A festive tradition in the Southeast, holiday boat parades and flotillas provide twice the sparkle of the season as twinkling lights reflect on rivers and coastal waterways along the East Coast. From the annual Savannah, Georgia Harbor Boat Parade of Lights to the Alexandria, Virginia Holiday Parade of Lights (pictured), here are several nautical parades to enjoy in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. Most of these featured holiday flotillas take place during Thanksgiving weekend or the following weekend in early December.

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^{Photo of the Alexandria, Virginia Holiday Parade of Lights: Chester Simpson}

Hundreds of blue Christmas lights line the driveway and Santa's sleigh on the front lawn welcomes visitors with the greeting, "Merry Christmas to All, Elvis." Other seasonal displays, including a life-sized Nativity scene, replicate the Christmas decorations that Elvis enjoyed so much throughout the holidays at his beloved Memphis home, Graceland.

During 2009 Winter Events at Graceland, which begin Friday, November 20th with a special annual Christmas lighting ceremony, visiting Elvis fans are able to enjoy these and other holiday-themed exhibits, special holiday tours and more. Winter at Graceland continues in January, when four days of events celebrate Elvis' birthday.

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Tennessee Outlet Malls

^{Photo Credit: © Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.}

The day after Thanksgiving, known as Black Friday, is traditionally the busiest shopping day of the year in the United States. Many of the popular outlet shopping malls in the Southeast open at midnight at the end of Thanksgiving Day and stay open through the day, Black Friday, until 9 p.m. or 10 p.m. Other outlet malls open much earlier than usual the morning of Black Friday.

In addition to offering the extended shopping hours, many malls and individual stores feature special Black Friday giveaways, hot sales and great bargains. Read more to find out about Black Friday extended shopping hours at many of the popular outlet malls in the Southeast U.S.

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^{Photo Credit: Stockbyte / Getty Images}

Biltmore House, America's largest house, is even more magical than usual during the holidays. Throughout the Christmas season, many of the traditions that began on Christmas Eve 1895, when George W. Vanderbilt first welcomed his friends and family to Biltmore Estate, continue to be celebrated each year.

Embracing the lyrics Deck the halls with boughs of holly in a big way, holiday decorations at Biltmore Estate include:

• 100 decorated Christmas trees
  
• Hundreds of festive wreaths and bows
  
• Hundreds of seasonal poinsettias
  
• 30,000 lights in the house
  
• 150,000 lights throughout the estate
  
• 10,000 feet of fresh garland
  
• More than 25,000 ornaments

To add to the sparkle, seasonal music and an array of activities for all ages add to the fun during daytime visits and special Candlelight Christmas Evenings. For longer visits, overnight packages are offered, subject to availability. More about Christmas at Biltmore.

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^{Photo Credit: Copyright 2008 The Biltmore Company, all rights reserved}