As you get into the holiday spirit, local events are a great way to celebrate and enjoy a fun time with family and friends. Manning, South Carolina, and its surrounding areas offer lots of ways to ring in the season. Here are three holiday events just a short drive away that will provide all kinds of holiday fun.
The Charleston Holiday Festival
From November 15 through December 31, the Charleston Holiday Festival welcomes visitors every evening to enjoy the lights and celebratory displays at James Island County Park. Open from Sunday through Thursday from 5:30-10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday until 11 p.m., this is a great place to bring family and friends of all ages. Charleston is just an hour and a half from Manning, so this is an easy drive to make on the weekend or after work.
You can drive your car through the beautiful display of lights and then park and experience lots of other activities. Visit with Santa Claus and tell him your wish list, then satisfy your sweet tooth at Santa’s Sweet Shoppe. Ride the holiday train and the Victorian carousel. You can even head home with an official ornament from this year’s celebration.
The Fantasy of Lights Display in Sumter
Just 30 minutes north of Manning is Sumter, South Carolina. This town offers the largest free display of Christmas lights in the state. At the Swan Lake Iris Gardens, you’ll find a collection of more than 1 million lights twinkling in the dark and creating beautiful and fun pictures of holiday themes. Drive out on Sunday, December 1 at 6 p.m. for the opening night celebration and to see the lights turn on for the first time.
If you can’t make it opening night, the lights are open every evening throughout the month of December. Local favorites include the floating Christmas tree out on the lake and Santa’s Village. Several displays combine holiday music and lights to create the look of a dancing light display. Since it’s only a short drive and admission is free, you can make this a regular stop throughout the season.
The Great Christmas Light Show in Myrtle Beach
At Myrtle Beach from November 25 through December 30, you can experience the Great Christmas Light Show. This is a two-hour drive from Manning, so it might be best for a weekend holiday adventure, but it’s definitely worth the trip. Drive through the light display any night of the week, but on the weekends, Santa’s Village is open. Here you can visit with Santa, pet some animals at the petting zoo, climb through a holiday-themed obstacle course, and enjoy a train ride. Guests pay $15 per vehicle. Groups of 16 to 30 people will pay $30 per vehicle.
If you’re from the Manning area, these holiday events are perfect for a weekend drive to celebrate the season. Head out with your loved ones and create some great holiday memories.

