Winter is almost here! Often known as the coldest and darkest season, winter is also the season filled with opportunities to create memories that will last a lifetime. From cozy nights by the fire to Christmas Parades and festivals, York County is filled with winter events for you and your family to celebrate the final season of the year!
Get Festive at these Holiday Events
Carowinds Winterfest
Carowinds is transforming once again! Starting November 21st, you can step inside this rollercoaster theme park turned into a winter wonderland. You can ice skate, take in the 5 million shimmering lights, or marvel at the 70-foot tree! New this year, there will be a parade daily! There will be live shows and strolling performers delight guests and spread Christmas cheer for all to hear. Festive fun and hands-on holiday activities are located throughout the park, and sweet aromas from special holiday dishes and desserts fill the midways. Plus, up to 24 of your favorite rides will be open to complete your night of memory-making.
Rock Hill Christmas Parade
To continue the tradition, Rock Hill is hosting its very own Christmas Parade! Join us on December 2nd at 6:30 PM all over Old Town Rock Hill. The parade will start at the intersection of Oakland and Stewart Avenue. More details on the route will be coming soon!
75th Annual Fort Mill Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 3rd, the Town of Fort Mill will host their annual Downtown Parade! The parade features local schools, officials, churches, businesses, scouts, queens and of course, Santa & 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 will announce each entry as it passes by this location.
Discover City Dedicated Festivities
ChristmasVille
Once again, Old Town Rock Hill will come alive as a charming, picturesque holiday village and outdoor art festival. This award-winning festival has over 70 events, including: Cookies and Cocoa with Santa | FREE Amusement Ride & Inflatables | Story times with Grinch & Mother Goose | Street Entertainers & Entertainment Stages | Hand bell Choirs & Dickens Carolers | Santa's Workshop & Santa's Office | Jingle Bell Parades with Santa | Gift & Farmer's Market | The Gnome Dorm | Food Vendors | And So Much More!
There are even specials that last all month long, featuring: Decorated Walkways | Horse & Carriage Rides | Vernon Grant Window Displays & NEW Mural | Ice Skating | And So Much More!
Main Events for the weekend include:
Friday, December 2nd
Senior Day
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM | Various Old Town Locations
Saturday, December 3rd
Movies at the park
5:00 PM & 8:00 PM | Fountain Park
Sunday, December 4th
Cultural Celebrations of the Season
All Day | Library and City Hall Amphitheater
Monday, December 5th
Santa Send-off & Closing Ceremony
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM | Main Street Stage
Start A New Holiday Tradition
Founders Ice Skating Rink
Hit the ice and show off your moves on skates, the family will surely be impressed. The Founders Ice Skating Rink in Old Town Rock Hill will be open on select days from November 17th - January 19th. The cost to skate is $15 (includes skate rental). Tickets Required: Onlyinoldtown.com/icerink
Stafford Park Neighborhood Christmas Lights
Stafford Park Neighborhood: This neighborhood puts on a performance! Each year the neighborhood hosts a combined holiday light show and raises money, unwrapped toys, and canned food donations for the Dorothy Day Soup Kitchen. The dates for visiting are still to be determined but will be updated as soon as possible! To find them, put 2210 Keswick Lane, Rock Hill, SC in your GPS.
The Davis Family Lights
270 Hampton Trail Drive
Fort Mill, SC 29708
The Davis Family always puts on quite the display. Head to Baxter Village starting December 11th anytime from 6:00-9:00 PM and tune in to 93.9FM to listen to the music with the fantastic light display. Baxter Village: This Fort Mill area neighborhood has decorated its downtown with lights and a huge Christmas Tree. Enjoy strolling through the shops with festive cheer. Then drive through the neighborhood to see some fantastic light displays for the annual contests. We recommend Nations Commons, Birkshire Heights Loop, Stratford Run Drive, Revival Row, and the First through Sixth Baxter Streets to see some great lights!
McNeely Christmas Lights
2088 Chester Hwy
York, SC 29745
These lights are open for the community to view and will stay until Christmas Day!
Warm-up with these Winter Date-Night Ideas
Narroway Productions
Book tickets to this highly acclaimed Christmas Show at Narroway Productions in Fort Mill! This will give you an interactive dinner theater view of the true meaning behind the season. People flock from across the country to see this show, it’s one you can’t miss! The show is titled, "The Real Christmas Story" and will leave you in awe from fantastic acting, breath-taking singing, and true purpose behind Christmas. Click the link to get your tickets before they sell out.
Holiday Home Tours
Historic Rock Hill is excited to announce that they are joining the Christmasville festivities! They will provide snacks and other goodies for purchase. Keep your hands warm with hot chocolate and bring your friends to pick out a Christmas gift from local vendors! Tickets are $5.00 for the general public or free for Historic Rock Hill members.
Take a Pottery Class
Ghost, anyone? Okay, but for real, you can take a pottery class right in Rock Hill. At Rock Hill Pottery, you can earn how to throw pottery on the wheel, glaze, or hand-build. Classes are taught by Jonathan Williams. Give the gift of an experience this Christmas, or just take a class and gift your final product! You know your mom would still treasure a handmade gift from you for Christmas.
Horseback Trail Ride
For just $50 you can take an hour and a half horse ride through the trails of the Anne Springs Close Greenway. Hurry and book today, as space is limited and these will fill up! What’s more romantic than a trail ride through nature?
The Foodie School
Love to cook but hate the mess? Treat that special someone in your life to a night at The Foodie School! The Foodie School offers the unique experience of creating your favorite dishes while having fun with friends, family, or loved ones. Not seasoned in the kitchen? No worries! The chefs will guide you through every step of the way and then you get to sit and feast on your creations.
YoCo Brew Trail
Nothing says winter quite like a festive winter brew! Hop on the YoCo Brew Trail and try the ChristmasVille collab "Spruce Tip Ale"! Old Town Rock Hill's finest breweries came together to bring you a delectable Christmas beer with late kettle additions of Saphir hops and spruce tips, subtle hints of melon, and finishing with a warm maltiness!
Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides
Clip Clop down Historic Main Street in Old Town Rock Hill! Reserve your horse-drawn carriage ride seats along our beautifully decorated Christmasville Corridor. Carriages seat up to 8 people.
Two carriages will run during each time slot (Carriage A and Carriage B).