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This week

The Mobile International Festival on Saturday 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.

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

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. 1-800-337-1927, 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

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

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.

Gadsden —- Christmas at the Falls, Nov. 27-Dec. 30, allows visitors to walk or ride the train through Noccalula Falls Park, which is dressed up with lights, snowmen and other decorations. A new cookie-decorating area is set up for children and they also have an opportunity to write a letter to Santa Claus. 256-549-4643, cityofgadsden.com.

Arab —- Arab City Park lights up Nov. 28 with its annual Christmas in the Park. Live entertainment immediately follows the ceremony and music continues each Friday through Dec. 31. 256-586-8128, www.arabcity.org.

Silverhill —- The Welsh Victorian railway is transformed into the Arctic Express Nov. 28-Dec. 24. The train travels past 3D lighted displays on its way to the North Pole, where children can visit with Santa. 1-888-569-5337, www.waleswest.com.

Huntsville —- Santa’s Village transforms the downtown area Nov. 28-Dec. 23 with Frosty’s Ice Maze, visits with Santa, live reindeer, Christmas stories, holiday crafts and costumed characters. 256-564-8103, www.earlyworks.com/#/events.

Eufaula —- The 50th annual Eufaula Christmas Parade Dec. 6 features floats, marching bands and Southern belles. Other activities include shopping and visiting with Santa. 334-687-6664.

Montgomery —- The Governor’s Mansion Candlelight Open House, Dec. 8-22, allows visitors to view the decorated 1907 mansion. 1-800-252-2262.

Decatur —- The annual Historic Decatur Christmas Tour Dec. 13 allows visitors to tour 10 homes and churches on the National Register of Historical Places not normally open to the public. Also scheduled is a presentation on “Buildings Tell the Story —- Looking at Early Decatur Area Architecture,” carriage rides and refreshments. 1-800-524-6181, www.decaturcvb.org.

Florida

Orlando —- The Polar Express Experience makes a stop at Seaworld through 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 through Dec. 30; “Christmastide,” a holiday fountain show through Dec. 25; and “Makahiki Christmas Luau,” a South Seas-style celebration through Jan. 4. 1-888-800-5447, www.seaworld.com.

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

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.

Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands —- Holidays on the Harbor, Dec. 5-31, offers many activities during the season including the Symphony of Trees, Holiday Magic Pops Concert, Fisherman’s Village Open House, Christmas Light Canal Tours, Christmas Lights Bike Ride, a parade, an art festival and a lighted boat parade. 941-743-1900, www.charlotteharbortravel.com.

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

Renfro Valley —- Through Nov. 21, Christmas in the Valley features light displays, holiday shopping, dining, plays and gospel performances. 1-800-765-7464, www.renfrovalley.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

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. 1-800-844-3369, cantontourism.com.

Rolling Fork —- Mississippi is honoring native son Muddy Waters with a birthplace blues trail marker Dec. 3. 662-873-6261.

Biloxi —- Christmas on the Water Boat Parade, Dec. 6, will be followed by a fireworks show. 1-800-245-6943, www.biloxi.ms.us.

Pascagoula —- The annual Southern Mississippi Chili Cook-off, Dec. 6, features chili tasting and judging, of course, and live entertainment and exhibits. 228-762-3391, www.jcchamber.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 —- Throughout fall, visitors to the North Carolina Arboretum can view a kaleidoscope of fall color on 65 acres of cultivated gardens and 10 miles of hiking and biking trails. 828-665-2492, www.ncarboretum.org.

Wilmington —- “Toy Crazy,” an exhibition open through Feb. 1 at the Cameron Art Museum, features toys from antique to modern, American to Japanese, Barbie to Star Wars. 910-395-5999, www.cameronartmuseum.com.

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. 1-877-245-8667, www.biltmore.com.

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 includes 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. 1-800-962-1911, visitdillsboro.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.

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.

Ninety-Six —- A Backcountry Holiday, Nov. 29, celebrates the season at the Black Swan Tavern at the Ninety-Six National Historic Site with costumed interpreters demonstrating life in the 1700s. 864-543-4068, www.nps.gov/nisi.

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. 1-800-849-1931, 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 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. Ride includes high-speed portions and leisurely cruising. 1-800-262-0695, 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. Live acoustic music performed during the tour. 423-821-2544, www.rubyfalls.com.

Lookout Mountain —- The 14th annual Enchanted Garden of Lights, Nov. 21-Jan. 3, brightens the mountain with more than 25 holiday scenes along the trail. Other activities include gingerbread cookie decorating, nightly entertainment and Sugar Plum Fairy Makeovers (for an additional price). 1-800-854-0675, www.seerockcity.com/lights.

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 and there are visits with Santa, a night parade of lighted floats and more. 931-648-6129, christmasonthecumberland.com.

Memphis —- Each year, decorations deck the halls for Christmas at Graceland from early December through Elvis’ birthday in January. This year will be no different except special rarely seen items will be on view Nov. 28-Jan. 8 during Christmas at Graceland: Elvis’ personal wardrobe collection, home movie footage, guitars from his personal collections and more. 1-800-238-2000, www.elvis.com.

Virginia

Roanoke —- SunTrust Dickens of a Christmas, 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.

Virginia Beach —- Holiday Lights at the Beach, Nov. 21-Jan. 1, kicks off the season with 250 animated light displays along the boardwalk. Other activities scheduled include a Christmas market Nov. 28-30; Hunt Club Farm’s Winter Wonderland starting Nov. 28; Founder’s Illumination, Nov. 30; the Holiday Parade at the Beach Dec. 6 and the annual Twelfth Night Celebration beginning Dec. 25. 1-800-822-3224, www.vbfun.com.

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

Norfolk —- A Grand Illumination Parade kicks off Holiday in the City Nov. 22. Events through Dec. 31 include art exhibits, gift shops, weekend cruises and more. 757-623-1757, www.downtownnorfolk.org.

Mount Vernon —- George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate opens for candlelight tours Nov. 28-30 and Dec. 5-7 and 12-14. Included in the tour are caroling, free cookies and hot cider around a campfire. 703-780-2000, www.mountvernon.org.

Williamsburg —- The Colonial town welcomes the season with the Grand Illumination Dec. 7. Other activities include fireworks and musical entertainment. 1-800-404-3389, www.history.org.