Visitors to Gaffney, South Carolina will find several opportunities to enjoy special holiday festivities this year. Starting in early December and continuing through the month, any of these special activities will help usher in the holiday spirit. All of the scheduled events are family friendly and welcome visitors.

The 10th annual Christmas on Limestone begins on December 3 at 5pm in historic downtown Gaffney. The campus of Limestone College will be the setting of the Lighting of the Luminaries. The campus and surrounding neighborhoods will be illuminated lit by over 10,000 luminaries. Other activities on campus include a holiday reception, a visit from Santa, and the lighting of the Limestone College Christmas tree on the front lawn. A “Sounds of the Season” holiday concert will be presented by the Limestone College Music Department. The concert is a montage of choral music performed by community choral groups and the Limestone College Children’s Chorus. Festivities will take place over several blocks of the downtown area as well. Activities will include horse and carriage rides, live music and caroling, the lighting of the city’s Christmas tree, a live nativity, and free ornament making at the Gaffney Visitor’s Center.

The Gaffney Christmas Parade is scheduled for Saturday, December 11. The parade begins at 10am in Thompson Park and proceeds along Limestone Street in downtown Gaffney. Participating in the parade will be ROTC units, local and regional bands, decorated floats, and Santa. This is a fun holiday event for the entire family. After the parade ends, tourists may wish to visit the Festival of Trees at Gaffney City Hall, or do some Christmas shopping in one of downtown Gaffney’s specialty stores.

Visitors to the area should also plan to spend some time shopping for holiday gifts at the Gaffney Premium Outlets. The 75 outlet stores at the mall include such favorites as Brooks Brothers, Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Gap, Polo Ralph Lauren, Coach, and Pottery Barn. The outlets will be open extended holiday hours following Thanksgiving, and many of the stores will offer sales and special holiday promotions.

Whether in town for the weekend or just passing through, visitors are welcome to participate Gaffney residents for the festivities. Gaffney’s small town charm and friendly atmosphere are certainly to bring tourists in the holiday mood. Gaffney is located in the Upstate of South Carolina. A visit in here will provide many opportunities to enjoy all that Gaffney has to offer.

South Carolina was one of the original thirteen colonies of America. This gem of the South has many different areas within its terrain to explore, from the sea level Lowcountry to the high elevation of Sassafras Mountain. And have 5 places that you should know to travel or living.

Columbia is South Carolina’s capital, and a lot of people choose to live here. It’s centrally located to the beach and the mountains. It’s one of the biggest cities in the state, and the population has grown to just over 120,000. Some of the biggest employers in the area are the University of South Carolina, the state government, and the hospital systems. Columbia (and Greenville) are the most affordable places to live in South Carolina that are also relatively good sized cities.

Greenville is located at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains and has cooler weather than the coastal areas of South Carolina. It snows usually about once or twice a year in the uppermost part of the state, and Greenville is the largest city in the upstate. It has an estimate of about 60,000 residents. This area has seen some of the largest growth for non-coastal areas in South Carolina, and it’s expected to grow even more in coming years. The city has plenty to do and lots of nice areas, but it’s also considered an up and coming area simply because of its past and projected growth.

Myrtle Beach is one of the most popular tourist areas in South Carolina. Every year, more than 15 million people visit South Carolina’s coast, and Myrtle Beach is at the top of the list of beaches, statistically speaking. Although a lot of people in Myrtle Beach live there year round, it’s considered more of a vacation spot. You’ll find putt-putt courses and beach shops sprinkled throughout the area. It also has a lot of large hotels and condo complexes right on the beach. Myrtle Beach is the most coastal city on this list. The residential population is estimated around 23,000.

Charleston is known for its history and culture. Its economy is also based largely on tourism, and it has started to make its way into the international tourism and real estate markets as it’s become the cultural hub of the state. You’ll find historic sites, museums, and art galleries throughout the main peninsula and surrounding areas. Charleston is considered more of an upscale port city and has 6 beaches along its coast (plus several islands and towns further inland). Charleston is comparable to Columbia in size, at just under 118,000.

Hilton Head does not attract as many tourists, and it’s known as a smaller and quieter coastal area. Various magazines often list Hilton Head in the top places to retire, but you’ll find a mix of people there. Its population is estimated at about 33,000. Real estate prices are relatively high, as the town has strict development and commercial guidelines. The town incorporated these rules in an effort to preserve the natural setting that people associate with Hilton Head.