Dahlonega Christmas 2025: Old Fashioned Christmas Guide
Ultimate Guide For A Story Book Dahlonega Christmas Season

Updated September 24, 2025 • by Gold Peach Realty

Dahlonega, Georgia transforms into a storybook holiday town each year with its beloved Old Fashioned Christmas. Think twinkling lights wrapping the historic Square, live music, horse-drawn carriage rides, Santa visits, a festive parade, markets, and shows at the Historic Holly Theater. Use this guide to plan your 2025 visit with confirmed dates, times, and insider tips from Dahlonega’s #1 local real estate brokerage - Gold Peach Realty 





2025 DAHLONEGE CHRISTMAS

KEY DATES & EVENT LINKS



• Lighting of the Square & 30’ Tree:
Friday, November 28, 2025 at 6:00 PM (lights remain through early January). Expect traffic delays and limited street access around the Square.
More Info: https://dahlonegachristmas.com/events/lighting-the-square-497/



• Old Fashioned Christmas Parade:
Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 12:00 PM through the Historic District.
Route & updates: https://dahlonegachristmas.com/christmas-parade/



• Christmas Market on Candy Cane Lane:
December 6–7 & December 13–14, 2025, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM at the Community House & Hancock Park.
Details: https://dahlonegawomansclub.org/christmas-market-info



• Visit with Santa on the Square:
Fridays 3:00–6:00 PM, Saturdays 12:00–6:00 PM, Sundays 1:00–5:00 PM from November 28–December 21, 2025.
Info: https://www.dahlonega.org/events/holiday/old-fashioned-christmas/



• Carriage Rides:
Evenings on select dates, typically 4:00–9:00 PM (first-come; weather permitting).
Schedule & updates: https://dahlonegachristmas.com/carriage-ride-schedule/



• Holly Theater holiday show:
“A 1940’s Radio Christmas Carol,” December 5–21, 2025 (multiple performances).
Tickets: https://www.onthestage.tickets/show/the-historic-holly-theatre/67fec1d5276f803cdb8a9659



• Festival of Trees (Hancock Park):
Tree grove lights on Fri, Nov 28 (after the Square lighting); on display through December.

Details: https://dahlonegachristmas.com/festival-of-trees/


Pro tip: Weekend crowds are real. Book lodging, tastings, and theater tickets early, and arrive 60–90 minutes before signature events.





Dahlonega, Georgia's Lighting of the Square event. The town square is bathed in festive golden lights


LIGHTING OF THE DAHLONEGA TREE & DOWNTOWN SQUARE

(OFFICIAL KICKOFF)


Date & Time: Friday, November 28, 2025 • 6:00 PM
Location: Historic Downtown Dahlonega


What to Expect: Live holiday music from the Visitor Center balcony sets the tone before the Square and 30-foot tree bursts to life. The white-light glow and historic backdrop make this one of Georgia’s most photogenic tree lightings. Lights and décor remain through the first week of January.


Insider Tip: Arrive mid-afternoon, browse shops, and grab an early dinner reservation. After the lighting, stores often stay open later for holiday shopping.







festive horse-drawn carriage ride in downtown Dahlonega, Georgia. The carriage is adorned with holiday garlands


Carriage Rides In Dahlonega


Dates & Times: Select evenings, typically 4:00–9:00 PM, weather permitting.


Boarding: Corner of North Chestatee St & West Main St (near the Square).
How It Works: First-come, first-served; no reservations. Cash only. A cozy loop around the lit Square—perfect for couples and families.


Tentative 2025 Schedule (subject to weather/operational updates):
• Sat, Nov 30 & Sun, Dec 1, 4:00–9:00 PM
• Wed–Sun, Dec 4–8, 4:00–9:00 PM
• Wed–Sun, Dec 11–15, 4:00–9:00 PM
• Wed, Dec 18 – Tue, Dec 31, 4:00–9:00 PM (no rides on Dec 25)

Schedule & updates: https://dahlonegachristmas.com/carriage-ride-schedule/






Santa in Dahlonega, Georgia. Santa Claus sits in a beautifully decorated chair by a large Christmas tree


Visit with Santa In Dahlonega


Dates: November 28 – December 21, 2025
Hours: Fridays 5:00–7:00 PM • Saturdays 12:00–6:00 PM • Sundays 1:00–5:00 PM


Location: By the Christmas tree in front of the Visitor Center (13 South Park St).


Details: Bring your camera for photos. Kids can drop letters in the North Pole mailbox.

Note: Santa appears in the parade on Saturday, Dec 13.

More info: https://www.dahlonega.org/events/holiday/old-fashioned-christmas/





Festival of Trees in Dahlonega, Georgia



Dahlonega Festival of Trees


Dates: Lighting is Fri, Nov 28, 2025 (right after the Square lighting)
Location: Hancock Park (one block north of the Square)



Why Go: A glowing grove of community-decorated trees—one of the town’s best evening photo ops. Pair it with cocoa and a stroll.

More info: https://dahlonegachristmas.com/festival-of-trees/





Christmas Parade in Dahlonega, Georgia


Dahlonega Christmas Parade


Date & Time: Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Route: Through the Historic District and around the Square


Expect to see: Marching bands, festive floats, local groups, and Santa. Streets begin closing shortly before noon; plan to park and stake out your viewing spot early.
Road closures: Begin ~30 minutes prior — arrive early.


Info/route map: https://dahlonegachristmas.com/christmas-parade/




Christmas Market on Candy Cane Lane in Dahlonega, Georgia. The market features festive booths adorned with holiday lights


Dahlonega Christmas Market on Candy Cane Lane


Dates & Hours: December 6–7 and December 13–14, 2025 • 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Locations: Community House (111 N Park St) & Hancock Park


What You’ll Find: A juried market from the Dahlonega Woman’s Club with handmade gifts, themed baskets, and delicious treats from Ms. Claus’ Kitchen. A fantastic place to shop local for one-of-a-kind presents.


Details: https://dahlonegawomansclub.org/christmas-market-info



live performance at the Historic Holly Theater in Dahlonega, Georgia


DAHLONEGA HOLLY THEATER

HOLIDAY PRODUCTION


Show: “A 1940’s Radio Christmas Carol”
Dates: December 5–21, 2025 (multiple performances; advance tickets recommended)



Why It’s Special: The Holly’s intimate setting and historic charm create peak holiday vibes. Plan dinner on the Square, then walk to the show.


Tickets & full schedule: https://www.onthestage.tickets/show/the-historic-holly-theatre/67fec1d5276f803cdb8a9659


More about the show: https://hollytheater.com/on-stage/






extended shopping hours in downtown Dahlonega, Georgia. The scene shows charming storefronts lit up with holiday displays


Extended Shopping Hours In Downtown Dahlonega


Date/Time: Friday, Nov 28, 2025 (immediately after the 6 PM lighting)



What to Expect: Many of downtown’s 65+ boutiques extend hours and run seasonal promos. The window displays are worth the trip alone.

Where: Shops around the Historic Square




holiday wine tasting at a cozy winery in Dahlonega, Georgia. The scene features a rustic wooden table with glasses of red wine



Holiday Wine Tastings In Dahlonega


When: Various dates in December
Where: North Georgia wineries and downtown tasting rooms (Montaluce, Wolf Mountain, Frogtown, and more)
Tip: Tastings and winery brunches fill fast on parade and market weekends—book ahead.



Make time for festive pours and vineyard views:
• Montaluce Winery & Restaurant (events & tastings): https://www.montaluce.com/


• Wolf Mountain Vineyards (wine tastings Thu–Sun; December Sunday Brunch theme: Holiday Comfort Food—book ahead): https://www.wolfmountainvineyards.com/

Brunch details (OpenTable): https://www.opentable.com/r/wolf-mountain-vineyards-dahlonega 


• Frogtown Cellars (tasting room & seasonal events): https://frogtown.com/





Christmas tea event in Dahlonega, Georgia. The scene shows an elegant table set for tea with fine china teacups



CHRISTMAS TEA (VICTORIAN/DICKENS TEA)


Venue: Waffle’s English Tea Room (47 S Park St)
Holiday window: Nov 28–Dec 28, 2025 • Seatings 11:00 AM & 1:30 PM, Thu–Mon (reservations strongly recommended)


Reservations/info: https://www.facebook.com/p/Waffles-English-Tea-Room-61550553885281/


Event listing: https://dahlonegachristmas.com/events/christmas-tea/







art market in Dahlonega, Georgia during the holiday season. The scene shows vendors displaying handmade holiday crafts


Christmas Art Markets


Date/Time: Sat, Nov 29, 2025 • 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
Where: Hancock Park (just off the Square)



Details: https://www.artsdahlonega.org/events/daa-christmas-art-market-2025






festive food trucks in Dahlonega, Georgia during the holiday season. The scene shows brightly decorated food trucks



Dahlonega Food Trucks and Festive Treats



Dates: Select Fridays & Saturdays between Nov 28, 2025 and early January
Location: Parking lot across from Hancock Park (next to St. Luke’s Catholic Church)



Details: A rotating lineup of food trucks sets up on select days during Old Fashioned Christmas—grab cocoa, cider, gingerbread, kettle corn, BBQ, and more as you stroll the lights. Check the official calendar for specific dates and vendors.
Info & updates: https://dahlonegachristmas.com/food-trucks/









WHY VISIT DAHLONEGA FOR CHRISTMAS? (2025)



Dahlonega’s Old Fashioned Christmas runs from Friday, Nov 28, 2025 (Lighting of the Square at 6:00 PM) through the first week of January, with lights, music, carriage rides, Santa hours, a parade, and markets all centered on the Historic Square. It’s the real-life small-town holiday you see on screen.








Plan Your Holiday Visit To Dahlonega


Parking & Road Closures
• Expect detours/closures near the Square on Nov 28 (Lighting) and Dec 13 (Parade); arrive early. Parade closures start ~30 minutes before noon.


Downtown Parking Guides & Maps:
— DDA Parking: https://dahlonegadda.org/downtown-parking/
— City Parking Map: https://www.dahlonega.gov/community/downtown-parking/

Visitor Center (info, maps, restrooms)
• Address: 13 South Park St, Dahlonega, GA 30533 • Daily 10:00 AM–5:00 PM • (706) 864-3711 • https://www.dahlonega.org/plan/visitors-center/
• Public restrooms: Visitor Center & Hancock Park Pavilion; extra porta-potties on Lighting/Parade days. 


Where to Stay (walkable to the Square)
• Official lodging directory (hotels, B&Bs, cabins): https://www.dahlonega.org/places-to-stay/

DAHLONEGA CHRISTMAS:

A STORYBOOK HOLIDAY IN NORTH GEORGIA



Christmas in Dahlonega, GA feels straight out of a movie. Our historic gold-rush town glows with thousands of lights, live music on the Square, horse-drawn carriage rides, visits with Santa, and the beloved Old Fashioned Christmas parade. Whether you’re planning a romantic weekend or a family getaway, Dahlonega Christmas delivers small-town charm with big holiday spirit—walkable streets, cozy shops, and festive markets all within a few blocks.


What makes Dahlonega’s Old Fashioned Christmas special? It’s the blend of tradition and togetherness. Stroll past the Gold Museum under a canopy of lights, sip cocoa between boutique stops, catch a holiday show at the Historic Holly Theater, then wander to Hancock Park for glowing community trees. On select weekends, Candy Cane Lane Market showcases local makers and tasty treats, while nearby North Georgia wineries pour seasonal favorites. From late November through early January, the town stays in full sparkle—perfect for photos, proposals, and memory-making.


If the magic of Dahlonega at Christmas has you dreaming about a longer stay, our team at Gold Peach Realty can help you explore homes walkable to the Square or cabins near the wineries—backed by an elite in-house marketing team and a seamless, concierge-level experience.





Dahlonega Christmas santa and Mrs Claus at downtown dahlonega christmas festival



DAHLONEGA CHRISTMAS — FAQ 

When do the Dahlonega Christmas lights turn on and how long do they stay up?
Lights typically switch on the night of the Square lighting (the Friday after Thanksgiving) and remain through early January.


Where is the Dahlonega Christmas parade and what time does it start?
The parade rolls through the Historic District around the Public Square at midday on a Saturday in December. Arrive early—streets close ahead of the start.


Are there carriage rides during Old Fashioned Christmas?
Yes. Horse-drawn carriage rides operate on select evenings (weather permitting), first-come/first-served, around the Square.


Where can I visit Santa in Dahlonega?
Santa greets families by the big tree near the Visitor Center on set hours Fridays–Sundays between lighting night and the weekend before Christmas.


What is the Christmas Market on Candy Cane Lane?
A juried holiday market at the Community House and Hancock Park featuring handmade gifts, baked treats, and seasonal goodies on two December weekends.


Is Dahlonega Christmas family-friendly?
Absolutely. Expect kid-friendly photo ops, Santa visits, sweets, and a compact, walkable downtown that’s easy with strollers.


How should I plan for parking and road closures?
Plan to park a few blocks off the Square for major events (lighting and parade). Give yourself extra time for detours and full lots.


What are the best photo spots for Dahlonega Christmas lights?
The gazebo, the Gold Museum façade at blue hour, storefront reflections along West Main, and the Festival of Trees at Hancock Park after dark.


Are dogs allowed at Dahlonega Christmas events?
Leashed, well-behaved pets are welcome outdoors around the Square; always check individual venues and lodging for pet policies.


Do events or shows sell out?
Popular activities—like Holly Theater performances, winery brunches, and teas—often book in advance. Reserve early for December weekends.


Thinking about making Dahlonega home after your holiday visit?
Text or call Gold Peach Realty at (770) 283-1223 and we’ll line up showings close to the Square or near the vineyards—so your Dahlonega Christmas can turn into a year-round lifestyle.
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Nicole Van Den Bergh

Broker | License ID: 381292

+1(770) 283-1223

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