Last Updated on November 15, 2025 by Kimberly Stroh
Discover the magic of the holidays with these top Southeast Christmas destinations perfect for families. From dazzling light displays and festive parades to cozy mountain towns and charming coastal celebrations, these Southern spots offer unforgettable holiday cheer for all ages. Explore the best places to celebrate Christmas in the Southeast and start planning your family’s most memorable winter getaway yet.
1. Smoky Mountains Offers Country Christmas Fun
Christmas in the Smoky Mountains is a cozy, magical experience filled with sparkling lights, snowy mountain views, and festive small-town charm. At Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas, families can enjoy millions of twinkling lights, holiday shows, and a warm, nostalgic atmosphere that captures the true spirit of the season. To learn more: Smoky Mountains Christmas
2. Huntsville, Alabama Shines With Free Holiday Events
Christmas in Huntsville, Alabama blends Southern charm with high-tech holiday magic. Families can enjoy the beloved Galaxy of Lights at the Huntsville Botanical Garden, festive events in Downtown Huntsville, and seasonal activities at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. To learn more: Huntsville at Christmas
2. Amelia Island Adds a Touch of Victorian Christmas
You may not think of Amelia Island as a festive destination for the holiday season, but it’s actually a premier travel destination in Northeast Florida for Christmas. The time to plan your Amelia Island Christmas visit is during the Dickens on Centre festival! To learn more: Amelia Island at Christmas
3. Charleston Adds Coastal Christmas Flair
Christmas in Charleston, SC, brings historic charm to life with beautifully decorated streets, festive waterfront lights, and enchanting holiday markets. Families can enjoy seasonal events like the Holiday Festival of Lights and experience Charleston’s warm, welcoming Southern holiday spirit. To learn more: Charleston at Christmas
4. Christmas in Durham Offers Quirky Local Fun
Christmas in Durham, NC, combines festive lights and cultural holiday events with the city’s vibrant food scene. Families can enjoy cheerful markets and displays before indulging in Durham’s award-winning restaurants, cozy cafés, and seasonal treats that make the holidays even sweeter. To learn more: Durham at Christmas
5. Have a Hallmark Christmas in Dahlonega
Christmas in Dahlonega, GA feels like stepping straight into a Hallmark movie, with twinkling lights, charming shops, and festive town-square celebrations. The entire downtown transforms into a magical holiday village, perfect for families seeking cozy, small-town Christmas cheer. To learn more: Dahlonega at Christmas
6. Have a Blue Christmas Christmas in Memphis
Christmas in Memphis blends festive cheer with the city’s iconic music history, creating a holiday atmosphere you can both see and feel. Families can enjoy dazzling lights at Graceland, seasonal events along Beale Street, and celebrations that honor the city’s rich blues, soul, and rock ’n’ roll roots. To learn more: Memphis at Christmas
7. Celebrate Christmas NOLA Style
Christmas in New Orleans is a vibrant blend of festive lights, joyful parades, and the city’s unmistakable cultural flair. Families can enjoy dazzling holiday displays, Creole traditions, and seasonal treats that make the Crescent City feel especially magical this time of year. To learn more: New Orleans at Christmas
8. See The Christmas Capital of Texas in Grapevine
Christmas in Grapevine, TX, known as the Christmas Capital of Texas, is a dazzling celebration filled with millions of lights, festive shows, and charming holiday events. Families can enjoy everything from North Pole–themed attractions to cozy downtown festivities that make the season truly unforgettable. To learn more: Grapevine at Christmas
10. Alabama’s Beaches Gets Nauti for the Holidays
When it comes to celebrating the holidays in Alabama Beaches, there’s no place quite like their stretch of sugar-white sand and sparkling Gulf waters. In Alabama Beaches, festive spirit meets coastal charm, where palm trees glow with lights and the sound of waves mixes with holiday music. To learn more: Alabama’s Beaches at Christmas