By Kellie Walton 

 

‘Tis the season to be jolly, and that’s just what you’ll be on a getaway to one of the south’s most festive cities. After decking your own halls, load up the whole family and set off on an adventure to an immersive holiday town – from train experiences that emulate the Polar Express to cities trimmed with all the twinkling lights.  

 

From beach towns to big cities, from the bourbon capital to a German-influenced escape, we’re uncovering the south’s best spots to celebrate the season.  

 

Happy holidays!  

 

Helen, Georgia 

Transport yourself to the heart of Bavaria in one of Georgia’s worst-kept secret towns: Helen. This German-influenced village comes especially alive when the weather cools, hosting a raucous Oktoberfest experience in September and October, and transforming to a premier destination for a European-esque holiday without ever leaving the states each December. The buildings and all their German detailing are beautifully trimmed with lights and seasonal decor, setting the stage for a charming holiday affair. Spend the day strolling the square in search of the perfect gift at a boutique, or visit during the Christkindlmarkt, a well executed German-inspired Christmas market bringing in plenty of vendors offering crafts, treats, and gifts.  

 

German restaurants and beer gardens are aplenty throughout Helen, and many debut limited-edition holiday menus perfect for a yuletide meal. Prost! 
helenga.org/  

 

Bardstown, Kentucky 

This town may be best known for its bourbon, but its tourism department touts an even better recipe for the holidays: combine 1-part Whoville, 1-part Polar Express, and a strong splash of bourbon, season with Southern charm and you get the perfect holiday getaway to Bardstown, Kentucky. This small town illuminates through Light Up Bardstown, a Whoville-style holiday light display driven by the community. Tons of homes and businesses participate by extravagantly decorating their exteriors during the annual “Hanging of the Greens.” Whether you attend for the event or just to enjoy the lights during the season, there are more than 20 noteworthy stops spanning a handful of blocks.  

 

Did you know? The Polar Express makes a stop in Bardstown! The My Old Kentucky Dinner Train transforms into the North Pole Express, much to the delight of kids and adults alike, offering a holiday meal with Santa and Ms. Claus. Riders are treated to a three-course meal and hot cocoa as the train makes its way through the stunning countryside. If the little kids are left behind for this getaway, warm up from the cold with a visit to one of Bardstown’s infamous bourbon distilleries, from Heaven Hill to Makers Mark, James Beam, and more.  
visitbardstown.com/  

 

Franklin, Tennessee 

I may be biased given it’s my own hometown, but Franklin, Tennessee, is one of the most magical places on Earth during the holidays. Forget the ski slopes out west or the snow capped cities across Europe – Franklin rivals them all thanks to its small town charm and stunning decor. Each business along the always iconic Main Street transforms into stunning holiday scenes, complete with garlands and twinkling lights, snow machines, and nativities in shop windows. 

 

The city of Franklin kicks off the festivities with a parade packed with local schools and businesses in early December, where Santa himself arrives at the end to usher in the season. Thousands gather annually for the tree lighting in the square, a spectacle complete with caroling and fellowship catering to a tender Tennessee Christmas. The fun doesn’t stop there, Franklin hosts one of the most immersive festivals in all of the south: Dickens of a Christmas. This A Christmas Carol-inspired festival sees costumed performers strolling the streets in 1800s garb, breaking out into choreographed dance numbers and interacting with festival-goers. There are plenty of vendors offering artisan goods, excellent southern comfort food, and no shortage of festive holiday vibes.  
visitfranklin.com/  

 

Pensacola, Florida 

Even Florida gets festive during the holidays, and coastal Pensacola is no exception. If you squint, the white sand beaches may resemble snow thanks to the outpouring of holiday charm found throughout the city each year. The festivities kick off with the annual First City Lighting Festival in mid-November, illuminating the downtown district with 500,000 lights. This free event kicks off Winterfest, which brings artificial snow and plenty of holiday fun to the tropics during an extended festival.  

 

There are plenty of other holiday experiences that pop up in Pensacola during the holiday season, like the Polar Express Tour where tap-dancing servers lead visitors through a trolley-ride of the classic Christmas tale; the Cajun Christmas Experience, which offers attendees an immersive Cajun holiday through an open-air trolley ride complete with stories of how they celebrate Christmas in the bayou as guests travel to Pensacola’s Historic Village. Don’t miss an early-December Lighted Boat Parade, the Surfing Santa Beach Christmas Parade, and the annual Santa Drop, where the big man himself skydives onto a beach on Perdido Key.  
visitpensacola.com  

 

Bowling Green, Kentucky 

The kids (and let’s be honest, the adults) will love a visit to Bowling Green at Christmastime for a number of reasons, but one stands out above the rest: The Reindeer Farm. This small family-run farm was made for the holidays, home to plenty of live reindeer and no shortage of holiday fun. A day pass to the farm includes a 30-minute visit inside a pen packed with reindeer, where you can snap photos and whisper all your holiday desires in hopes the message makes it back to the big man. In addition, there’s an indoor playground, a gift shop, a barn playing holiday movies on repeat, plenty of outdoor games, and wine from locally-owned Carriage House Vineyards available for purchase. Send the kids to the free hot chocolate truck and warm yourself up with some vino. 
visitbgky.com/  

 

Snowshoe, West Virginia 

While the south may not be best known for its snow, West Virginia’s town of Snowshoe says “hold my skis.” The mountain town is home to Snowshoe Mountain Resort, a destination for skiers and winter sports lovers from novice to professional. Snowshoe comes alive during the holidays with beautiful decorations throughout its resort areas and adjacent village that have caught the attention of Santa himself – he can often be spotted for photo opportunities throughout the season. Tackle all of your holiday shopping while downtown, the village offers a plethora of shops brimming with apparel and gifts for loved ones.  

 

Enjoy all the best snowy holiday activities on property, like dashing through the snow on a horse-drawn sleigh ride, snowmobiling, snow tubing, downhill and uphill skiing, and so much more.  
snowshoemtn.com/  

 

Stuart, Florida 

This small Atlantic coast town packs quite the holiday punch, beginning with the Christmas on Main Street Tree Lighting Festival. Taking place in Downtown Stuart, the lighting isn’t the only draw – the city hosts live music, photo opportunities with Santa and Mrs. Claus, ornament decorating, face paint­ing, bal­loon art, milk and cookies, and much more. The city then hosts their time-honored Christmas parade in early December, followed by a boat parade out on the water.  

 

Be sure to visit the Jensen Beach Christmas Mansion, where Robert and Elsa Eustace transform their 50,000-square-foot beachfront mansion into a magical winter wonderland. There are approximately 700,000 twinkling Christmas lights. Downtown Stuart is charming all year long, recently voted the second best coastal small town by USA Today. While a visit anytime of year is special, the holiday season in Stuart stands out from the rest.  
discovermartin.com/