09/28/2026
North Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds are just 20mins from our cabins!
Beginning November 26th in Georgia, the “Mountain Country Christmas in Lights” gets underway at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds in Hiawassee, right along the shores of Lake Chatuge. The fairgrounds turn into a glowing Christmas walk filled with light displays, holiday music, food, hot cocoa, arts and crafts, entertainment, train rides, and plenty of photo stops. You can also see the Grinch, Mrs. Claus, Santa, and the Sea Lion Splash show on regular walk-through nights. The event runs from 6–9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday from November 26 through December 12, then opens every night December 17–23. Christmas Eve switches to a drive-through-only night, Christmas Day is closed, and December 26–31 is drive-through only. Regular admission is $12, kids 12 and under get in free, and parking is free. Pets are not allowed. Drive-through nights cost $25 per car and do not include the train, characters, sea lions, or craft vendors. The setting adds to the experience, with the lights spread across the fairgrounds in the Northeast Georgia mountains beside the lake. The Georgia Mountain Fair itself dates back to 1950, while the current lakeside fairgrounds hosted its first fair in 1978.