Looking for a holiday event? Look no further

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The holiday season has begun, and here are a few events within a short drive of Sumter. To have your event included, please send your information to pressrelease@theitem.com.

The Jingle Bell Market will be held Thursday-Sunday, Nov. 15-18, at The Florence Center, formerly known as the Florence Civic Center, Florence. Visit Artisans Alley with one-of-a-kind artwork by numerous artists, the Christmas Craft Cove with select handmade crafts and gifts, or Jingle Belle Junction and Fa La La Farmers Market with boutiques, gourmet foods, home d cor, vintage finds, jewelry, Christmas gifts and toys, and much more. And last but not least, the guys can gather at the Grinch's Grotto to watch a ballgame on a supersize TV or just sit back and enjoy a leisurely lunch. Admission fee is $8 for ages 12 and above.

The Daffodils & Silver Bells Arts and Craft Show will be held 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18, at 30 S. Artillery Drive. Please bring a non-perishable food item to help support United Ministries. Event will also help support Kat's Special Kneads Small Animal Shelter. Santa will visit on Sunday noon-3 p.m. with photos with G&W Photo Art.

Hoping for snow for the holidays? From Nov. 17 through Dec. 30, it snows every night at the Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens Lights Before Christmas. Featuring nearly one million twinkling lights and countless handcrafted animated images, Lights Before Christmas is a must-see. The zoo is located at 500 Wildlife Parkway, Columbia. Call (803) 779-8717 or visit www.riverbanks.org.

The Pilot Club Christmas Bazaar will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 20, at Manning Presbyterian Church, Brooks Street, Manning.

The Midlands' largest drive-through lights display, Holiday Lights on the River, will be held Nov. 21-Dec. 31. Every year, Saluda Shoals Park comes alive with colorful lights and more than 400 animated light displays of all shapes and sizes. Visit www.icrc.net for details or call (803) 772-3903.

The Celebrate the Season Holiday Driving Tour will be held seven days a week from 6 to 9 p.m. from Nov. 23 through Dec. 30, with the exception of Dec. 24, 25 and 26. Enjoy the dozens of spectacular, animated light displays that wind through the Old Santee Canal Park and Santee Cooper's headquarters. The tour starts at 1 Riverwood Drive, Moncks Corner, and ends at the park. Admission is $5 per vehicle, and proceeds benefit Berkeley County charities. Visit www.celebratetheseason.org.

The Town of Pinewood annual tree lighting service will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24, corner of Clark Street and East Avenue, Pinewood. There will be caroling and light refreshments. Call (803) 452-5878 for information.

The Columbia City Ballet will return to Sumter with its award-winning performance of "Nutcracker." Executive and artistic director William Starrett brings the ballet's 51st production of the holiday classic to Patriot Hall center stage for two performances on Saturday, Nov. 17, at 3 and 7:30 p.m. "This is a production complete with astounding sets, scenery and hundreds of costumes - it's a fully professional, once-in-a-lifetime holiday event. See the real story come to life right here in Sumter at Patriot Hall," Starrett said. Tickets can be purchased at www.brownpapertickets.com by calling 1-800-838-3006 or at Miss Libby's School of Dance, 155 W. Wesmark Blvd.

The living history craft class, Pottery, Glazing and Candlestick Making, will be offered by the Sumter County Museum, 122 N. Washington St., on Saturday, Dec. 1, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., for ages 8-17. Cost is $25 for museum members and $30 for non-members. Experience Christmas crafting during a simpler time - the year 1800. Costumed interpreters will teach students how to create period candlestick holders out of local clay and how to make hand-dipped candles. After enjoying period games, cider and cookies will be provided in the log cabin on the museum grounds. The main museum building, the Williams-Brice House, will be decorated for the season.

A Sumter holiday tradition, the Sumter Little Theatre will present "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" Thursday-Sunday, Nov. 29-Dec. 2 and Dec. 6-9, at 14 Mood Ave. This hilarious Christmas play tells the story of Grace Bradley, who is struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant when she is faced with having to cast the Herdman kids, who are possibly the worst kids in history. Tickets: $20 adults; $15 student/senior/military. Call (803) 775-2150 or visit www.sumterlittletheatrecom.

The Holly Hill Christmas Festival featuring crafts, children's activities and more will be held Friday-Saturday, Nov. 30-Dec. 1. All activities take place at the Train Depot, Visitor Center, Downtown Holly Hill, 8603 Old State Road SC 29059. Friday's hours are 2 to 8 p.m. with Saturday's events beginning at 9 a.m. For more information, including an activities and events schedule, visit www.hollyhillchristmasfestival.com.

The Holiday Sales Show will be held Nov. 30-Dec. 12 at the Douglas-Reed House, 810 Lyttleton St., Camden. Browse through wonderful handmade gifts of jewelry, stained glass, pottery, wood items, food items and more 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 1:30 to 6 p.m. Sunday. Call (803) 425-7676 or visit http://fineartscenter.org.

The 65th-annual Carolina Carillon Holiday Parade will begin at 9:45 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1, at Gervais and Bull streets and proceed west on Gervais, Columbia. The parade will pass in front of the Statehouse and continue into the Vista to Park Street. The parade will feature floats, marching bands, classic and vintage vehicles, Santa and more. Call (803) 545-3100 or visit www.carolinacarillon.com.

Christmas Days Bazaar featuring crafts, food and more, will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1, at St. Matthias Episcopal Church, Summerton.

While you are out viewing the holiday lights, don't forget to add the Swan Lake Fantasy of Lights to your list. Open nightly Dec. 1-31, the lights are on from 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 5-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with the exception of opening night of Dec. 1, which starts with a 6 p.m. ceremony. Swan Lake-Iris Gardens comes to life with a twinkling holiday display featuring more than one million lights. Visit www.sumtersc.gov/fantasy-of-lights.

The ninth annual Town of Pinewood Christmas Parade will be held on Saturday, Dec. 1. Departing from Manchester Elementary School, 220 W. Clark St., Pinewood, at 10 a.m. sharp, the parade will feature bands, emergency response vehicles, specialty cars and trucks, motorcycles, community entries, church organizations, beauty queens, food vendors, craft sales and much more. The "fire red" antique fire truck will escort Santa and Mrs. Claus to the portrait and gift giving location at Town Hall so be sure to bring your camera.

Lowcountry Christmas Extravaganza will be held 1-9 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2, at Yonder Field, 180 Log Cabin Road, Bowman. The 25,000-square-foot pavilion will be filled with Christmas decorations and lights, and music from South Carolina school and church groups will fill the air. The artisan village will feature 20 local crafters presenting handmade Christmas crafts and gifts. There will be amusement rides, craft stations, a play area for children 4 and under, food trucks, train rides and more. Admission is free. There will be a $5 parking fee that will benefit the Orangeburg County Library. Wristbands available for purchase for children to enjoy the rides and craft stations. Visit www.lowcountrychristmas.net for further details.

The Evening Optimist Club's annual Sumter Christmas Parade will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2, on Main Street. This year's theme is "Joy to the World."

The Orangeburg County Christmas Parade will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 2, in Downtown Orangeburg. Call (803) 534-6821 for details.

The Santee Tree Lighting and Luminary Service will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 5, at the Santee Conference Center. Call (803) 854-2152, extension 203, for details.

Downtown Florence will hold its first Downtown Christmas Magic celebration 6-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, on the 100 block of West Evans Street in Florence. Bring the whole family out to kick off the season with free hot cocoa and s'mores stations, live holiday entertainment, a gingerbread house contest, an ugly sweater contest, the Jingle and Mingle kids area filled with crafts and games, a Santa Claus meet and greet, holiday gift market and more.

The Town of Mayesville's annual Christmas parade will be held on Saturday, Dec. 8. Line-up will begin at 10 a.m. with the parade beginning at 11 a.m. Call Nancy Williams at (803) 453-5037 or Jeanie Jefferson at (803) 495-8181 for information.

Support small businesses and celebrate the holiday season at the annual Christmas at Patriot Hall 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8. There will be music, food, vendors and lots of shopping. Take pictures with Santa from noon to 4 p.m.

The Sumter County Museum's annual Carolina Backcountry Christmas will be held 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, at 122 N. Washington St. Experience Christmas in the year 1800 as costumed interpreters demonstrate blacksmithing, spinning and weaving, and other traditional skills of the early 19th century. This free event will feature chestnuts roasting over an open fire and cider and cookies in the log cabin.

The Holiday Parade of Lights, the only "nighttime" parade in the Midlands, will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8, in front of the Cayce Municipal Complex, 1800 12th St., and proceed down 12th to 12th Street and Highway 1 in West Columbia. There will be floats, bands, animals, fire trucks and more. Call (803) 794-6504 or visit cwcchamber.com/holiday-parade-of-lights.html.

The Elloree Christmas Parade will be held at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8. Call (803) 897-2821 for details.

The Orangeburg Civic Ballet will present "The Nutcracker" at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8, and 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 9, at MLK Auditorium, 300 College St. NE, Orangeburg, on the S.C. State University campus. Call (803) 533-0017 or email orangeburgcivicballet@gmail.com.

The Santee Christmas Parade will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 9, at Santee Town Hall. Call Joanie Pinter at (803) 854-2152, extension 203, for details.

The Town of Bowman will hold its Christmas parade at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 13, along the main street. Call (803) 829-2666 for more information.

The most popular and talked about Christmas parade in South Carolina, the Boykin Christmas Parade, will begin at 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16. Thousands of spectators are drawn to Boykin each year for this unique parade. Call (803) 424-4731.