Christmas lights at Swan Lake Iris Gardens

Fantasy of Lights

South Carolina's largest FREE Christmas light display!

Holiday cheer arrives in Sumter with the opening of the annual Swan Lake Fantasy of Lights. For the entire month of December, the gardens come alive with a display of twinkling holiday imagery created by more than one million lights. The floating Christmas tree, Santa's Village, and characters of song and story are always annual favorites.

The light display will open every day, all month long to the public immediately following the opening ceremony.

The Opening Night Ceremony is on Sunday, December 1, at 6 PM, when the Sumter community comes together to countdown to Christmas. The ceremony will be held on the lawn beside the Visitors Center, 822 W. Liberty Street. (In case of inclement weather, the event will be held at the Heath Pavilion, 165 Garden Street.)

Admission to the Fantasy of Lights is FREE. The light display will be open nightly from December 1 to 31.

Sunday - Thursday until 9 PM
Friday & Saturday until 10 PM

This event is designed as a drive-through, but visitors are allowed to park to take pictures with the lights. Access to the walking trails is closed after dusk. Lights are all along the main parking lot area to Swan Lake Iris Gardens, along Liberty Street, and along Garden Street (enter at Liberty Street and exit onto Oakland Avenue). No parking is allowed along Garden Street; however, parking will be available in the lot across from the Heath Pavilion.

Santa's Village!

Located at the Swan Lake Iris Gardens Heath Pavilion (165 Garden Street), Santa's Village is a celebration of the holiday held in conjunction with the largest free Christmas light display in the state of SC!

Kids can write letters to Santa and take pictures with Santa (bring your own camera) and the entire family can enjoy a variety of holiday music and entertainment each night. Food, hot cocoa, and other holiday treats will be available for sale on-site.

In 2024, Santa's Village will be open from 6-8 PM on the following days: