Charleston is simply unmatched in beauty and style offering history, culture, splendid shopping, unique tours and delicious holiday dining. With mild temperatures and reduced rates, Charleston remains unparalleled as a delightful holiday destination. Storefronts, homes, churches, and parks are adorned with decorative fixings. Parades, tree lightings, and holiday musical performances make Charleston a charming getaway ready to entertain her guests.
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• 13th Annual Holiday Festival of Lights- More than a million enchanting lights adorn James Island County Park. Come experience the four mile driving tour and see a wide array of dazzling designs for the holidays. Create your own light display at the Lakeside Lights activity center or take a leisurely stroll through the Enchanted Forest. For more information, please call (843) 795-4FUN or visit www.ccprc.com.
• Plantation Christmas-Visit one of Charleston�s historic plantations during the holiday season. America�s oldest landscaped gardens are decorated with colorful camellias and holly trees, and the 18th and 19th century buildings are adorned with pine swags, mistletoe, and wreaths. These lavish seasonal decorations will put you in the holiday spirit. Free pick-up and return service from all downtown hotels and most of the hotels surrounding Charleston. Call (843) 571-0049 for reservations.
• 24th Annual Parade of Boats-More than 50 boats are decked out in Christmas lights during this hour long journey from the Wando Terminal, under the Cooper River Bridges, through the Charleston harbor, past the USS Yorktown. Fireworks will light up the sky above Castle Pinkney midway through the parade. Official viewing sites are Waterfront Park, The USS Yorktown, and the Battery Area. For more information, please call (843) 724-7305.
• Annual North Charleston Christmas Lighting, Festival and Parade-Experience 88 beautiful Christmas trees decorated by local churches, schools, businesses, and civic groups. Entertainment, rides, dancing troupes, hayrides, pony rides, visits with Mr. and Mrs. Clause and the annual Christmas parade. For more information, please call (843) 724-7305.
• �Holly Days� in Summerville- Celebrate the holidays with strolling carolers, hot cider & cookies and late shopping on Thurs. evenings. On most Saturdays Dec. 6, 13, 20 from 12-4pm, find Santa in Town Square�s �Elf Central� and entertainment at various downtown locations. Bring your own camera or have Polaroids taken by the Elves. Sponsored by Summerville D.R.E.A.M. (843) 821-7260.
• 18th Annual Progressive Dinner-Enjoy an elegant dinner tour through Charleston�s most historic and charming inns and restaurants for the holiday season. Begin with delicious hors d�oeuvres at King�s Courtyard Inn, take a carriage ride to one of Charleston�s finest restaurants, Circa 1886 for salad and entree and end with a carriage ride to The Rutledge House Inn for coffee and desert. Reservations are required, all inclusive tickets are $75. For more information or to make reservations, please call (843) 853-7828.
• First Night Charleston 2003-First Night Charleston is a city-wide, non-alcoholic celebration of the New Year. It�s a public celebration that revives the ancient tradition of marking the passage of time with art, ritual, and festivity in a present day context. Nearly 12,000 button wearing participants will attend Charleston�s largest celebration. For more information, please call (843) 853-6423 or www.firstnightcharleston.com.
• Colonial Lake Tree Lighting-This annual event is always a favorite with locals and visitors alike. The Citadel Choir will sing during the lighting ceremony and Mayor Riley will make a guest appearance. Come to Colonial Lake and join the holiday fun. For more information, please call the Charleston Fire Department (843) 720-1981.

To learn more about the Charleston area, please contact the Charleston Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at 843-853-8000 or 800-868-8118. Also, be sure to visit our website at www.charlestoncvb.com..
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�The mission of the Charleston Area Convention & Visitors Bureau is to unify and lead the local travel industry in marketing the Charleston area as an individual, meeting, incentive and group destination to both the domestic and international markets.�

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www.charlestoncvb.com
Visitor | Media | Meeting Professionals | Tour Professionals | Travel Council
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Contacts:
Amy Ballenger, Director, Media & Public Relations, 843-853-8000 ext. 3049
Chris Nobles, Manager, Media & Public Relations, 843-853-8000 ext. 3045
Katie Chapman, Manager, Media & Public Relations  843-853-8000 ext. 3074
Dusty Painter, Assistant, Media & Public Relations  843-853-8000 ext. 3006
|E-Mail: media@charlestoncvb.com|