COLUMBIA – The District’s Living Windows Festival is one way downtown businesses show off their holiday spirit. Every year on the first Friday of December, these window displays come to life for the holidays.
More than 35 businesses are expected to participate this year with window displays that move, sing and dance. Guests can also visit with Santa at Simmons Bank, ride in a horse-drawn carriage and see a variety of live performances.
Displays will be on view from 6-8 p.m., and free parking is available in downtown garages after 6 p.m.
Many business owners, like Obsessed, Inc owner Charlotte Withrow, feel this event brings life into the downtown community.
“It just brings a lot of people to the downtown area,” Withrow said. “It’s great for the kids, and there are live people in the windows. It’s really cool and just a really fun event.”
Withrow first attended the Living Windows Festival last year but won’t be able to take part in the festival this year due to travel plans. However, she made sure Obsessed’s windows were decorated for the event.
“I decorated the windows with blue and pink decorations that consist of candy canes, ice cream and cupcake ornaments,” Withrow said. “I wanted to create a fun, child-like decoration Christmas tree.”
Another Columbia business owner has taken part in the Living Windows Festival since it started and she said it’s been going for more than 30 years. Ruth LaHue founded My Secret Garden in 1979 and acquired a storefront in downtown Columbia in 1989. She said her business loves seeing people get excited about the event.
“It’s wonderful and it brings joy to us to see all of the eager faces on the sidewalk looking in the window,” LaHue said.
My Secret Garden’s theme this year is “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” LaHue said this year is extra special because it will be her first time being in the window.
“This will be a new experience for me,” LaHue said. “I am excited.”
LaHue said My Secret Garden doesn’t participate in this event to make a lot of money; it’s about having fun — and maybe getting long-standing customers at the end.
“We do this as a gift to the community so that they have something to acquaint themselves with downtown,” LaHue said. “So, later when they’re getting ready to actually go Christmas shopping — because tonight is just about fun — they will remember the shops that were downtown and all the interesting unique things that we each carry.”
The participating businesses include:
Broadway
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- American Shoe
- Bailey & Blush Boutique
- City Hall
- Commerce Bank / MOSY
- My Secret Garden
- Obsessed, Inc
- Poppy
- RENEW Salon & Spa
- Simmons Bank
- SUI
- Tallulahs
- Tropical Liqueurs
Ninth Street
- Bluestem Missouri Crafts
- Calvary Episcopal Church
- Goldie’s Bagels
- Makes Scents
- Missouri United Methodist Church
- Skylark Bookshop
- Speckled Frog Toys
- The Mud Room
- Yellow Dog Bookshop
Cherry Street
- Hexagon Alley
- The Candy Factory
Locust Street
Hitt Street
- Günter Hans
- First Presbyterian Church
Tenth Street
- Iron Tiger
- Russell Boyt Real Estate Group
Walnut Street
North Village Arts District
- Artlandish
- Dancearts of Columbia
- Designs X Nadine
- Fluid Bodywork
- Orr Street Studios
- Serendipity Salon & Gallery
- Wishflour Bakery