The holiday season is here! Whether you’re gearing up to host friends and family or have a staycation over the holidays, Howard County has endless events to keep you and your loved ones busy.

From a spooky Christmas event to a cocktail crawl, here are seven things you can do in the county for the week ending Dec. 25.

Cocktail crawl

6-8 p.m. Friday

Come with an empty stomach to the Festive Friday Cocktail Crawl at the Columbia Lakefront. The Downtown Columbia Partnership is hosting the event, which will feature a sampling of cocktails and bites from restaurants in Columbia.

Featured restaurants include Takumi sushi, the Collective Offshore and Walrus Oyster & Ale House.

Participants must be 21 or older and last-minute tickets are $60.54. Tickets include a tasting card to bring to the participating restaurants that an be redeemed for a small bite and a paired alcoholic beverage.

Climb with Santa

Time slots from 5-7:40 p.m. Friday

Join Santa on his last workout before he squeezes down the chimneys on Christmas Eve. The climbing event is for children ages 5 to 10, and there will be photo opportunities, a Christmas craft, snacks and a game with Santa on the climbing wall.

The climb will take place at the Roger Carter Community Center in Ellicott City. Participants must sign up for a time slot and arrive within 15 minutes of the start of their scheduled time. Upon arrival, there will be a $7 fee per child. Each spot is for one child and their parent or guardian must stay with the child.

Winter family concert

10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday

Join the Columbia Orchestra for its winter concert, which will feature classic winter tunes from “Frosty the Snowman,” “The Polar Express” and “The Nutcracker.”

The symphony sounds will be in the Jim Rouse Theatre in Columbia. The morning show will be 45 minutes, while the afternoon concert will last about 60 minutes.

Tickets are available online and are $20 for adults, and $10 for anyone 18 years or younger.

A Christmas Nightmare

7, 8 or 9 p.m. Saturday

Missing Halloween? Laurel’s House of Horror has you covered. Dare to step inside an abandoned movie theater for “A Christmas Nightmare.”

The spooky experience will last an hour and will feature light shows and chilling makeup on interactive characters sure to give you a fright.

Tickets are available online and are $29.49 per person.

Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus

11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday

For one last chance to tell Santa what you want for Christmas, head to Savage Mill. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there to take photos with you, your children and even your furry friends at home.

The event is free and open to the public.

Hanukkah Cookie Decorating Class

2 p.m. Sunday

Learn how to expertly decorate a cookie at The Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar in Old Ellicott City. Included in the afternoon of fun will be one crazy mason milkshake, a cookie-decorating lesson and supplies for decorating five Hanukkah cookies.

Tickets are $60.54 per person and can be purchased online before the event.

Beaders without borders

1-6 p.m. Monday

Bead Soup in Savage Mill is hosting an afternoon of bead embroidery, perfect for crafting a last-minute gift. The event is free and the store will have endless inspiration for whatever project you’re working on.

Be sure to bring your own supplies or buy some in the store.