Lake Lanier cities, headwater mountain towns, and all the environs between sparkle this season with traditional parades, holiday walks, Santa visits, snow tubing, and diverse festivities. Here’s a sample:
o Antiques Holiday Market, Buford. Holiday décor, antique furniture, jewelry, gifts, plus live music, food trucks and Santa, noon-6 p.m. Nov. 15, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 16, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 17, Buford Community Center Town Park, 2200 Buford Hwy. www.bufordcommunitycenter.com.
o License to Chill Snow Island/Lakeside Lights Spectacular, Buford. Snow tubing, ice skating, carnival rides, s’more making, plus walk-through holiday light extravaganza with festive music; Snow Island starts daily at 11 a.m. Nov. 16 and ends at various times through Feb. 23; Lights Spectacular starts daily at 5 p.m. Nov. 27 and ends at various times through Jan. 20, Margaritaville at Lanier Islands, 7650 Lanier Islands Pkwy. Various prices. www.margaritavilleresorts.com.
o Celebrate the Holidays, Braselton. Annual parade, tree lighting, entertainment, market and more, 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Nov. 16, Downtown Braselton & Town Green. www.explorebraselton.com.
o Cumming City Center Tree Lighting. Winter market, live music, family activities, warm drinks and desserts, 6-7:30 p.m. Nov. 23, market begins 10 a.m., Cumming City Center, 423 Canton St. www.cummingcitycenter.com.
o Jingle Mingle, Gainesville. Kiddy train rides, carriage rides, open house and live music at historic buildings, holiday shopping, Santa’s arrival and Lighting of the Chicken ceremony, 4-8 p.m. Nov. 23, Historic Gainesville Square. www.exploregainesville.org.
o Christmas in Downtown Dawsonville. Parade, tree lighting, market, Santa visits, food trucks, 2-8 p.m. Nov. 23, Dawsonville City Hall, 415 Hwy. 53 E. www.destinationdawsonville.com.
o Wilshire Wonderland of Lights, Gainesville. Extended stroll through beloved Gainesville park to Rock Creek Veterans Park decorated with holiday lights, Nov. 28-Jan. 2, Wilshire Trails Park, 849 Wilshire Trials Rd. www.exploregainesville.org.
o Mountain Country Christmas in Lights, Hiawassee. See Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds in holiday lights, plus music, arts vendors, food, Santa visits and Cowtown exhibit with cow milking, butter ice-cream making, 6-9 p.m. Thurs.-Sat. Nov. 28-Dec. 7, nightly Dec. 12-23, 1311 Music Hall Rd. $7, free to children 12 & younger. Closed Dec. 24 & 25. www.georgiamountainfairgrounds.com.
o Old Fashioned Christmas, Dahlonega. Annual celebration with near-daily holiday activities beginning with Lighting of the Square 5:30 p.m. Nov. 29, carriage rides, Santa visits, food trucks, Festival of Trees, and more through Dec. 31, Holiday parade noon Dec. 14, downtown Dahlonega. www.dahlonegachristmas.com.
o Annual Lighting of the Village, Helen. Musical performances by local groups, Santa’s arrival and visits, 5-7 p.m. Nov. 29, Riverside Park, 1074 Edelweiss Strasse. www.helenga.org.
o Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting, Clermont. Annual holiday parade with floats, bands, tractors, antique cars & Santa, followed by tree lighting, 5 p.m. Nov. 30, Main Street. www.clermontga.com.
o Chriskindlmarkt, Helen. Handmade gifts, decorations, candied and savory treats, plus additional food vendors, Nov. 30 & Dec. 1, Dec. 7 & 8, Market Plaza & Union Hill Park, Downtown Helen. www.helenchamber.com.
o Christmas in the Mountains Festival & Lighted Parade, Cleveland. Parade, open houses, photos with Santa, market on downtown square, Cleveland County Courthouse, 6-8 p.m. Dec. 2, market begins at noon, intersection Ga. 129/115. www.whitecountychamber.org.
o Victorian Christmas at Hardman Farm, Sautee Nacoochee. See Mansion at West End decorated in period décor, learn about Victorian holiday traditions from re-enactors, plus live music, s’mores around a bon fire, 4-7 p.m. Friday and Saturdays Dec. 6-21, Hardman Farm, 143 Hwy. 17. $20 adults, $15-$45, free to children 5 and younger. Registration required. www.gastateparks.org. 706-878-1077.
o Christmas at the Gorge, Tallulah Falls. Holiday snacks, crafts, and hayrides, 1-3 p.m. Dec. 7, Tallulah Gorge State Park, 338 Jane Hurt Yard Dr. $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 706-754-7981.
o Holiday Boat Parade, Lake Lanier. Festival of lights on the water with decorated boat; parade begins at 5 p.m. Dec. 7, north of Port Royale and floats toward Aqualand Marina for judges’ review before heading to University Yacht Club, Lazy Days and Holiday Marina, then returns to Port Royale for live music and awards. Rain out day Dec. 8. Entry fees $100-$275. www.georgiasheriffsyouth.org.
o Christmas on Green Street, Gainesville. Annual celebration on Historic Green Street with antique car parade, marching bands, and floats, plus food trucks, activities and performances at historic homes, 2-6 p.m. p.m. Dec. 8. See schedule: www.exploregainesville.org.
o Holiday Drive-In Movie, Dawsonville. Watch A Christmas Carol from your vehicle, 5 p.m. Dec. 13, Rock Creek Sports Complex, 445 Martin Rd. Parking begins at 4:45 p.m., ends at 5:20 p.m. No concessions. www.dawsoncountyga.gov.
o Christmas Parade, Helen. Fire trucks, horses, dirt-buggies, floats, candy, Santa, 6 p.m. Dec. 14, Downtown Helen. www.helenga.org.
o Cumming Christmas Parade. Holiday floats, antique cars, bands and more parade to Cumming Fairgrounds via Tribble Gap/Castleberry Rd., 5-6 p.m. Dec. 14. www.cummingfair.squarespace.com.
o Holiday Jamboree on the Mountain, Clayton. Live music, nature crafts, Santa visits, hayrides, Mellinger Center/campground, 3-5 p.m. Dec. 14, Black Rock Mountain State Park, 3805 Black Rock Mountain Pkwy. $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 706-746-2141.
o Happy Holiday Hike, Helen. Naturalist-led hike to covered bridge to learn some fun holiday lore, plus hot cocoa and cookies at the visitor’s center, 10 a.m.-noon Dec. 14, Smithgall Woods State Park, 61 Tsalaki Trl. $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 706-878-4308 ext. 7.
o Sunset Candy Cane Hunt, Tallulah Falls. Hunt candy canes, watch holiday movie, enjoy s’mores and hot cocoa, 5-7 p.m. Dec. 14, Tallulah Gorge State Park, 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Dr. $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 706-754-7981.
o Christmas Open House, Dawsonville. Santa visits, holiday crafts, gingerbread house contest, festive treats and birds of prey program, 3-6 p.m. Dec. 21, Amicalola Falls State Park, 280 Amicalola Falls State Park Rd. $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 706-344-1515.
o Winter Solstice Celebration, Mountain City. Celebrate the shortest day of the year with s’mores, crafts 4-5 p.m. Dec. 21, Black Rock Mountain State Park, 3085 Black Rock Mountain Pkwy. $5. www.gastateparks.org, 706-746-2141.
o New Years Eve Celebration, Helen. Music, dancing, party favors, hors d’ouevres, champagne toast, 8 p.m.-midnight Dec. 31, Helen Festhalle, 1074 Edelweiss Strasse. $30 adults, $15 ages 6-12, free to children younger than 6. www.helenga.org.
o First Day Hike, Dawsonville. 1.9-mile ranger-led hikes to Appalachian Trail Approach Trail, includes climb on 604 stairs along waterfall, 9:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. plus birds of prey program at 11a.m., Jan. 1, Amicalola Falls State Park, 280 Amicalola Falls State Park Rd. $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 706-344-1515.
