The holidays are here and there’s so much holiday magic to experience in North Georgia! From tree lightings and Christmas parades, to holiday markets and New Year’s Eve parties, there’s so much fun to be had this month in the mountains!
Young Harris Tree Lighting
December 1st
Location: Mayor’s Park in Young Harris
The city of Young Harris kicks off the holiday season with their annual Christmas tree lighting in Mayor’s Park! At 6pm the tree will be lit, and there will also be carolers and visits with Santa. Admission is free.
Blairsville Holiday Stop & Shop
December 1st-December 2nd
Location: Pat Haralson Memorial Civic Center
The 11th Annual Blairsville Holiday Stop & Shop is the perfect place to pick up a special gift for the ones you love the most! There will be over 50 home-based business vendors there so you’ll have plenty of options to choose from!
Live Nativity Drive Thru
December 1st-December 2nd
Location: Mt. Moriah Baptist Church
Remember the true meaning of Christmas with a Nativity Drive Thru at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Blue Ridge! The event runs rain or shine Friday, December 1st- Saturday, December 2nd from 6:30pm-8pm.
Scrooge the Musical
December 1st-December 10th
Location: Blue Ridge Community Theater
We all know and love the story of Ebenezer Scrooge and his visit from the ghost Christmas past, present, and future. But have you heard the famous tale portrayed through song? Well now you can at Scrooge the Musical put on by Blue Ridge Community Theater! Shows are Thursdays – Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2pm. The show runs November 16th thru December 10th, call the box office at 706-632-9191 for tickets!
4th Quarter Artist in Residence: Rita & Clive Poole
December 1st-December 16th
Location: Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association
Come admire Rita & Clive Poole’s beautiful art in the newly refreshed “Artist in Residence Gallery”. Their Wood Turning and Marquetry works will be on display September 23rd thru December 16th.
Holiday Show & Sale
December 1st-December 16th
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association
Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association will have a variety of art and handcrafted items for sale, all created from their member artists. Find everything you need for the holiday season Tuesday-Sunday, now thru December 16th!
Live Music Fridays at Crane Creek Vineyards
December 1st-December 21st
Location: Crane Creek Vineyards
Come out for live music Friday nights at the Farmhouse Market at Crane Creek Vineyards. The vineyards will be open late Friday nights, with extended hours until 8pm. Grab a glass of wine, a charcuterie board, and a seat and enjoy!
December 1st: Stone House Soup & Acoustics
December 2nd: Bill Vespasian & Austin Coleman
December 8th: Stone House Soup & Acoustics
December 21st: Winter Solstice
Mountain Country Christmas Lights
December 1st-December 23rd
Location: Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds
See the Christmas lights reflecting off the waters of Lake Chatuge at the Georgia Mountain Fair’s Mountain Country Christmas Lights! There will be Christmas music, arts and craft vendors, holiday food, hot chocolate, Cowtown exhibit, pictures with Santa, and beautiful lights around the grounds. The event runs every Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 6pm-9pm November 23rd thru December 9th and then nightly December 14th thru December 23rd.
Live Music at Misty Mountain Hops
December 1st-December 23rd
Location: Misty Mountain Hops
Misty Mountain Hops is a music-centric restaurant and pub so it’s only fitting that they bring in live music. Stop by select Fridays and Saturdays from 6pm-9pm for great food and great live music from local artists!
December 1st: Highbeams Band
December 2nd: Paul Constantine
December 9th: Mook & Mimi and Adrian Stover
December 15th: Travis Bowlin
December 16th: David Welch
December 23rd: Greg Erwin
Live Music & Events at the Dogwood
December 1st-December 28th
Location: The Dogwood
With delicious comfort foods, dozens of drink options including a beer garage with over 70 beers to choose from, and a large patio nested under 100-year-old trees; there’s no better place to spend an evening than at The Dogwood! And there’s always something going on; from trivia nights, live music, and open mic nights you’ll never be bored here!
December 1st: Dawn Loves Nash
December 7th: Open Mic Night
December 14th: Trivia Night
December 15th: Surrender Hill
December 21st: Open Mic Night
December 22nd: Adrian Stover
December 28th: Trivia Night
Live Music at Bear Claw Vineyards & Winery
December 1st-December 31st
Location: Bear Claw Vineyards
For award winning wine, live music, and food truck Bear Claw Vineyards is the place for you! Join them every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for live music and food trucks. Kids and dogs are welcome too. The live music schedule for each weekend is shared on their website each Thursday so be sure to check back!
December 1st: Aspen Lee
December 2nd: Travis Bowlin
December 3rd: The Shetlands
December 8th: Megan Fowler Regan
December 9th: Hunter Flanagan
December 10th: Zachary Alexander
December 15th: The Shetlands
December 16th: Travis Bowlin
December 17th: Ryan LittleEagle
December 22nd: Hunter Flanagan
December 23rd: Ryan LittleEagle
December 24th: Brooksie Wells
December 29th: Aspen Lee
December 30th: Rob Grater & The Shetlands
December 31st: David Welch
Blue Ridge on Ice
December 1st-December 31st
Location: Blue Ridge Farmers Market
Have some family friendly winter fun with ice skating at the Farmer’s Market! This fun new outdoor ice skating rink is set up at the Blue Ridge Farmers Market, next to the Swan Drive In, on select dates now through January 7th. For just $10 you can skate to your heart’s content! After your skate, warm up with hot cocoa and other sweet treats from the concessions stand.
St. Luke’s Anglican Church Annual Christmas Bazaar
December 2nd
Location: St. Luke’s Anglican Church
St. Luke’s Anglican Church in Blue Ridge is hosting it’s annual Christmas Bazaar! There will be all kinds of hand-crafted goods available like hand painted barn quilts, pinecone wreathes, artisan jams & jellies, delicious casseroles and more! There will be silent auction as well. All proceeds assist families in the Blue Ridge community. The event runs from 9am-3pm.
Holly Jolly Christmas & Breakfast with Santa
December 2nd
Location: Union County Community Center
Bring the whole family to Blairsville for a day of holiday fun! There will be a free breakfast with Santa, exciting reindeer games, festive crafts, train rides, writing letters to Santa, and caroling with the school choir! Come on down to the Union County Community Center from 8am-11am for this free, festive, family fun event!
Kris Kringle Mountain Market
December 2nd
Location: Union County Farmers Market
Transport yourself to a quaint European town for Christmas at the Kris Kringle Mountain Market at the Union County Farmers Market in Blairsville! This European style Outdoor Holiday Market has over 75 vendors offering food, crafts, and produce. There will also be live music and a children’s play area!
Copperhill Kiwanis Club Annual Christmas Parade
December 2nd
Location: Downtown McCaysville & Copperhill
This annual event in Copperhill & McCaysville provides a fun and celebratory atmosphere for family and friends! Occurring on the first Saturday in December each year, this parade features a myriad of floats and high school marching bands. Come and support the Blue Ridge Kiwanis Club! The parade begins at 2pm!
Christmas in Ducktown
December 2nd
Location: Ducktown, TN
Come celebrate Christmas in Tennessee with the 5th annual Christmas celebration in Ducktown! There will be a cornhole tournament starting at 4pm as well as cookie decorating, music, free treats, visits with Santa, and more starting at 5pm! The tree lighting will begin at 6pm with a Christmas parade to follow at 6:30pm. Don’t miss out!
Blairsville Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting
December 2nd
Location: Blairsville Historic Downtown Square
The Annual Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting is back in Blairsville! There will also be carol singing, the tree lighting, and the nighttime parade at 6pm. Don’t miss out on the fun!
The Oak Ridge Boys American Made Christmas Farwell Tour
December 2nd
Location: Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds
Come on out to the Fairgrounds for a 2-hour holiday extravaganza! The Oak Ridge Boys will perform all your favorite Christmas songs along with some of their biggest hits, you won’t want to miss it! Tickets are $50+ handling and includes admission into the Mountain Country Christmas in Lights.
Christmas Concert at Young Harris College
December 2nd-December 3rd
Location: Young Harris College
Young Harris College Choirs and Bands invite you to enjoy the sounds of the season at their Christmas Concert Saturday, December 2nd at 7pm and Sunday, December 3rd at 3pm. Tickets are free with a Young Harris College ID or for children 14 & under. Other guests can purchase tickets for $10 at the door.
Art Classes and Workshops
December 2nd-December 16th
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association
Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association offers classes year-round for artists looking to expand their skill set. This month you can learn to express yourself through stained glass, painting, leather making and more! And check out more upcoming art classes at https://www.blueridgearts.net/adult-classes.html
December 2nd: Let It Snow-Stained Glass
December 3rd: Let It Snow-Stained Glass
December 9th: Painted Holiday Pendants in Alcohol Inks
December 16th: Leather Workshop
Live Music at Cartecay Vineyards
December 2nd-December 31st
Location: Cartecay Vineyards
Sip on delicious wine surrounded by the North Georgia Mountains! Enjoy live music select Saturdays & Sundays from 1:30pm-5:30pm. Listen to the music of local artists while enjoying your wine outside either on the Chimney Patio or the Tasting Barn’s covered porch. Live music, good wine, and beautiful mountain scenery; it doesn’t get much better than that!
December 2nd: Tim O’Donovan
December 3rd: Travis Bowlin
December 9th: Gregg Erwin
December 10th: Rusted Melody
December 16th: Andrew Katter
December 17th: Adrian Stover
December 23rd: Alyce & Marco
December 26th: Ava Grace
December 30th: Hank Break
December 31st: Jon Kinsey
Live Music at Chateau Meichtry
December 2nd-December 31st
Location: Chateau Meichtry
Come sip on wine by the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains at Chateau Meichtry. This beautiful winery located in Talking Rock, GA has both outdoor & indoor seating options, so you can enjoy the atmosphere of the winery no matter the weather. On Saturdays & Sundays you can sip on your favorite glass of wine while you enjoy live music from local artists from 1:30pm-5:30pm. And there’s food trucks on the weekends as well!
December 2nd: Loose Shoes Band & The Off Road Food Truck
December 3rd: Dr. Paul & The Get Skewers Food Truck
December 9th: Heartbreak Chasers & The Off Road Food Truck
December 10th: Kristen Tinsley & The Lobster Dogs Food Truck
December 16th: Maddie Lane & The Der Werst Meister Food Truck
December 17th: Rowdy Yates & The Off Road Food Truck
December 23rd: Surrender Hill & The Fry Baby Food Truck
December 24th: Joy Hice & Jerry Sorn & The Fry Baby Food Truck
December 26th: Surrender Hill & The Fry Baby Food Truck
December 27th: Drew Ashworth & The Fry Baby Food Truck
December 28th: Brett Cantrell & The Fry Baby Food Truck
December 29th: Joy Hice & Jerry Sorn & The Smokehouse Food Truck
December 30th: Halem Albright & The Sweet Cheeks Food Truck
December 31st: Adrian Stover & The Fry Baby Food Truck
Christmas Tour of Homes
December 3rd
Location: Fannin County Family Connection
Enjoy a scenic drive through the North Georgia Mountains to admire some of the best decorated Christmas homes in the area with the Christmas Tour of Homes! Ticket holders will meet at the Fannin County Family Connection Community Room for holiday refreshments between 11am and 2pm. You will then receive your map and directions to start your tour. You may tour homes from 1pm-5pm. Tickets are $30 a person and all proceeds benefit Fannin County Family Connection to assist in the operation of the Food Pantry and other programming which supports a community of healthy and safe children and families.
Guided Hikes with the Benton McKaye Trail Association
December 4th-December 18th
Location: Cherry Log, GA
Explore the beauty of North Georgia on a guided hiking tour with the Benton McKaye Trail Association. They offer 2-4 hikes a month varying in difficulty from easy, leisurely hikes to moderately difficult hikes.
December 4th: Unicoi State Park
December 15th: BMT. Dally Gap to Jack’s River
December 18th: Rhododendron Trail
Line Dancing Class
December 4th-December 18th
Location: Tooney’s Music Venue
Have you ever wanted to learn how to line dance? Well now’s your chance! Tooney’s now offers free, weekly line dancing classes Monday nights! The class is open to people of all ages and dance experience! Doors open at 6pm and classes start at 7pm. Come on down and show us what you can do!
Merry Grinchmas
December 9th
Location: Fannin County Public Library
Bring the little ones in their best Whoville costumes to Fannin County Public Library on December 9th for their Merry Grinchmas event! There will be a reading of Dr. Suess’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and cookies & drinks for all attendees!
Holiday Open House
December 9th
Location: Paradise Hills Cabins Spa-Winery
Come enjoy a festive day at Paradise Hills! There will be a cookie contest, a ugly sweater contest, live music from Hill Roberts, selfies with Buddy the Elf, and the opportunity to paint a wine glass for an additional $15. There’s no cover charge for entry and the fun starts at noon!
Visit with Santa at Merciers
December 9th
Location: Mercier Orchards
Festive fun is coming to the farm this holiday season, with visits from Santa and cookie decorating. From 11am-3pm you can snag some photos with the big man himself and decorate some Christmas cookies in the bakery.
Christmas Cantata
December 9th
Location: Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds
Come on out to Mountain Country Christmas in Lights at the Fairgrounds on December 9th for a special worship experience! Macedonia Baptist Church Worship Choir will be leading a Christmas worship experience and concert at 7pm in the Anderson Music Hall.
Christmas Tree Lighting at Vogel State Park
December 9th
Location: Vogel State Park
Come celebrate the holidays at the beautiful Vogel State Park! Hayrides will take guests from the Visitor’s Center to the ball field where hot chocolate and hot cider will be offered starting at 4pm. At 5pm Santa arrives and caroling starts at 5:30pm! Then at 6pm the big event starts with the lighting of a 35-foot Blue Spruce tree. Bring with you a blanket or chair to watch the lighting of the tree as well as an unwrapped gift for a child up to the age of 12 (no toy guns, knives, or dangerous items). All the toys will be given out by the Union County Sheriff’s Department as part of the GIVE-A-GIFT toy drive.
Not the Same Old Nutcracker
December 16th
Location: Union County Fine Arts Center
Blairsville Dance Project presents ‘Not the Same Old Nutcracker’! This fun show combines the best elements of Tchaikovsky’s original Nutcracker and adds a fun modern twist. Kids and adults alike will love this unique show! Shows are 2pm and 6:30pm.
Christmas Day Buffet 2023
December 25th
Location: Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa
Enjoy a delicious Christmas day feast at Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa! Enjoy Virginia Ham with Bourbon and Honey Glaze, Oven Roasted Turkey with Giblet Gravy and Butter Basted Striploin, House Smoked Salmon, Steamed Green Beans with Candied Cranberries, Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce, and so much more! The buffet will be offered anytime between 12pm-5pm. Adult pricing is $55.95, children ages 6-12 is $29.95 and children 5 and under are $10.95. Call 706-379-4617 for reservations.
Blackberry Smoke
December 30th
Location: Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds
Blackberry Smoke are a group of talented, Georgia natives and will be back to perform in their home state on December 30th at 7pm in the Anderson Music Hall! This southern rock band is made up of vocalist/lead guitarist Charlie Starr, guitarist/vocalist Paul Jackson, bassist/vocalist Richard Turner, drummer Brit Turner, and keyboardist Brandon Still. Tickets range from $35, $45, & $55 + handling.
New Years Eve Bash- Paradise Hills
December 31st
Location: Paradise Hills, Cabins-Spa-Winery
Celebrate the start of a new year at Paradise Hills! Your $85 ticket to the coolest private party in town includes live music by Chris Carpenter, heavy appetizers, a sparkling wine toast and holiday swag for every guest; wine & beer will also be available for purchase.
2023 NYE Gala- Masquerade
December 31st
Location: Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa
Dress to the nines and enjoy a formal celebration at Brasstown Valley’s 2023 New Years Eve Gala! This year’s event is a masquerade theme. The open bar starts at 7:30pm with a gourmet dinner buffet from 7:30pm-9:30pm. There will be music and dancing all evening long! *must be 21 years or older to attend.
