A guide to the festive events and activities taking place to celebrate Christmas and the winter season.
By Dakota Gold
Staff Writer
AC&T
Rock Hill and its surrounding areas host an abundance of events and festivities to enjoy with friends or family throughout the end-of-year holiday season.
This year, the city of Rock Hill is hosting its 20th Annual ChristmasVille celebration. It includes a variety of activities such as live performances, art exhibitions, markets, and a parade.
The ChristmasVille theme this year is “ChristmasVille; a Legacy Made with Magic.” Holiday celebrations and local traditions come together for an experience that is fun for any age.
There is an 18-hole disc golf tournament in Old Town Rock Hill on Dec. 4 from 5 to 8 p.m.
The opening ceremony and the arrival of Santa from 6 to 7 p.m. in Fountain Park on 300 East Main Street.
To warm up after the ceremony, stop by First Presbyterian Church on 234 East Main, for Cookies & Cocoa with Santa from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The Rock Hill Christmas parade will be held tomorrow, Dec. 5, at 6:30 p.m. in Downtown.
There are a handful of art exhibits and displays throughout the weekend, including the Vernon Grant Exhibit and People’s Choice, the gingerbread house display, the Lego display, ice sculptures and the Old Town Window Decorating Contest.
Will Gold is a barista at Rock Hill Coffee in Downtown Rock Hill. Gold said, “The arts are a very important part of ChristmasVille, and the work of Vernon Grant is still a big part of it.”
“Not only do I think it’s a big opportunity for local artists, but I think it’s important that they are a part of community events like these to show the talents of Rock Hill.”
Gold, who is also a local artist, has his window art on display downtown.
“I think it’s great that I’m able to add onto ChristmasVille with my window art, and I’m grateful to the local businesses for their support.”
The closing ceremony for ChristmasVille will be held on Dec. 7 from 4 to 5 p.m. in Fountain Park.
Additional information for events can be found on the ChristmasVille website.
Winthrop University also has its share of traditions and festivities.
The Alumni Association and Student Alumni Council are hosting the 90th Annual Tree Lighting on Dec. 5, at 6 p.m. on the front lawn of Tillman Hall. This Winthrop tradition dates back to 1935.
It will include performances from the Winthrop RockHettes and the Winthrop Chorale and Collegiate Choir.
Jessie Grant, freshman, is a member of the Collegiate Choir. Grant said, “Performing at the tree lighting ceremony not only brings joy to me through song, but it also brings joy to the community in continuing 90 years of tradition.”
Additional Winthrop performances are listed online on the Cultural Event list or by the College of Visual and Performing Arts.
Other towns in York County will also be holding celebrations throughout the month of December and into the beginning of January.
The Kingsley Town Center in Fort Mill will hold its holiday celebration on Dec. 6 from 5 to 7 p.m.
In Charlotte, NC, the Carolina Holiday Light Spectacular, a walkthrough of over a million lights, will be open through Dec. 30.
Truist Field has an outdoor skating rink and snowtubing hill open through Jan. 4.
The Charlotte Ballet will perform “The Nutcracker” from Dec. 5 to 21 at the Belk Theater.
