As we head into the holiday season, there’s plenty to see and do in Columbia, including a jack-o’-lantern display and an event dedicated to your favorite four-legged friends. Here are our picks for fun activities, tasty meals from new restaurants, and exciting places to go.

Crazy Good Burritos – 815 Business Loop 70 E

If you’re in the mood for some “crazy good” Mexican food, check out Crazy Good Burritos. Located in the old payday loan building on Business Loop 70 E, this recently-opened restaurant offers California-style burritos as well as tacos and even Mexican-style rotisserie chicken. They also have early risers covered with a delightful assortment of breakfast burritos.

Jack-O’-Lantern Jamboree at Daniel Boone Regional Library – 100 W. Broadway – DBRL.org

Stop by Daniel Boone Regional Library on October 23 from 7 to 8 PM to enjoy a collection of jack-o’-lanterns from Columbia-area artists. Viewing is possible by drive-through, since the gourds will be set up to shine on the outer wall of the south parking lot. No registration is required, but those interested in submitting a pumpkin can sign up by filling out a form on the library’s website.

Snapology of Columbia’s Animation Studios – Snapology.com/location/columbia

Children ages seven through fourteen will jump at the chance to make a movie with LEGO bricks at this event, which will be held at Level Up Entertainment on the first three Mondays in November from 4 to 5:30 PM. Kids will work as a team to create a LEGO stop-motion movie—the finished product will even have dialogue and sound effects! Parents can view the finished video on a secure website provided by Snapology.

Creekside Pet Center 5th Anniversary Petacular – 5820 MO-163 – CreeksidePetCenter.com

If you’re passionate about four-legged furry friends (or even looking to add one to your family!), this is the event for you. From 9:30 AM to 4 PM on Saturday, November 7, join Creekside Pet Center as it celebrates all things pets. The event, held in Creekside Pet Center’s parking lot, includes plenty of animals to adopt.

DogMaster Distillery Bingo – 210 St James Street – DogMasterDistillery.com

On November 3 at 5:30 PM, drop by DogMaster Distillery for four fun rounds of everyone’s favorite game of chance (and of course, prizes are involved for the winners). DogMaster requires guests to have face masks to attend the event—everyone must have a mask on when walking around. When seated, guests may remove masks. It’s okay if you forget your hand sanitizer, because DogMaster has been producing its own and has plenty to go around!

Sager Braudis Gallery’s 2020 November Exhibit – 1025 E Walnut Street – SagerBraudisGallery.com

Starting on November 6, a new exhibit will be available for viewing at Sager Braudis gallery. Art enthusiasts can appreciate works by Jessica Keiser, Jodie Masterman, Joel Sager, Rachel Trusty, and Hillary Waters. Viewings are by appointment only; to book a space, email the gallery at [email protected]

Shutterfae Photography Holiday Mini Sessions – ShutterfaePhotography.com

Not looking forward to taking Christmas photos this year? Then let Shutterfae do the work for you. From 3 to 6 PM on November 7 and 8 at Rock Quarry Park, Shutterfae Photography is offering twenty-minute “mini-sessions” that include fifteen digital images, one digital collage, one holiday card design, and a personal print release. Pre-booking is required; to reserve a space, comment on the posts in the event’s “discussion” page on Facebook.