FORT MILL, N.C. – The Town of Fort Mill is excited to celebrate the holiday season with two upcoming events – the Christmas Village and Lighting of the Tree and 77th Annual Christmas Parade. First, on Dec. 5, 2024,  head to Fort Mill for an evening filled with joyful sights and sounds as the town comes alive with holiday cheer at the Fort Mill Christmas Village and Lighting of the Tree. The event will be held at the Fort Mill Amphitheater at Walter Elisha Park, 345 N. White Street, from 5 to 8 p.m. The festivities kick off with a variety of entertainment on the Amphitheater Stage, featuring a handbell choir, jazz band, dance teams and school choirs. The Tree Lighting Ceremony will begin at 6 p.m., when the 50-foot Town Christmas Tree in the park will be lit. The ceremony includes Town Council, the 2024 South Carolina Strawberry Queens, special music and local dignitaries—and Santa will be there to help flip the switch! Make sure to also shop our Christmas Village vendors, enjoy kid-friendly activities, take a ride on our trackless train, eat your way through our many food trucks, and visit Santa Claus! Downtown Fort Mill will also shine bright with beautiful holiday lights and decorations. We invite you to explore our wonderful Downtown shops and restaurants during this time. Then, on Dec. 7,  ine up downtown for the 77th Annual Fort Mill Christmas Parade, which begins at 11 a.m.! This year’s parade, led by our Grand Marshal S.C. House Representative Raye Felder, will start at Tom Hall and Unity Street and travel through Main Street and North White Street in Historic Downtown Fort Mill, ending at Walter Elisha Park. Join in on the festive lineup featuring local schools, officials, churches, businesses, scouts, pageant queens, and of course, Santa! The parade will be filmed for Comporium Channel 705, with coverage taking place in front of the Fort Mill Fire Station at 121 Tom Hall Street. Emcees David Ward and Ashley Lang will announce each entry as they pass this spot. Our Parade Judges (Jocquin Fuller, Fort Mill School District Teacher of the Year; Heather Aiazzi, Support Staff of the Year; and Danielle Lennon, S.C. Strawberry Festival Pageant Director), will be located at Fire Station #1 and will select winners for categories including Best Car, Best Golf Cart, Best Walking Group, Best Christmas Theme, Most Holiday Spirit and Most Creative.