Get in the spirit of the season with events in, near Sumter

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The holiday season has begun, and here are a few events within a short drive of Sumter. To have your event included, please send your information to pressrelease@theitem.com.

While you are out viewing the holiday lights, don't forget to add the Swan Lake Fantasy of Lights to your list. Open nightly through Dec. 31, the lights are on from 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 5-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Visit www.sumtersc.gov/fantasy-of-lights.

Central Christmas Trees is back for the second year. Through Monday, Central Carolina Technical College will be displaying approximately 20 Christmas trees for public viewing and voting. Stop by the college during normal operating hours to tour the trees and get in the holiday spirit. You can also vote for your favorite tree by visiting CCTC's Facebook page. The winner will be announced at the college's annual Christmas luncheon.

The Evening Optimist Club will host Breakfast with Santa from 8 to 10 a.m. on Saturday at Sonic Drive-In, 2022 McCrays Mill Road. Regular breakfast items will be available for purchase with a special pancake breakfast also available. Be sure to bring your camera. Pictures with Santa are free, but donations to the Optimist International Foundation are welcomed.

Jingle with the Arts, presented by Sumter Civic Dance Company and the Sumter High School Show Choir, will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday and 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday at Patriot Hall, 135 Haynsworth St. Tickets are available at the Patriot Hall box office or online at www.freedschool.com.

The Nutcracker will be presented by the Dance Place at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Wood Auditorium, Camden. Cost is $15 per adult and $10 per child. Call (803) 425-7676 or visit http://fineartscenter.org.

The most popular and talked-about Christmas parade in South Carolina, the Boykin Christmas Parade, will begin at 1 p.m. Sunday. Thousands of spectators are drawn to Boykin each year for this unique parade. Call (803) 424-4731.

The Camden Community Concert Band Holiday Show will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday at Camden High School.

The Vance Christmas Parade will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday in the town of Vance. Call (803) 492-3114 for details.

The Branchville Christmas Parade will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday. Call (803) 274-8820 for details.

As a gift to the community, the Mayesville Presbyterian Church Choir will present a Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at 6:30 p.m. Sunday. The choir will be accompanied by a chamber ensemble comprising local musicians. Those attending are requested to bring a canned good or other nonperishable food for donation to Sumter United Ministries. Mayesville Presbyterian Church is off U.S. 76 at 109 W. Sumter St. in Mayesville.

First Presbyterian Church invites the community to its 43rd Service of Lessons and Carols at 10:30 a.m. on the third Sunday of Advent, Dec. 16. A nursery will be provided for the 10:30 a.m. Sunday Service of Lessons and Carols at First Presbyterian Church, 9 West Calhoun St., on the northwest corner of Calhoun and Main streets.