There�s no better time to experience the rich history of the Charleston area than during the holiday season. Plan to celebrate with the annual �Christmas in Charleston� festival where you will be welcomed to the wondrous season of beauty, lights and magic that surrounds the entire Charleston area in November and December.

The award-winning �Christmas in Charleston� festival is a kaleidoscope of events encompassing the communities of Charleston, North Charleston, Mt. Pleasant, Isle of Palms, Kiawah Island, Seabrook Island, Sullivans Island and Folly Beach with each area showcasing its splendor. The Southeastern Tourism Society has honored the �Christmas in Charleston� festival as a Top 20 Event for more than 12 years and the festival has also been named one of America�s 100 Best Events for 2005 by The American Bus Association.

Charleston is simply unmatched in beauty and style offering history, culture, splendid shopping, unique tours and delicious holiday dining. With mild temperatures and reduced rates, Charleston delights visitors as a holiday destination. Storefronts, homes, churches, and parks are adorned with decorative fixings and twinkling lights. Parades, tree lightings, and holiday musical performances make Charleston a charming getaway ready to entertain her guests.

Here are just a few of the trimmings sure to make this year�s holidays merry and bright:

� 14th Annual Holiday Festival of Lights - More than a million enchanting lights adorn James Island County Park. Come experience the four mile driving tour and see a wide array of dazzling designs for the holidays. Create your own light display at the Lakeside Lights activity center or take a leisurely stroll through the Enchanted Forest. The festival begins on November 13 through January 2. For more information, please call (843) 795-4FUN or visit www.ccprc.com. � Plantation Christmas - Visit one of Charleston�s historic plantations during the holiday season. America�s oldest landscaped gardens are decorated with colorful camellias and holly trees, and the 18th and 19th century buildings are adorned with pine swags, mistletoe, and wreaths. These lavish seasonal decorations will put you in the holiday spirit. Free pick-up and return service from all downtown hotels and most of the hotels surrounding Charleston. Call (843) 571-0049 for reservations.

� 25th Annual Parade of Boats - More than 50 boats are decked out in Christmas lights during this hour long journey from the Wando Terminal, under the Cooper River Bridges, through the Charleston harbor, past the USS Yorktown. The parade starts at 5:30pm on December 4 with fireworks lighting up the sky above Castle Pinkney midway through the parade. Official viewing sites are Waterfront Park, The USS Yorktown, and the Battery Area. For more information, please call (843) 724-7414.

� Annual North Charleston Christmas Lighting, Festival and Parade - Experience 88 beautiful Christmas trees decorated by local churches, schools, businesses, and civic groups. Entertainment, rides, dancing troupes, hayrides, pony rides, visits with Mr. and Mrs. Clause and the annual Christmas parade. For more information, please call (843) 724-7305.

� �Holly Days� in Summerville - Celebrate the holidays with strolling carolers, hot cider & cookies and late shopping on Thurs. evenings. On most Saturdays Dec. 4,11,18 from 12-4pm, find Santa in Town Square�s �Elf Central� and entertainment at various downtown locations. Bring your own camera or have Polaroids taken by the Elves. Sponsored by Summerville D.R.E.A.M. (843) 821-7260.

� City of Charleston Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony - The newly renovated Marion Square Park is the site of Charleston's Official Christmas Tree and holiday entertainment stage. For the entire month of December, the park will be beautifully lighted and decorated for the holidays, including a larger than life Hanukkah menorah and a Kwanzaa Kinari. Holiday Magic in Historic Charleston offers family oriented activities such as a new ice skating rink and performances that capture the holiday spirit for everyone in the community. For more information, please call (843) 724-3705

� 19th Annual Progressive Dinner - Enjoy an elegant dinner tour through Charleston�s most historic and charming inns and restaurants for the holiday season. Begin with delicious hors d�oeuvres at King�s Courtyard Inn, take a carriage ride to one of Charleston�s finest restaurants, Circa 1886 for salad and entree and end with a carriage ride to The Rutledge House Inn for coffee and desert. For more information or to make reservations, please call (843) 853-7828 or www.circa1886.com.

� First Night Charleston 2004 - First Night Charleston is a city-wide, non-alcoholic celebration of the New Year. It�s a public celebration that revives the ancient tradition of marking the passage of time with art, ritual, and festivity in a present day context. Nearly 12,000 button wearing participants will attend Charleston�s largest celebration. For more information, please call (843) 724-7311 or www.firstnightcharleston.com.

� Colonial Lake Tree Lighting - This annual event is always a favorite with locals and visitors alike. The Citadel Choir will sing during the lighting ceremony and Mayor Riley will make a guest appearance. Come to Colonial Lake and join the holiday fun. For more information, please call the Charleston Fire Department (843) 720-1981.

For a complete �Christmas in Charleston� festival schedule, visit www.christmasincharleston.com. To download Christmas in Charleston images for media use, please visit www.charlestoncvb.com/media enter the user id: media and password: welcome.

�The mission of the Charleston Area Convention & Visitors Bureau is to unify and lead the local travel industry in marketing the Charleston area as an individual, meeting, incentive and group destination to both the domestic and international markets.�

###

Media Contact: Chris Nobles +1 843-805-3045 cnobles@charlestoncvb.com