The holiday season is upon us, and York County is brimming with festive events and holiday cheer! Whether you're looking to enjoy a classic Christmas tree lighting, catch a holiday parade, or indulge in festive local markets, this month has something for everyone. We've rounded up some of the best events happening in York County and a few must-see happenings in nearby Charlotte to make this December memorable. Happy holidays!
York County Holiday Events
1. FREE - Monday Movie Night - The Grinch
Date: December 2, 2024, at 6 pm (doors open at 5:20 pm and it's free admission)
Location: 27 N. Congress St., York, SC 29745
Bring your family and enjoy a great family movie to kick off the holiday season!
2. Christmas Lunch Theatre "The Nativity Set"
Date: December 3, 2024 - December 17, 2024 (Recurring wkly on Tuesdays), from 11:30 am to 1 pm
Location: NarroWay Productions, 3327 Hwy. 51 N., Fort Mill, SC
Price: $34.95 - $40.95
Enjoy lunch a show for yourself, with family or friends or book your group.
3. ChristmasVille in Rock Hill
Date: December 5 - December 8, 2024
Location: Downtown Rock Hill, SC
Get ready for an award-winning holiday festival filled with classic Christmas charm! ChristmasVille in Rock Hill brings family-friendly entertainment, horse-drawn carriage rides, festive food vendors, and holiday-themed performances. Don’t miss Santa’s grand arrival and the festive holiday parade that lights up the town.
4. WinterFest at Carowinds
Date: Select nights, November 15 - January 4, 2025
Location: Carowinds, Fort Mill, SC
Carowinds transforms into a winter wonderland with WinterFest! Experience dazzling holiday lights, live entertainment, and festive treats. This year, WinterFest features ice skating, larger-than-life displays, and plenty of family activities. Be sure to stop by and see the lighting of the enormous Christmas tree!
5. Christmas Village and Lighting of the Tree in Fort Mill
Date: December 5, 2024, from 5 to 8 pm
Location: Walter Elisha Park in Fort Mill, SC
Join the Fort Mill community for its annual Christmas celebration with the festivities will feature the lighting of the Town's 50-foot Christmas tree, performances from school choirs, dance teams, and a variety of entertainment. Stroll through our Christmas Village to shop from local vendors, enjoy kid-friendly activities, and take a ride on our trackless train. Be sure to savor delicious treats from our many food trucks—and don’t forget to visit Santa!
Downtown Fort Mill will also shine bright with beautiful holiday lights and its iconic large trees. As we light up the park, the Downtown area will come alive at the same time, inviting you to explore our wonderful shops and restaurants.
6. Festival of Trees
Date: December 6, 2024 - December 8, 2024
Location: 258 E. White St., Rock Hil, SC
Experience the magic of the Festival of Trees at the historic White Home. This year’s event brings to life the whimsical world of Vernon Grant with a vibrant and colorful theme. Visitors can expect to see a stunning array of beautifully decorated trees of varying sizes, along with wreaths, mantle decorations, and more. All items will be available for auction or for immediate purchase.
7. Old Town Rock Hill Holiday Parade
Date: December 6, 2024
Location: Main Street, Rock Hill, SC
The annual Old Town Rock Hill Holiday Parade brings marching bands, dancers, and festive floats to the heart of the city. Bundle up, bring the family, and celebrate the season with an evening of twinkling lights and holiday spirit!
8. Clover's Holiday on Main
Date: December 7, 2024, from 10 am to 4 pm
Location: N. Main Street, Town of Clover
Bring your family and friends to celebrate the season with pictures with Santa, craft vendors and live performances.
9. Kingsley Holiday Celebration
Date: December 7, 2024, from 2 pm to 5 pm
Location: Kingsley Town Center
This year’s KINGSLEY Holiday Celebration is packed with festive fun for the whole family:
• Cookie Crawl (while supplies last)
• Photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus
• Festive Holiday Treats
• Festive Photo Ops
• Faux Snow
• Family-Friendly Fun
• Delicious Food & Drink Samples
• Holiday Music by Fort Mill School Choirs
... and so much more to get you in the Holiday Spirit!
10. 77th Annual Fort Mill Christmas Parade
Date: December 7, 2024, starting at 11 am
Location: Starting at Tom Hall and Unity Street and traveling through Main Street and North White Street in Historic Downtown Fort Mill, ending at Walter Elisha Park.
Get ready for the 77th Annual Fort Mill Christmas Parade! This festive lineup features local schools, officials, churches, businesses, scouts, pageant queens, and of course, SANTA!
11. Ballet of York County Presents: The Nutcracker 2024
Date: December 11, 2024 through December 15, 2024 (recurring daily), starting at 11 am
Location:1920 Alumni Dr., Rock Hill, SC
Embark on a magical journey through falling snow to a land of dancing sweets and sugarplums! A holiday tradition in York County since 1978!!
12. 85th Annual York Christmas Parade
Date: December 13, 2024, from 5 pm to 8 pm
Location: Downtown York, SC
The Christmas keeps on rolling here in York! Live musical performance will start before the parade at 5 pm at City Market, local food vendors will be present and of course, amazing and fantastic floats!! Come out!
13. Fort Mill Cookie Crawl
Date: December 14, 2024, from 10 am to 2 pm
Location: Starting at Tom Hall and Unity Street and traveling through Main Street and North White Street in Historic Downtown Fort Mill, ending at Walter Elisha Park.
Each family/group can “crawl” to local partner businesses to collect a scrumptious individually packaged Christmas cookie from each location for their Cookie Tin (please note: each group will receive ONE cookie per tin at each stop).
Charlotte Holiday Events
1. Holidays at the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
Date: November 29th - December 29, 2024
Location: Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, Belmont, NC
Marvel at the sparkling holiday light displays at the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. The event features a mile-long walking trail through beautifully lit gardens, holiday music, and a visit with Santa Claus for the little ones. It’s a must-see for holiday lights enthusiasts!
2. 46th Annual Christmas Parade
Date: December 14, 2024
Location: Parade stage will be at Charlotte Performing Arts Center
This annual parade features festive floats, live performances, and marching bands. It’s a celebration that brings together people from all over the city to experience the magic of the season in Uptown Charlotte. Bundle up and bring your holiday spirit!
Ring in the New Year
Noon Year's Eve Celebration at The Library
Date: December 31, 2024
Location: Main Library, Rock Hill, SC, from 11 am to 12:30 pm
Ring in the New Year at the library's noon New Year's Eve party! Make a festive party hat, enjoy a sparkly drink, win fun giveaways and share your New Year's resolutions.
Check back here as we'll be adding to this blog.
The Linda Hall Team is thrilled to share these amazing events with you as we enter the holiday season. From local parades to holiday markets, there's so much to see and do in York County and Charlotte. Looking to settle down and experience all this area has to offer year-round? Contact The Linda Hall Team of Century 21 First Choice for expert advice on finding the perfect home to enjoy every season in beautiful York County. Happy Holidays!