While Georgia doesn’t get a lot of snow, that doesn’t mean that you can’t get festive for the holiday season. Even without snow, you can create a winter wonderland that brightens up your home and the many shades of tan and brown in your landscaping.
From twinkling lights to artisanal crafts to mouthwatering treats, you’ll find all kinds of things to brighten the holiday season in some of these charming and festive Georgia Christmas markets.
1. Helen, GA: Helen Christkindlmarkt
Helen is a Bavarian-style town on the Chattahoochee River in the Blue Ridge mountains of Georgia. While the town draws visitors every year, it is especially festive and charming during the holidays. Enjoy a European-style Christmas wonderland when you visit the Helen Christkindlmarkt for unique gifts, baked goods, handmade items, holiday ornaments and German pretzels. The Annual Lighting of the Village is at 6:00 p.m. on Nov. 24, 2023. The Christkindlmarkt runs is Nov. 24-26, 2023 and Dec. 2-3, 2023.
2. Rome, GA: Rome Winter Art Market
It stands to reason that you want to bring something home from Georgia if you visit the state. Georgia’s Rome Winter Art Market is where you’ll find unique gifts from the Peach State, including crafts and farm goods from over 60 vendors. Just about everything you find at the Winter Art Market is made in Georgia.
3. Blue Ridge, GA: Christmas in Blue Ridge
Blue Ridge holds several Christmas festivities each year. The Holiday Show & Sale features handcrafted gift items from members of the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association. Other markets include the Annual Blue Ridge TubaChristmas concert, a Christmas parade, Christmas tree lighting, ice skating and Holiday Express train rides on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. The Holiday Show & Sale runs from Nov. 18, 2023, through Dec. 16, 2023.
4. Savannah, GA: Savannah Christmas Market & Holly Days (ALREADY OPEN)
Visit the Plant Riverside District in Savannah to catch the Savannah Christmas Market. It’s open for the entire holiday season. This outdoor market features tons of festive food and drink options and holiday gifts. Additionally, Savannah has a city-wide celebration, including Christmas Made in the South Arts and Crafts Festival, Boat Parade of Lights, historic home tours, Christmas tree lighting, the Savannah Gingerbread Trail, and a lighted Christmas parade.
5. Thomasville, GA: Victorian Christmas
When you want to take a step back in time, visit Thomasville’s annual Victorian Christmas Festival along the town’s brick-lined streets. You’ll enjoy turn-of-the-centruy holiday celebrations, local vendors who stay open late during the festival, a live nativity, St. Nick, roasting chestnuts and marshmallows over an open fire, Victorian carriage rides and live music.
6. Dahlonega, GA: Dahlonega’s Old-Fashioned Christmas
People come from all over to visit Dahlonega’s Old-Fashioned Christmas festival. This North Georgia town lights up the town square and Christmas tree in front of a backdrop of snow to give everyone a festive and charming setting for Christmas shopping. During the season, the Christmas market and local vendors stay open late. When you want to get off your feet for a bit, you can always take a romantic carriage ride, then go right back to shopping.
7. Hiawassee, GA: Mountain Country Christmas in Lights
The Mountain Country Christmas in Lights is along the edge of Lake Chatuge in the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds. A community festival and market runs throughout the holiday season. You’ll find unique holiday gifts in an outdoor craft market, warm cocoa, local food, a Christmas wonderland with live music and photos with Santa. Kids even get to milk real cows.