End 2025 with fireworks and champagne, start 2026 with a hike in the mountains. These are among the ways to bid farewell to old year and start anew around Lake Lanier and its small town headwaters.
Here’s a sample:
New Year’s Eve Party, Flowery Branch. Family fun with countdown at noon instead of midnight with DJ, games, snacks, kiddie train rides, balloons, confetti drop, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Pavilion, 5210 Railroad Ave. www.flowerybranchga.com.
New Years Eve Fireworks, Buford. Landshark Landing, Margaritaville at Lanier Islands, 7640 Lanier Islands Pkwy. www.margaritavilleresorts.com.
Dropping of the Edelweiss, 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.
Polar Bear Paddle/Plunge, Gainesville. Paddle on Lake Lanier, 10 a.m., beach run into lake, noon, New Year’s Day, plus hot cocoa, goodies and Polar Bear t-shirt, Lake Lanier Olympic Park, 3105 Clarks Bridge Rd. $20. See website to get sign up information: www.lckc.org, www.exploregainesville.org.
New Year’s Day 5K/Half Marathon, Cumming. 9 a.m. New Year’s Day, North Forsyth Middle School, 3645 Coal Mountain Dr. $26-$40. www.fivestarntp.com.
First Day Hike Amicalola, Dawsonville. Two Jan. 1 guided hikes: 9:30 a.m. and noon 1.5 mile round trip on Appalachian Approach Trail, plus 11 a.m. Birds of Prey show at Visitors Center Arch Room, Amicalola Falls State Park, 280 Amicalola Falls State Park Rd. $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 706-344-1515.
Finding Your First Bird First Day Hike, Gainesville. Ranger-led .7-mile hike for first bird watchers to participate in annual tradition, 8:30-9:30 a.m. Jan. 1, Don Carter State Park, 5000 N. Browning Bridge Rd. Register in advance. $3, plus $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 678-450-7726.
Celebrate America’s 250th, Gainesville. First Day hike on Huckleberry Trail to celebrate America’s 250th year, 2-3 p.m. Jan. 1, Don Carter State Park, 5000 N. Browning Bridge Rd. Register in advance. $3, plus $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 678-450-7726.
Falls to Farm First Day Hike, Sautee Nacoochee. 11-mile one-way hike from Anna Ruby Falls to Hardman Farm Historic Site, includes shuttle from Hardman Farm, support stops, swag bag, post-hike meal, tour of Hardman Farm and t-shirt, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan. 1, Hardman Farm Historic Site, 143 Hwy. 17. $40. www.gastateparks.org, 706-878-1077.
First Day Nature Trail Hike, Clarkesville. Ranger-led 1-mile hike along creek, 10-11 a.m. Jan. 1, Moccasin Creek State Park, 2655 Hwy 197. www.gastateparks.org, 706-947-4194.
First Day Hike Duke’s Creek Falls, Helen. 1.3 mile hike to primitive cabin for warm-up by toasty fire, optional added 1.2 mile hike to falls, 1-3 p.m. Jan. 1, Smithgall Woods State Park, 61 Tsalaki Trl. $5 parking. Register in advance. www.gastateparks.org, 706-878-3087.
Polar Bear Plunge, Tallulah Falls. First annual dip at beach/day-use area, 1-2 p.m. Jan. 1, Tallulah Gorge State Park, 338 Jan Hurt Yarn Dr. $20, includes warm drink, t-shirt, and parking fee. Register in advance. www.gastateparks.org, 706-754-7981.
Inspiration Loop & Sunset Burden Burn, Tallulah Falls. Ranger-led 1-mile hike to highest point in the gorge to watch sun set with s’mores, hot cocoa and campfire; bring pencil/paper to write down 2025 burdens to burn, 4-5 p.m. Jan. 1, Tallulah Gorge State Park, 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Dr. Register in advance. $7, plus $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 706-754-7981.
First Day Hike Unicoi, Helen. Guided 2.5 lake loop hike, 10 a.m.-noon Jan. 1, Unicoi State Park, 1788 Hwy 356. Register in advance. $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 706-878-2201.
First Day Hike at Vogel, Blairsville. Hike on Reece Farm Trail, 9-11:30 a.m. Jan. 1, Vogel State Park, 405 Vogel State Park Rd. $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org, 706-745-2628.
Images: courtesy America’s State Parks and ai-generated from pixabay
