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!

Photo byCourtesy of Alpine Helen-White County Convention and Visitors Bureau

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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