Calendar

This week

Holiday Evening Tours by Candlelight are scheduled Dec. 26-30 at the Isaiah Davenport House in Savannah. The tours explore celebrations of the early 19th century inhabitants of the home, including feasting, music, the Scottish influence on the family and treatment of the house slaves during the holidays. 912-236-8097, jcredle@savbusiness.net.

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Alabama Dance Festival: Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Jan. 16-18 in Birmingham, features the annual Alabama Dance Showcase, master classes, education workshops for teachers, audition opportunities and more. 205-602-3599, www.alabamadancecouncil.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.

Dahlonega —- The Old-Fashioned Christmas continues almost daily through December with caroling, entertainment, wine sampling and live theater. 706-864-3711, www.dahlonega.org.

Waycross —- The Enchanted Wilderness Light Show, Dec. 26-27, takes visitors on a train ride through the Swamp Park to view thousands of lights and displays along the Okefenokee Railroad. 912-283-0583, www.okeswamp.com.

Madison —- hand.craft.it, an exhibition exploring the handmade craft movement, runs through Jan. 20 at the Madison-Morgan Cultural Center. 877-233-0598, www.mmcc-arts.org.

Gainesville —- The 12th annual Polar Bear Swim, Jan. 1, is a fund-raiser for the Lanier Canoe & Kayak Club. Brave souls jump into the icy waters of Lake Lanier. 770-287-7888, www.lckc.org.

Adairsville —- The Winter Wine Series starts Jan. 10 at Barnsley Gardens Resort. Representatives from select wine estates host each event and entertain with trivia and prizes. Jan. 10, Blue Rock’s Kenny Kahn; Jan. 24, Verite’s Luis Reyneri; Feb. 7, Krug’s Holly Beach; March 7, Silver Oak Winery’s Tom Johnson; and March 14, Freemark Abbey’s Ted Edwards. 770-773-2522, www.barnsleyresort.com.

Augusta —- The Augusta Futurity, Jan. 23-31, includes a cutting competition, championship bull riding, a fun fest, a dance, vendors and more. 706-823-3362, www.augustafuturity.com.

Alabama

Huntsville —- The Galaxy of Lights, through Dec. 31, features drive-through nights among miles of larger-than-life animated light displays. 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 adorned with lights, snowmen and other decorations. A new cookie decorating area is set up for children, and they’ll 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 December. 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. 1-888-569-5337, 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.

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

Montgomery —- The Hank Williams 56th anniversary Memorial is set for Jan. 1 with a ceremony at 10 a.m. and entertainment following at the Hank Williams Museum. 334-262-3600, www.thehankwilliamsmuseum.com.

Guntersville —- Eagle Awareness Weekends, each weekend in January, feature guided interpretive programs at various bald eagle nesting locations, guest speakers, fireside chats and more. 256-571-5444, www.guntersvillestatepark.com.

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, 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.

St. Augustine —- The World Golf Hall of Fame showcases “Bob Hope: Shanks for the Memory” throughout 2009. The exhibit offers a chance for visitors to reflect on the different eras and places significant to Hope’s life. 904-940-4123, www.wgv.com.

Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands —- Holidays on the Harbor, through Dec. 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.

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

Perdido Key —- The Polar Bear Dip on Jan. 1 is a fun run around Flora-Bama Lounge after a dip in the icy waters of the gulf. Other activities include music on the beach, bowls of black-eyed peas and New Year’s toasts. 850-492-0611, www.florabama.com.

Tampa —- The Black Heritage Festival, Jan. 15-24, features a speakers series with Danny Glover and Felix Justice, a gala, a traveling exhibition and a two-day street festival. 1-888-224-1733, Ext. 143, www.tampablackheritage.org.

Fort Myers —- The Edison Festival of Light, Jan. 31-Feb. 22, celebrates the life and innovations of the famous inventor with a science and engineering fair, an inventors fair, a Light Up the Town Block Party, Rock ‘n’ Roll Saturday Night (with Eddie Money and Night Ranger), “junior” events, a stadium and fireworks show, and a grand parade. 239-334-2999, edisonfestival.org.

Kentucky

Louisville —- The Spirit of Jefferson’s Big Celebration cruise Dec. 31, lets visitors ring in the new year with a buffet, DJ and champagne toast. 502-574-2992, www.belleoflouisville.org.

Pineville —- A guided elk viewing tour, Jan. 9-10, offers the chance to view elk in their natural habitat. Trip includes elk program, breakfast, transportation, guide service and souvenir. 1-800-325-1712, www.kyparks.gov.

Olive Hill —- The Carter Caves Crawlathon, Jan. 23-35, includes wild caving trips, canoeing, rappelling and ascending, vertical workshops, proper techniques of caving workshops, and kids’ caving trips. Other events are a Cave Photo Salon competition and the squeezebox contest. 606-286-4411.

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. Other activities include an old-fashioned carousel, miniature train, and horse and buggy. 1-800-844-3369, cantontourism.com.

Columbus —- Holiday Home Tours through Dec. 31 feature antebellum mansions decorated for the holidays. 1-800-327-2686, www.columbus-ms.org.

Jackson —- The Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration and Parade, Jan. 5-17, features two weeks of activities. 601-960-1090.

Philadelphia —- The Professional Cowboy Association Finals Rodeo, Jan. 8-11, features the best riders as they compete for the title of champion. 251-947-4650, www.pcarodeo.com.

Columbus —- The Dream 365 MLK Celebration, Jan. 16-19, includes an MLK Jr. Day of Commemoration, a concert by the Mississippi Mass Choir, a black-tie gala and more. 662-327-0052, www.dream365.org.

Diamondhead —- The Winter Rod Run, the 17th annual antique car show, set for Jan. 23-25, features cars dating to before 1969. 1-800-466-9048.

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 features key early works from such series as Endangered Species, Flowers, Jews, Muhammad Ali and Space Fruits. 704-337-2000, www.mintmuseum.org.

Asheville —- For Christmas at Biltmore Estate, through Jan. 4, the house is decorated with dozens of Christmas trees and hundreds of wreaths, bows and poinsettias. The highlight is a 34-foot Fraser fir. 1-877-245-8667, www.biltmore.com.

Asheville —- Asheville Seasonal Sizzle is 21 days of not-so-silent nights in December with holiday fireworks displays, live entertainment, “Appy Hour” appetizer specials at local restaurants and extended hours of shopping. www.ashevilleseasonalsizzle.com.

Robersonville —- A Kwanzaa celebration Dec. 26-Jan. 1 honors African-Americans and their past. Activities include African-American dancers, an African wedding, storytelling, music, an African attire fashion show, headdress wrapping and more. 252-795-4848, www.visitmartincounty.com.

Manteo —- An Elizabethan Christmas, Dec. 27, celebrates the sixth day of Christmas at Roanoke Island Festival Park with ornament making, learning special dances, singing, and food and drink. 252-475-1500, www.roanokeisland.com.

Brasstown —- The 12th annual New Year’s Eve Possum Drop, Dec. 31, rings in the new year with a Miss Possum Contest, bluegrass music, the Little Brasstown Church Choir, cider and more. 828-837-3797, www.cherokeecountychamber.com.

Oriental —- The Oriental Dragon Run, Dec. 31, gives visitors a chance to touch the dragon for good luck during two runs along the waterfront. 252-249-3655, www.oriental-nc.com.

Mount Olive —- Mount Olive Pickle Co. celebrates the new year with the Pickle Drop on Dec. 31. A lighted 3-foot pickle drops into a preserved redwood pickle tank at 7 p.m. (midnight Greenwich Mean Time). Live music, door prizes and refreshments available. 1-800-672-5041.

Blowing Rock —- The 11th annual Blowing Rock Winterfest, Jan. 22-25, features a WinterFeast, wine auction, live music, chili cook-off, kids’ activities, ice carving, a Polar Plunge into Chetola Lake and more. 1-877-295-7801, www.blowingrockwinterfest.com.

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

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

Charleston —- The annual Lowcountry Oyster Festival, Jan. 25, features oysters aplenty, an oyster recipe contest, an oyster shucking and eating contest, a beer and wine tasting tent, and entertainment with a kids’ area. 843-805-3084, www.charleston restaurantassociation.com.

Aiken —- Antiques in the Heart of Aiken, Jan. 29-Feb. 1, brings dealers from across the country to sell museum-quality pieces. Event also includes a preview party, lectures and fund-raisers to benefit the area’s arts programs. 803-641-9094, www.aikencenterforthearts.org.

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.

Lookout Mountain —- The 14th annual Enchanted Garden of Lights, through 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, 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. Features include 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, with the exception of special rarely seen items on view through 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.

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.

Gatlinburg —- Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies offers its Dance With the Sharks on Dec. 31. Visitors ring in the new year dancing under the inhabitants of the aquarium while noshing on hors d’oeuvres and toasting with champagne at midnight. 865-430-8808, www.ripleysaquariumofthesmokies.com.

Pigeon Forge —- During Wilderness Week, Jan. 10-17, nature and outdoors experts host walks, hikes, seminars and lectures on Smoky Mountain history and plant and animal life. 865-429-7350, www.mypigeonforge.com/wildlife.

Townsend —- The Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center and Dancing Bear Lodge offers a two-night package Jan. 30-Feb. 1, Feb. 27-March 1 or March 6-8 to experience the cultural heritage of the area, including a tour of the heritage center’s main gallery; a chance to use a Native American hunting tool, the blowgun; making corn husk dolls; and a guided tour of Cades Cove. 865-448-1999, www.dancingbearlodge.com.

Virginia

Williamsburg —- A Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is set for Dec. 24. A local resident offers a recollection of her great-grandmother, who was present when the first Christmas tree was lit in 1842. The mayor delivers holiday remarks, and the audience lights candles. 757-229-1000, www.colonialwilliamsburg.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 include the annual Twelfth Night Celebration beginning Dec. 25. 1-800-822-3224, www.vbfun.com.

Virginia Beach —- Through January, two striped bass tournaments are scheduled. The annual Striped Bass World Championship is through Dec. 31, and Waterman’s Mid-Atlantic Rockfish Shootout is Jan. 8-10. 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.

Richmond —- The Edgar Allan Poe Museum hosts Poe’s 24-hour bicentennial celebration Jan. 19 in honor of his birthday. Activities include daytime poetry readings, nighttime museum tours, birthday cake and a candlelight vigil at Poe’s shrine at dusk. 1-888-213-2763, www.poemuseum.org.