These 8 Georgia Small Towns Do Christmas Right
You can't help but feel festive during the holidays in these charming Georgia small towns.
There is just something special about celebrating a Southern Christmas in a charming little town – something that makes it distinctive and memorable. Georgia is full of enchanting small towns, and these locations take pride in knowing how to create holiday celebrations your entire family will remember for years to come.
Step into another world in alpine Helen during the holidays. Photo by @thatplaygroundlife
1. Helen
Fröhliche Weihnachten! That's German for Merry Christmas if you’re not familiar. Partake in festive alpine cheer as you head to the Christmas town of Helen for the annual Christmas Market – a tradition that lines the center of town with gifts, decorations, candied treats and more. It's open the last weekend in November and the first weekend in December, but you'll also want to bring the family when Santa arrives on his Bavarian sleigh as part of the Helen Christmas Parade in early December.
Santa at Babyland General Hospital in Cleveland, Georgia
2. Cleveland
Not too far from Helen is Cleveland, which offers several unique holiday experiences. Get outside for a brisk hike at Yonah Preserve Trails, and visit The Cottage Vineyard & Winery to relax with a glass of wine while enjoying the view of the North Georgia mountains. Visit in early December for the Christmas in the Mountains Celebration & Lighted Parade. Explore Babyland General Hospital, and shop for special gifts for children and the Cabbage Patch fans in your life.
Holiday decorations on a small church in Thomasville, Georgia. Photo by @robbiecaponetto
3. Thomasville
Step back in time during Thomasville's Victorian Christmas, when the downtown comes alive with performers, carolers and musicians dressed in historic attire. Enjoy live reindeer carriage rides, a live nativity, marshmallow toasting, chestnut roasting, plein air artists and much more.
In addition to the festival, Thomasville is a great place for Christmas shopping: Southlife Supply Co, Kevin's Fine Outdoor Gear and Apparel, Kathy's Shoes, Mode Boutique, Toscoga Marketplace and so much more. Thomasville is an award-winning small town, and its Christmas cheer exemplifies why it's a well-deserved award!
Holiday decorations at Hills & Dales Estate in LaGrange, Georgia
4. LaGrange
Home to the Callaway family, the 1916 Hills & Dales Estate (Fuller and Ida Callaway's home) in LaGrange is a beautiful sight decked in decadent holiday decor, or you can dazzle the kids with a stop in nearby Pine Mountain at Callaway Resort & Gardens’ Fantasy In Lights. Did you know National Geographic dubbed it one of the world's best places for Christmas sparkle? Want to dive a little deeper into the first Christmas experience? Make a stop at the Biblical History Center for a historical experience of the season.
5. Dahlonega
Video by @jeremysatterfield
Christmas trees, mistletoe and thousands of twinkling lights adorn historic Dahlonega from the Friday after Thanksgiving with the Lighting of the Square until year-end, creating an old-timey holiday experience during Dahlonega's Old Fashioned Christmas. A hometown parade welcomes the Jolly Old Elf, followed by carolers, live music, wine tastings, horse-drawn carriage rides and more. Don't miss a visit with Santa in the Public Square, where you can take a picture with Santa in front of the Christmas tree every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The Sinclair in Madison, Georgia
6. Madison
Named "One of The South's Best Small Towns" by Southern Living in 2018, Madison is home to the largest collection of 19th-century architecture in Georgia with a mix of Greek revival, late Victorian and Romanesque-style buildings. See them decorated for the season, and stroll through the festively decorated downtown sampling holiday treats at the many restaurants and sweet shops. In November, visit for Shop, Sip & Stroll Saturdays to enjoy retail promotions, light refreshments and holiday music. And, don't miss the Holiday Tour of Homes in December, featuring cottages and historic homes all dressed up for the holidays.
Downtown Blue Ridge, Georgia
7. Blue Ridge
Ahhh, the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway at Christmas … what a way to kick off the season. Listen to a Christmas story, sing carols and meet with the big guy, St. Nick. There are also daytime and nighttime pavilion rides, which are longer tours and a chance to meet with Santa on the pavilion.
If you can’t make the train ride, then see Santa and Mrs. Claus before and during Light Up Blue Ridge, the official lighting of the Christmas tree in Blue Ridge.
Holiday lights on Jekyll Island, Georgia
8. Jekyll Island
Jekyll Island is home to more than a million lights during the Holly Jolly Jekyll season. The Great Tree alone has more than 45,000, which is more per square foot than the NYC Rockefeller Center Christmas tree! Purchase tickets online for the guided tram tours that take place on select nights. Trolley riders will enjoy festive holiday beverages, music, and a one-of-a-kind tour souvenir!
Don't miss the light parade, holiday fireworks, and special drive-in movie presentations. Check the Jekyll Island events calendar for a full lineup of holiday fun that starts in November.
