Mid - Eastern Section

PETERSBURG– On select dates from Nov. 25, through Dec. 30, Answers in Genesis will once again host its spectacular annual Christmas programs at the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum in northern Kentucky. ChristmasTown at the Creation Museum and ChristmasTime at the Ark will display hundreds of thousands of dazzling lights. The museum will continue to feature a live nativity. At the Ark, its Answers Center will provide a warm place for guests to enjoy the stunning “Encounter the Wonder” animated show on a massive 70-foot LED screen, special concerts with Christmas carol sing-a-longs and live animal encounters—all free. New this year at the Ark is a free heated indoor children’s petting zoo at the Ararat Ridge Zoo.

Ken Ham, CEO and founder of the attractions, declared: “Every year, our guests love walking the grounds of both attractions as they view the thousands of stunning lights. At the Ark, visitors can watch the spectacular and constantly changing colorful lights that will illuminate the life-size 510-foot-long Ark. They’ll also enjoy the warmth of the Answers Center for Christmas music and other programs. At the Creation Museum, guests will experience our traditional live nativity and the stunning, colorful lights that surround our beautiful lake.”

Ham continued: “ChristmasTime and ChristmasTown are our gifts to the community during this special time of year. Not only will visitors have a wonderful time together, but their hearts and thoughts will be directed toward Jesus and the special gift he gives to us because of his birth, death and resurrection. Invite your friends to visit our world-renowned attractions.” More about the events can be found at the Ark and museum websites.

•The gorgeous Garden of Lights with large steel dinosaurs lit up — many guests say it’s one of the best Christmas light displays in the entire Midwest. •The traditional live nativity will present the true meaning of Christmas, depicting Mary and Joseph with the baby Jesus. •Live animals at the Eden Animal Experience, on the beautifully lit museum grounds. •The free “Encounter the Wonder” 4D show inside the Special Effects Theater; at the high-tech planetarium, the stunning “The Christmas Star” program is shown (ticket purchase). •A vast sea of bright multi-colored lights on the Ark’s expansive grounds. •The Ark’s resident musicians, TrueSong, and other musical groups—as well as sing-a-longs to favorite Christmas carols and short dramas—will be held at 6 p.m. each night in the Answers Center. •Live-animal encounters, with animals from the Ark’s zoo, will be held on the Animal/Actor Stage at the zoo; guests can walk the grounds of the zoo and see live animals at no charge. •A Christmas dinner can be purchased at the Ark’s Emzara’s Restaurant during ChristmasTime.

As explained on the Ark and museum websites, most of the holiday activities are free. For residents of surrounding counties,* parking is also free. From November 25 – December 13 at both locations, the Christmas events will run Wednesdays through Sundays, starting at 5 p.m. Then from December 14—30, the events will be held each evening beginning at 5 p.m. (closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day). Continuing a 15-year tradition, ChristmasTown at the Creation Museum invites families to enjoy free activities. Parking is $15.

From Dec. 9 to 18th with hours from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., the city will welcome you to lantern-lit streets, horse-drawn carriages, and Santa at one of the Upstate’s finest Christmas celebration. The soft glow of thousands of twinkling lights and live Christmas instrumentals turn our historic downtown into the most enchanting place to spend the holidays.

Take a magical look in Santa’s workshop as he prepares for the big night! Santa will be at Commerce Park every night during the festival, and free entry for all visitors. So make sure to stop by and grab a photo with him!

Every weekend during the festival you can visit Commerce Park to listen to the best live Christmas music. This event is free to all visitors.

Tour the twinkling lights of historic downtown Fountain Inn by riding in our horse-drawn carriages. The lantern-lit paths are sure to offer the most enchanting experience of the festival. Tickets should be purchased in advance for your line-entry time, and walk-up tickets are not guaranteed; please be sure to get in line at the right time to avoid delays. Tickets are 10 dollars for adults, 8 Dollars for 65+, and free for two and under if they ride on your lap.

Come early on Dec. 7 to enjoy the annual Christmas Parade from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. on the Main Street. Hosted by the Fountain Inn Chamber, this time-honored tradition welcomes Santa and the Christmas Season to town!

Elvis Presley’s Graceland is decorated for the holidays inside and out with the same decorations Elvis used.

Graceland will celebrate the holidays this year with a season of Christmas tours, festive concerts, Guest House hotel Christmas packages, and more. Christmas at Graceland runs through Elvis’ Birthday on January 8.

The extensive Christmas display at Graceland includes hundreds of blue lights lining the driveway, a life-size Nativity scene, Santa and his sleigh, and much more, all initially displayed by Elvis and the Presley family. A special guest appearance at the ceremony to be announced soon and there is a 100% chance of snow. Santa will be available for photos following the ceremony at the Graceland Ticket Office. This event is free, and the public is invited to attend.

Graceland will offer Christmas tours through the mansion from 2– 4 pm daily through Dec. 23. Guides will share stories and memories about what it was like to spend Christmas with the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll at Graceland. In addition, guests looking can book the Christmas UVIP Tour that includes an after-hours tour of Graceland Mansion with special photo opportunities, a private tour guide, outdoor tour of the grounds, and more.

The AAA Four Diamond Guest House at Graceland resort hotel is also offering a Christmas package complete with two nights hotel accommodations, an Afternoon Christmas tour, plus special holiday keepsakes. Christmas tours and the hotel package are now available for booking by visiting Graceland.com/ Christmas. Dec. 10, Big Bad VooDoo Daddy brings their Wild and Swingin’ Holiday Party to Graceland.