Head For The Coast For Free Holiday Fun

It's been a tough year for the economy and more than a few of us just can't wait for 2009 to get on out of here!

On the other hand, the holidays are right around the corner. They should be a time of joy. Time for getting together with family. A time to take advantage of free entertainment.

Yep, that's right. Free entertainment. In coastal communities in the Carolinas, there's more than enough going on for free or at very low cost to fill up a holiday trip. Best of all, the hotel rates are low this time of year. So get the family in the car and make a weekend of checking out the holiday fun.

Myrtle Beach, S.C.'s “Center of Fun," Broadway at the Beach, kick starts the holiday season with a Tree Lighting Ceremony on November 7th from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. It's in a new spot this year – the south side of Broadway at the Beach near the IMAX 3D Theatre. Entertainment is by the Irish Tenors, a group that performs at the nearby Palace Theatre where you'd pay upwards of $30 a person to hear them. There will also be performances by the Socastee Singers, Carolina Freestyle Cloggers and a Gospel Choir.

Up the coast at Carolina Beach, N.C., there's lots going on over several days.

Sunday, November 22 stroll down Carolina Beach's main street and enjoy the decorations, open houses and special sales at charming shops during the 4th Annual Holiday Walk.

Friday, November 27, catch the 1st Christmas By The Sea and the The “Lighting of the Boardwalk” at 8 p.m. Throughout the month of December this boardwalk will be all dressed up for the holidays and free stuff will include story-telling by a fire pit, ornament making for the kids, and live entertainment.

That same night (Friday, November 27) you might actually want to start getting in the holiday spirit at the Carolina Beach State Park where the Light Up The Lake ceremony takes place at 7 p.m. It kicks off a month-long Island of Lights Festival which features lighted displays along a one-mile path around Carolina Beach Lake. Entertainment that night is by the Carolina Beach Elementary School Chorus, plus there will be luminaries, caroling, a live nativity and Santa. And it's all free!

Mark your calendar for the weekend of December 4 because that's one of the best times to head to Carolina Beach. Friday, December 4 is the date for the spectacular Island of Lights Christmas Parade. For nearly two hours, this electric parade rolls by, featuring floats, bands, clowns, horses, Santa Claus, and much more. The fun starts at 7:30 p.m.

On Saturday, December 5, the Island of Lights Holiday Flotilla begins at 6 p.m. How cool is a parade of fishing boats and pleasure crafts, electrically decorated with thousands of lights, cruising from Snows Cut to Carolina Beach Boat Basin and back?

Can't make that weekend, then shoot for the next.

Saturday, December 12 is the date for the Island of Lights Tour of Homes. Check out holiday decorations and enjoy Southern hospitality while on a self-guided tour. On Saturday and Sunday, December 13, you can even take the kids over to the Aquarium where everyone gets treated like a kid as adults and children alike can get in for the child's rate of just $6. There will be photos with Santa, crafts, a puppet show, and a big-screen showing of “Mickey's Magical Christmas.” Even “Scuba Santa” will be in the big tank!.

As we finally get to the end of this year and begin looking forward to the next one, there's no better place to celebrate than Carolina Beach.

Thursday, December 31, ring out the old year at the Island of Lights New Year's Eve Countdown beginning at 9 p.m., on the Boardwalk. This is a true family-friendly event with dancing in the street and tunes spun by a DJ. At midnight, a giant lighted beach ball will be lowered, followed by a dazzling display of fireworks.

So head for the coast and get in the holiday spirit. You don't have to spend a bundle to have a great time.