Celebrate a German Christmas in Georgia
ALPINE HELEN-WHITE COUNTY, GEORGIA–NOVEMBER 2021– Have a Bavarian Christmas without leaving the Southeast in Alpine Helen, Georgia, located about an hour and a half north of Atlanta in the Northeast Georgia mountains. This year, the City of Helen is thrilled to have been awarded the title of #1 Christmas Town in America by MSN.com. Helen was chosen out of 152 cities and towns across the United States. The title would not be possible without Dona K. Burke, Lynn Childress and all of the City of Helen Public Works Department employees who worked hard to transform Alpine Helen-White County into America’s #1 Christmas city.
Experience America’s #1 Christmas town for yourself.
For a nighttime experience, don’t miss the Annual Lighting of the Village in Edelweiss River Park, 5-7 p.m., Friday, November 26, a no-cost event for the public (706-878-3842). Santa and Mrs. Claus visit at 5 p.m. and the Lighting of the Village takes place at 6 p.m.
Plan to visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, noon to 3 p.m., in the downtown Market Platz November 27-28, December 4-5, December 11 (until 5 p.m.), December 12 and December 18-19.
A German tradition, Helen’s annual Christkindlmarkt offers specialty gift items, decorations, assorted savory foods, drinks and candied treats. This shopping extravaganza is held 10 a.m.-6 p.m., November 27-28 and December 4-5, at Helen Market Platz.
Visit the Mistletoe Market, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., December 4 and 5, at the Helen Arts Heritage Center and shop the festive indoor holiday market filled with handcrafted art and fine crafts, all locally made. Artist demonstrations will be held throughout the weekend.
Don’t miss the Annual Christmas in the Mountains Lighted Parade, 7 p.m., December 4, in Downtown Cleveland, www.WhiteCountyChamber.org.
Shop locally for one-of-a-kind gifts, noon to 6 p.m., December 4 and 11 during Sautee Junction’s Victorian Christmas event.
Join in a Victorian Christmas in Sautee-Nacoochee at the Hardman Farm State Historic Site and see the house dressed in period holiday décor while learning about Victorian holiday traditions from docents in their finest 1870s garb. This open house from 4-7 p.m., December 3-4, December 10-11 and December 17-18, is highlighted by twinkling candlelight and live music. Adults: $12, Seniors (62+): $10, Youth (6-17): $7, Children 5 and under: Free. 706-878-1077.
The Helen Christmas Parade, sponsored by the Helen-White County Convention and Visitors Bureau, winds through Downtown Helen at 2 p.m., December 11, www.HelenGA.org.
Find one-of-a-kind Christmas gifts with German flair, sample pastries and raise a pint to the most wonderful time of the year all while making your holidays brighter with a weekend or week-long getaway.
Spend time in the village of Sautee where authentic Appalachian artwork, pottery and hand-made toys make it easy to find something for everyone on the Christmas list. Don’t miss a thing: stay in downtown Helen or immerse yourself in a true mountain experience by renting a nearby cabin. Visit www.HelenGA.org for accommodation details and complimentary assistance planning your getaway.