If the idea of sitting at home and watching a marathon of holiday movies isn’t your idea of celebration, take a look at local events in your town. Many arts organizations prepare for months in advance for various concerts and shows, and having your support makes the hard work worthwhile. It can be easy to miss out on the wonder of the holidays as you get older, but the charm of the season shouldn’t be reserved only for the young. Experience a glitz and glamour holiday season by attending these amazing holiday shows.

Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN: Leading up to Christmas, the Opry is stocked with country music stars like Rascal Flatts, Martina McBride and Emmylou Harris. While there’s no traditional show on the docket, seeing the Opry lit up with decorations will be enough to satiate your holiday appetite. Plus, who can’t turn down a great concert in one of the most famous concert halls in America?

The Carolina Opry Christmas Special, Myrtle Beach, SC: Dubbed “The Christmas Show of the South,” it’s in its 28^th season of production and promises to deliver. Get ready to see American Idol participant La Toya London as well as Opry favorite Tangena Church. Other vocalist are scheduled as well as an entire brass section for hard hitting musical numbers. Come for the music, come for the decorations, come for the real horse drawn sleigh; but whatever you do, make this show a priority on your Christmas list!

Alabama Theatre, Myrtle Beach, SC: Come see “The South’s Grandest Christmas Show.” This musical claims to “instill the true meaning of Christmas” as it combines traditional holiday music with some of today’s more modern hits. There will surely be something for everyone at this show. The addition of comedian Ricky Mokel will have your entire family laughing.

Christmas Town USA, McAdenville, NC: If you don’t feel like sitting through a show and want the opportunity to see the sights at your own pace, take your family to Christmas Town USA. This festival is located right next to the South Fork River and boasts an impressive 400 decorated trees with over half a million lights. Tour the town’s many decorated houses and take ideas back home! And of course, Christmas Town USA has tons of entertainment and food.

Holiday Flotilla, Wilmington, NC: If you want to break out of the Christmas box, consider heading to Wilmington, NC and getting a new perspective on the traditional holiday parade. In this flotilla, hundreds of boats are dressed in elaborate displays of lights and decorations and then paraded around the waterways. Just imagine the reflection on the water! Fireworks included.

Get into the holiday season early this year, and visit any one of these great holiday events. We promise they’ll put you in the holiday mood quicker than any shopping trip will!