South Carolina's largest FREE Christmas light display!
Holiday cheer arrives in Sumter with the opening of the annual Swan Lake Fantasy of Lights. For the entire month of 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 December 1, which begins at 6 PM.
Admission is free to the Fantasy of Lights.
The light display will be open nightly December 1-31.
- Sunday - Thursday until 9 PM
- Friday & Saturday until 10 PM
This event is designed to be a drive-through, 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). No parking allowed along Garden Street; however, parking will be available in the lot across from the Heath Pavilion.
Santa's Village!
Located at the Swan Lake Iris Gardens Heath Pavilion, Santa's Village is a celebration of the holiday held in conjunction with the largest free Christmas light display in the state of SC!
Kids can write letters to Santa and take pictures with Santa (bring your own camera) and the entire family can enjoy a variety of holiday music and entertainment each night - all activities are free.
Hot cocoa and holiday treats will be available for sale on-site.
Santa's Village is open from 6-8 PM on the following days:
- Saturday, December 2, 2023, 6-8 PM
- Friday, December 8, 2023, 6-8 PM
- Saturday, December 9, 2023, 6-8 PM
- Friday, December 15, 2023, 6-8 PM
- Saturday, December 16, 2023, 6-8 PM
Admission to both Fantasy of Lights and Santa's Village is free!
Swan Lake Iris Gardens
822 W. Liberty Street
Sumter, SC 29150
For more info, call the Visitors Center at 803-426-2640.
