Holiday Festival of Lights Opens on Nov. 11

Provided

Can you believe it’s already time for the Holiday Festival of Lights to begin? This year’s festival will run from Friday, November 11th through Sunday, January 1st, and will include an estimated two million lights over a three mile loop at the James Island County Park.

The festival’s will kick-off its 27th season with a Grand Opening ceremony on the 11th. The event will include live entertainment from Lowcountry Powerbrass, awards presentations for the Giant Greeting Card contest and Light Display Design contests.

Besides the driving tour, this year’s festival will also include:

• Festival Fun Run on November 9th and 10th (advance registration is required)
  
• Marshmallow Roasting
• Festival Train Rides
• Lakeside Lights Interactive Activity
• Dancing Light Display
• An Enchanted Walking Trail
• Sand Sculpture
• An Old-Fashioned Carousel
• A Portable Climbing Wall
• Concession Stands
• Santa’s Sweet Shoppe
  
• Four gift shops, including the children’s toy emporium Prancer’s Presents
• Daytime photo opportunities to “Mingle with Kringle” (register in advance)
• Family entertainment on select nights –  live music, storytelling, visits with Mrs. Claus, outdoor movies, and more. See the full listing below and on the official website.
  

Want discounted admission? Visit on the evenings benefiting the Lowcountry Food Bank (every Monday through Thursday). If you bring a canned food item (dog and cat food also accepted) on these nights, you will receive discounted admission.

For more information, including event hours, fees, and the most up-to-date schedule, call 843-795-4386 or visit the official website.

This year’s schedule:

Nov. 9 & 10: Get a Sneak Peek of the festival at the Fun Run! 6:30-8:30 p.m.; advance registration is required.

Nov. 11: Grand Opening Night! Enjoy live music from Lowcountry Powerbrass (7-9 p.m.) and the awards presentation for the winners of the Giant Greeting Card contest and the Light Display Design Contest.

Nov. 14: First night to save $5 off admission when you bring a canned food item for donation to the Lowcountry Food Bank. Canned dog or cat food also accepted. Discount offered every Monday through Thursday, Nov. 14 – Dec. 29.

Nov. 17: The Footlight Players, performing an excerpt from Nuncrackers, 6:30 & 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 18: Outdoor Movie Night – Bring a chair and a blanket and kick back to watch a family holiday film! Continuous shows starting at 6 p.m. in Santa’s Village.

Nov. 19: Outdoor Movie Night – Continuous shows starting at 6 p.m. in Santa’s Village.

Nov. 23: Visit with Mrs. Claus, 6-10 p.m. Performance by Lowcountry Power Brass, 7 – 9 p.m.

Nightly Nov. 23 – Dec. 23: Santa Claus is at the festival nightly in Santa’s Village! Families and dogs are invited for photos.

Nov. 27: Visit with Mrs. Claus, 6-10 p.m.

Nov. 30: Starlight Yoga, 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 1: Visit with South Carolina Aquarium, 6- 8 p.m. Performance by Lowcountry Power Brass, 7-9 p.m.

Dec. 2 & 4: Visit with Mrs. Claus, 6-10 p.m.

Dec. 3: First opportunity to Mingle with Kringle during the day! Sign up in advance by calling 843-795-4386 (pre-registration required).

Dec. 5: Performance by Charleston County School of the Arts, 6 & 7 p.m.

Dec. 6: Holiday Storytelling with Two Girls and a Guy from Mix 96, 6:30 & 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 7: Performance by Charleston County School of the Arts, 6 & 7 p.m.

Dec. 8: Visit with South Carolina Aquarium, 6- 8 p.m. Performance by Lowcountry Power Brass, 7 – 9 p.m.

Dec. 9: Visit with Mrs. Claus, 6-10 p.m.  Performance by Charleston County School of the Arts, 6 & 7 p.m.

Dec. 10: Holiday Carolers, 6 – 8 p.m. Stiltwalker, 6 – 9 p.m.

Dec. 12: Visit with Mrs. Claus, 6-10 p.m.

Dec. 13: Holiday Storytelling with the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office, 6:30 & 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 14: Visit with Mrs. Claus, 6-10 p.m. Performance by Charleston County School of the Arts, 6 & 7 p.m.

Dec. 15: Visit with South Carolina Aquarium, 6-8 p.m.  Performance by Lowcountry Power Brass, 7-9 p.m.

Dec. 17: Holiday Carolers, 6 – 8 p.m.  Magnolia Dance Academy performance, 7 p.m.

Dec. 18 & 19: Visit with Mrs. Claus, 6-10 p.m.

Dec. 20: Holiday Storytelling with Memminger Elementary School, 6:30 & 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 22: Visit with Mrs. Claus, 6-10 p.m.

Dec. 31: Stiltwalker, 6-9 p.m. and Fireworks at the Holiday Festival of Lights, 9 p.m.

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