Columbia Celebrates the Holidays with Exciting Elf Scavenger Hunt Event

Columbia Gets Festive with Elf Scavenger Hunt

The holidays are officially here in Columbia! With the season of joy and togetherness upon us, the Main Street District is inviting you to join in on a fun and festive activity designed to bring everyone together in the spirit of the season. Get ready to hunt for elves hidden in over 20 local businesses, all while having the chance to win some fantastic prizes!

The Elf on the Shelf Scavenger Hunt

This all-new scavenger hunt, dubbed the Elf on the Shelf experience, encourages locals and visitors alike to explore the Main Street District like never before. So, gather your friends, co-workers, or family for a day of adventure. The best part? Finding elves could lead to winning gift cards for shopping at some of your favorite local spots!

Throughout the month of December, participants can embark on this magical hunt to locate hidden elves nestled within participating businesses. Once you find an elf, simply share a photo of it on your Instagram story, making sure to tag both the @MainStColaSC account and the business where you found the little critter.

It’s That Simple!

Want to snag those gift cards? Here’s how it works:

1. Find an elf in one of the participating businesses listed below.
2. Post a photo of the elf to your Instagram story.
3. Tag @MainStColaSC and the business where you found the elf.
4. Make sure you’re following both accounts!
5. Repeat as many times as you find elves!
6. Winners will be announced on New Year’s Eve!

Get to Know the Participating Businesses

The excitement doesn’t stop at just finding elves—there’s a fantastic mix of local businesses involved in this scavenger hunt. With diverse shops and eateries, each stop you make could lead to finding more elves! Some of the participating businesses include:

• Bourbon (Instagram: @bourboncolumbia)
• Cantina 76 (Instagram: @cantina76main)
• Kao Thai (Instagram: @kaothaicola)
• Richland Library (Instagram: @richlandlibrary)
• The Columbia Museum of Art (Instagram: @colamuseum)
• Mast General Store (Instagram: @mastgeneralstore)
• And many more!

The full list includes exciting spots like Holiday Inn Columbia Downtown, Sylvan’s Jewelers, and the vibrant venues at The Nick and The Grand for entertainment lovers! No matter where you end up, there’s fun to be had—and a chance to discover a lovely elf!

What’s the Buzz?

We caught up with Kelsey Bickley, the Director of Marketing for the Main Street District, who couldn’t contain her excitement about this inaugural event. “We’re thrilled to have such a good mix of businesses participating in this Elf on the Shelf scavenger hunt,” she shared. “Our goal is to generate some buzz on social media, promote the district as a holiday destination, and to just have some fun with our merchants and the general public this holiday season.”

Beautiful Weather for a Hunt!

As you set out on your elf-hunting adventure, you can expect some mild and cloudy weather. The high for today is a comfy 58°F, with gentle winds from the northeast at 5 to 10 mph making for a pleasant outing. You might want to bring a light jacket, especially as temperatures are expected to dip to around 45°F tonight, so layer up!

So why not get out there, have a little fun, and make some wonderful holiday memories? The elf hunt runs until the end of December, so grab your sleuthing hats and get ready to spread some festive cheer in Columbia!