Things to do: Christmas in the park, Mulehouse services, Vanh Dy's farewell and more
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This weekend is all about Christmas, and while many of the festivities will involve time with family and friends, there is still much fun to be had in Columbia.
1. Holiday Lights in The Park
Columbia invites locals to celebrate the festive season by visiting not one, but three of its local parks with bright lights on display.
Visitors can experience this year's holiday lights at Woodland and Fairview Park from 5-8 p.m. through Sunday, Dec. 25, as well as a walk-through display at Riverwalk Park through Sunday, Dec. 31, also from 5-8 p.m.
2. Christmas Farmers Market at Riverwalk
Columbia's Farmers Fresh Market is always a great place to stock up on local produce, handcrafted items and more locally-sourced items.
The Farmers Market celebrates Christmas this week by offering its local goods to customers, and will be open this Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon at Riverwalk Park, 102 Riverside Drive.
3. Vanh Dy's Farewell Friday
This year will end on a bittersweet note as Columbia says goodbye to one of its most unique establishments this weekend.
Vanh Dy's restaurant and lounge, located on South Main Street just outside the downtown square, will be closing its doors for good this weekend. Although the restaurant plans to go out with a big bang.
Vanh Dy's will host its Friday Farewell party, honoring its many local regulars and celebrating four years of serving Columbians with its unique fusion of Thai, Laotian and Vietnamese cuisine, while also providing locals with another trendy spot for live music. This weekend will feature a performance from the restaurant's staple band The Third Coast Band.
Come out this Friday to honor the family business, founded by husband-and-wife Oudom and Cheryl Sycantha, as they give one last night of fun, good food and more to the community.
4. Christmas Eve service at The Mulehouse
Christmas eve often includes a night of worship, and what better place to celebrate the occasion than at a former church that's become one of the best venues in Columbia?
The Mulehouse will celebrate Christmas Eve this Saturday by hosting a Christmas Eve Service, which will include a play written by Nadia Earnest titled "The Muletown Miracle," as well as a gospel message provided by local pastor Tim Romero.
Admission is free, but space is limited, meaning attendees will need to register online at www.TheMulehouse.com.
Doors will open at 5 p.m. Saturday, with the service starting at 6 p.m.
5. Live entertainment
Roderick August will perform at Asgard Brewing Company & Taproom, 104 E. 5th St., starting at 7:30 p.m. Friday.
The Stephanie Adlington Duo will perform a Christmas Friday Night Jazz Session at Farmstead Cellar & Tasting Parlour, 803 S. Main St., starting at 6:30 p.m. Friday.
The Boondox, 3543 Highway 431, will host a special Christmas Party starting at 6 p.m. Friday. The event will include a dance class hosted by Debbie Still at 6 p.m., followed by a performance by The Bottom Dollar Band at 7 p.m.
Polly's Pocket will host a 90s Christmas Eve party at Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 150 Stephen P. Yokich Parkway, starting at 8 p.m. Friday.
Jay Powell covers events and entertainment for The Daily Herald. Contact him at jpowell@c-dh.net or follow him on Twitter @JayPowellCDH.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Things to do: Christmas in the park, Mulehouse services, Vanh Dy's farewell and more
