Columbia Kicks Off Holiday Season with Exciting Elf Scavenger Hunt

Columbia Turns Up the Holiday Cheer with an Elf Scavenger Hunt

Hey, Columbia! The holiday season is officially in full swing, and what better way to spread some festive cheer than with a fun scavenger hunt? The Main Street District has kicked off a delightful Elf on a Shelf scavenger hunt, inviting residents and visitors to find over 20 hidden elves tucked inside local businesses throughout the district. It’s a great way to explore, have fun with friends and family, and possibly snag some cool prizes along the way!

Get Ready to Search High and Low!

The scavenger hunt kicked off this week, and it’s going on all the way through December! If you’re looking for a fun weekend activity, gather your crew and hit the streets! But how does it work? It’s super simple:

1. Explore the participating businesses and find one of the hidden elves.
2. Snap a photo of the elf.
3. Post it to your Instagram story, tagging both @MainStColaSC and the business where you found it.
4. Make sure you’re following both accounts—this is key!
5. For every elf you find and tag, you can enter the giveaway, so keep those photos coming!

The winners will be announced on New Year’s Eve, so you have plenty of time to rack up those entries!

Why All the Fun?

Kelsey Bickley, the Director of Marketing for the Main Street District, shared her excitement about the event. “We’re thrilled to have such a good mix of businesses participating in this inaugural Elf on a Shelf scavenger hunt. Our goal is to generate some buzz on social media, promote the district as a holiday destination, and just have some fun with our merchants and the general public this holiday season!”

And you can tell she means it! 🌟 This scavenger hunt isn’t just about finding the elves; it’s a fantastic opportunity to support local businesses and enjoy the festive atmosphere that Columbia has to offer. So why not make a day of it? You can grab a bite to eat, do a little shopping, and soak up the holiday spirit while you’re at it!

Participating Businesses

There’s no shortage of spots to check out on this elf-finding adventure. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the participating businesses where you might spot an elf:

• Bourbon (@bourboncolumbia)
• Bold Minks Lash Extensions (@boldminks)
• Cantina 76 (@cantina76main)
• Kao Thai (@kaothaicola)
• Queer Haven Book Store (@queerhavenbooks)
• Holiday Inn Columbia Downtown (@holidayinncolumbiadowntown)
• Sound Bites Eatery (@soundbiteseatery)
• Richland Library (@richlandlibrary)
• Columbia Museum of Art (@colamuseum)
• Sylvan’s Jewelers (@sylvansjewelers)
• And many more!

Weather Watch

As you plan your scavenger hunt around town, don’t forget to check the weather! This weekend’s forecast looks delightful with a high of 72°F, though be prepared for some fog in the morning and evening. Overnight lows will drop to about 52°F. So, dress comfortably and keep an eye on the sky! Fog can be a fun vibe for the holiday season, just think of it as adding a little magic to your elf-hunting adventure!

Final Thoughts

So, Columbia, what are you waiting for? Grab your phones and hit the streets to find those elves! Not only can you win prizes, but you’ll also be supporting our great local businesses while getting into the holiday spirit. Happy hunting, and may the best elf finders win!