14 Best Things To Do In Helen, Georgia, During The Holidays

This tiny Bavarian town in the heart of Georgia is rich with Christmas charm.

Who says you have to hop on a transatlantic flight to experience a Bavarian Christmas? Trade in Appalachia for the Alps this Christmas in Helen, Georgia, a charming small town known for its scenic natural surroundings, vineyards nestled in the foothills, and distinctive alpine aesthetic. Helen describes itself as being chock full of "the charm of Bavaria in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains," and that's just what you'll find on a weekend getaway to this one-of-a-kind community.

Where did Helen get its unique look? In 1969, the small mountain community decided it needed a facelift. An artist stationed in Germany sketched a more European fa?ade for the town, which local carpenters and businesses adopted. Nearly 50 years later, this small mountain town—which sees millions of visitors yearly—still proudly wears its German influences. Which, as you can imagine, is impossibly charming during the holidays.

Once one of Helen's biggest celebrations, Oktoberfest, is over, it's on to more than a month of Christmas traditions around town. Think of everything from a traditional Christkindlmarkt (a holiday market) to an annual downtown parade. Read on for a few fun Christmas traditions that will put a trip to Helen, Georgia, on your holiday wish list.

Join Festive Christmas Events

See The Town Glow At The Lighting Of The Village

There's no better way to kick off a visit to Helen than with The Lighting of the Village. Plan your visit to coincide with this event, which occurs in late November. The programming includes performances from local musical groups, and once it's time to light up the town, Santa and Mrs. Claus do the honors, illuminating the town center with holiday cheer and plenty of lights. This much-loved start to the holiday season also invites children (and adults) to meet the Clauses while they're in town.

Watch The Annual Christmas Parade

See Santa during the annual Christmas parade as he travels through the town from downtown Helen to the Festhalle on Edelweiss Street. A bonfire with s'mores follows the parade. Music, dancing, and treats fill the day. This Christmas event, including the Lantern Parade, has unique traditions, including German Christmas characters and floats.

Have A Festive Breakfast With Santa

No Christmas season is complete without a moment spent with Santa Claus. You can sit down to breakfast with jolly Saint Nick at events throughout the area, but one of the local favorites has historically been the festive morning Breakfast with Santa event held in Unicoi State Park Lodge. Check the state park calendar for dates and ticketing information so that you can delight in the magic of breakfast with Saint Nick. In past years, the event has also included a candy cane hunt, a pajama parade, and photos with Santa.

Join A Nearby Christmas Festival

Head to the equally charming town next door for the Christmas in the Mountains Festival & Lighted Parade. Taking place in Cleveland, Georgia, the festival features Santa, his elves, and plenty of other characters who appear in their holiday finest. Enjoy a day filled with Christmas carols, hot cocoa, activities, food booths, and much more.

What Else To Do At The Holidays

Ride The Georgia Mountain Coaster

One of Helen's favorite sources of family fun is the Georgia Mountain Coaster, the state's first alpine mountain coaster. Located in downtown Helen, the coaster takes riders through one mile of picturesque Helen sights as they zoom through town. Open seven days a week (weather permitting), the coaster will help you zip through the mountains as if you were riding on Santa's sleigh. Be sure to bundle up for your holiday ride.

Take A Carriage Ride

There are several methods you can use to see the lights and holiday decor around downtown Helen (walking, driving, and the Georgia Mountain Coaster among them), but one of the slower-paced and local favorite ways is via horse-drawn carriage. Pegasus Horse-Drawn Carriages take sightseers through town with the clip-clop soundtrack of horses' hooves.

Experience A Victorian Christmas At Hardman Farm

If you would like to switch gears a bit, you can learn about a Victorian Christmas at the Hardman Farm Historic State Site. There are self-guided tour options available year-round, and when you visit after Thanksgiving, you can see the historic home dressed in period holiday decor while learning about Victorian holiday traditions. According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, "the Sautee Nacoochee Indian Mound at Hardman Farm is perhaps the best-known feature of Hardman Farm, located just south of Helen in White County. The gazebo-topped mound and cow pasture is a favorite landmark in north Georgia with exceptional ties to Native American history."

Play A Round Of Mini Golf

While we love playing a round of mini-golf year-round, Alpine Mini Golf is not a course to miss during Christmastime. The course is beautiful to explore after sunset when it is illuminated with thousands of Christmas lights. After your round of golf, step into the on-site Scoop De Scoop Ice Cream Parlour for a delicious treat.

Admire Christmas Lights

During the holiday season, Unicoi Hill Park, located right next to Helen Square, is decorated with lots of Christmas lights. However, the gazebo is the star of the show. Every year, the gazebo is adorned with an abundance of Christmas lights and is the perfect place to get a holiday photo in. Once you are in the park, take some time to adventure one of the many hiking trails, or view the waterfall. There is also a playground for kids.

Where To Shop

Find Holiday Gifts At The Christkindlmarkt

Held on the first two weekends after Thanksgiving, the annual Christkindlmarkt is a traditional German event that features booths where local makers sell their wares. During the market, which takes place in Marktplatz (downtown Helen), visitors can shop for gifts, decorations, and sweet treats. Stroll through vendor booths and enjoy the smells of roasted chestnuts, almonds, and baked goods. The programming also includes handmade crafts, performances, and additional events for a fun-filled weekend.

Visit The Christmas Shoppe

A shop filled entirely with Christmas wares? Nothing is quite as festive as browsing aisles upon aisles of holiday gifts and decorations, and there's no better place to shop for Christmas-themed things than The Christmas Shoppe in Helen. Browse the selection of holiday figurines and the collections of German and European-made ornaments. You're sure to find the perfect souvenir or gift, including nutcrackers and a snow globe to commemorate your visit.

Where To Stay

Nestled in the North Georgia mountains is a getaway you'll love during the holidays (or at any time of year). The Valhalla Resort Hotel offers luxury amenities and easy access to all of the holiday happenings in Helen. In addition to the comfortable rooms, the hotel has a rooftop bar and a wine cellar, as well as a spa where you can relax after taking in the town festivities.

Related: 16 Best Destinations For A Classic Southern Christmas

Where To Eat And Drink

Eat German-Inspired Fare

After all of the holiday celebrations, your crew will be hungry. Stop into some of Helen's favorite restaurants for a memorable meal. Don't miss Hofer's of Helen, which features a bakery, cafe, and Biergarten. Another can't-miss spot is Hofbrauhaus Restaurant, where you'll find German-influenced favorites alongside burgers and sides. The oft-photographed Heidelberg is a three-story restaurant, pub, and music hall on the main square that serves traditional German fare and draft beers.

Sip Holiday Vintages At Local Wineries

There are wineries and tasting rooms tucked throughout this region of Georgia, so it's easy to fit a holiday wine tasting into your Helen getaway. The Gourmet Shoppe is a favorite on Main Street in downtown Helen. Here, you can find free wine samples from three different wineries. There's also Habersham Winery, one of North Georgia's oldest, which Helen describes as a "family-owned enterprise with wine tastings, plus a shop that stocks globally sourced gourmet foods."

Related: 30 Festive Small Towns In The South For A Charming Christmas Getaway