Calendar

This week

Taste of the Season, Nov. 14, kicks off the holiday season in Hilton Head, S.C., with more than 30 area restaurants and chefs offering a sampling of gourmet foods on the island. Event includes a “best cuisine” contest and silent auction. Celebrity guests Marvin Woods and Nathalie Dupree also will be in attendance. 843-341-8369, www.hiltonheadisland.org.

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The SunTrust Dickens of a Christmas in Roanoke, Va., Dec. 5, 12 and 19, features St. Nicholas, a tree lighting, toy workshop, live Nativity, Victorian-era costumed street musicians and carolers, a parade, and more. 540-342-2028 Ext. 10, www.downtownroanoke.org.

Georgia

Macon —- “National Geographic Maps: Tools for Adventure” is making only one stop in the Southeast, at the Museum of Arts and Sciences, through Jan. 11. The exhibit features opportunities to learn about new navigation technologies and ancient mapping techniques. Virtual journeys include tracking elephants in the African jungles, searching for Blackbeard’s pirate ship, driving a computer-generated rover on the surface of Mars and maneuvering a robot through the Great Pyramid in Egypt. 478-477-3232, www.masmacon.com.

Commerce —- The fourth annual Banks County CVB Chocolate Fair, Nov. 10, invites amateur bakers to concoct chocolate creations for competition. 706-677-5265, www.bankscountyga.org.

Washington —- The first-ever Holiday Art Ramble, Nov. 14-16, is a 31-mile stretch of galleries and working studios from Greensboro to Union Point and Washington showcasing artist demonstrations, blue tag sales, door prizes and more. 706-486-6808, www.artgallerylaplace.com.

Statesboro —- The fourth International Festival, Nov. 15, includes a parade of cultures, a bazaar, culinary samples from various countries and cultural entertainment. academics.georgiasouthern.edu/international/Festival/festival.htm

Savannah —- The city is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the American Grand Prize road race Nov. 20-23. The road race was the precursor to the U.S. Grand Prix. Events scheduled include a Salute to Racing Party, a celebrity gala and an open-wheel racing exhibition. 912-201-2018, www.americangrandprize.com.

St. Simons Island —- The Antiques & Fine Art Sale & Show, Nov. 21-23, includes a special dealer lecture series, door prize drawing and book signing by Charles Faudree. 770-928-0052.

Warm Springs —- The annual Candlelight Tour Festival in Warm Springs Village, Nov. 21-23, offers three days to shop by candlelight and hear carolers and musicians while riding in a horse-drawn carriage. 800-337-1927, www.warmspringsga.ws.

Plains —- Cane Syrup Day, Nov. 22, celebrates cane syrup making of the past at the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site. Demonstrations include cane stripping, cane squeezing, syrup making, corn shelling and blacksmithing. 229-824-4104, www.nps.gov/jica.

St. Simons Island —- The 24th annual Christmas Tour of Homes, Dec. 13, features five island homes decked out in holiday decorations. The Island Design & Architectural Center and holiday marketplace offer gift ideas, and baked goodies await at the bake sale. 912-638-9808, cassinagardenclub.org.

Alabama

Fort Payne —- The High Adventure Trip, Nov. 13-15, incorporates a wild cave tour, rock climbing, rappelling. an extreme night hike and a canoe trip. 256-997-9577, www.trueadventuresports.com.

Orange Beach —- The 24th annual Frank Brown Songwriters Festival, Nov. 13-23, offers songwriting seminars, a golf tourney, concerts and more. 251-974-1510, www.fbisf.com.

Sheffield —- The annual Elvis Day, Nov. 15, celebrates its status as one of the first cities where Elvis performed. Events include local entertainers and Elvis tribute artists. 256-335-0464.

Huntsville —- The Galaxy of Lights, Nov. 20-Dec. 31, features miles of larger-than-life animated light displays. Public walk-through nights are Nov. 21-23; drive-through nights, Nov. 27-Dec. 31. 256-830-4447, www.hsvbg.org.

Mobile —- The Mobile International Festival, Nov. 22, opens with a parade of flags and continues with cultural exhibits and an art gallery, international food and special activities in the children’s corner. 251-470-7730, www.mobileinternationalfestival.org.

Gadsden —- Christmas at the Falls, Nov. 27-Dec. 30, allows visitors to walk or ride the train through Noccalula Falls Park, which is decorated with lights, snowmen and other decorations. 256-549-4643, cityofgadsden.com.

Florida

Live Oak —- The Bear Creek Music and Arts Festival, Nov. 14-16, features J.J. Grey and Mofro, Yonder Mountain String Band, The Everyone Orchestra with Jon Fishman, Dumpstaphunk and more. 386-364-1683, www.bearcreekmusicfestival.com.

Jensen Beach —- The Jensen Beach Pineapple Festival, Nov. 14-16, not only features midway rides and street entertainers, but concerts by “American Idol” finalist Bucky Covington and Minneapolis’ Morris Day and the Time. 772-334-3444, www.pineapplefestival.info.

Orlando —- The Polar Express Experience makes a stop at SeaWorld Nov. 14-Jan. 4. Classic scenes from the movie are re-created in a multisensory experience. In addition, special shows at SeaWorld include “Shamu Christmas … Miracles,” nightly Nov. 12-Dec. 30; “Christmastide,” a holiday fountain show Nov. 12-Dec. 25; and “Makahiki Christmas Luau,” a South Seas-style celebration Nov. 12-Jan. 4. 888-800-5447, www.seaworld.com.

Pensacola —- The Navy will be flying high at the Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show on Nov. 15 at the naval air station. 850-452-2583, www.blueangels.navy.mil.

Brooksville —- The Thanksgiving Bluegrass Festival, Nov. 27-30, features performers Al Batten & Bluegrass Reunion, the Bluegrass Brothers, Gary Waldrop, Larry Gibbs, Smokey Green and more. 352-754-3082, www.sertomayouthranch.com.

Jacksonville —- The Jacksonville Light Parade, Nov. 29, celebrates the holidays with downtown decorations, fireworks and a lighted boat parade. 904-630-3690, www.coj.net.

Fort Lauderdale —- The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade, Dec. 13, features more than 1 million spectators watching a lighted boat parade along the New River and Intracoastal Waterway. 954-767-0686, www.winterfestparade.com.

St. Augustine —- The 15th annual Holiday Tour of Inns, Dec. 13-14, includes specialty foods and wine tastings, and trolley trips for the tour of historic inns decorated with Christmas trimmings. 904-543-0785, www.staugustineinns.com.

Kentucky

Newport —- The Newport Aquarium has scheduled its first Breakfast With Scuba Santa, Nov. 13. Reservations are required. 859-815-1479, www.newportaquarium.com.

Renfro Valley —- Through Nov. 21, Christmas in the Valley features light displays, holiday shopping, dining, plays and gospel performances. 800-765-7464, www.renfrovalley.com.

Frankfort —- The 27th annual Kentucky Book Fair, Nov. 15, features more than 200 authors, free symposiums and a “Songs for the Mountaintop” luncheon with Silas House, George Ella Lyon and others. 502-564-8300, www.kybookfair.com.

Lexington —- Southern Lights at the Kentucky Horse Park, Nov. 21-Dec. 31, allows visitors to drive through miles of lighted displays, catch the Mini Express Train or carousel-themed pony rides and enjoy seasonal music. 859-255-5725, www.khpfoundation.com.

Mississippi

Vicksburg —- The Festival of Trees, Nov. 15-16, features a reindeer roundup, breakfast with Santa, Santa village and live entertainment. 866-822-6338, www.vccmeet.com.

Canton —- The historic courthouse square will be decorated with more than 200,000 glittering lights during the Victorian Christmas Festival Nov. 28-Dec. 23. The Canton Animation Museums boast 135 life-size animation figures, and other activities include an old-fashioned carousel, miniature train, horse and buggy and more. 800-844-3369, cantontourism.com.

Gulfport —- The seventh annual Christmas on the Bayou, Dec. 13, begins with a lighted boat parade of 25 watercraft and ends with a family-friendly party. 228-324-2724, www.christmasonthebayou.org.

North Carolina

Charlotte —- The Mint Museum of Art presents “Andy Warhol Portfolios: Life & Legends,” rarely seen selections from Bank of America’s Warhol collection, through Feb. 15. The exhibit spans the artist’s career from the 1950s through 1986, and it features key early works from such series as Endangered Species, Flowers, Jews, Muhammad Ali and Space Fruits. 704-337-2000, www.mintmuseum.org.

Asheville —- Christmas at Biltmore Estate, through Jan. 4, has the house decorated with dozens of Christmas trees and hundreds of wreaths, bows and poinsettias. The highlight is a 35-foot Fraser fir. 877-245-8667, www.biltmore.com.

Winston-Salem —- The Old Salem Toy Museum celebrates Community Day on Nov. 15 with museum founder Thomas Gray giving tours, allowing visitors to view a new exhibit of doll furniture dating to the 1600s; rare, hand-colored toy catalogs, German wooden toys and more. There also will be hands-on activities, toy catalog coloring and a tea party. Author Rick Pardue signs his book “Ceramics for Children.” 888-653-7253.

Seagrove —- Emphasizing handmade pottery and traditional crafts, the Seagrove Pottery Festival is set for Nov. 22-23. A limited edition pottery auction will be held on the last day of the event. 336-873-7887, www.seagrovepotteryheritage.com.

Cullowhee —- The 21st annual Hard Candy Christmas Arts & Crafts Show, Nov. 28-29, features nearly 100 fine artists and master crafters offering a wide variety of heritage and contemporary items for holiday shopping including jewelry, pottery, glass, rugs, rocker horses and more. 828-524-3405, www.mountainartisans.net.

Wrightsville Beach —- The North Carolina Holiday Flotilla, Nov. 28-29, kicks off with an illuminated boat parade and include a tree-lighting ceremony, Santa & Mrs. Claus, arts and crafts, and fireworks. 910-256-2120, www.ncholidayflotilla.org.

Dillsboro —- The Dillsboro Festival of Lights & Luminares celebrates 25 years Dec. 5-6 and Dec. 12-13 with more than 2,500 candles in white paper bags lining the streets. Shopkeepers stay open late and serve hot apple cider while children have a chance to visit Santa. 800-962-1911, visitdillsboro.org.

Wilmington —- Old Wilmington by Candlelight, Dec. 6-7, gives visitors a walking tour of homes, churches and historic sites, complete with tour lamplighters, storytellers and carolers. 910-762-0492, www.latimerhouse.org.

Valle Crucis —- The Valle Crucis Fireside Tour, Dec. 7, meanders to gift shops, galleries, inns, restaurants and churches. 828-963-6511.

Hendersonville —- The Holiday Tour of Historic Inns, Dec. 14, visits seven turn-of-the-century inns decorated for the holidays. Homemade cookies can be sampled at each inn. 828-697-3088.

Hendersonville —- A Winter Solstice Hike, Dec. 21, celebrates the return of the sun to the northern hemisphere and the darkness of the longest night. The hike is on a quarter-mile moderate trail to Hooker Falls. 828-692-0385.

South Carolina

Columbia —- Lights Before Christmas, Nov. 22-Dec. 30, envelops the Riverbanks Zoo & Garden in a canopy of lights and includes displays of handcrafted animal images illuminated by 500,000 lights. 803-779-8717, www.riverbanks.org.

Myrtle Beach —- The South Carolina State Bluegrass Festival celebrates 39 years Nov. 27-29 with acts Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, the Grascalls, Ralph Stanley & the Clinch Mountain Boys, Tim Graves & Cherokee, the Bluegrass Brothers and more. 706-864-7203, www.aandabluegrass.com.

Charleston —- The Thriller speed boat will slow down a bit Dec. 1-31 for the Charleston Sleigh Ride, a leisurely ride around the harbor complete with hot chocolate, Christmas carols and holiday stories. 843-276-4203, www.thrillercharleston.com.

Murrells Inlet —- Nights of a Thousand Candles, Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 20, features candles and lights illuminating Brookgreen Gardens’ paths as musicians and carolers perform. 800-849-1931, www.brookgreen.org.

Charleston —- The 22nd annual Progressive Dinners, Dec. 2-6, 8-13, 15-20, 22, 23, take guests by horse-drawn carriage to three historic venues for a four-course meal. 843-853-7828, www.circa1886.com.

Charleston —- Circa 1886 restaurant presents the Dickens Dinner on Dec. 17, featuring a storyteller relaying “A Christmas Carol” while diners enjoy a four-course Victorian England-inspired dinner. A special package also includes accommodations at the Wentworth Mansion. 843-853-7828, www.circa1886.com.

Tennessee

Chattanooga —- The River Gorge Explorer offers two-hour excursions down the Tennessee River Gorge through the end of November. 800-262-0695, www.tnaqua.org.

Chattanooga —- Snow will fall inside the sometimes eerie Ruby Falls during Deck the Falls every Friday and Saturday in December. There will be snow at Cavern Castle every 10 minutes and a chance to meet costumed Leo and Ruby Lambert. 423-821-2544, www.rubyfalls.com.

Pigeon Forge —- The 19th annual Pigeon Forge Winterfest kicked off Nov. 6 with special guests, the Trolley Tour of Lights, light displays, musical entertaining and the lighting of more than 5 million lights. 865-429-7350, www.mypigeonforge.com/winterfest.asp.

Manchester —- The Manchester-Coffee County Wine Festival, Nov. 15, offers wines from wineries across the state, and Tennessee products like honey, jams and jellies. 931-728-7635, www.macoc.org.

Chattanooga —- A 75-minute round-trip train journey on the Tennessee Valley Railroad to North Pole Limited, Nov. 22-Dec. 22, features storytelling, light refreshments and an appearance by Santa. 423-894-8028, www.tvrail.com.

Clarksville —- Christmas on the Cumberland celebrates the season Nov. 25-Jan. 1. Lights illuminate the city’s signature RiverWalk. 931-648-6129, christmasonthecumberland.com.

Virginia

Virginia Beach —- Three striped bass tournaments are scheduled through January: annual Striped Bass World Championship through Dec. 31; American Striper Association’s 2008 National Tournament, Dec. 13; and Waterman’s Mid-Atlantic Rockfish Shootout Jan. 8-10. www.vbfun.com.