activities start at 5 p.m., the doors open at 6 p.m., and the concert starts at 7 p.m. 

Foster Party of 8 has done shows to support the band in years past, so don’t miss out on some great music and the chance to donate to a good cause this Christmas season.

When: Dec. 11 at 7 p.m.
Where: Columbia Central High School, 921 Lion Pkwy
Cost: By donation

Christmas at the Farm

Muletown Farm is hosting its first Christmas at the Farm event. This new happening is an evening of fun where your kids can get their pictures with Santa before enjoying a free concert at 7 p.m. Both Connor Clemens and The Dryes will be performing, and you can expect to sing along with familiar songs. Also on offer are s’mores, hot cocoa, and cider. Remember to bring blankets and chairs, and arrive early to get a good spot for the concert.

While the concert is free, Muletown Farm is taking donations for the Parrish family to help them with medical expenses after a difficult few years. This event is truly in the spirit of Christmas.

When: Dec. 12 at 5 p.m.
Where: Muletown Farm, 6720 Old Zion Road
Cost: Free

Mule Drop

Image via Flickr by alex ranaldi | License

Center of Hope and Experience Maury County is hosting the Mule Drop New Year’s Eve bash in the historic center of Columbia this Dec. 31. It is free to go, and you’ll find food, drink, and party favor options available for purchase to make your night spectacular. The event kicks off at 6 p.m. when the drop will be lit and raised, ready to be released a few hours later. Have your kids play in the Kid Zone from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and explore the food trucks when it’s time for dinner.

The event also features hourly countdowns, a few good riddance messages to 2021, and confetti wishes. If you’ve got older kids and are staying out until midnight, you’ll enjoy performers, New Year’s toasts, and of course the countdown to midnight featuring fireworks and confetti cannons to ring in the new year.

When: Dec. 31 to Jan. 1., 6 p.m. until 12:30 a.m.
Where: Columbia Town Square, 1 Public Square
Cost: Free

Your kids are about to have an excellent December. With so much music, history, and fun planned, this holiday season is sure to bring a smile to the faces of your entire family. Which Columbia activity are you most excited about? Let Stan McNabb Chevrolet of Columbia know what you’re looking forward to or if you have any local traditions your family enjoys during the holiday season.