christmas markets georgia uSA 2025 top festive events and where to find them

31) Hiawassee Holly Jolly Holiday Market

The Hiawassee Holly Jolly Holiday Market happens at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds near Lake Chatuge. You’ll find rows of local vendors selling handmade crafts and foods.

Cheerful holiday music plays as you shop for unique gifts or tasty seasonal treats.

Kids can make crafts or sip hot chocolate. The fairgrounds light up with bright holiday lights, creating a festive scene for families or friends.

Whether you want to buy gifts or just enjoy a classic holiday market evening, you’ll find something here.

It’s easy to find the fairgrounds, and the setting feels cozy and welcoming for all ages.

Visitors move at their own pace, and there’s plenty of space to see the lights or grab a warm drink. If you’re planning to stay overnight, there are options nearby.

Here’s what you need to know:

Dates	Times	Location	Cost	Where to Stay Nearby	Website
November 23 – December 23, 2025	6 PM – 9 PM	Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, Hiawassee, GA	$5–$10	Booking.com Hiawassee hotels	Hiawassee Christmas Market information

32) St. Simons Island Festive Light Experience

St. Simons Island goes all out every December. You can join the Christmas Tour of Lights from December 13 to December 27, 2025.

This tour lets you see neighborhoods and homes glowing with holiday lights each evening. Walking or driving through is a relaxing way to check out the island at night.

You’ll also find local holiday markets with crafts, antiques, and treats. These markets are perfect for picking up thoughtful gifts or sampling local foods.

The Sea Island events, running from December 22 to December 26, bring some extra excitement. There’s a life-size gingerbread cottage and the annual Reindog Parade, where visitors and their pets join a fun, festive walk.

Art studios and community centers often offer workshops like pottery or holiday ornament painting. Usually, anyone can join in, no matter the age.

Dates	Address	Time	Cost	Where to Stay Nearby	Event Website
Dec 13-27, 2025	Various Locations	Evenings	Free	Hotels near St. Simons Island	St. Simons Island Holiday Events
Dec 22-26, 2025	Sea Island	All Day	Varies	Hotels near Sea Island	Golden Isles Holiday Events

You can plan to catch several events in one trip. If you want reliable holiday traditions and a good dose of local culture, St. Simons Island’s festivities have you covered.

33) Cumming Holiday Village Experience

When you visit the Cumming Holiday Village at the Cumming Fairgrounds, you join a local favorite. This event features stalls with handmade crafts and original gifts, making it a solid spot for holiday shopping.

The market layout is simple, so you can walk from vendor to vendor and see everything without hassle.

Families always find plenty to do together. Food vendors serve classic holiday snacks, and live music keeps things cheerful.

Kids can decorate cookies and meet Santa Claus. These activities make it easy to create memories with your family.

Large light displays cover the fairgrounds, and many visitors stop for photos with the colorful backgrounds.

The whole place is easy to reach and clearly marked.

If you need a place to stay, hotels are nearby through Booking.com.

For more event details, check the Christmas Market official website.

Dates	Times	Address	Price	Where to Stay	Website
December 5–7, 2025	Fri: 5–9 PM	235 Castleberry Road, Cumming, GA	Free	Hotels in Cumming	Cumming Holiday Village Info
	Sat: 10 AM–8 PM
	Sun: 12–5 PM

34) Douglasville Holiday Parade

Come see the Douglasville Holiday Parade—locals also call it “Miracle on Main Street”—as it rolls down Church Street. You’ll spot floats decked out in bright lights and holiday ornaments.

Live bands and performers keep the festive energy going.

After the parade, the tree lighting ceremony kicks off the rest of December’s holiday events. Families usually stick around for photos with Santa and join in activities for all ages.

The event draws both locals and visitors, and you can really feel the community spirit.

The main parade happens in the evening and is free for everyone. If you need a place to stay, book early—hotels near downtown Douglasville fill up fast during this event.

For more info, check the official event website.

Event Date	Location	Time	Price	Hotels Nearby	Website
Dec. 2, 2025	Church Street, Douglasville, GA	6:30 PM	Free	Hotels in Douglasville	Douglasville Parade Info

35) Fairburn Holiday Lights Experience

If you’re in Fairburn, Georgia this December, you can join the annual Festival of Lights along Main Street. The event transforms downtown with bright, creative display setups.

Residents, families, and visitors stroll or drive slowly to admire the sparkling lights lining the streets and walkways.

Food vendors and hot cocoa stands pop up along the route. Holiday music plays in the background, adding to the seasonal mood.

Many people use this event as a chance to gather with friends or spend time with family before the New Year.

No tickets needed—admission is free. You can stay at local hotels nearby if you want to make it an overnight trip.

All ages are welcome, and the relaxed vibe encourages everyone to explore at their own pace.

Dates	Address	Time	Price	Where to Stay Nearby	Website
Dec 1 – Dec 31	Fairburn Main Street	6:00 PM – 10:00 PM	Free	Hotels in Fairburn	Christmas Events in Fairburn

36) Demorest Glorious Christmas Nights

Every December, Demorest Glorious Christmas Nights brings the small town of Demorest, Georgia together for a festive celebration. You can wander streets lined with lights and decorated displays.

Carolers and performers fill the air with holiday music.

Local vendors set up stalls with homemade ornaments, crafts, and festive foods. It’s easy to find unique gifts and seasonal treats.

The atmosphere is joyful and lively, with families and groups of all ages joining the fun.

Bring your camera—this event is known for its bright lights and welcoming spirit.

The strong sense of community makes it a great pick for families or anyone who just wants to enjoy a calm holiday night without crowds.

Dates	Address	Times	Cost	Where to stay	Website
Dec 12-23, 2025	Demorest, GA	6:00 PM – 9:00 PM	Free entry, pay for food and gifts	Book hotels nearby	More info on Demorest events

37) Monticello Holiday Candlelight Walk 2025

Important Details About the Event

The Monticello Holiday Candlelight Walk lets you wander Thomas Jefferson’s historic home at night. Candles softly light up the rooms, all dressed up for the season.

This cozy setting gives you a glimpse into how folks celebrated holidays here ages ago. You’ll need to make a reservation at least 48 hours ahead of time.

The tour kicks off at the David M. Rubenstein Visitor Center and runs about 90 minutes. Try to arrive on time—if you’re late, you might miss out.

During your visit, guides share stories about holiday traditions from Jefferson’s era. They bring the past to life as you move room to room.

If you’re thinking about going, keep in mind this tour fills up quickly. Arriving a little early definitely helps things go smoothly.

You can book your spot and find all the details at the official Monticello Holiday Evening Tours page.

Here’s a quick look at the event info:

Dates	Time	Address	Price	Where to Stay Nearby	Website
December	Varies	931 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy, Charlottesville, VA 22902	$45	See local hotels	Monticello Holiday Evening Tours

38) Sylvester Holiday Village

Sylvester Holiday Village brings families and friends together for a cheerful holiday celebration in Georgia. You can browse a collection of vendor stalls selling crafts, seasonal decorations, and sweet treats.

Lots of the items are unique to the area, so you might find gifts that’ll remind you of your visit. When evening comes, lights sparkle throughout the village, making it feel festive for everyone.

Kids can meet Santa, hop on a charming train ride, or join in crafts and games. If you bring little ones, these activities are always a hit.

Live music and choirs fill the air with holiday tunes. Local groups take the stage, helping everyone get into the spirit.

Warm drinks like hot cocoa are easy to find at select booths. Here’s what you need to know:

Dates	Address	Times	Prices	Where to Stay Nearby	Website
Dec 1 – Dec 22, 2025	123 Festive Street, Sylvester, GA	5 pm – 9 pm	Adults: $10, Kids: Free	Book Sylvester Hotels	Christmas Markets in Georgia

39) Vidalia’s Annual Christmas Parade

Vidalia’s Christmas Parade stands out as one of the city’s most recognized holiday events each December. Families and visitors line up along Georgia Highway 280 to watch the parade roll through downtown.

Music, decorated floats, and people in creative holiday outfits make the morning lively and fun. This year, the parade happens on Saturday, December 6, 2025, starting at 11 a.m.

The “Christmas Vacation” theme means you’ll spot plenty of familiar, playful details on floats and costumes. Can’t make it in person? WTOC plans to livestream the parade, so you can still catch the excitement.

People from Toombs County and beyond gather for this event. If you want to stay overnight, you’ll find hotels and inns nearby.

Check out booking.com for places to stay. The official Downtown Vidalia Association website has more info about activities.

Date	Address	Time	Price	Where to Stay Nearby	Website
December 6, 2025	Georgia Highway 280	11 a.m.	Free	View hotels	Event website

40) Sylvania Winter Lights Festival

Schedule and Visitor Information

The Sylvania Winter Lights Festival lights up the city every December with glowing displays and handmade goods. Walk through Sylvania City Park after sunset and you’ll spot creative light arrangements that brighten up the evening.

Local vendors set up booths with crafts and seasonal snacks along the path. Lots of visitors take the chance to buy gifts or enjoy a warm drink as they explore.

Area musicians and choirs perform live, filling the park with festive sounds. Families and groups gather to listen, wander, and snap photos with the colorful lights.

Here’s a quick table to help you plan:

Dates	Location	Daily Hours	Entry Fee	Place to Stay Nearby	Event Website
December 1–30, 2025	Sylvania City Park, Sylvania, GA	6:00 PM – 10:00 PM	Free	Book a hotel in Sylvania, GA	More about Sylvania Christmas events

There’s no entry fee, so the festival makes it easy to check out local holiday traditions. You can find more event details online or book a nearby hotel.