Here are just a few of the trimmings sure to make this year�s holidays merry and bright:

• 16th 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, November 11 � January 1. Create your own light display at the Lakeside Lights activity center or take a leisurely stroll through the Enchanted Forest. The festival was even ranked on the 2004 AmericasBest.com Top 10 list. 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. Call (843) 853-8000 for more information.

 
• Annual North Charleston Christmas Lighting, Festival and Parade - Experience dozens of beautiful Christmas trees decorated by local churches, schools, businesses, and civic groups on Saturday, December 3. Enjoy rides, dancing troupes, hayrides, pony rides, visits with Mr. and Mrs. Clause and the annual Christmas parade. For more information, please call (843) 745-1087.

 
• 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. The parade starts at 5:30pm on December 3 with fireworks lighting up the sky midway through the parade. Official viewing sites are Waterfront Park, The USS Yorktown, and the Battery Area. For more information, please call (843) 724-7414.

 
• �Holly Days� in Summerville - Celebrate the holidays with strolling carolers, hot cider & cookies and late shopping on Thurs. evenings Dec. 1, 8, 15 until 7pm. On most Saturdays find Santa in Town Square�s �Elf Central� and entertainment at various downtown locations. Bring your own camera or have pictures taken by the Elves. For more information, please call (843) 821-7260.

 
• City of Charleston Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony - The newly renovated Marion Square Park is the site of Charleston�s Official Christmas Tree and holiday entertainment stage. For the entire month of December, the park will be beautifully lighted and decorated for the holidays, including a larger than life Hanukkah menorah and a Kwanzaa Kinari. Holiday Magic in Historic Charleston offers family oriented activities and performances that capture the holiday spirit for everyone in the community. For more information, please call (843) 724-7305.

 
• 20th Annual Progressive Dinner - The Progressive Dinner offers visitors a nighttime tour and carriage ride of downtown Charleston accompanied by fine cuisine at three of Charming Inns� historic and elegant hotels all decorated in grand style for the holiday season. December 1-23 at 5:30pm. For more information or to make reservations, please call (843) 853-7828 or www.Circa1886.com.

 
• First Night Charleston 2005 - 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. Thousands of button wearing participants will attend Charleston�s celebration on Dec. 31. For more information, please call (843) 724-7311 or www.FirstNightCharleston.com.

To learn more about the Charleston area, please contact the Charleston Area Convention & Visitors Bureau at 843�853�8000 or 800�868�8118.
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