50+ Best Christmas Events in the Southeast (2024)

There’s no place like the holidays in the South!

From lights on the water and boat parades to Santa train rides and snow, the Southeast is full of driving-distance destinations that are legendary for their holiday vibe, their lavish or quirky décor, their family-friendly events and their warm hospitality. Some are full of revelers, others are heartwarming hometown celebrations with a little peace on Earth.

Whether you’re looking for a southern getaway or something closer to home — we’ve got lots of great holiday options for you!

Georgia

Near Atlanta

• 2024 Christmas Events Near Me: Your Festive Guide to Only the Very Best Atlanta Christmas Events
• Stone Mountain Christmas (Stone Mountain): November 9, 2024 - January 5, 2025
• Cookies with Santa at Zoo Atlanta (Atlanta): December 7 and 8, 2024
• Georgia Festival of Trees (Duluth): Select dates November 23 - December 1, 2024 
• Garden Lights, Holiday Nights (Atlanta Botanical Gardens): November 16, 2024 – January 12, 2025
• Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (Center for Puppetry Arts): Select dates Nov. 13 - Dec. 29, 2024
• Margaritaville’s Lakeside Lights Spectacular (Lake Lanier): Select dates Nov. 27, 2024 - Jan. 20, 2025
• Light Up Brookhaven (Brookhaven): Dec. 4
• Holiday on the Town (Brookhaven): Dec. 5
• Downtown Tree Lighting (Griffin): Dec. 6
• Mistletoe Night Market (Griffin): Dec. 8
• Griffin Second Saturday: Merry and Bright festivities (Griffin): Dec. 14
• Christmas Jubilee and Parade of Lights (Woodstock): Dec. 8
• Magic of Lights (Woodstock): Nov. 22, 2024 - Jan. 4, 2025

North Georgia

• Annual Lighting of the Village (Helen): Nov. 29
• Helen’s Christmas Market (Helen): November 30 & December 1 and December 7 – 8, 2024
• Victorian Christmas at Hardman Farm (Helen): Fridays and Saturdays, from December 6-21
• Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association’s Holiday Art Show and Sale (Blue Ridge): From Nov. 16 - Dec. 20
• Blue Ridge Scenic Railway Holiday Express (Blue Ridge): Nov. 29 - Dec. 24
• Blue Ridge’s Blue Friday (Blue Ridge): November 29, 2024 
• Light Up Blue Ridge (Blue Ridge): November 30
• Christmas in Downtown Dawsonville (Dawsonville): November 23
• Enchanted Garden of Lights (Rock City): Runs Nov. 15, 2024 - Jan. 4, 2025

South Georgia

• Americus Christmas Parade (Americus): Thursday, December 5
• Home For The Holidays (Americus): December 6
• Plains Christmas Lighting (Plains): November 30

Coastal Georgia

• Santa Express on the Georgia Coastal Railway (Kingsland): Select dates Nov. 29 - Dec. 24
• Holly Jolly Jekyll (Jekyll Island): Nov. 29, 2024 - Jan. 5, 2025
• White Lighting (St. Marys)
• A Snowy Kingsland Christmas (Kingsland): Dec. 12
• Set Sail with Santa Boat Parade (St. Marys): Dec. 14
• Tinsel Trail (St. Marys): Dec. 9, 2024 - Jan. 2, 2025
• St. Marys Live Nativity (St. Marys): Dec. 10

Florida

• Stetson Mansion Christmas Spectacular (DeLand): Nov. 1- Jan. 18
• Rose Villa Fantasy Gingerbread Holiday Light Display (Ormond Beach): Nov. 22, 2024 - Jan. 5, 2025
• Christmas on Main (Stuart): Nov. 29
• Jensen Beach Christmas Mansion (Hutchinson Island): Throughout December
• Taste of Jensen (Jensen Beach): Dec. 3
• Christmas Tree Lighting (Wausau): Dec. 7
• Chipley Christmas Fest (Washington County): Dec. 19

Alabama

• Wonderland Under Warrior (Rickwood Caverns State Park): Nov. 18 - Jan. 1
• Sippin’ Cider Festival (Athens, AL): Dec. 14
• Historic Decatur Christmas Tour (Decatur, AL): Dec. 14
• Cullman Christkindlmarkt (Cullman): Nov. 21 - Dec. 23
• Christmas in the Park (Arab): Nov. 29
• Christmas on the Square (Moulton)

Louisiana

• Christmas on the River (Monroe-West Monroe)
• Louisiana Holiday Trail of Lights (Monroe-West Monroe)
• Christmas at the Biedenharn Museum & Gardens (Monroe)
• Santa’s Christmas Village at the Northeast Louisiana Children’s Museum

North Carolina

• Swansboro by Candlelight (Swansboro): Nov. 9
• Holiday Flotilla (Swansboro): Nov. 29
• Mike’s Farm's Festival of Lights Hayride (Beulaville): November 14th- December 23rd, Dec. 26-28
• Mike's Farm's Supper with Santa (Beulaville): Sunday-Tuesday nights from November 17th-December 23rd
• ELJ Farms’ Christmas Town (Jacksonville, NC): Starts Nov. 20

South Carolina

• Fireflies Holiday Lights (Columbia): Nov. 15, 2024 - Jan. 4, 2025
• Wild Lights at Riverbanks Zoo (Columbia): Nov. 15, 2024 - Jan. 12, 2025
• The Nutcracker presented by the South Carolina Ballet (Columbia): Dec 14, 15, 21, 22
• Carols Along the River (Cayce): Dec. 6
• Town of Lexington’s Christmas Carolighting Ceremony (Lexington)
• A Very Berry Christmas on Main Street (Newberry): Nov. 22
• Christmas Parade in Prosperity (Prosperity): Dec. 8
• Town of Saluda Annual Christmas Parade (Saluda): Dec. 7
• Christmas in the Backcountry (North Augusta): Nov. 30
• Christmas in Hopelands (Aiken): December 14-23