Fantasy of Lights
Visitors experience South Carolina's largest free holiday display featuring more than one million twinkling lights. The drive-through route winds past festive sights including a floating Christmas tree and illuminated characters of song and story. Guests can also park in designated areas to step out and take photos beside the lights.
Dec 1 – Dec 31, 2026 All ages
See more Christmas lights near Sumter
Plan Your Visit
Tickets
Admission to the Fantasy of Lights is free.
Hours
Sunday–Thursday until 9 PM; Friday and Saturday until 10 PM.
Food & Drink
On Santa's Village dates only, food, hot cocoa, and other holiday treats are available for sale on-site.
Parking
Visitors may park to take pictures with the lights. Parking is available in the lot across from the Heath Pavilion; parking is not allowed along Garden Street.
Accessibility
Designed as a drive-through experience, with walking trail access closed after dusk.
Location
Tips & Advice
- Enter at Liberty Street and exit onto Oakland Avenue, since the lights run along the main lot, Liberty Street and Garden Street.
- Park in the lot across from the Heath Pavilion if you want pictures with the lights, because parking along Garden Street isn't allowed.
- Plan to see the display from your car or the parking areas, since the walking trails close after dusk.
- Bring your own camera to Santa's Village, where kids can take pictures with Santa on select Friday and Saturday nights.
- Visit on a Santa's Village Friday or Saturday in early to mid December if you want holiday music, Santa photos, and food and hot cocoa for sale.
Special Events & Promotions
- Opening Night Ceremony on December 1 on the lawn beside the Visitors Center, where the community counts down to Christmas. The lights open right after.
- Santa's Village is open on Friday and Saturday December 4–5, 11–12 and 18–19, with photos with Santa, holiday music and entertainment, and food and hot cocoa for sale.
Links & Contact
Run by City of Sumter
Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide, not the organizer of this event. For tickets, entries, vendor spots or questions, contact the organizer directly through their contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get out of the car?
It's set up as a drive-through, but you're allowed to park and take pictures with the lights. The walking trails close after dusk.
Where should I park to take photos?
Use the lot across from the Heath Pavilion. Parking along Garden Street isn't allowed.
Which way does the route go?
The lights run along the main parking lot area at Swan Lake Iris Gardens, along Liberty Street and along Garden Street. Enter at Liberty Street and exit onto Oakland Avenue.
What is Santa's Village?
It's beside the Visitors Center and is open on select Friday and Saturday nights. Kids can take pictures with Santa, so bring your own camera. There's holiday music and entertainment each night, and food, hot cocoa and other treats are for sale.
What are the favorite sights?
More than one million lights fill the gardens. Visitors' annual favorites are the floating Christmas tree and the characters of song and story.
Browse Christmas in Sumter
Always check the official website for the most current information.
We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.