20+ Southern Events & Happenings: December 2025

The South comes alive in December with sparkling light displays, festive traditions, and lively performances around every corner. Consider this your guide to some of the month’s most enchanting events!

Through December 27, 2025: Lights of the Delta — Blytheville, AR

Lights of the Delta is a dazzling, drive-through holiday festival, featuring 6 million lights and 56 major motion displays along a 1.5-mile scenic route. Santa visits on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and hayrides offer a cozy, close-up view of the lights. Admission is $10 per car, and Tuesdays are half-price nights. lightsofthedelta.com

Through December 28, 2025: Enchanted Forest Festival of Trees — Memphis, TN

Benefiting Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis, the Enchanted Forest Festival of Trees transforms the season into a storybook winter dreamscape — towering, glittering trees, penguins tumbling in snowy play, and magical moments with Santa himself. Tickets are $7 for adults and $6 for children and seniors. moshmemphis.com

Through December 28, 2025: Country Christmas Petting Farm — Granbury, TX

Granbury Country Christmas Petting Farm transforms downtown Granbury into a family-friendly holiday experience! Open Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., the event offers a chance to feed adorable farm animals, enjoy festive photo ops, and shop for seasonal merchandise at the Historic Granbury Square Plaza. Admission is $5. visitgranbury.com

Through January 3, 2026: Christmas Pilgrimage Tour of Historic Homes — Natchez, MS

Hosted by the Natchez Garden Club, the Christmas Pilgrimage of Historic Homes invites you to step inside Natchez’s most storied residences, where rich history meets holiday magic in every room. To learn more and purchase tickets, click HERE.

Through January 4, 2026: Holly Jolly Holidays — Oxford, MS

Step into the seasonal magic of Holly Jolly Holidays, taking over mTrade Park. Lace up your skates and glide across “Oxford on Ice,” wander through the dazzling “Walk of Lights” complete with fire pits, s’mores, hot cocoa, and a tunnel of twinkling lights, and don’t miss Santa’s Saturday visits leading up to Christmas. visitoxfordms.com

Through January 4, 2026: Fête de Noël Winter Holiday Festival — Louisville, KY

Fête de Noël transforms Louisville’s Paristown Arts District into a winter wonderland with an outdoor ice-skating rink, trackless train rides, Santa’s house, and a holiday market filled with local vendors. Prices and hours vary by event. paristown.com

Through January 4, 2026: Carols & Barrels Pop-Up Bar Trail — Across Tennessee

Carols & Barrels is the Tennessee Whiskey Trail’s holiday‑pop-up bar program with 12 festive spirit‑stop locations. You can sip holiday cocktails made with local whiskey, check in via a digital passport to collect stamps, and earn prizes — like themed whiskey socks or an “Ugly Sip-mas” sweatshirt. Themed destinations include Ole Smoky’s “Winter Wonderland,” Corsair’s “Nightmare Before Christmas,” Leiper’s Fork’s “Bootleggers Christmas Run,” and more. tnwhiskeytrail.com

Through January 6, 2026: Small Town TN Christmas — Across Tennessee’s Upper Cumberland

Small Town Tennessee Christmas brings six Upper Cumberland towns to life with glowing lights, parades, live window displays, festive markets, and cozy small-town traditions straight out of a holiday movie. Visitors can stroll charming historic downtowns, shop for artisan gifts, enjoy seasonal treats, and experience the magic of the Southern Christmas spirit. Most events are free, with full details listed on the website. smalltowntnchristmas.com

Through January 11, 2026: North Carolina Chinese Lantern Festival — Cary, NC

A glowing maze of handcrafted lanterns transforms the Koka Booth Amphitheatre into a nightly celebration of art, culture, and imagination. Stroll beneath 40 massive, handcrafted LED lantern displays, experience live performances, and seasonal magic. boothamphitheatre.com

November 28 – 30, 2025 & December 5 – 23, 2025: Christmas Festival — Canton, MS

Canton’s Christmas Festival transforms the Historic Square into a nightly wonderland, complete with towering walk-through displays, classic children’s rides, Santa’s Snow Village, and an interactive Christmas Village filled with charming stops like Rudolph’s Playground, Frosty’s House, and the Reindeer Barn. Families can explore the new Mrs. Claus storytelling location, enjoy firetruck and train rides, and soak in the festival’s signature holiday magic. cantontourism.com

November 28 – January 3, 2026: WinterFest — Charlotte, NC

At Carowinds Amusement Park, WinterFest brings a swirl of festive fun and a touch of seasonal sparkle with light displays, holiday shows, select rides and attractions, visits with Santa, and plenty of specialty treats and beverages. Park tickets start at $32. sixflags.com

November 29 – December 28, 2025: Nashville’s Nutcracker — Nashville, TN

Choreographed by Paul Vasterling, Nashville Ballet’s Nashville’s Nutcracker returns to Jackson Hall. This Emmy Award–winning production weaves a uniquely Nashville twist into the classic story of Clara and her Nutcracker Prince, with live music by the Nashville Symphony, richly designed sets, and stunning costumes. Tickets start at $45, and the performance schedule includes matinees, evening shows, and holiday‑season dates. nashvilleballet.com

December 1 – 7, 2025: Light Up BGKY — Bowling Green, KY

Light Up BGKY is Bowling Green’s annual, weeklong holiday-lighting celebration. Explore festive displays across the city, from the Historic RailPark & Train Museum to downtown’s Fountain and Circus Squares with Santa’s Village and trolley rides. Holiday markets, activities at Lost River Cave, and free movie screenings at The Capitol round out this free, community-focused celebration of lights, music, and holiday cheer. lightupbgky.org

December 4 – 7, 10 – 14 & 17 – 21, 2025: Holiday Spectacular — Birmingham, AL

Red Mountain Theatre’s Holiday Spectacular brings together more than 75 performers for a joyful celebration of the season. Expect a sparkling mix of classic carols, modern holiday tunes, and unexpected surprises! Tickets start at $40 with discounted admission for children ages 2 to 12. redmountaintheatre.org

December 4 – 7, 11 – 14 & 18 – 21, 2025: Merry on the Midway — Laurel, MS

Merry on the Midway is a 12-night holiday light spectacular at the Laurel Fairgrounds, with dazzling light displays, a Storybook Stroll, and nightly entertainment in the Holly Music Hall & Theater. Expect Santa’s Village (complete with a North Pole Post Office), Christmas movies, choir performances, and opportunities for family photos with St. Nick. merryonthemidway.com

December 5, 2025: 50th Annual Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade — Gatlinburg, TN

Gatlinburg’s 50th Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade transforms downtown into a dazzling holiday spectacle as part of the city’s Winter Magic Celebration, with GRAMMY‑nominated country star Hunter Hayes serving as Grand Marshal. The parade features giant holiday balloons, marching bands, and show-stopping theatrics beneath over a million twinkling LED lights. Admission is free, though early arrival is recommended; VIP grandstand seating, including a commemorative Santa hat, is available for $50. gatlinburg.com

December 5, 2025: Light Up Etown — Elizabethtown, KY

Elizabethtown, KY’s Light Up Etown starts at 7 p.m. with a holiday parade that winds through downtown to Walker Square, then ends with a holiday tree lighting and nostalgic storytelling by Mayor Jeff Gregory alongside Santa. Admission is free. elizabethtownky.org

December 5, 2025: Reed’s Tupelo Christmas Parade — Tupelo, MS

Reed’s 77th  Annual Tupelo Christmas Parade takes place in downtown Tupelo. This year’s theme, “Catch the Spirit,” celebrates 155 years of the Tupelo spirit, with special honors for the Tupelo Fire Department serving as Grand Marshal. Cheer on holiday floats, school bands, community groups, local businesses, and a grand finale appearance by Santa Claus. tupelomainstreet.com

December 6, 2025: Christmas Parade: Christmas Around The World — Corinth, MS

Get ready to experience the magic of the season in Corinth! This year’s Christmas Parade brings Christmas Around the World to life with dazzling floats, festive music, and holiday traditions from near and far. For additional details, visit the event’s Facebook listing.

December 6, 2025: Poinsettia Christmas Parade — Greenville, SC

Greenville’s Poinsettia Christmas Parade is a cherished downtown tradition — more than 75 years in the making — with holiday floats, marching bands, and Santa Claus lighting up Main Street. The fun begins at 6:30 p.m. greenvillesc.gov

December 13, 2025: Winterfest Boat Parade — Fort Lauderdale, FL

Now in its 54th year, The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade lights up the New River in Fort Lauderdale. More than 100 boats — from private yachts to megayachts — glimmer with tens of thousands of lights, music, decorations, and live performances, making it one of the most spectacular holiday boat parades in the country. Visitors can enjoy a public viewing area at Las Olas Intracoastal Promenade Park, which opens at 4 p.m. with live entertainment, food, photo ops, and seating before the parade arrives. winterfestparade.com

December 31, 2025: Annual Dropping of the Edelweiss — Helen, GA

Ring in the New Year in Alpine charm at Helen’s Annual Dropping of the Edelweiss, held in the Festhalle with live music, dancing, party favors, and a champagne toast at midnight. Tickets are $30 for adults, $15 for kids ages 6 to 12, and free for children 5 and under. helenga.org

Here’s to a festive and fun season!

**********

To see more great Southern events, visit our Happenings calendar.