Festive Towns
There’s nothing like Christmas in Dixie, and the roots of Southern Christmas celebrations run deep. The American South was making merry long before it became the standard practice in other areas of the country. Alabama was the first state to declare it a legal holiday in 1836, with Louisiana and Arkansas following a couple of years later. Christmas wasn’t recognized as a federal holiday until 1870.
While some facets of our Southern Christmas have been adopted outside of the South, many traditions and customs have remained unique to our way of life. If a holiday trip to partake in some Southern Yuletide customs doesn’t put you in the holiday spirit, you might need to check your pulse. Whether arriving by car or by magic sleigh, these Southern towns will be the highlight of your holiday season.
Andalusia, Alabama
Andalusia is Alabama’s quintessential small-town Christmas destination. Each December, you can find snow in this South Alabama town thanks to the Christmas in Candyland celebration, a free event that brings games, ice skating, train rides, kids activities, and a faux-snow tubing hill to the downtown area. Andalusia’s historic courthouse square transforms into a winter wonderland of epic proportions thanks to snow machines and a little imagination.
christmasincandyland.com
Bardstown, Kentucky
Bardstown’s beloved Main Street is a perfect destination for your seasonal adventures. Light up your Christmas holiday with the Light Up Bardstown event, a Christmas lights-filled festival that signifies the beginning of the holiday season in this small Kentucky town. Do not miss the much-anticipated visit from Santa Claus or the plentiful browsing opportunities in Bardstown's downtown shops. Get the entire family in the holiday spirit with hot cocoa, cookies, balloons, and face painting.
bardstownmainstreet.com
Natchitoches, Louisiana
This Louisiana town celebrates Christmas in a big way. The annual Festival of Lights runs for 40 days and attracts visitors from all over who arrive with family in tow to see the over 300,000 glittering lights and riverbank holiday decorations on display. The Christmas Festival is also a huge draw, replete with a boat parade, fireworks, and a holiday market. This small-town Christmas celebration is well worth a road trip.
natchitocheschristmas.com
Nashville, Tennessee
No one does Christmas quite like Nashville. Between the annual Country Christmas Celebrations at Gaylord Opryland Resort, the drive-thru wonderland of Jellystone Park’s Dancing Lights of Christmas, and all the parades, ice skating, carriage rides, events, and more, Nashville is the place to be for a holly jolly holiday! The entire family will delight in finding festive ways to spend their time here so the only problem will be trying to fit it all in before Christmas arrives.
visitmusiccity.com
Covington, Georgia
In Covington, Christmas is a big deal. It’s such a big deal, in fact, that the City of Covington hosts a huge celebration throughout the month of December to prepare for the holiday. One of the best events is the Covington Magical Lights of Christmas, where over 70,000 lights in the Historic Covington Square are lit, blanketing the area in the glow of Christmas lights. Bundle up with loved ones and ride a horse drawn carriage through the town. It’s sure to get you in the holiday spirit!
exploregeorgia.org
Birmingham, Alabama
Want to do something a little different this year to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year? Head to Birmingham, the city sitting in the middle of Alabama and oft overlooked. Whether you'd like to revel in a Christmas classic musical or ride the “North Pole Express,” Birmingham has something in store — for Christmas and for an unforgettable time among, family, friends and loved ones.
alabama.travel
Dallas, Texas
Need a break from shopping, baking and wrapping gifts? Create some new traditions with family and friends in Dallas. This fun-filled Southern town has some of the best activities during the holidays like Downtown Wanderland. The Downtown Wanderland events means happy hours, music, holiday crafts, photo booths, movies, food trucks, and more! Explore the town to find even more festive fun like train rides, magical light displays, and holiday cuisine to give you a true Santa like belly.
visitdallas.com
Aiken, South Carolina
Aiken's Christmas season gets officially underway traditionally on the morning of Thanksgiving with the annual Blessing of the Hounds in Hitchcock Woods, one of the largest urban parks on the east coast. From then on, downtown becomes alive with a variety of festive events. Don't miss taking a carriage ride, wandering through thousands of lights at Hopeland Gardens, or seeing the Night of a Thousand Candles. The whole family will enjoy a holiday in Aiken.
visitaikensc.com
Moultrie, Georgia
This small South Georgia town is legendary for its glittering downtown lights display. The canopied LED lights fill the downtown Moultrie square each December and attract visitors from near and far. The holiday season kicks off on Thanksgiving night with Lights! Lights! an event in which the community gathers on the square to watch the lights illuminate above. The classic courthouse square is alight with cascading strings of vibrant lights, under which you can find festive events, shopping, and restaurants to enjoy. downtownmoultrie.com
Williamsburg, Virginia
Experience Colonial flavor in Williamsburg at Christmas time. The yearly A Colonial Christmas celebration lets visitors explore the Jamestown Settlement and meander to the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown—so you can celebrate Christmas and learn about American history at the same time.
visitwilliamsburg.com
McAdenville, North Carolina
McAdenville is known as Christmas Town, USA. In December, this small town fills up with Christmas cheer and the town’s homes all light up for the season. It is worth a visit just to drive through the illuminated neighborhoods. There are also plenty of holiday festivities: one of McAdenville’s most beloved traditions is the Yule Log Parade. Top all that off with a Christmas tree lighting, a seasonal 5K, and a holiday festival, and you will surely be filled with the Christmas spirit.
mcadenville-christmastown.com
mcadenvillenc.com
Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina
Drop your anchor at Wrightsville Beach for the North Carolina Holiday Flotilla, a boat-filled parade on the water that culminates in a spectacular firework show. The flotilla lights up the night, and the weekend is filled with an accompanying tree-lighting ceremony, a visit from Santa, and a family-friendly festival with food and music galore.
wilmingtonandbeaches.com
With so many great places to visit in the South you’ll have to make a list and check it twice to decide where to go first. Make merry memories this year and celebrate the season in a place where the focus is family and the little things mean everything.
More Festive Destinations
Forest City
Forest City brings Southern charm and historic preservation together in a package anyone would want to open on Christmas morning. The city boasts more than 1 million lights in its downtown alone, earning its bragging rights as one of the “Best Christmas Towns” outside of Asheville. Forest City’s Hometown Holidays celebration includes the tree lighting ceremony, Christmas carolers, Santa’s House, a Christmas parade and so much more. This iconic example of small-town Americana will have you feeling like the star in a Hallmark movie.
townofforestcity.com
A Country Christmas
Make unforgettable holiday memories this season at Gaylord Opryland Resort’s A Country Christmas. You and your family will marvel at acres of magnificent décor, plus spectacular events that are sure to get you in the spirit of the season. Experience water fun for all ages at SoundWaves, ICE! featuring the beloved classic holiday movie, A CHRISTMAS STORY™, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical and The Gift of Christmas with Trace Adkins and Friends dinner show.
gaylordhotels.com
Campground Adventures
Ragan’s Family Campground is a family owned business located in beautiful Madison, Florida. The campground is a special place where families can enjoy a “back to basics” vacation. From cooling off in the water park to mining for gems in the mining sluice, there is something for everyone to enjoy. The park has spacious RV campsites with picnic tables, barbecue grills, fire rings, 30/50 amp service, water and sewer connections, laundry facilities, and comfort stations.
ragansfamilycampground.com
Magnolia, Arkansas
During this holiday season, get your shopping done in downtown Magnolia, see the extravagant lights at Wilson Traylor Gardens, and attend the annual Christmas parade. After the parade, enjoy festive family activities like two days of ice skating, a human-sized snow globe, a gingerbread house contest, holiday music, sleigh rides, Santa, and a merry time for all to enjoy. The seasonal celebrations begin December 5th and there will be plenty of hot chocolate to go around!
magnoliachamber.com
Remembering Soul Music
The Stax Museum of American Soul Music is the world’s only museum dedicated to preserving and promoting the legacy of American soul music. Located on the original site of the Stax Records studio in Memphis, Tennessee, the Stax Museum pays special tribute to the artists who recorded there, as well as other American soul legends, with a rare and amazing collection of more than 2,000 artifacts, interactive exhibits, films and galleries.
staxmuseum.com
Pigeon Forge Snow
Bring the whole family for one-of-a-kind snow tubing action! Hot or cold, rain or shine, Pigeon Forge Snow stays open year round because their snow never melts away. Inside you’ll find snow tubing hills and a huge snowy play area. Everyone can race down the slopes, build snowmen and snow forts, and have all kinds of wintry excitement — even in the middle of July! You won’t find anything else like this perfect wintry adventure in Tennessee.
pigeonforgesnow.com
Christmas In Columbia
“It’s Christmas in Columbia” and everyone is invited to experience a real hometown holiday at the ‘Night of Light’ Tree Lighting, the Columbia Christmas Parade, ‘Fa La La Fridays’, and a variety of events taking place in and around Columbia, Tennessee. ‘Night of Light’ is the much-anticipated tree-lighting ceremony of the holiday season featuring Columbia’s majestic, 40-foot Christmas tree that commands center stage at the Courthouse Square. It’s a small-town celebration with an uptown feel!
columbiatn.com
Enjoy Holiday Spirits
Fainting Goat Spirits is a true Grain to Glass Distillery located in Downtown Greensboro, North Carolina. They make the international award-winning spirits Tiny Cat Vodka, Emulsion New American Gin, & C.B. Fisher’s Whiskey. They take a tremendous amount of pride in their process. It all starts with careful sourcing of high-quality supplies from a small family owned and operated farm. It’s a multi-step process to produce an array of award-winning handcrafted spirits that is truly unique in the industry.
faintinggoatspirits.com
Christmas is Fayetteville
This Middle Tennessee community attracts visitors to its historic downtown year round. However, in winter the town creates an event that you don’t want to miss. For the 27th year, the Host of Christmas Past will transform downtown into a Norman Rockwell-style festival for three days. Delight in a place where Victorian costumed characters spread holiday greetings (or a few Bah Humbugs from Scrooge); enjoy shopping, great food, historic tours, visits with Santa, and even snow!
fayettevillelincolncountychamber.com
Henderson County, NC
This charming mountain area is the perfect destinations for family gatherings. DuPont Recreational Forest will enticing hikers with waterfalls and 10,268 acres for fishing, biking, and swimming; knowing it was the site for The Hunger Games, and The Last of the Mohicans, will interest everyone. There are seasonal events, a charming historic downtown, shopping, museums, historic sites and so many attractions. It is home to many breweries, wineries, and cideries that can be explored on the Cheers Trail. Groups can choose to stay in anything from bed and breakfasts to rustic cabins.
visithendersonvillenc.org
A Holiday With History
Experience the beauty of Beauvoir, The Jefferson Davis Home and Presidential Library. Your visit will include a tour of the entire 52 historical acres led by a trained guide through Beauvoir’s beautiful mansion commissioned by James Brown in 1848. Your ticket also includes access to the Jefferson Davis Presidential Library, Beauvoir Museum, Beauvoir Memorial Cemetery, Oyster Bayou, Mrs. Varina’s Garden, and historical cottages. Don’t forget to visit the gift-shop for unique gifts and collectibles and partake in the 1860’s Christmas in Camp Reenactment Holiday Soiree!
visitbeauvoir.org
Get to Knoxville
Knoxville is exactly what people declare it — a hidden gem. Everything the city has to offer always amazes first-time visitors. In this one, unique location, mountains meet music, art meets adventure, culture meets cuisine, and no one meets a stranger. The pure walkability of downtown allows people to explore and discover vibrant murals, local music, historic sites, art museums, parks, greenways and more. With its sophisticated mix of culture and cuisine, served up with genuine hospitality, Knoxville will surprise you.
visitknoxville.com
Christmas is Louisiana
It’s easy to discover why Ruston, Louisiana is considered a well-kept secret that’s mostly known for its thriving college-town atmosphere and an 18-block historic downtown district. Go explore Ruston’s many arts, outdoors and historic attractions, such as the Louisianan Military Museum, and take part in one of the events and festivals for the holiday season including the drive thru Christmas light display in Lincoln Parish Park, the Rudolph Reindeer Race, and the annual Christmas parade in downtown.
ruston.org
Handmade Holidays
Jump start holiday shopping at the two-day fine craft extravaganza known as the Piedmont Craftsmen Fair, held in downtown Winston-Salem. More than 100 of the finest artisans from across the southeastern U.S fill the booths at Piedmont Craftsmen’s Fair, presenting a sampling of the finest work available in artist-designed handmade home goods, wearables, jewelry, furniture, decorative items, and so much more. Whether you are an artist or collector you’ll love discovering the fine crafts of Piedmont Craftsmen.
piedmontcraftsmen.org
Discover the Tennessee Overhill
The Tennessee Overhill is a destination and an experience that provides a myriad of opportunities for visitors year round. The holiday opportunities are abundant and family focused with everything from town Christmas parades and concerts to the Lighting of the Christmas Tree in Etowah. There’s no shortage of magical history and heritage to be discovered and enjoyed by the whole family. What more could you ask for out of a Tennessee vacation?
tennesseeoverhill.com
Go Loco for Locomotives
Over 60 acres of immersive and interactive exhibits in four buildings, the North Carolina Transportation Museum is the perfect stop for the locomotive lovers. The historic Spencer Shops was once the Southern Railroad’s largest steam locomotive repair facility on the East Coast, while the Bob Julian Roundhouse is the largest remaining roundhouse in North America. The museum features steam and diesel locomotives, rail cars, whistles, train rides and the holiday favorite Polar Express™ experience.
nctrans.org
Lights, Camera, Toccoa!
A Georgia Camera Ready Community, Toccoa is picturesque and striking community offering spectacular views from Tallulah Gorge or Toccoa Falls, a 186-foot waterfall. Learn the history of the first Paratrooper Camp in the U.S., Camp Toccoa, which trained soldiers during World War II. With over 20,000 square feet in a historical building from the 1930’s, the Cornerstone Antique and Crafts Market offers visitors a variety of gifts. A stop at Moogy’s Mill Creek Gathering Place offers delicious food for the whole family surrounded by Georgia pines.
cityoftoccoa.com
Little Rock, Arkansas
Bringing light into the dark of winter, Little Rock shines with seasonal performances of live theater and dance, traditional carolers, high tea, and of course, a visit with Santa. Celebrating its 40th year of performances, Ballet Arkansas presents Tchaikovsky’s classic, “The Nutcracker,” at the Robinson Center in downtown. The historic Arkansas Museum is home to the holiday must, “The Ever Nog-Off,” where visitors can sample a variety of egg nogs culminating in a vote for “Best Egg Nog.” For a more traditional Victorian Christmas, the Empress of Little Rock Bed and Breakfast is home to the Grand High Tea and Tour in downtown’s Quapaw Quarter. With world class shopping, activities and tons of twinkling lights, Little Rock will bring out the holiday spirit in the whole family.
littlerock.com
