Southeastern festivals near Atlanta

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Georgia

Helen — The Festival of Trees, through Dec. 12, features beautifully decorated trees throughout Unicoi State Park and Lodge. 1-800-573-9659, Ext. 305., www.gastateparks.org.

Palmetto — Fantasy Forest, A Festival of Trees, Nov. 30-Dec. 13 at the Palmetto Community Center, is a display of themed Christmas trees decorated by local churches, charities and businesses. Participating organizations will offer unique gift items, entertainment, holiday treats and more. $5.50, adults; $3.50, seniors and teens; $1.50, children 12 and under. 770-463-3377, www.palmettofantasy
forest.com.

Thomasville — The 22nd annual Victorian Christmas, Dec. 10-11, features a Nativity, street vendors, arts and crafts, carriage rides, carolers, live entertainment and more. Downtown is decked out in 1890s decor. 229-227-7020, www.downtownthomasville.com.

Chatsworth — Cherokee Christmas by Candlelight, Dec. 11-12 at the Chief Vann House Historic Site, features the sights and sounds of a 19th-century Christmas in one of America’s best-preserved Cherokee homes. $3.50–$5. 706-695-2598, www.gastateparks.org.

Blairsville — The Christmas Tree Lighting, Dec. 12 at Vogel State Park, features caroling, hayrides, a Santa Claus visit, bonfires, hot chocolate and cider. For the Give a Gift Toy Drive, bring an unwrapped gift for kids 12 years old and younger. No toy guns, knives or dangerous items. 706-745-2628, www.gastateparks.org.

Nicholls — Christmas on the Pond, 6-9 p.m. Dec. 12 at General Coffee State Park, features storytelling, hayrides, and refreshments. Santa will usher in the holiday season. 912-384-1581, www.gastateparks.org.

Savannah — Colonial Christmas at Wormsloe, Dec. 13 at Wormsloe Historic Site, is an 18th-century Christmas celebration with caroling, dancing, the burning of the Yule Log, holiday observances of the Colonial period, games and refreshments. $3.50-$5. 912-353-3023, www.gastateparks.org.

Athens — Athens Heritage Walks, through November, are guided tours featuring some of the city’s most outstanding historic places. $12 for Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation members; $15, nonmembers; $10 per tour with the pre-purchase of 10 or more tickets. 706-353-1801, www.achfonline.org.

Alabama

Dothan — Downtown Christmas, Dec. 5, features freshly made snow, visits with Santa Claus, the Boll Weevil Choo Choo, Christmas carols, arts and crafts, food and more. 334-793-3097, www.thedowntowngroup.com/christmas.html.

Foley — Let It Snow, Dec. 5 at Foley Heritage Park, is an alcohol-free event with snow, games, prizes, music, storytelling, food and other entertainment. 251-943-1200, www.foleycvb.com/events.cfm.

Mobile — During Christmas Open House, 1-4 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Bragg-Mitchell Mansion, guests may tour the historic home, which will be decked out in holiday decor. The event also features homemade refreshments, seasonal music, Santa and a storyteller. $5, adults; $3, children. 251-471-6364, www.braggmitchellmansion.com.

Decatur — The Christmas Tour of Homes, Dec. 12, focuses on the Old Decatur Historic District and New Albany Historic District, which contain Victorian and early 20th-century craftsman and bungalow homes. 1-800-232-5449, www.decaturcvb.org/default.aspx?id=706.

Wetumpka — Christmas on the Coosa, Dec. 12, features a road race, arts and crafts, food concessions, a street parade, live entertainment, fireworks and a Santa “ski-in.” 334-567-5147, www.cityofwetumpka.com.

Mobile — The MoonPie Over Mobile New Year’s Eve Celebration, Dec. 31, features live entertainment, children’s activities and a countdown to 2010. 251-470-7730, www.ncsmobile.org.

Florida

Key West — The Pirates in Paradise Festival, through Dec. 6, features more than 150 pirate entertainers, tall ships, sea battles, arts and crafts, pirate sails, a living history encampment and more. 305-296-9694, www.piratesin
paradise.com.

Big Pine Key — The Big Pine and Lower Keys Island Art Festival, Dec. 5 on the grounds of the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce (mile marker 31), includes live music by local entertainers, food, exhibits, and arts and crafts. 305-872-2411, www.lowerkeyschamber.com.

Wildwood — The Wildwood Winterfest, Dec. 11-12, includes a concert series, a parade, fireworks, a snow slide, a carnival and 5K walk. 352-793-2750, www.wild
woodwinterfest.com.

Kissimmee — The Festival of Lights Parade, Dec. 13, features floats, lights and Santa Claus. Proceeds from this parade support the Terry Stewart Memorial Scholarship. 407-518-2501, www.kissimmee.org/ch_dept_parks.aspx?id=413.

Tallahassee — The 23rd annual Winter Festival, Dec. 19, features arts and crafts, exhibitors, live entertainment, food vendors, a Christmas tree display, children’s activities, a road race, a parade, and holiday lights. 850-891-3866, www.talgov.com/parks/winter/.

North Carolina

Asheville — Candlelight Christmas Evenings, through Jan. 2 at Biltmore Estate, feature roaring fireplaces, live music, storytellers and thousands of delicate ornaments. Visitors also may check out Biltmore’s Gardens, the winery, River Bend Farm, shops and restaurants during the day. 1-800-411-3812, www.biltmore.com.

Clemmons — The Tanglewood Festival of Lights, through Jan. 3 at Tanglewood Park, features whimsical light displays, a gift village, hayrides, carriage rides and more. 336-778-6300, www.forsyth.cc/tanglewood/fol_info.aspx.

Asheville — The Big Crafty, noon-6 p.m. Dec. 6 at Pack Place, features more than 100 independent artists, food and drinks. 828-253-3227, www.thebigcrafty.com.

Edenton — The Christmas Candlelight Tour, Dec. 11-12, is a self-guided walking tour of homes in the town’s historic district. 252-482-7800, www.edenton
historicalcommission.org.

Cherokee — The Cherokee Christmas Parade, Dec. 12, features Santa, dozens of holiday floats, music and activities for the whole family. 1-800-438-1601, www.cherokee-nc.com.

Leland — The North Carolina Christmas Festival, Dec. 12, features a parade, live entertainment and children’s activities. 910-371-9921, www.ncchristmas
 festival.com.

Cherokee — Ring in the new year at the annual New Year’s Eve Fireworks Display, Dec. 31-Jan. 1 at the Cherokee Indian Fair Grounds. 1-800-438-1601, www.cherokee-nc.com.

South Carolina

Greenville — The Holiday Fair, Dec. 3-5 at the Carolina First Center, features more than 300 vendors selling arts, crafts, gifts and more. 864-233-2562, www.holiday
fairgreenville.com.

Rock Hill — ChristmasVille, Dec. 3-6 in historic downtown, features more than 70 holiday events, light displays and 80 images of Santa art by children’s illustrator Vernon Grant. 803-329-8756, www.christmasvillerockhill.com.

Aiken — Christmas in the Hopelands, Dec. 11-13, 17-23 and 26, features 100,000 holiday lights illuminating gardens and an adjacent estate, Rye Patch. 1-888-AIKENSC, www.experienceaiken.org.

Tennessee

Knoxville — The Fantasy of Trees, through today, features trees decorated with shimmering ornaments and silver bells, gifts available for purchase and children’s activities. Proceeds benefit the East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. 865-541-8385, www.etch.com/fantasy.cfm.

Clarksville — Christmas on the Cumberland, through Jan. 1 on the McGregor Park Riverwalk, features more than a million lights, floats and children’s performances. 931-648-6129, www.christmasonthe
cumberland.com.

Gatlinburg — The Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade, Dec. 4, is expected to draw 80,000 people and features marching bands, giant balloons and LED-lighted floats. 1-800-568-4748, www.eventsgatlinburg.com.

Chattanooga — The Winter Days & Lights Appalachian Christmas concert, Dec. 11 at Miller Plaza’s Waterhouse Pavilion, features Appalachian music, cider and cookies. $3 for adults; free, children 10 and under. 423-265-0771, www.downtownchattanooga.org.

Knoxville — The Living Christmas Tree, Dec. 19-21 at the Thompson-Boling Arena, features performances by a 240-voice choir, a 60-piece orchestra and 300 actors. 865-577-4222, www.knoxtree.org.

If you find a mistake in the Travel Calendar, please let us know by sending an e-mail to travelcal@ajc.com. Events are subject to change, so it’s a good idea to call the venue before driving a long distance.