Holiday Offerings in Downtown Florence
NEW FOR 2026: Downtown Florence Christmas/Holiday Card Art Contest
This year, we’re putting the creativity of the Pee Dee on display! We are inviting local artists to help create our first official Christmas/Holiday card. Artists from across the Pee Dee region are invited to submit an original, two-dimensional artwork inspired by Downtown Florence. One winning artwork will be selected as the featured design for the Downtown Florence holiday card, and the selected artist will receive a $300 prize!
The Submission deadline is October 26 by 11:59 p.m. Only 25 submission will be accepted.
Ready to create? View the complete contest rules and submission information.
ANNUAL DOWNTOWN FLORENCE ORNAMENT
2026 Limited Edition Downtown Florence Ornament - Coming Soon!
Start a new tradition with Downtown Florence by ordering our limited edition Downtown Florence collectible ornament. Each ornament features a historic building or feature of Downtown Florence in 24K plated gold on multi-layered ornaments with 3D elements. Each ornament comes packaged in a gift box with an information card ready for gifting.
Ornaments can be purchased in-person at the Downtown Development Office located at 324 W. Evans Street on the 2nd floor, or ordered online. Our 2026 ornament is $30.The 2025 ornament featuring the Barringer Building is available for $25. The 2024 ornament featuring the Carolina Theatre is available for $20.The 2023 ornament featuring a celebration of the arts in Downtown Florence, the 2022 ornament featuring Kress Corner, and the 2021 ornament featuring Hotel Florence are each available for $15 (very limited stock!), or you can pick two for $25 (2021-2023 only) or all three for $40 (2021-2023 only).
Online orders can be picked up for free locally or shipped within the US via USPS for a shipping fee. Orders requiring shipping should be placed no later than Friday, December 11, 2026 for guaranteed Christmas delivery. We do not issue refunds for ornaments.
Ornament supplies are limited and will not be reprinted once they sell out.
See our prior year ornaments here:
Downtown Christmas Magic
Downtown Christmas Magic is all season long in 2026. Kick start the holidays with the City/County Tree lighting, visits with Santa, hot cocoa and marshmallow roasting, and kids crafts on Friday, December 4, 2026. Catch the Florence Christmas Parade (produced by the Greater Florence Chamber) on Saturday, December 5, 2026. Get the family moving at our inaugural Downtown Reindeer Dash 5K on Saturday, December 12. And grab those last-minute gifts with a cozy atmosphere during our Hygge Holiday shopping event on Saturday, December 19.
Downtown Holiday Music and Light Show
Every evening beginning in December, enjoy a holiday light and music spectacular on S. Dargan Street. Entering its tenth year, the downtown music and light experience is a family favorite walk-through event. Each year the display and music are a bit different and admission is always free. Parking is available in the City of Florence parking garage. The show runs from early December through December 31 beginning at 5:30 p.m. nightly and ending at 9:30 p.m. weather permitting.
Holiday Photo-Ops
Be sure to check out our polar bears, reindeer, and holiday penguin photo ops while you shop downtown for the holidays. The photo-ops are placed throughout the Historic District and are available for use throughout the month of December.
Letters to Santa
Got a letter that needs to be delivered to Santa? Drop it off in our red Letters to Santa mailbox at the Downtown Holiday Music & Light Show when it kicks off in 2026. Rumor has it that if your child includes their return address, Santa will even mail them back a response to their letter!
Holiday Window Decorating Contest
The Downtown Florence business storefronts are dressed up in their best holiday cheer! Walk through the Historic District and enjoy a variety of traditional and unique holiday windows. Once you find the window you think looks the best, scan the QR code posted in the window and vote for that business. The business with the most votes will win a big prize! The windows will be festive all season, but voting ends Thursday, December 17.
Holiday Gift Guide
'Tis the season to Shop Small! With over 40 independently-owned restaurants, retailers, and service providers in Downtown Florence, you are bound to find something special for everyone on your list. Each year, we make it even easier for you to Shop Small by putting together a Downtown Florence Holiday Gift Guide. The gift guide will be available in November.