If shopping-mall Santas and crowded parking lots have your family saying “bah-humbug,” plan an outing to one of Georgia’s State Parks or Historic Sites. Dozens of parks across Georgia are hosting old-fashioned holiday celebrations that will remind you of yesteryear.
Below is a sampling of events, and the latest calendar can be seen at www.GaStateParks.org/events.
A Civil War Christmas at Pickett’s Mill – Saturday, Dec. 3, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Pickett’s Mill Battlefield Historic Site, Dallas.
Christmas at Red Top’s Cabin – Saturday, Dec. 10, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Red Top Mountain State Park, Acworth.
Holiday Elf Hike – Saturday, Dec. 17, 2-4 p.m., Panola Mountain State Park, Stockbridge.
Hofwyl Plantation Christmas – Friday and Saturday, Dec. 2 and 3, 6-9 p.m., Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation Historic Site, Brunswick.
Colonial Christmas at Fort King George – Saturday, Dec. 10, 7-8:30 p.m., Fort King George Historic Site, Darien.
Luminary Night with Mrs. Claus – Saturday, Dec. 10, 6-8 p.m., Skidaway Island State Park – Savannah.
Colonial Christmas at Wormsloe – Saturday, Dec. 17, 1-4 p.m., Wormsloe Historic Site – Savannah.
Seminole Tour of Lights – Dec. 1-26, 6-10 p.m., Seminole State Park, Donalsonville.
Christmas at A.H. Stephens – Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 2-23, 6-10 p.m., A.H. Stephens State Park, Crawfordville.
Candy Cane Express Train Ride – Friday, Dec. 2, 10 a.m.-2:15 p.m., SAM Shortline Train at Georgia Veterans State Park, Cordele.
Christmas on the Pond – Saturday, Dec. 10, 5-9 p.m., General Coffee State Park, Nicholls.
Candlelight Christmas – Saturday, Dec. 10, 6-8 p.m., Jarrell Plantation Historic Site, Juliette.
Breakfast with Santa Train Ride, Saturday, Dec. 24, 10:15-11:35 a.m., SAM Shortline Train at Georgia Veterans State Park, Cordele.
Holiday on the Hill – Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 3-25, 5-10 p.m., James H. Floyd State Park, Summerville.
Christmas at the Gorge – Saturday, Dec. 3, 1-3 p.m., Tallulah Gorge State Park, Tallulah Falls.
Christmas by Candlelight – Friday and Saturday, Dec. 9-10, 5-9 p.m., Chief Vann House Historic Site, Chatsworth.
Caroling Through the Park – Saturday, Dec. 10, 4-6 p.m., Victoria Bryant State Park, Royston.
Georgia’s State Parks and Historic Sites are operated by the Department of Natural Resources. To reserve cabins, campsites and yurts, call 1-800-864-7275 or visit www.GaStateParks.org/reservations.
