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
- Holiday on the Town (Brookhaven): Nov. 30
- Light Up Brookhaven (Brookhaven): Dec. 4
- 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)
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
- A Snowy Kingsland Christmas (Kingsland): Dec. 12
- White Lighting (St. Marys): Dec. 3
- 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
- Rose Villa Fantasy Gingerbread Holiday Light Display (Ormond Beach): Nov. 22, 2024 – Jan. 5, 2025
- Christmas on Main (Stuart): Nov. 29
- Taste of Jensen (Jensen Beach): Dec. 3
- Jensen Beach Christmas Mansion (Hutchinson Island): Throughout December
- Chipley Christmas Fest (Washington County): Dec. 19
- Christmas Tree Lighting (Wausau): Dec. 7
- Stetson Mansion Christmas Spectacular (DeLand): Nov. 1- Jan. 18
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. 14
South Carolina
- Fireflies Holiday Lights (Columbia): Nov. 15 – Jan. 4
- Wild Lights at Riverbanks Zoo (Columbia): Starts Nov. 15
- 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)
- Town of Saluda Annual Christmas Parade (Saluda)
- Christmas in the Backcountry (North Augusta): Nov. 30
- Christmas in Hopelands (Aiken): December 14-23
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