It’s time to get festive again for the holidays, and Santee Cooper’s Celebrate the Season, presented by Berkeley Electric Cooperative, is the perfect occasion to do just that. Located in Moncks Corner and serving everyone in Berkeley County and beyond, this annual holiday festival goes on throughout the entire month of December and involves must-sees for the entire family.
“We’re partnering with the Town of Moncks Corner this year. Since they have more space, we can do more things,” said Nicole Aiello, Director of Public Relations for Santee Cooper. “The Town is kicking off the Holiday Fairs with their Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting at 6 PM on December 2nd. South Carolina State University’s marching band will be headlining the parade.”
Here are just a few reasons you should set aside time to Celebrate The Season, Santee Cooper style!
1. This is an event that benefits the community.
Did you know Celebrate The Season is a charitable event? That means you can feel good and have fun all at the same time! Proceeds from the event are donated to local charities benefiting Berkeley County. In fact, since the event got started in 2011, it has raised more than $700,000 for local charities. Now that’s a lot of cheer!
2. You’ve never seen lights like these.
The Holiday Lights Driving Tour is a huge part of the fun when it comes to attending Celebrate The Season. Where else will you get the opportunity to drive through thousands of twinkling lights or dozens of creative and festive displays?
“Watching the kids’ faces as they go through the driving tour is the best,” said Aiello.
“It’s a beautiful, mile long tour through the lights, and some are animated. In addition, Celebrate The Season is more local than some of the other light shows. It’s right here in the heart of Moncks Corner and it’s easy to get to!”
3. Santee Cooper puts the “green” in Christmas.
Here is another reason you can feel good about attending this event: it’s good for the planet. Thanks to Santee Cooper’s diligence in caring for the environment, displays on the Holiday Lights Driving Tour are powered by renewable energy from the Santee Cooper’s Green Power Program. Furthermore, all of the twinkling lights on the displays are energy-efficient LEDs.
4. You can do your holiday shopping and then some.
Completely stumped about a few of the people on your holiday gift list? You’ll love coming to the Holiday Fair portion of Celebrate The Season on the weekends! Local vendors will be present for the Holiday Fair craft market, and their unique wares are sure to bring smiles to your loved ones’ faces. Plus, there will be festive food and drink at the fair – including marshmallow roasting for the kids. Children will also have the opportunity to sit on Santa’s lap and share their wish lists. Parents can take photos for free, or the photographers on-site can take, print and frame photos with Santa at the fair.
"We have families get to the gate and tell us that it’s a new part of their holiday routine, and they look forward to this tradition every year," Aiello shared.
5. It’s a great opportunity to meet your neighbors and make friends.
An assortment of live entertainment, marshmallow roasting, Winter Wonderland activities and delicious food for purchase means that you’re sure to see neighbors and old friends at Celebrate The Season, and maybe meet a few new friends as well. So don’t stay cooped up at home on a chilly evening – come spend it by the roaring fire with your friends in Berkeley County.
“This event would not be possible without our incredible sponsors, and the community for getting so involved, so we want to thank everyone for making Celebrate The Season such a huge success,” Aiello said. “Especially Berkeley Electric Cooperative, who is Celebrate the Season’s presenting sponsor.”
The Driving Tours light displays are open daily at The Old Santee Canal from 6 to 9:30 PM through December 30th. Please enter at the Santee Cooper headquarters. The weekend Holiday Fairs will be at the Moncks Corner Regional Recreational Complex this year, and are only open on weekends from 6 to 9:30 PM through Dec. 23.
Admission is only $5 per vehicle. On nights the Holiday Fair takes place, you only have to pay once to get your car into both Celebrate The Season locations.
Celebrate The Season will be closed Dec. 24 through Dec. 26. If you have any more questions, call (843) 899-5200 or visit CelebrateTheSeason.org.
