Turn on the Hallmark Channel and you’ll likely see many Southern towns decked in holiday finery as backdrops for holiday stories. Our charming small towns light up beautifully for the holidays and are home to numerous festive events. And unique ones, at that! We’ve compiled a few destinations for you to visit this time of year.
A German Christmas
German immigrants settled among the rolling hills around Fredericksburg, Texas, and their heritage — regional wines and food, a variety of unique accommodations — is a major tourism draw. Naturally, Fredericksburg is the perfect getaway for the holidays. Stay at the new boutique Albert Hotel in the heart of downtown, or one of the 1,500 Airbnb and guests houses, then head to the Marktplatz with its holiday lights, ice skating and a 26-foot German Christmas Pyramid.
Cullman, Alabama, also celebrates its German heritage with special events and its annual Cullman Christkindlmarkt, which means “Christ Child Market” in German. This winter wonderland of German food vendors, ice skating, gift shops and music, among so much more, has been selected by Southeast Tourism Society as a Signature Event of the Southeast Award Winner.
“Jerusalem in Miniature”
Not far from downtown Cullman is Ave Maria Grotto at St. Bernard Abbey featuring 125 handcrafted sculptures of famous landmarks like the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon — all in miniature. The grotto, adorned with lights to celebrate Christmas, was built by Brother Joseph Zoettl, a Benedictine Monk from Bavaria who spent nearly 40 years creating this masterpiece on a four-acre parcel of Abbey land.
Take a European Vacation
The city of Natchez, Mississippi assembles local vendors selling handmade goods and seasonal snacks on the Mississippi River bluff in a festive European-style Christmas shopping village. Grab a “Christmas in Natchez” passport at the Postal Shoppe, take the free trolley to visit downtown merchants and return the completed passport for a holiday gift.
Walk Among Stars
Take a chair lift high above Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and leave the world behind. Of course, you’re still in the Smoky Mountains, but at Anakeesta mountaintop attraction you’ll find a Treetop Skywalk, the Hellbender Smoky Mountain Coaster, an imaginative children’s area and the AnaVista Tower, the highest point in downtown Gatlinburg. A special addition this holiday season is Astra Lumina, a nighttime magical immersion in light and sounds with an astral theme. Visitors walk through a forest on the side of a mountain but swear they’re roaming the universe. Asta Lumina is the 15th experience in the Lumina Enchanted Night Walk series from Canada, and the first to debut in the United States.
100 Years of Lights (Almost)
Natchitoches, Louisiana is a famous holiday town with officials spending weeks installing 300,000 lights and more than 100 unique set pieces throughout town and along the Cane River. And it’s just one year shy of a centennial celebration! The 99th Annual Natchitoches Christmas Season begins Nov. 22 with a “Turn on the Holidays” event with music and food vendors culminating in fireworks over the river. Then it’s holiday events through the New Year, including the Northwestern State University Christmas Gala Dec. 5, the Christmas Festival Dec. 6 and the Christmas Tour of Homes Dec. 11, among so much more. For a detailed schedule of events, visit natchitocheschristmas.com
Closer to Home
The historic Windrush Gardens at Baton Rouge’s Burden Museum & Gardens becomes a winter wonderland when “Louisiana Lights” returns this holiday season. New displays include light-up swings at the end of the decorated trail and themed evenings such as Mistletoe & Moss, Barks & Brights for four-legged friends and University Night with discounts for students.
