Whether you’re looking for Halloween thrills or holiday cheer, we’ve got you covered with our list of seasonal festivals and attractions throughout the Southeast.
GEORGIA
Calhoun — Festival of Trees & Mistletoe Market, Nov. 4-Dec. 8, features Christmas trees, wreaths, handcrafted gifts and silent auctions. 706-629-2599, www.harrisartscenter.com.
Lookout Mountain — Rock City's Enchanted Garden of Lights, Nov. 22-Jan. 4, features an illuminated fantasyland of a million sparkling lights, dozens of seasonal scenes, dinners with Santa and his elves, cookie decorating and holiday music. www.seerockcity.com.
Warm Springs — Candlelight Tour Festival Nov. 16-18, features shopping by candlelight, carolers, horse-and-carriage rides and city tours. 706-655-3322, www.warmspringsga.com.
Pine Mountain — Fantasy in Lights at Callaway Gardens, Nov. 22-Dec. 30, features holiday light and sound shows, shopping, dining and story time with Mrs. Claus. 706-663-2281, www.callawaygardens.com.
Dahlonega — Old Fashioned Christmas, Nov. 22-Dec. 22, features caroling, theater, music, wine sampling, visits with Santa, trolley and carriage rides, a parade and live Nativity scene. 706-864-3513, www.dahlonega.org.
Helen — Festival of Trees, Nov. 27-Dec. 14, features trees, wreaths, a silent auction, a parades and the lighting of the village. 706-865-5356, www.helenga.org.
Milledgeville — Antebellum Christmas, Dec. 3-23, features decorated governor's mansion and candlelight tours. 478-445-4545, www.gcsu.edu/mansion.
City of Forsyth — Hometown Holidays Parade, Dec. 5, features floats, cars and go-carts, marching bands, dance troupes, beauty queens, carolers, Santa and Mrs. Claus and holiday treats. 478-994-9239, www.forsyth-monroechamber.com.
ALABAMA
Gadsden — Let It Snow: An Indoor Winter Wonderland, Nov. 1-Jan. 31, features snow for snowball tossing, snowman building and other activities. 256-543-2787, www.culturalarts.org.
Henager — Christmas at Eddie’s, features theme-decorated trees, strolls, ornaments and an open house. 256-657-3841.
Huntsville — Santa’s Village, Nov. 29-Dec. 23, features seasonally trimmed trees, music, snow, reindeer, toymakers, crafts, shopping and Santa. 256-564-8100, www.earlyworks.com.
Montgomery — Christmas Lights Festival, Dec. 5-7, 12-15, 19-31, features holiday decorations, horseback rides, shopping at Santa’s Craftshop, food and nightly entertainment. 334-240-4900, www.montgomeryzoo.com.
Tuscumbia — Plantation Christmas at Belle Mont, Dec. 8, features docents dressed in 18th century clothing, homemade treats, vocalists and ballroom dancers. 256-383-0783, www.colbertcountytourism.org.
Decatur — Historic Decatur Christmas Tour, Dec. 14, features self-guided tours of traditionally decorated homes and historic buildings, Carriage rides, holiday treats, carolers, a handbell choir and Christmas decorating tips. 256-250-2028, www.decaturchristmastour.com.
FLORIDA
Pensacola — Snowball Derby, Dec. 4-8, a 300-lap, all-star race features at Five Flags Speedway. 850-944-8400, www.5flagsspeedway.com.
Flagler Beach — Holiday at the Beach, Dec. 6-7, features lights, Christmas trees, a holiday gift fair, live music, children’s activities and Santa. 386-931-7111, www.cityofflaglerbeach.com.
St. Augustine — Bed and Breakfast Holiday Tour, Dec. 14-15, features tours of historic inns, food, chocolate and wine. 904-824-4301, www.staugustinebandbtour.com.
Panama City Beach — New Year’s Eve Beach Ball Drop, Dec. 31, features live music, seafood, children’s activities, an 800-pound, glowing beach ball and fireworks. 850-236-9974, www.visitpanamacitybeach.com.
Orlando — Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (special-ticket event), select nights in November and December, features holiday-themed live entertainment, fireworks, parades and food in Magic Kingdom park. 407-939-5277, disneyworld.disney.go.com.
Orlando – Holidays at Universal Orlando Resort (included with regular park admission), Dec. 7-Jan. 4, features special parades and live entertainment. 407-224-4233, www.universalorlando.com.
Orlando –SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration (included with regular park admission), select dates Nov. 23- Dec. 31, features special shows and attractions. 1-888-800-5447, www.seaworldparks.com.
Tampa – Christmas Town at Busch Gardens (special-ticket event), select dates Nov. 29-Dec. 23, features snow, holiday lights and Santa’s house. 1-888-800-5447, www.seaworldparks.com/en/buschgardens-tampa.
LOUISIANA
Natchitoches — Christmas Festival of Lights, Nov. 23-Jan. 6, features music, arts and crafts, shops, galas, children’s activities and fireworks. 1-800-259-1714, www.christmasfestival.com.
Lafayette — Noel Acadien au Village, Nov. 30-Dec. 23, features illuminated holiday displays, carnival rides, nightly entertainment, holiday shopping and local foods. 337-981-2364, www.acadianvillage.org.
Port Allen — Reflections of the Season, Dec. 5-24, features holiday displays, food and craft vendors, mule-driven wagon rides, music and ice fishing. 1-800-654-9701, www.westbatonrouge.net.
Lake Charles and Sulphur — Southwest Louisiana Christmas Lighting Festival, Dec. 5-7, features land and water parades, gingerbread houses, gift shopping, food, Sulphur’s Christmas Under the Oaks Festival and fireworks. 1-800-456-7952, www.visitlakecharles.org.
DeRidder — Miracle on Washington Christmas Festival, Dec. 7, features a parade, shopping, live music, children’s activities and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. 1-800-738-5534, www.beauregardtourism.com.
New Iberia — Magic on the Main, Dec. 8, features guided tours of homes in New Iberia’s historic district. 337-369-6446, www.shadowsontheteche.wordpress.com.
Delcamber — Boat Parade, features holiday music, decorated boats and family activities. 337-658-2422, www.delcambreboatparade.com.
MISSISSIPPI
Biloxi — Christmas at Beauvoir, Nov. 11-Jan. 5, features tours, holiday decor, a miniature Victorian Christmas village and visits from Santa. 228-388-4400, www.beauvoir.org.
Natchez — Christmas in Natchez, Nov. 22-Dec. 22, features tours of decorated historic homes, holiday concerts, candlelight carriage rides and more. 1-800-647-6724, www.christmasinnatchez.com.
Tylertown — Christmas in the Park, Nov. 26-Dec. 31, features tours of light displays at Holmes Water Park. 601-876-2680, www.walthallchamber.com.
Pascagoula — Downtown for the Holidays, Dec. 6, features shopping, classic cars, carriage rides and more. www.cityofpascagoula.com.
Pass Christian — Christmas in the Pass, Dec. 6, features colorful decorations and Christmas trees, a lighted boat parade, live music, food and fireworks. 228-604-0014, www.mscoastchamber.com.
NORTH CAROLINA
Concord — Speedway Christmas, Dec. 1-30, features holiday light displays, ice skating and slide, a live Nativity scene and drive-in movies. 1-800-455-3267, www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.
Charlotte — Christmas at the Library, Dec. 2-23, features a live Nativity scene, carriage rides, caroling and festive music, story time, food, shopping and Journey of Faith tours at the Billy Graham Library. 704-401-3200, www.billygrahamlibrary.org.
McAdenville — Christmas Town USA, Dec. 2-26, features decorated homes and trees, live entertainment, hot chocolate and kettle corn. 704-823-2330, www.mcadenville-christmastown.com.
Asheville — Christmas at Biltmore, Nov. 2-Jan. 12, dozens Christmas trees, hundreds of wreaths, bows, poinsettias, miles of garland and thousands of ornaments. 1-800-411-3812, www.biltmore.com.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Charleston/James Island — Holiday Festival of Lights, Nov. 8-Dec. 31, features lights and displays, marshmallow roasting, an old-fashioned carousel and gift shop. 843-795-4386, www.holidayfestivaloflights.com.
Greenville — Roper Mountain Holiday Lights, Nov. 28-Dec. 30, features drives and walks through lights and decorations, food and more. 864-355-8900, www.ropermountainholidaylights.com.
TENNESSEE
Pigeon Forge – Smoky Mountain Christmas at Dollywood, Nov. 9-Jan. 4, features special live entertainment and holiday lights. 1-800-365-5996, www.dollywood.com.
Nashville — A Country Christmas at Gaylord Opryland Resort, Nov. 15-Jan. 1, features decorations, lights, ice sculptures, slides, holiday riverboat shows, Radio City Rockettes and DreamWorks’ Shrek the Halls. 615-458-2877, www.christmasatgaylordopryland.com.
Clarksville — Christmas on the Cumberland, Nov. 19-Jan. 4, features strolls through Victorian Village, Toyland, psychedelic tunnel and Penguin Mountain. 931-645-7476, www.cityofclarksville.com.
Chattanooga — Ruby Falls Ruby Red Christmas, Fridays and Saturdays in December, features lights, decorations, falling snow, holiday music, carriage rides and crafting for kids. 423-475-8992, www.rubyfalls.com.
Franklin — Dickens of a Christmas, Dec. 7-8, features costumed performers re-enacting scenes from Charles Dickens’ novels, period music, arts and crafts and 19th century foods. 615-519-8500, www.historicfranklin.com.
Rugby — Christmas at Historic Rugby, Dec. 14, features decorated historic buildings, seasonal music and food. 1-888-214-3400, www.historicrugby.org.
Compiled from Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 Events and staff reports.
If you find a mistake in the Travel Calendar, email scanady@ajc.com. Events are subject to change.
