You know the holidays are approaching when shopkeepers begin to decorate their windows for the season. In Columbia, though, things are done a little differently.

On Friday, downtown kicks off the holiday shopping season with the Living Windows Festival.

“It’s always a blast,” festival coordinator Josh Wright says. “The event started with the shopkeepers years ago and has become a tradition. Last year, over two dozen shops participated, and it’s always an exciting time.”

From 6-8 p.m., participating businesses downtown stage live holiday performances in their display windows, all trying to outdo one another. The winner of this friendly competition receives a prize gift basket. And not only does Living Windows kick off the holiday season, but it also marks the beginning of extended holiday hours for shops downtown.

“We put quite a bit of time and effort into preparing for the event,” says Liz Tucker, owner of Poppy Arts Fine Craft Gallery. “Last year we handmade over 150 mustaches to hand out as favors for our ‘Hipster Holiday.’ That took quite a bit of time.”

But how do shops come up with unique themes year after year?

“There are a couple of us that brainstorm throughout the year about what we’ll do for our Living Window,” Tucker says. “The ideas for themes come from just about everywhere — music, art or something funny that has happened to one of us.”

Past holiday themes for storefronts have ranged from “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” to “Christmas on Planet X.”

The live window displays are the main attraction for visitors, but additional activities that occur throughout the evening include open houses, holiday treats, a live nativity scene, free carriage rides through downtown, live music and Santa Claus at Landmark Bank.

So why do stores like Poppy continue this long-standing tradition?

“We participate every year because Living Windows is really a downtown family event,” Tucker says. “It kicks off the holiday shopping season to let our customers know that we’re ready.”