Calendar

This week

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

Start planning

Southern Lights at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, through 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

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.

LaGrange —- The Follow the Shepherd’s Walk, Dec. 5-7 and Dec. 12-14, allows visitors to step back to biblical times by following the shepherd’s walk from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Walks begin on the hour and half-hour from 6 to 9 p.m. Dinner reservations for a first-century banquet featuring 15 foods also can be made. 706-885-0363, www.biblicalresources.net.

Dahlonega —- The Old-Fashioned Christmas begins Dec. 6 with the Lighting of the Square and a parade bringing Santa to town. Other holiday events continue almost daily through December with caroling, entertainment, wine sampling, live theater. 706-864-3711, www.dahlonega.org.

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 goodies await at the bake sale. 912-638-9808, cassinagardenclub.org.

Tiger —- Tiger Mountain Vineyards hosts a holiday open house Dec. 13, featuring soup and wine pairings along with gourmet cheeses and breads. Classical Christmas guitar music will be performed by Professor Bob Burton of Athens. 706-782-4777, www.tigerwine.com.

Savannah —- The annual Holiday Tour of Homes, Dec. 13, visits at least six private residences decorated for the holidays in the Historic Landmark District on two tours. 912-236-8326, www.dnaholidaytour.com.

Madison —- hand.craft.it, an exhibition exploring the handmade craft movement, runs through Jan. 20 at the Madison-Morgan Cultural Center. In conjunction with the exhibit, the Handmade Market and Music Festival is set for Dec. 13. 1-877-233-0598, www.mmcc-arts.org.

Alabama

Huntsville —- The Galaxy of Lights, through Dec. 31, features miles of larger-than-life animated light displays. Drive-through nights through Dec. 31. 256-830-4447, www.hsvbg.org.

Gadsden —- Christmas at the Falls, through Dec. 30, allows visitors to walk or ride the train through Noccalula Falls Park, which is decorated 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 with its annual Christmas in the Park. Live entertainment continues each Friday through Dec. 31. 256-586-8128, www.arabcity.org.

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

Huntsville —- Santa’s Village transforms the downtown area through 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 on 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. 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 Historic 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.

Pensacola —- The 41st Snowball Derby, Dec. 4-7, features some of the biggest names in motorsports competing in a 300-lap race. 850-944-8400, www.5flagsspeedway.com.

Charlotte Harbor and 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.

Gainesville —- The Association for Butterflies holds a symposium on butterflies’ habits, migration, how to raise them and how to attract them Dec. 5-7. A live butterfly release will be conducted at the end of the event Dec. 7. www.forbutterflies.org.

Orlando —- Universal Orlando Resort kicks off the holidays with Manheim Steamroller Dec. 6 and continues through Jan. 1 with the live stage show, Grinchmas and the Macy’s Holiday Parade. www.universalorlando.com/holidays.

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.

Sandestin —- The Solaris takes a New Year’s Dinner Cruise on Dec. 31. 850-650-2519.

Kentucky

Frankfort —- Lighting of the Buffalo Trace Distillery kicks off another holiday season Dec. 4. Refreshments and a visit from Santa are included. 502-696-5996, www.buffalotrace.com.

Loretto —- Candlelight Tours at Maker’s Mark Distillery are scheduled Dec. 5, 6 and 13. Special this year are visits from three chefs who will perform demonstrations and hold sample tastings. 270-865-2099, www.makersmark.com.

Louisville —- The annual Seconds Sale, Dec. 5, is part of the Downtown Troppy Hop and is where Glassworks Artists sell their not-quite-perfect pieces for a fraction of the cost. 502-584-4510, www.louisvilleglassworks.com.

Mississippi

Canton —- The historic courthouse square will be decorated with more than 200,000 glittering lights during the Victorian Christmas Festival through 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

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.

Dillsboro —- The Dillsboro Festival of Lights & Luminaries 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.

Elizabeth City —- A Christmas themed laser light and star show is set Dec. 5-6 and Dec. 8 and 10 at the Elizabeth City State University Planetarium. Reservations are required. 252-335-3759, www.ecsuplanetarium.org.

Asheville —- Asheville Seasonal Sizzle is 21 days of not-so-silent nights in December with holiday firework displays, live entertainment, “Appy Hour” appetizer specials at local restaurants and extended hours of shopping. Seasonal Sizzle at Seven Fireworks set for Dec. 6, 13, and 20 at 7 p.m. www.ashevilleseasonalsizzle.com.

Elizabeth City —- The Bright Lights! Big Christmas Parade Dec. 6 precedes the Lighted Boat Parade later that night. 1-866-324-8948.

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, through 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.

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.

Charleston —- Christmas in Charleston, Dec. 1-31, includes historic homes and plantations decorated in period fashion, candlelight garden tours, and shopping and dining. 843-805-3081, www.christmasincharleston.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.

McConnels —- Christmas Candlelight Tours, Dec. 6-7, depicts holiday plantation life and holiday traditions in the 1800s with costumed interpreters, a period-costumed Santa, wassailing party, storytelling and ornament making. Also includes nightly tours of historic sites. 803-684-2327, www.chmuseums.org.

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 —- 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.

Chattanooga —- A 75-minute round-trip train journey on the Tennessee Valley Railroad to North Pole Limited, through 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 through Jan. 1. Lights illuminate the city’s signature RiverWalk and features are visits with Santa, a night parade of lighted floats and more. 931-648-6129, christmasonthecumberland.com.

Gatlinburg —- U.S. Olympic Team medalists Monica Abbott and Kevin Stone serve as grand marshals of the 33rd annual Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade on Dec. 5. Also Winter Magic Tunes & Tales makes its return Friday and Saturday nights through Dec. 20. www.eventsgatlinburg.com.

Jackson —- Old Country Store Christmas Eve Breakfast, Dec. 24, features a Southern-style buffet for the entire family in the Casey Jones Village. 1-800-748-9588, www.caseyjones.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, through Jan. 1, kicks off the season with 250 animated light displays along the boardwalk. Other activities scheduled include a Christmas market Nov. 30; Hunt Club Farm’s Winter Wonderland; 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.

Norfolk —- Holiday in the City 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 Dec. 5-7 and Dec. 12-14. Included in the tour is caroling, free cookies and hot cider around a campfire. 703-780-2000, www.mountvernon.org.

Alexandria —- The Campagna Center’s Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend, Dec. 4-6, features a Christmas marketplace and cafe, heather and greens sale, children’s tea party, Celtic concert and a Taste of Scotland. 703-549-0111, www.scottishchristmaswalk.com.

Newport News —- Hollydazzle, Dec. 5, features the lighting of the 44-foot animated structure, fireworks, glowing fountains and holiday entertainment. 757-926-1400, www.nngov.com.

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