I like to stay home and burrow into the couch as much as the next person, but 'tis the season to be social so I thought it might be helpful to know when some of the holiday events are happening around town.
Now through Dec. 26
6pm-9pm 3251 Mears Drive near Forest Lake
Holiday lights with music and decorations. Pets are welcome but please keep them on a leash. Donations accepted to benefit the Florence Area Humane Society. Dec. 14 has special 1-4pm photo op with Santa and Ms. Claus, and ornament making for kids.
Dec. 4
Children’s Christmas Program at the Library
3:45pm Florence County Public Library at 509 S Dargan St.
Porkchop Productions presents “Holly and the Christmas Gift.”
Dec. 6
26th Annual City-County Tree Lighting Ceremony
5:30pm at the Florence County Complex
The 26th Annual City-County Tree Lighting Ceremony at the County Complex. Florence County Council and the Mayor of the City of Florence will light the Christmas Tree, and the light display on Dargan street will also be activated through the season.
Dec. 6
6-9pm On the 100 block of W. Evans Street and the 100 block of S. Dargan Street.
It’s the third annual Downtown Florence kick off to the holiday season with free hot cocoa and marshmallow roasting stations, live holiday entertainment, free ice skating, an ugly sweater contest, the Jingle and Mingle kids area filled with holiday crafts and games, a meet and greet with Santa Claus & Mrs. Claus, a giant arctic slide, music and light show.
Dec. 6-7
Garden Open: Festival of Trees
8:30-3pm
Moore Farms Botanical Garden-- 21 trees will be displayed for free! Light refreshments will be served and there will be an ornament decorating station for kids.
Dec. 6-8
The Living Christmas Tree at Florence Baptist Temple
7pm Friday, 3pm Saturday, 7pm Sunday
Florence Baptist Temple’s Living Christmas Tree returns for its 26th year. The tree is a wonderful presentation of songs and drama that celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. Admission is non-perishable food items that will be distributed to people in need all over our area. The auditorium opens one hour before the program.
The Nutcracker Ballet at Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center
Dec. 6 7:30pm; Dec. 7; 3pm Dec. 8 3pm
Tickets: http://bit.ly/2r63YP7
The South Carolina Dance Theatre presents the Nutcracker annually to open the holiday season. The ballet is based on E.T.A. Hoffman’s tale, “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King”. The story takes you through a young girl’s dream of glittering snowflakes, a beautiful Snow Queen, dancing Ginger Snap’s, a dazzling Sugar Plum Fairy, a wicked Mouse King, and a Nutcracker which is magically transformed into a handsome prince. This beloved ballet will be a wonderful addition to your holiday season.
Friday at 6pm includes including the Greater Lake City Chamber of Commerce’s classic “After Dark” Christmas Parade and the City of Lake City’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Saturday will be packed with even more activities, including live holiday music, dance performances, and so much more!
Sunday is the Junior Sorosis Club’s Candlelight Tour of Historic Lake City from 2pm-7pm. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 day of tour. All proceeds to benefit the Boys and Girls Club, Florence County Disabilities Foundation, Meals on Wheels, Performing Arts Programs, and other local charities.
Sunday also includes free professional photo sessions courtesy of NDC Photography, and tons of great sales and boutique shopping opportunities. Also, downtown merchants invite people to drop into their holiday-themed shops to create Christmas crafts, ornaments, letters to Santa, and MORE all weekend long! Oh, and did we mention ICE SKATING at their temporary ice rink!
Dec. 6-30
4th Annual Holiday Music and Light Show at Downtown Florence
5-10pm every night
Christmas is done BRIGHT in Downtown Florence with our FREE nightly music and light show in the 100 block of S. Dargan Street. Walk through and enjoy the sights and sounds of the holidays as the lights dance!
Dec 7
Barrineau Christmas Parade in Lake City
11am Barrineau Pentecostal Holiness Church
Dec 7
Johnsonville Christmas Parade
3-4:30pm Downtown
Dec. 8
Effingham Christmas Parade and Festival
2:30pm
710 E. Effingham Hwy
Dec 8
FMU Dooley Planetarium: The Christmas Star
3pm
Francis Marion University’s Dooley Planetarium will present “The Christmas Star” Sunday on the second floor of the Cauthen Educational Media Center. Admission is free. For information call 843-661-1381.
Dec. 12
Blue Suede Christmas! A Tribute to Elvis at the Florence Center
7pm
Blue Suede Christmas starring Scot Bruce. This riveting and ROCKIN’ holiday tribute concert features the wonderful Christmas songs recorded by Elvis Presley, such as Santa Bring My Baby Back, Blue Christmas, and more! A show guaranteed to have you ALL SHOOK UP!
Tickets: http://bit.ly/34FlLLv
Dec. 13
Holiday Themed Matinee
10am
The Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation Library will show a 2007 film about the Whitfield Family, who all come together for the first time in a long time to celebrate Christmas. This PG-13 rated matinee is open to adults 18+.
Starring Loretta Devine, Delroy Lindo, Idris Elba, and Regina King, admission is free and light refreshments will be served. Space is limited and registration is requested for groups. Call 843-413-7074 to register groups of 5 or more. The free matinee series is sponsored by Friends of Florence County Library.
A Gullah Christmas: Marlena Smalls presents The Hallelujah Singers at FMUPAC
7pm
Marlena Smalls presents The Hallelujah Singers to entertain and inspire audiences worldwide with their spiritual or blues performances including music and narration to celebrate and preserve the West African heritage which shaped today’s Gullah culture.
Tickets: http://bit.ly/2rJm89p
Dec. 14
Meet Santa Claus at the Olanta Library
11am-12:30pm
Come see Santa and tell him what you want for Christmas! ¬
Cirque Musica Holiday Wishes
7:30pm
Cirque Musica at the Florence Center presents Holiday Wishes brings a holiday story to life in a full theatrical cirque event for the entire family featuring the world-renowned cast of Cirque Musica with your favorite holiday hits all performed LIVE by the Florence Symphony Orchestra, directed by Dr. Terry Roberts.
Ticket info: http://bit.ly/37VD6ls
Dec. 14 and Dec. 19
Wreath Wonderland at Moore Farms Botanical Garden
10am-noon
A stunning holiday wreath isn’t that hard to make – just gather the right supplies, a few seasonal embellishments and a healthy dose of holiday spirit. Wreath Wonderland will guide attendees through making an 18-inch grand-crafted greenery wreath with materials harvested from the garden. Each attendee will take home their wreath. These wreaths will look great hung on the front door or over the mantle! All wreath materials will be provided, but you can bring decorative items to add if you wish. Please also bring pruners and gloves.
The cost is $30 per person. Lunch is included. If you have any special dietary needs, please contact Rebecca Turk.
More info: Click here and select either dated event—http://bit.ly/34CO2mc
Dec. 16
Florence Symphony Orchestra presents Holiday Pops at FMUPAC
7:30pm
This family friendly concert is sure to put everyone in the spirit of the season with holiday favorites, special guests and a classic sing-a-long.
Tickets: http://bit.ly/2r3gGOJ
Dec. 17
Columbia City Ballet the Nutcracker at FMUPAC
7:30pm
Columbia City Ballet and the School of Dance Arts come together to present this classic ballet. Come enjoy this timeless masterpiece with friends and family this holiday season.
Tickets: http://bit.ly/2Y6dqhy
Dec 19
Swan Lake featuring the National Ballet Theatre of Odessa, Ukraine at FMUPAC
7:30pm
The Legendary National Ballet Theatre of Odessa, Ukraine comes to the PAC for a full-scale production of Swan Lake!
Tickets: http://bit.ly/2Yfsdqs
Gingerbread Night
6:30-8pm Baker’s Sweets Bistro and Bakery in Lake City
Dec. 20
1pm-4pm
Join Lynches River County Park with your grandkids for their annual day camp. Enjoy a scavenger hunt, crafts, games, snack, and much more! This event is FREE.
Dec. 21
Florence Christmas Parade
11am
The Annual Florence Christmas Parade is at 11 a.m. The parade will start on Evans (Edisto) Street and end at the Business Technological Center (BTC) Building on Baroody and East Evans.
Dec. 23 and Dec. 30
Florence County Museum Winter Workshops
Looking to keep your child active during winter break? Winter Workshops are exciting programs for children ages 5 to 10 at the Florence County Museum.
These one-day theme based hands-on workshops will be full of art projects and activities. To register for either of our 2019 Winter Workshops, please visit their website at flocomuseum.org/winter. Space is limited to 15 students so sign up today!
Dec. 25
2019 Christmas Celebration by The Manna House: Feeding the Hungry Because We Care
Breakfast 8:30am-9:30am, Lunch 11am-noon
The Manna House looks forward to serving the Florence Community this holiday season! As a reminder, donations of canned goods and non-perishable foods are accepted Monday-Friday 9am-12:30pm. Happy Holidays from our family to yours!
To see a complete schedule of events go to:
Picture Source: Getty Images