The Town of Fort Mill is excited to celebrate the holiday season with two upcoming Christmas events- the Lighting of the Tree and Christmas Parade!
First up, enjoy an evening of cheerful sights and sounds as the Town comes alive at the Fort Mill Christmas Village and the Lighting of the Tree on Thursday, Dec. 1. The event will be held at the Fort Mill Amphitheater at Walter Elisha Park, 345 N. White Street, from 5 to 8:30 p.m.
The fun includes the lighting of the new 50-foot Town Christmas Tree in the park, and performances from school choirs, dance teams and a variety of entertainment. Also, shop our Christmas Village vendors, check out our trackless trains and kids’ activities, and enjoy food and drinks from our many food trucks. And make sure to stop by our North Pole experience to take a photo with Santa!
The Town will be closing Main Street on Dec. 1 from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m. so the community can visit local merchants and enjoy the holiday lights and decorations downtown. Though the official event is at Walter Elisha Park, the downtown lights will be lit at the same time as the tree shortly after 6 p.m. We encourage the public to visit all of our Downtown merchants and restaurants as we light up Downtown.
Available Town parking for the event includes Calhoun Street Park, Looms Way, and Veterans Park, with Handicapped Parking at the Amphitheater Lot. For this event, please DO NOT bring: any Outside Food or Drinks, Coolers, Pets, or Bicycles.
Then on Saturday, Dec. 3, get ready for the 75th Annual Fort Mill Christmas Parade as it makes its way through downtown Fort Mill beginning at 11 a.m.! This year’s Grand Marshals will lead the parade, beginning at Tom Hall and Unity Street, traveling through Main Street and North White Street in Historic Downtown Fort Mill and exiting at Walter Elisha Park.
The parade features local schools, officials, churches, businesses, scouts, queens and of course, Santa and more! Filming of the parade for Comporium Channel 705 takes place in front of the Fort Mill Fire Station at 121 Tom Hall Street. Emcees David Ward and Alicia Barnes will announce each entry as it passes by this location.
Parade Judges will pick winners for Best Car, Best Golf Cart, Best Walking Group, Best Christmas Theme, Most Holiday Spirit and Most Creative.
For more information, please see the Town Events website at fortmillsc.gov/TownEvents or contact Town Events Coordinator Jacona Hester at jhester@fortmillsc.gov.