Christmas in the Mountains

The December Calendar is filled with holiday activities in the mountains. Living and working around the corner from Helen, I just have to take an occasional drive through town to see the lights, people, and excitement. We hope you take time to visit the area and to celebrate Christmas by attending one or more of the special events, festivals, and parades scheduled this month. Welcome to a Christmas in the Mountains with Georgia Mountain Rentals! [gallery ids="1995,2014,1998" type="circle"]December 1stA Victorian Christmas at Hardman Farm - 4 pm to 7 pm See the historic Hardman home dressed in period holiday décor and learn about Victorian holiday traditions. Festival of Trees - 10 am to 10 pmThis annual event showcases beautiful locally decorated trees and wreaths available for bid. A United Way of White County fundraiser you will want to see!10th Annual Christkindimarkt - 11 am to 5 pmThe Tenth Annual Christkindlmarkt is held the first two weekends in December. Christkindlmarkts are a German tradition of combining food, music, entertainment with markets of imported and local Christmas specialties in a holiday atmosphere. Sponsored by the Greater Helen Area Chamber of Commerce.December 2ndHolidays at The Gourd Place - 10 am to 5 pm"Angels Among Us." presents two special gourd ornaments for 2017. Visit the Gourd Place gallery and enjoy the property of this long standing creative team.The Gourd Place - 2319 Duncan Bridge Road - Sautee Nacoochee, GA 30571Festival of Trees - 10 am to 10 pmThis annual event showcases beautiful locally decorated trees and wreaths available for bid. A United Way of White County fundraiser you will want to see!10th Annual Christkindimarkt - 11 am to 5 pmThe Tenth Annual Christkindlmarkt is held the first two weekends in December. Christkindlmarkts are a German tradition of combining food, music, entertainment with markets of imported and local Christmas specialties in a holiday atmosphere. Sponsored by the Greater Helen Area Chamber of Commerce.Visit Santa in Helen - 12 pm to 3 pmSanta will be waiting for all the children at the Helen Bandshell every Saturday and Sunday until December 17th. Santa will return to this same place after the Annual Christmas Parade on December 9th around 3 pm. Christmas in the Mountains, Parade & Celebration - 2 pm to 3 pm Head to the equally charming town next door to Helen. Santa, his elves, and plenty of other characters make an appearance in this glowing affair through Cleveland, GA.  [gallery ids="2022,1996,2017" type="circle"]December 3rd to the 9th - every dayFestival of Trees - 10 am to 10 pmThis annual event showcases beautiful locally decorated trees and wreaths available for bid. A United Way of White County fundraiser you will want to see!Visit Santa in Helen - 12 pm to 3 pmSanta will be waiting for all the children at the Helen Bandshell every Saturday and Sunday until December 17th. Santa will return to this same place after the Annual Christmas Parade on December 9th around 3 pm.December 9thFestival of Trees - 10 am to 2 pmThis United Way Fundraiser comes to a close this afternoon. The locally decorated trees and wreaths are awarded to the highest bidders today at 2 PM.Holidays at The Gourd Place - 10 am to 5 pm"Angels Among Us." presents two special gourd ornaments for 2017. Visit the Gourd Place gallery and enjoy the property of this long standing creative team.The Gourd Place - 2319 Duncan Bridge Road - Sautee Nacoochee, GA 30571 10th Annual Christkindimarkt - 11 am to 5 pmThe Tenth Annual Christkindlmarkt is held the first two weekends in December. Christkindlmarkts are a German tradition of combining food, music, entertainment with markets of imported and local Christmas specialties in a holiday atmosphere. Sponsored by the Greater Helen Area Chamber of Commerce. Visit Santa in Helen - 12 pm to 3 pmSanta will be waiting for all the children at the Helen Bandshell every Saturday and Sunday until December 17th. Santa will return to this same place after the Annual Christmas Parade on December 9th around 3 pm. Annual Christmas Parade - 2 pm to 3 pmSee Santa swing through town as he makes his way from downtown Helen to the Festhalle on Edelweiss Streetâ"what could be more enchanting? Plus, the parade is followed by a bonfire and sâmores. A Victorian Christmas at Hardman Farm - 4 pm to 7 pmSee the historic Hardman home dressed in period holiday décor and learn about Victorian holiday traditions.  [gallery ids="2020,2021,2001" type="circle"]December 10th10th Annual Christkindimarkt - 11 am to 5 pmThe Tenth Annual Christkindlmarkt is held the first two weekends in December. Christkindlmarkts are a German tradition of combining food, music, entertainment with markets of imported and local Christmas specialties in a holiday atmosphere. Sponsored by the Greater Helen Area Chamber of Commerce.Visit Santa in Helen - 12 pm to 3 pmSanta will be waiting for all the children at the Helen Bandshell every Saturday and Sunday until December 17th.December 15thA Victorian Christmas at Hardman Farm - 4 pm to 7 pmThe historic Hardman home is dressed in period holiday décor and learn about Victorian holiday traditions.  [gallery ids="2025,2009,2000" type="circle"]December 16thAppalachian Heritage Holidays Camp - 10 am to 3 pmKids will learn about the history of Appalachian settlers and the holiday traditions they brought here from their home countries, while making traditional holiday crafts and playing old-timey games. Ages 6-10.Holidays at The Gourd Place - 10 am to 5 pm"Angels Among Us." presents two special gourd ornaments for 2017. Visit the Gourd Place gallery and enjoy the property of this long standing creative team.The Gourd Place - 2319 Duncan Bridge Road - Sautee Nacoochee, GA 30571Christmas Open House at Lavender Lamb Farm - 11 am to 5 pmSip Lavender hot chocolate and sample holiday treats. Shop for handmade unique holiday gifts and many one-of-a-kind treasures. Wrap up your holiday shopping in the mountains without the crowds or any of the traffic. Weather permitting decorate & fill your own Lavender Christmas Ornament and/or Lavender Sachet (supplies are limited) so come early. Door Prizes will be raffled off.Lavender Lamb Farm - 176 Bugle Drive - Cleveland, GA 30528Visit Santa in Helen - 12 pm to 3 pmSanta will be waiting for all the children at the Helen Bandshell every Saturday and Sunday until December 17th.A Victorian Christmas at Hardman Farm - 4 pm to 7 pmThe historic Hardman home is dressed in period holiday décor and learn about Victorian holiday traditions.December 17thAppalachian Heritage Holidays Camp - 10 am to 3 pmKids will learn about the history of Appalachian settlers and the holiday traditions they brought here from their home countries, while making traditional holiday crafts and playing old-timey games. Ages 6-10.Visit Santa in Helen - 12 pm to 3 pmToday is the last change to visit with Santa at the Helen Bandshell.  [gallery ids="2007,2006,2003" type="circle"]December 23rdChristmas in the Cabin - 10 am to 3:30 pmJoin Smithgall Woods State Park for a holiday get together in our primitive cabin. We will warm ourselves by the fire while enjoying hot chocolate and hot cider. Make a Christmas ornament for your loved one or enjoy time with family. We ho-ho-hope to see you there! $5 plus $5 parking. 706-878-3087. Call the Visitor's Center for reservations and information.Holidays at The Gourd Place - 10 am to 5 pm"Angels Among Us." presents two special gourd ornaments for 2017. Visit the Gourd Place gallery and enjoy the property of The Gourd Place.The Gourd Place - 2319 Duncan Bridge Road - Sautee Nacoochee, GA 30571December 26th to the 29thWinter Break Fun and Christmas Tree Toss - 11 am to 3 pmNorth Georgia Zoo and Farm presents a winter tour with the animals. Watch the animals as they use the recycled live Christmas trees as toys, snack and scratching posts. Fun and excitement for both animals and humans!North Georgia Zoo - 2912 Paradise Valley Road - Cleveland, GA 30528Zoo Hours from 11 am to 3 pm with the Tree Toss from 1 pm to 3 pm  [gallery ids="2028,2027,2026" type="circle"]December 30thUnicoi Bear Plunge - 10 am to 2 pmFriends of Unicoi will be sponsoring the annual âœPolar Plungeâ� again this year! Dip in and Chill Out on Unicoi Lake! The plunge takes place at 11:00 am. Brave participants will be able to run into the lake and stay as long as they can stand the cold water. Enjoy a bonfire on the beach, Smores-making, hot cocoa and music after the plunge. Cost and other details will be updated when the event gets closer.December 31stThe Dropping of the Edelweiss - 8 pm to 12 amBring in the New Year at the Annual Dropping of the Edelweiss! Join us for music, food, fun, party hats and dancing. Serving light hors-d'oeuvres, party favors and a Midnight Champagne Toast. This is a Family Friendly event.  [gallery ids="2024,2016,2023" type="circle"]