Calendar

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.

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.

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

Kingsland —- The seventh annual Old-Time Oyster Roast, a fund-raiser held Jan. 31, includes all-you-can-eat oysters, shrimp, Brunswick stew, homemade chowders and homemade desserts. 912-673-1300.

Whigham —- During the annual Rattlesnake Roundup on Jan. 31, snake hunters gather reptiles for the public’s education. Foods include funnel cakes and fried rattlesnake. 229-377-3663.

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. 256-549-4643, cityofgadsden.com.

Montgomery —- The 56th anniversary of the death of music legend Hank Williams will be commemorated Jan. 1 with a ceremony at 10 a.m. and entertainment following at the Hank Williams Museum. 334-262-3600, www.thehankwilliamsmuseum.com.

Birmingham —- Alabama Dance Festival: Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Jan. 16-18, features the annual Alabama Dance Showcase, master classes, education workshops for teachers, audition opportunities and more. 205-602-3599, www.alabamadancecouncil.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, shows at SeaWorld include “Shamu Christmas … Miracles” nightly through Dec. 30 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 a New Year’s Eve Fireworks Extravaganza. 941-743-1900,

www.charlotteharbortravel.com.

Panama City Beach —- The first-ever Beach Ball Drop on Dec. 31 includes a live entertainment, a fireworks display, stilt walkers, face painters and more. 850-233-5070, www.panamacitybeachnewyears.com.

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

Destin —- The Sandestin Spectacular New Year’s Eve event, Dec. 31, is an outdoor celebration in the Village of Baytowne Wharf. There will be fireworks over Chocotawhatchee Bay at midnight and live music. 1-866-931-3678, www.sandestin.com.

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 of Mexico. 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 speaker’s 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.parks.ky.gov.

Burkesville —- Eagle Watch Weekend, Jan. 16-17, allows visitors to take a trip on a guided boat tour to view the bald eagle in its natural habitat at Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park. 270-433-7431, www.parks.ky.gov.

Olive Hill —- The Carter Caves Crawlathon, Jan. 23-35, includes wild caving trips, canoeing, rappeling 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.

Frankfort —- Kentucky Crafted: The Market 2009, touted as the state’s largest showcase of traditional and contemporary fine art and crafts, is set for Feb. 19-22. The show also includes books, musical recordings, film and specialty food items. 1-888-592-7238, www.artscouncil.ky.gov.

Mississippi

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.

Tupelo —- The Tupelo Automobile Museum Presents Camaros, Jan. 10-24, showcases the locals’ classic cars, as well as the museum’s collection of more than 100 cars from the 1880s to the 1900s. 662-842-4242, www.tupeloauto.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.

Greenville —- The Greenville Kennel Dog Show, Jan. 17-18, showcases the best of the breeds. 662-378-7887.

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.

Oxford —- The Oxford Film Festival, Feb. 5-8, celebrates the art of filmmaking with more than 90 films competing. Workshops and panels also scheduled. 662-236-6429, www.oxfordarts.com.

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 35-foot Fraser fir. 1-877-245-8667, www.biltmore.com.

Robersonville —- A Kwanzaa Celebration through 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.

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.christmasin charleston.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.

Hilton Head —- The Gullah Celebration, Feb. 1-28, includes an art show and sale, an old-fashioned Gullah breakfast, a film festival, a celebration of Lowcountry authors, and books and crafts. 877-650-0676, www.gullahcelebration.com.

Charleston —- The Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, Feb. 13-15, features a dock dog jumping competition, “Living With Wolves” presentation, children’s activities, a speed sculpt contest, lectures and more. 843-723-1748, www.sewe.com.

Tennessee

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.

Clarksville —- Christmas on the Cumberland runs through Jan. 1. Lights illuminate the city’s signature RiverWalk. 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.

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.dancing bearlodge.com.

Nashville —- The Antiques and Garden Show of Nashville, Feb. 5-8 features more than 150 antique and horticultural booths and landscaped gardens, as well as special lectures by experts. 1-800-891-8075, www.antiquesandgardenshow.com.

Virginia

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, which began 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.

Virginia Beach —- A winter migration route brings the humpback whales and the fin whales near these shores. Daily whale watching excursions are scheduled through Dec. 30 and Jan. 2-March 15. 757-385-3474, www.virginiaaquarium.com.

Richmond —- The Edgar Allan Poe Museum hosts Poe’s 24-hour bicentennial celebration Jan. 19 in honor of Poe’s 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.

Start planning

The annual Lowcountry Oyster Festival, Jan. 25 in Charleston, S.C., 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.charlestonrestaurantassociation.com.

This week

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