Backroad Bulletin: December Events 🎄
Enjoy Christmas parades, markets, tree mazes, and more
This month, we’ve curated a festive list of holiday happenings across the Southeast. As with all events showcased here, check each website for details before you head out.
Don’t Forget
Our Holiday Gift Guide offers inspirational and handcrafted gifts for everyone on your list.
Also, enter our latest giveaway through December 12 for a chance to win a Designed for Joy Dorothy shoulder handbag.
Tanglewood Park Festival of Lights
November 14, 2025–January 1, 2026
Tanglewood Park in Clemmons, North Carolina
This sprawling 1,100-acre park in rural Forsyth County turns into a dazzling drive-through spectacle with 3 miles of synchronized light displays set to holiday tunes. Bundle up for wagon rides through the woods, where you’ll spot illuminated deer and snowmen. Visit the holiday village for hot cocoa, roasted chestnuts, and Santa’s workshop where you can participate in craft stations.
Lights of the South Christmas Tree Maze
November 21–December 30, 2025
Grovetown, Georgia
Lights of the South transforms a quiet Columbia County hayfield on Louisville Road in Grovetown, Georgia, into a holiday wonderland open 6–10 p.m. nightly (closed on Christmas day). Wander through twinkling lights in a Christmas Tree maze, ride the farm train, visit Santa, shop local vendors, roast marshmallows, and warmup with hot cocoa and cider.
Mountain Country Christmas in Lights
November 27–December 23, 2025
Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds in Hiawassee, Georgia
Nestled along the shores of Lake Chatuge in the North Georgia mountains, this enchanting holiday display transforms the fairgrounds into a winter wonderland with over a million twinkling lights reflecting off the water. Stroll through illuminated trails, enjoy live Christmas music, shop from arts and crafts vendors selling handmade ornaments, and warm up with hot chocolate and holiday treats from local food stalls. Family favorites include magic shows, photos with Santa, and hayrides through the glowing displays.
Dahlonega Old Fashioned Christmas
November 27, 2025–January 6, 2026
Downtown Dahlonega, Georgia
Step into a Dickensian holiday in this historic gold rush town nestled in the Lumpkin County foothills, where you can wander through a Christmas Market brimming with artisan crafts, fresh wreaths, and local jams, and savor Southern sweets like fudge and cider from farm vendors. Highlights include caroling by lantern light, a grand tree lighting ceremony, Christmas teas, and horse-drawn carriage rides. (We also feature this event in our latest There and Back Again Journey. Check it out here.)
Candy Land Christmas
November 29, 2025–January 4, 2026
Downtown Johnson City, Tennessee
Candy Land Christmas lights up the Appalachian foothills with over 180 locally decorated, candy-themed Christmas trees that illuminate King Commons, Founders Park, and Main Street. This free, family-friendly spectacle offers walkable holiday lights, warm drinks, and joyful cheer amid rural mountain charm.
Christmas in Middleburg
December 6, 2025
Downtown Middleburg, Virginia
In the heart of Virginia’s hunt country, this equestrian village hosts a century-old holiday tradition amid stone walls and vineyard vistas, where mounted foxhunt riders and hounds parade down Washington Street at 11 a.m. The Community Christmas Parade starts at 2 p.m. on Washington Street. Shop boutiques for artisanal wreaths, hunt-themed ornaments, and local wines, and warm up with mulled cider and Brunswick stew from farm-to-table vendors.
Pendleton Christmas Market
December 12–13, 2025
Historic Pendleton District, Pendleton, South Carolina
In the heart of the Upstate’s rural textile heritage, this market celebrates the season amid preserved 19th-century homes and oak-lined streets. Browse over 100 booths of handmade holiday goods, from handwoven scarves to pecan pralines and boiled peanuts from local farms. Enjoy live bluegrass fiddling, storytelling sessions on Southern folklore, and a kids’ area with wreath-making workshops.
Hometown Christmas Festival @ Boondock Farms
December 13, 2025
Boondock Farms, Jackson, South Carolina
Tucked away in the rural Lowcountry fields of Aiken County, this farmstead festival brings the warmth of Southern hospitality to the holidays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This free family event celebrates Southern holiday warmth with a bustling farmers market, artisan vendor fair, lively live music, and farm-fresh bites from food trucks.
Oak Ridge Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting
December 13, 2025
Historic Downtown Oak Ridge, Tennessee
The Oak Ridge Christmas Parade lights up the Oak Ridge Turnpike at 6 p.m. This country-themed spectacle features over 100 entries—from music and faith groups to dance, animals, and business floats, with awards given for creative decorations.
John C. Campbell Folk School Fireside Sale
December 13, 2025
John C. Campbell Folk School, Brasstown, North Carolina
Soak in the glow of a crackling fire and live holiday music while wandering the beautifully decorated Keith House, hunting for one-of-a-kind treasures made by Appalachian artists from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Then step next door to Davidson Hall to meet the makers of handmade jewelry, weaving, forged iron, photography, quilts, and turned wood.
Christmas in Hopelands
December 13–23, 2025
Hopelands Gardens in Aiken, South Carolina
Wander 1.5 miles of paths glowing with over 100,000 twinkling lights, festive displays, and illuminated magnolias each night from 6 to 9:30 p.m. The event also features crafts for kids, hot cocoa, cookies, s’mores, pictures with Santa, and live concerts featuring a different band each night at 7 p.m.
Jingle in the Jungle at North Carolina Zoo
December 15–19, 2025
North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro, North Carolina
Jingle in the Jungle runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For $5 admission, you can explore holiday-themed trails featuring animal encounters, festive decorations, and community giving initiatives. Events include Santa visits, crafts, and wildlife viewing. Tickets are only available for in-person purchase.
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