Spartanburg, South Carolina offers plenty of holiday celebrations during the Christmas season. Festivities include ice skating, a parade, a Christmas village, and a spectacular holiday lights display. All ages will enjoy these seasonal activities.
Morgan Square in downtown Spartanburg will be transformed into a winter wonderland for Skating on the Square. From November 16-January 6, 2013 skaters will be able to enjoy Spartanburgs new open air skating rink. A $10 admission ticket allows skating all day and includes skate rental. Skating lessons are available. Hours are Monday-Thursday from 3-9pm, Fridays from 3-11pm, Saturdays from 10am-11pm, and Sundays from 1-9pm. Skating times on Christmas Day are 4-9pm.
Ballet Spartanburg will present The Nutcracker December 7-9 at Twitchell Auditorium on the campus of Converse College. The holiday favorite features lavish costumes and the largest Christmas tree ever on display on the auditorium stage. Tickets are $32 for adults, $26 for seniors, and $20 for students. A childrens Nutcracker Sweets Party is scheduled for December 8 at 1pm. Attendees will meet the characters from the ballet and enjoy holiday treats. Tickets for the party and Nutcracker production are $40.
The Spartanburg Christmas Parade is scheduled for December 11 at 6:30pm in downtown Spartanburg. The parade features marching bands, lighted floats, and Santa in his sleigh. This is one of the only parades in the area to be held in the evening.
Thousands visit the nearby town of Pacolet during the holiday season to see A Village at Christmas. On December 1 there will be a live nativity at the ruins of the Old Victor Inn. Visitors can see the free light displays at the Pacolet amphitheater from 6:30-9:30pm on December 14, 15, and 17-22. Tickets for the Pacolet Santa Express train ride are $3 for adults and $2 for children.
Holiday Lights Safari is an annual tradition in Upstate South Carolina. Visitors can drive through millions of holiday lights and displays at Hollywild Animal Park. Enjoy a life sized nativity scene, lighted castles, animals, and even Noahs Ark. Drive through the Enchanted Deer Forest and feed the animals that come right up to the car. At the walking area, visitors may feed baby animals, take a pony ride, visit Santa, enjoy refreshments, and warm themselves at the bonfire. Holiday Lights Safari is open nightly from November 17-January 5, 2013 including holidays. Hours are 6-9pm with extended hours on weekends. Admission is $6 per person. Hollywild Animal Park is located at 2325 Hampton Road in Wellford, South Carolina.
