Calendars

Lake Lanier and the surrounding communities support an active and creative lifestyle. From boating, fishing, swimming, and sailing on the lake to running, biking, and golfing events, art, museums, and theater attractions, the Lanier area has something for everyone.

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Lake Lanier Area Holiday Events

Stroll through lighted tunnels, shop for handmade gifts, ride in a horse-drawn carriage, slide down an icy tube … these are among the holiday activities lighting up the season around Lake Lanier and in the mountain headwaters.

Here’s a look:

o Magical Nights of Lights, Buford. Return of drive-through lights spectacle with six miles of animated festive scenes, 5-10 p.m. Nov. 20-Jan. 3, Lanier Islands, 7000 Lanier Islands Pkwy. $25 standard vehicle (up to 10 passengers) in advance online; $35 at the gate; vans & shuttles 11-20 passengers starting at $100; buses over 21 passengers starting at $250. www.lanierislands.com.

o License to Chill Snow Island, Buford.  Snow tubing, ice skating, carnival rides, s’more making, various hours, Nov. 20 through Jan. 4; see website calendar for extended dates, Margaritaville at Lanier Islands, 7650 Lanier Islands Pkwy. Various prices. www.margaritavilleresorts.com.

o Winter Wonderland, Braselton. Tree lighting celebration 6-8 p.m. Nov. 20, parade, entertainment, market and more, 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Nov. 21, Downtown Braselton & Town Green. www.explorebraselton.com.

o Gainesville Glows: Lanterns & Lights. Lighted woodland animals, romantic luminaries, enchanting lanterns, light tunnel, interactive candy canes, new model train display, Amphitheatre of Dancing Lights, plus s’more pits, 5-10 p.m. Nov. 19-Jan. 3,  Gainesville Garden of the Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1911 Sweet Bay Dr. $16.95-$34.95. www.atlantabg.org, 404-888-4760.

o Tree Lighting & Lantern Parade, Flowery Branch. Walk down Main Street by lantern light, community tree lighting, 6:30-8 p.m. Nov. 20, Downtown Flowery Branch. www.flowerybranchga.org.

o Cumming City Center Winter Market/Tree Lighting. Winter market, live music, family activities, warm drinks and desserts, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 21, Cumming City Center, 423 Canton St. www.cummingcitycenter.com.

o Jingle Mingle/Lighting of the Chicken, Gainesville. Kiddy train rides, carriage rides, open house and live music at historic buildings and Roosevelt Square, holiday shopping, Santa’s arrival and Lighting of the Chicken ceremony, 4-8 p.m. Nov. 21, 112 Main St., SW. www.exploregainesville.org.

o Christmas in Downtown Dawsonville. Parade, tree lighting, market, Santa visits, food trucks, 2-8 p.m. Nov. 21, Dawsonville City Hall, 415 Hwy. 53 E. www.dawsonchamber.org.

o Wilshire Wonderland of Lights, Gainesville. Extended stroll through beloved Gainesville park to Rock Creek Veterans Park decorated with holiday lights, plus Santa visits/photos, 5-10 p.m. Nov. 25-Jan. 1, Wilshire Trails Park, 849 Wilshire Trials Rd. See website for Santa’s schedule. www.gainesville.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. 26-Dec. 12, nightly Dec. 17-24, drive through only Dec. 26-31, 1311 Music Hall Rd. $12 per person, free to children 12 & younger. Closed Dec. 25. www.georgiamountainfairgrounds.com.

o Old Fashioned Christmas, Dahlonega. Annual celebration with near-daily holiday activities beginning with Lighting of the Square celebration,  3-8 p.m.. Nov. 27, carriage rides, Santa visits, food trucks, Festival of Trees, and more through Dec. 29, Holiday parade noon Dec. 11, Historic 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. 27, Riverside Park, 1074 Edelweiss Strasse. www.helenga.org.

o Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting, Clermont. Annual holiday parade with floats, bands, tractors, antique cars, photos/Santa, hot cocoa & cookies, tree lighting, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Nov. 28, Chattahoochee Park, 639 Main St. www.clermontga.com.

o Chriskindlmarkt, Helen. Handmade gifts, decorations, candied and savory treats, food vendors, Nov. 28 & 29; Dec. 5 & 6, Market Plaza & Union Hill Park, Downtown Helen. www.helenga.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, 4-7 p.m. Friday and Saturdays Dec. 4-19, Hardman Farm State Historic Site, 143 Hwy. 17. $30 adults, $22 youth, $65 family (2 adults and children under 18). Registration required. www.gastateparks.org.

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. 5, market begins at noon, lighted parade at 6 p.m. Ga. 129/115. www.whitecountychamber.org.

o S’mores with Santa, Don Carter State Park, Gainesville.  Free family photos with Santa! Join us at the group shelter for holiday themed crafts, hot cocoa, and s’mores with the big guy. Saturday, Dec 5,  1-3 p.m. Parking fee required. Don Carter State Park – 5000 North Browning Bridge Road, 678-450-7726.

o Christmas at the Gorge, Tallulah Falls. Holiday snacks, crafts, Santa visits and hayrides, 1-3 p.m. Dec. 5, Tallulah Gorge State Park, 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Dr. $5 parking. www.gastateparks.org.

o Green Street Santa Sprint, Gainesville. 1-mile point-to-point run before Christmas parade on Green Street by participants wearing green Santa suits, 3:50 p.m. Dec. 6, 781 Green Street (corner of Holly/Green St.). $35-$40. runsignup.com.

o Christmas on Green Street, Gainesville. Annual celebration on Historic Green Street with antique car parade, marching bands, and floats, plus food trucks, mini-train rides, activities and performances at historic homes, 1-7 p.m. Dec. 6. www.exploregainesville.org.

o Christmas Market, Flowery Branch. Food trucks, 50 vendors, local produce and meats, holiday treats, carriage rides, live music, unique gifts, Santa visit, 3:30-7 p.m. Dec. 10, Downtown Flowery Branch, 5210 Railroad Ave. www.flowerybranchfarmersmarket.com.

o Holiday Drive-In Movie, Dawsonville. Watch a Christmas classic from your vehicle, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 11, War Hill Park, 4081 War Hill Park 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. 12, Downtown Helen. www.helenga.org.

o Sunset Candy Cane Hunt/Holiday Movie, Tallulah Falls. Hunt for candy canes, enjoy holiday movie, s’mores, hot chocolate, 5-7 p.m. Dec. 12, Tallulah Gorge State Park, 338 Jane Hurt Yarn Dr. $10 parking. www.gastateparks.org.

o Festive Hike, Helen. Guided 1-mile hike to Chunanee Falls to learn origins of favorite Christmas traditions, 10 a.m.-noon Dec. 12, Smithgall Woods State Park, 61 Tsalaki Trl. $10 parking. Register in advance. www.gastateparks.org.

o Holiday Boat Parade, Lake Lanier. Festival of lights on the water with decorated boats; parade begins at 6 p.m. Dec. 12, Port Royale and floats toward Aqualand Marina for judging before heading to University Yacht Club and Margaritaville, with activities at each. Parade entry $100-$200. laniercharityevents.com.

o Cumming Christmas Parade. Holiday floats, antique cars, bands and more parade to Cumming Fairgrounds via from North Forsyth High School via Tribble Gap/Castleberry Rd.,  5-6:30 p.m. Dec. 12. cummingfair.squarespace.com.

o New Years Eve Fireworks, Buford. Landshark Landing, Dec 31, Margaritaville at Lanier Islands, 7640 Lanier Islands Pkwy. www.margaritavilleresorts.com.

o 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.

o New Year’s Day 5K/Half Marathon, Cumming. 8:50 a.m. New Year’s Day, North Forsyth Middle School, 3645 Coal Mountain Dr. $27-$32. www.fivestarntp.com.

o First Day Hikes, Georgia. Many Georgia State Parks plan First Day Hikes for the new year. www.gastateparks.com.