Fantasy of Lights

Holiday cheer arrives in Sumter with the opening of the annual Swan Lake Fantasy of Lights, South Carolina's largest free Christmas lights display. Open Sunday through Thursday, 6 to 9 p.m. and Saturday, 6 to 10 p.m., during December, the gardens come alive with a display of twinkling holiday imagery created by more than one million lights.

The Pilot Club's floating Christmas tree is an annual favorite, along with Santa's Village, angels and characters of song and story. Drive-through gates will open to the public immediately following the opening ceremony on Dec. 1, which begins at 6 p.m. Admission is free! 

This event is designed to be a drive-thru, but visitors are allowed to park to take pictures with the lights. Access into the walking trails is closed after dusk. Lights are all along the main parking lot area to Swan Lake Iris Gardens, along Liberty Street and along Garden Street (enter at Liberty Street and exit onto Oakland Avenue).