Ring in the holidays at these 9 Fort Mill area events
Updated: Dec 1, 2022
1) Fort Mill Tree Lighting & Christmas Village
Thursday, Dec. 1, from 5-8:30PM
The tree lighting will take place at the Amphitheater at Walter Elisha Park - a NEW location for this event! From 5-8:30PM, enjoy food trucks, Christmas Village vendors, trackless trains, kids’ activities, and entertainment from the amphitheater stage. At 5:30PM, listen to the holiday sounds of the First Baptist Church Handbell Choir, followed by the Lighting of the Tree ceremony at 6PM. Local school choirs and dance teams will then take the stage for a variety of performances.
Fort Mill’s Downtown area will still feature beautiful holiday lights and large trees! These will be lit at the same time as the park, so you can enjoy area merchants and restaurants while enjoying the lighting of the town.
Event rules: No outside food/drink, no coolers, no pets, no bikes.
Parking: Calhoun Street Park, Looms Way, Veterans Park. Handicapped Parking is in the Amphitheater Lot.
2) Anne Springs Close Greenway Winter Holiday Market
Saturday, Dec. 3, from 9AM-4PM
Shop local and regional vendors at the Anne Springs Close Greenway Winter Holiday Market! Tickets: Adults $6, Ages 5-12 $4, Ages 4 and younger free, Members free. Parking: $5. Details here.
3) 75th Annual Fort Mill Christmas Parade
Saturday, Dec. 3, at 11AM
Get excited for the 75th Annual Fort Mill Christmas Parade! This year’s Grand Marshals will lead the parade, beginning at Tom Hall and Unity Street, traveling through Main Street and North White Street in Historic Downtown Fort Mill and exiting at Walter Elisha Park.
The parade features local schools, officials, churches, businesses, scouts, queens and of course, Santa and more! Filming of the parade for Comporium Channel 705 takes place in front of the Fort Mill Fire Station at 121 Tom Hall Street. Emcees, David Ward and Alicia Barnes, will announce each entry as it passes by this location. Parade Judges will pick winners for Best Car, Best Golf Cart, Best Walking Group, Best Christmas Theme, Most Holiday Spirit and Most Creative.
4) Kingsley Holiday Celebration
Saturday, Dec. 3 from 2-5PM
Enjoy a festive afternoon in Kingsley with a cookie crawl, face painting balloon artists, faux snow, holiday music by local schools, and of course a visit with Santa!
5) New York Life's Toy Drive
Saturday, Dec. 3 from 10am-2pm
While you're buying your Christmas tree from Mountain Top Christmas Trees on 1626 Gold Hill Rd., you can also enjoy free family photos with Santa (10-11:30am), free hot chocolate, and cookies. To benefit Toys for Tots, they're asking that you bring new unwrapped toys or books.
6) ChristmasVille Rock Hill
Thursday, Dec. 1 - Sunday, Dec. 4
This weekend, enter the whimsical world of ChristmasVille in Rock Hill! Inspired by Rock Hill’s adopted son, Vernon Grant, children’s illustrator and artist of the famed Kellogg’s® Rice Krispies Snap!® Crackle!® Pop!® Old Town Rock Hill comes alive as a charming, picturesque holiday village and outdoor art festival. With nearly 70 events and activities (including a Christmas parade on Friday!), the award-winning ChristmasVille festival offers horse-drawn carriage rides, historic tours, strolling Dickens carolers, art, theater, dance, music, a gingerbread house contest, multiple Santa activities, and a REAL ice skating rink!
7) Tega Cay Christmas Tree Lighting
Thursday, Dec. 8, from 5:30-9:30PM
The night begins at The Glennon Center (15083 Molokai Dr., Tega Cay, SC 29708) at 5:30 PM. A Sip-N-Shop vendor market will be available along with pictures with Santa for the kids. Cornerstone Church's Praise Team will perform at 6:00PM under The Shore Club Pavilion. Tega Cay City Council will light the City's Christmas Tree at 6:30PM. Following the ceremony, Tega Cay's Music Association will perform Christmas Carols in the Hearth Room. Letters to Santa, Cookies and Hot Chocolate will be available in the lower level of the Glennon Community Center. The Shore Club will be hosting carriage rides throughout the event.
8) Lake Wylie's Christmas Boat Parade
Saturday, Dec. 10, from 5-9PM (parade at 6:30PM)
Get ready for the 33rd annual Lake Wylie “Lights on the Lake” Holiday Boat Parade! Santa will be stopping by for a visit, and they're hoping to have your help to keep a lookout for Who-ville's most notorious Christmas burgler, the Grinch. The boat parade will begin and finish at Papa Doc's. Boat registration must be done through the Lake Wylie Chamber of Commerce FB page.
9) Holiday Painting Event at Créatif
Saturday, Dec. 17, from 1-5PM (walk-in)
Join the Winter Wonderland Canvas Painting Workshop from 3:30-5PM, or walk in any other time between 1-5PM to paint new holiday ceramics, such as ornaments and Christmas trees.
