Let travels lift your holiday spirit

With barely any time to digest Thanksgiving leftovers, many of us have already moved on in search of the next holiday season. It’s out with the turkeys and pumpkins and in with the holly and mistletoe this week, as towns throughout the South begin ushering in Christmas merriment and winter cheer for travelers seeking tidings of comfort and joy. 

I have always thought December is a great time to explore new places. Most towns are decked out in their seasonal finery, and community spirit is often at a peak. It may not be the most accurate glimpse into a city’s day-to-day reality, but it’s awfully pretty to see. Plus, many places artfully weave their town’s history into their holiday celebrations.

So if you’re like me and you like to combine the traditions of the season with the excitement of a new adventure, these destinations might be worth putting on your travel agenda. Most are a short drive from Atlanta, but you may want to look into making it an overnight trip to get the most out of the nighttime activities.

• Tomorrow night, the small town of Warrenton (just west of Augusta) hosts its 8^th annual Hometown Christmas celebration all along its historic Main Street. Visitors can dine by candlelight, shop for handmade gifts, view a live nativity, roast marshmallows in cauldrons lining the music-filled streets, tour decorated homes by carriage, or enter a chance to win some spending money in the town’s Money Board contest. Warrenton will light the town Christmas tree tomorrow at 5 p.m. in front of the courthouse, and St. Nick will arrive by carriage at 6 p.m.      
• Go north to Toccoa on Friday for the town’s annual ChristmasFest. Start with the tree lighting on Main Street at 5 p.m., follow up with carriage rides, a live nativity, Santa’s Express Train and Santa’s Toyland, and then stay for the town Christmas Parade at 4 p.m. on Saturday.    
• The historic city of Madison, about an hour east of Atlanta, holds its famous Holiday Tour of Homes this weekend (December 3 – 6), giving travelers a special view of several treasured antebellum houses. The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra will be in Madison to perform a holiday concert tomorrow night as well.   
• I have lived in Georgia most of my life, and have driven through Waycross past the Okefenokee Swamp several times. However, I regret to say I have never actually toured this ecological wonder. This month might be a good time to change that. Starting Friday night and running weekend evenings through Christmas, travelers can get a glimpse into the swamp’s wild night-life at the Enchanted Wilderness Light Show. Santa Claus will be on hand as the Lady Suwannee Train guides visitors past thousands of lights through the swamp between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.  

 Events like these will be happening all over the state and region over the next three weeks. For other travel ideas, check out the AJC’s guide for antebellum Christmas sites and other holiday destinations in the region.  

Are you making a special trip to see how other towns get into the spirit of the season? Where is your favorite Christmas-time destination? What makes it so special? Do you seek travel destinations that aren’t typically associated with winter weather, or do you opt for the traditional mountains and snow getaway? Are holiday festivals a big draw for you, or just an added bonus to your winter expedition?