Published: November 19, 2008 11:32 am      

Northwest Georgia High Country travel region's holiday events

Submitted by the Georgia Department of Economic Development





November 3 – December 7

Festival of Trees

Harris Arts Center

Wall Street, Calhoun

www.cgarts.org

Holiday magic transforms the galleries into a wonderland of themed Christmas trees waiting to grace the home of a lucky high-bidder. Bring your family and friends to see the creative efforts of talented artists and designers. New this year will be wreaths, swags and table centerpieces. Something for everyone in eleven price ranges. Visit this much-anticipated event, vote for your favorite entry and take a chance on our spectacular raffle trees. Final bids and Christmas Jamboree Concert on Dec. 7th 1 to 6 p.m.



November 21 – January 3

Rock City's Enchanted Garden of Lights

Lookout Mountain, Georgia

6 to 9 p.m. (closed Christmas Eve)

www.SeeRockCity.com

A Southern holiday tradition, this award-winning, light extravaganza features more than 25 holiday scenes and a million lights that transform the gardens' natural daytime splendor into a nocturnal fantasyland. Enjoy gingerbread cookie decorating, hot cocoa and nightly entertainment. Adults $15.95; children $8.95



November 27 – December 6

Festival of Trees

Local schools, churches, organizations and individuals decorate Christmas trees with a theme for the general public to view at the Historic Haralson County Courthouse in the city of Buchanan.

Hours: Monday – Thursday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Sunday, 1 to 3 p.m.

www.hchistory.com



November 27– December 31

Outdoor Synchronized Christmas Music Light Show

Just off Hwy 411 in the city park

Eton

From sundown til 10 p.m. (later if crowds are present)

706-695-2652

Outdoor synchronized Christmas music light show for all ages; sit in your car and listen via the radio or get out and walk around to see the show up close; concessions available; proceeds go to community Christmas for Kids



November 27 – December 30, 2008

A Pettit Creek Christmas

Pettit Creek Farms, 337 Cassville Road, Cartersville

770-386-8688

www.pettitcreekfarms.com/christmas.shtml

Opens nightly at sundown

More than one and one-half miles of Christmas lights, in addition to live reindeer, camels and many more animals. Take a hayride (Adults $10, children $8) and visit with Santa (Thursday-Sunday) and all the animals in the petting zoo. Or drive through the lights display for a $9 donation per car.



November 29

Light Up Ellijay!

Ellijay

www.DowntownEllijay.org

Downtown merchants invite you to help us “Light up Ellijay” in our historic downtown square. We will start the shopping season with a “12 Days of Christmas” scavenger hunt. Music and entertainment will lead into our “Light Parade” beginning at 6 p.m. followed by the lighting of our Christmas Tree and visits on Santa’s knee! The evening will end with spectacular moonlight madness shopping till 9 p.m.



November 29

Light Up Blue Ridge

www.lightupblueridge.com

11 a.m. to 90 p.m,

Join us on Saturday, November 29th, for Light Up Blue Ridge featuring all-day activities, including Santa and Mrs. Clause arrival on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. Visit the Gingerbread Man and see his Gingerbread House, Rudolph, face painting, holiday entertainment throughout the day, free photos with Santa, free Horse and Carriage rides, free rides through town on trackless train, culminating with the lighting of the Great Tree at 7 p.m.



November 30 and December 7, 14-16, 18, 19, 21-23

The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway

1-800-934-1898

www.brscenic.com

All Aboard The Christmas Express!

Celebrate the holidays with The Christmas Express -- 10 festive, fun-filled train rides. Passengers will be treated to holiday refreshments at the depot before boarding. On board, they will hear Christmas stories, sing Christmas carols with elves, and visit with the North Pole's jolliest elf himself during the ride. Seats are limited: Advance reservations are required. These trips are 2 hours and 15 minutes; there is no stop or layover in McCaysville.

Cost is $34 for adults and seniors; $17 for kids (age 2 - 12) (all prices are plus tax)



December 1-31

WINTERFEST

Tanglewood Farm, 171 Tanglewood Drive, Canton

Get into the holiday spirit by having your picture taken aboard a miniature sleigh hooked up to a miniature reindeer cow. Merry carols fill the air and the farm twinkles with thousands of sparkling lights, decorated trees, and acres of holiday decor. Step back in time to the 1800s and visit Christmas past in this Wild West Town, complete with a Trading Post stocked with unique, last minute holiday gifts. Stroll through the farm while sipping on hot cider and hot chocolate then take a pony ride or a hay ride and see, pet and feed more than 100 miniature farm animals that call Tanglewood their home.

Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (last tickets sold at 1 p.m.); Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last tickets sold at 4 p.m.) Closed Mondays and Tuesdays

No reservations required for individuals and families; Reservations preferred for groups of 20 or more.

Open Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve until 1 p.m.; Closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day

Tour: $9 per person plus tax (free for infants under 1) includes tour and pony ride for the kids

Hayride: $5 per person



December 2

Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting

Broad Street in downtown Rome,

www.romegeorgia.org

At 6 p.m. an old-fashioned Christmas parade with more than 200 units and marching bands makes it way through historic downtown Rome, concluding with Santa riding in on his sleigh pulled by his reindeer to light the more than 20-foot high tree in front of City Hall. A magical Southern night sparks the traditional Christmas season.



December 4

Dalton Christmas Parade

Festivities and smiling faces at the Dalton Christmas Parade in historic downtown. 6 p.m.

http://daltonnoonlionsclub.com/christmasparade.htm



December 5

Night of Lights 2008 2nd Annual Christmas Celebration on Main Street

6 to 10 p.m.

Downtown Jasper

Marie Nolan, Christmas in the Mountains Committee Chair- 770-856-4076

Again this year the Jasper Merchants Association will turn Main Street in Jasper, Georgia into a celebration not to be missed. The celebration will be kicked off with the Parade of Lights making its way from South to North Main. Following the Parade will be lots of family fun: a live Nativity with animals, local choirs, kid’s area with face painting and ornament decorating, visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, vendor food and craft booths, strolling carolers and characters, a special Lighting of the Tree ceremony including a spectacular musical production and much more. We invite you to join us as Main Street comes alive with the sights and sounds of the holidays. Night of Lights is designed purely to celebrate the Christmas season as well as to promote the revitalization and continued growth of Downtown Jasper. The event is free to spectators and includes plenty of old-fashioned entertainments. Proceeds from the Night of Lights celebration go to help Pickens County needy families have a very special Christmas.



December 5

Light Up The Basin

www.ocoeeinfo.com

Downtown McCaysville, 6 p.m.

Copper Basin Residents, young and old are invited to help throw the switch to 'Light Up the Basin' for the holiday season. Local communities coordinate their Christmas Lighting Ceremonies in a single evening of celebration the night before the annual Kiwanis Christmas Parade. The evening begins at 6 pm, at the McCaysville Branch of United Community Bank, where Mayor Buddy Finch helps light McCaysville's official Christmas Tree. A procession of Christmas carolers then parades by candlelight to the Copperhill Branch of the BB&T Bank, for another tree lighting ceremony. Participants then make their way to Copperhill City Hall, to help Mayor Herb Hood light Copperhill's Yule tree. The crowd then moves back down Grande Avenue for the lighting of the wreath of the Old Steel Bridge. Following the tree lightings, celebrants warm up with free hot chocolate and cookies, at Rivers Crossing Mall. Santa Claus will pay a special visit at 6:30 pm, to listen to the wish lists of local youngsters. There are free candy canes for all children in attendance, and free pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus.



December 5

Silver Bell Sprint

A 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run at night on the streets of historic downtown Dalton. You can hear the bells jingle all the way! Proceeds to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters. 7 to 8:30 p.m. at City Park School

www.bbsnwgm.org



December 5-6, 12-13 and 19-20

A Christmas Tapestry: A Magical Evening of Christmas Cheer

1902 Stock Exchange and Public Square Opera House

124 Public Square

Adairsville

Dinner Theatre – 7 p.m.

It’s that special time of year when we all experience the magical moments of Christmas. Join our merry minstrels as they brighten the lives of others, bear each other’s burdens and fill empty hearts and lives. A special evening of heartwarming humor, poignant tales and joyous music guaranteed to capture the miraculous meaning of Christmas! Dinner and Show $45 plus tax (Group Rate $42 plus tax)

By Reservation Call 770-773-1902 Gift Certificates available



December 5 – January 4

LaFayette's Amazing Christmas

Joe Stock Park - Wardlaw Street & North Main Street

LaFayette

706-639-1590

http://cityoflafayettega.org/LaFayettesAmazingChristmas.htm

Watch this free state of the art synchronized musical light show beginning December 5th following the Christmas Parade. Every night there will be a different show!



December 6

New Echota State Historic Christmas Candlelight Tour

(706) 624-1321

http://www.gastateparks.org/net/go/parks.aspx?LocationID=106&s=0.0.1.5

Calhoun, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Bring your candle lantern to kick off the holiday season. We'll celebrate Christmas New Echota-style with decorations, music and refreshments reminiscent of the 19th century Cherokee Nation Capital. Dress warmly and wear good walking shoes for this one-mile walking tour of the historic Cherokee town. $5.



December 6

Chatsworth Christmas Parade

The 19th annual North Georgia Mountain Christmas Parade will begin at 6 p.m. This year's them is "In God We Trust." www.murraycountychamber.org



December 9

Lighted Christmas Parade

The streets come alive with the sights and sounds of Christmas with Tallapoosa’s lighted Christmas Parade. 7 p.m. (770) 574-2482 www.visitharalson.org



December 12 - 13

Christmas by Candlelight at Chief Vann House Historic Site

Highway 225, Chatsworth

(706) 695-2598

http://www.gastateparks.org/net/go/parks.aspx?LocationID=102&s=0.0.1.5

In 1805, Cherokee Chief James Vann opened his new brick mansion to the Moravian missionaries to hold one of the first Christmas celebrations in the Cherokee Nation. To honor this tradition, visitors are invited to enjoy the sights and sounds of a 19th century Christmas in one of America’s best-preserved Cherokee homes. $2.50–$4.00.



December 31

Murder Mystery Dinner hosted by Laughing Matters

Historic Banning Mills

205 Horseshoe Dam Road

Whitesburg

(770) 834-9149

www.historicbanningmills.com

Try something new for New Year’s Eve with the Murder Mystery Dinner hosted by Laughing Matters. And while you try to figure out “who done it,” enjoy a wonderful dinner in a beautiful historic setting just 45 minutes from Atlanta.



December 31

Bell Tower Bash

Live music and fireworks mark the end of the old and the start of the new at the city of Buchanan’s historic courthouse square. (770) 646-8978 www.visitharalson.org



December 31

New Year’s Eve Dance

Celebrate the old year out and the New Year in with a dance at the Rome Civic Center; great refreshments and cash bar. Don’t know how to ballroom dance? Sign up for lessons on the 29th – 31st. Call 800-444-1834 for more information. A dancing and lodging package includes an overnight at WinShape Retreat including meals prepared by a professional chef, dance lessons, formal New Year’s Eve dance, and an exciting excursion around the Berry College campus and historic city of Rome; golf, tennis and bridge are available. Call 800-444-1834 for more information.