When touring the South by car, here are several of the dressed up towns you may wish to visit for a Southern Christmas.
Each and every event is updated and retooled to present a safe experience for 2020 visitors. Many of these locations are in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains and the area surrounding Atlanta Georgia.
However, you’ll find plenty of southern Christmas events with sparkling lights and historic theming from the Mississippi Delta to Jensen Beach Florida, and both Carolinas.
(c) BOOTH Western Art Museum
Southern Christmas in Blue Ridge Mountains/Georgia
Scenic Christmas towns await at distances starting a mere 45 minutes from Atlanta, Georgia. Each one offers twinkling Christmas lights, traditional holiday events, and new safety protocols per the recommendations of the CDC.
It all begins in Cartersville, home to one of the best art museums in the US. Visit the Booth Western Art Museum as a side trip from your Christmas adventure for the new exhibits that redefine the genre.
Blue Ridge and the Santa Express Train
Just another 45 minutes north, you’ll find Blue Ridge, Georgia, one of the South’s best mountain towns.
A pleasurable mix of contradictions makes this town shine: earthy, upscale, historic, fresh. It’s the perfect backdrop for a Christmas scene.
Enjoy the product of two local vineyards and two breweries and visit Family owned Mercier Orchards.
Enjoy a festive meal on the 400-acre farm and get your fill of apples, cider, pies, and other treats.
Then hike some of the best mountain trails in the United States.
There’s more! Take the Santa Express on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway from November 27-December 23.
Also, on November 27, witness Blue Ridge light up, then see Santa in the park Gazebo practicing safe distancing behind plexiglass.
Bavarian and Victorian Holidays
Also, 90 minutes from Atlanta in White County, you’ll find Alpine Helen.
There you will discover a Bavarian Christmas in the town where the Lifetime movie “Christmas Love Letter” was filmed.
The lights make it a splendid place to experience at night, and the annual lighting of the village on November 27 is free to attend.
Shop Christkindlmarkt during the weekends of November 28-29 and December 5-6 for specialty gifts, decoration, savory food, and sweets.
At the Hardman Farm State Historic Site, you can enjoy a victorian holiday. witness period decor and costumed docents sho share all about 19th-century holiday traditions.
The candlelit open house is $12 admission on December weekends from 4-7 pm.
Appalachian Christmas
There are two more amazing Christmas Adventures. One is Just five hours north of Atlanta.
You’ll find an Appalachian Christmas in Abingdon, Virginia.
The Colonial and Civil War-era history here lends a different ambiance to the festive traditions. Enjoy the time-honored artistry of craftspeople on brick sidewalks amid ancient oaks.
Shop among carolers in independent boutiques and stay at Martha Washington’s Inn & Spa. There, you’ll meet vendors selling hot cocoa and crafts each weekend from November 20 to December 20. The four-star historic hotel is offering off-season rates and complimentary port by the fireplace.
Americus
If you venture south of Atlants for about three hours, you’ll discover Americus. Take a vintage car on the SAM Shortline to Jimmy Carter’s historic home town for a tree lighting ceremony, and meet ol’ St. Nick on the train during the trip back.
While in town be sure to visit the Victorian and Antebellum homes on a DIY 47-minute tour and visit the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site.
Southern Christmas in Cleveland Mississippi
From Memphis to Vicksburg, you’ll spot a Mississippi Delta town along historic Highway 61 called Cleveland, Southern Living, and Smithsonian both call out this small town as one worth visiting.
Visit the GRAMMY Museum. The town’s eclectic music vibe includes rock, new country, and signature Delta blues.
For Christmas over 100,000 lights shine during the legendary 50 Nights of Lights. The countdown starts on November 14 and ends on January 3.
(c) Matin County Office of Tourism and Marketing
Southern Christmas in Florida
Visit the uncrowded beaches of Martin County, Florida for a bit of Summertime in your Christmas vacation.
While visiting Jensen Beach, enjoy the holiday feast A Taste of Jensen.
The annual event takes place on Thursday, December 8 at 5:30 pm. The downtown streets are lined with decoration as live music fills the air for three hours.
Christmas in Hopelands (c)VisitAikenSC
The Carolinas–North and South Southern Christmas Events
The Carolinas are rife with Christmas Cheer. Down South, they have Lake Murray Country and Thoroughbred country.
See holiday lights on the river at Lake Murray, and witness the second annual Carolina Lights Drive Through Light Show at the state fairgrounds.
The first event runs from November 25 to December 31. The second begins December 5-27 except Christmas day, Both events have a $20 base entry fee.
Beginning December 3, the free to attend Night of 1,000 Lights takes place in downtown Aiken. on December 4-5 enjoy the Christmas Craft Show.
Hopelands Gardens has 14 acres to explore and includes a 100,000 light walk-through exhibit.
The Dupont Planetarium contributes to the Christmas spirit with an appropriate production Christmas Star. The scientific approach to explaining the Biblical star followed by the wise men shows December 5. 12, 19, 26, and 29.
North Carolina has plenty of Christmas stops to enjoy on your holiday road tour as well.
(c)Duplin Winery
The Down Home Country Christmas Show at Duplin Winery is one, The Rose Hill attraction is beloved for its festive holiday event which is held several evenings throughout December.
The night includes music, a chef’s dinner, tastings, and more. in Onslow County, you will find more farms that embrace the holiday season.
A drive-through experience at EJI Farms’ Christmas Town in Jacksonville begins on December 5.
November 19 through December 23, enjoy Mike’s Farm Festival of Lights. The event includes dinner a hayride and.a Christmas show.
