Christmas lights in Blue Ridge, GA: downtown and day trips

In Blue Ridge, Georgia, the lights moment is the Great Tree. It is lit at about 7 p.m. on Light Up Saturday, November 28, 2026, after the 5:30 p.m. parade (Light Up Blue Ridge). McCaysville lights its tree at dusk the night before. For a full drive-up or walk-through light show, the one we could source is in Hiawassee.

The Great Tree downtown

The tree stands in the downtown park by the depot. A new Great Tree was installed for 2025 after the previous one served 13 years (Light Up Blue Ridge). On Light Up night, caroling around the tree starts between about 6:30 and 6:45 p.m., and the organizers light the tree as close to 7 p.m. as the parade length allows.

The parade itself is the other light show. Sunset that day is 5:26 p.m., so the 5:30 p.m. parade runs in the dark, and organizers encourage lights on floats or flashlights for riders. Santa rides at the end. The parade guide has the route, and the Light Up Blue Ridge guide has the whole day.

Plan your arrival with parking and crowds: all cars must be off East and West Main Street by 4 p.m.

Light Up McCaysville

Light Up McCaysville is Friday, November 27, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m., centered on the Riverwalk Shops at 100 Blue Ridge Drive. The tree is lit at dusk, and children can visit Santa at the shops (Fannin County Chamber). Sunset that evening is 5:27 p.m. It is a separate event from Light Up Blue Ridge, run by different organizers, and it falls on Blue Friday, the first day of the Blue Ridge weekend.

Mountain Country Christmas in Lights, Hiawassee, Georgia

This is a day trip, not a Blue Ridge event. Mountain Country Christmas in Lights is held at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds in Hiawassee from November 26 to December 31, 2026 (Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds). The fairgrounds give 1311 Music Hall Road as the GPS address; the phone is (706) 896-4191.

On the drive-thru nights there is no Santa, no train rides and no vendors (Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds), so if those matter to you, go on a walk-through night. December 13 to 16 are not on the schedule. Dates can change; confirm with the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds before you drive over.

Drive-through lights near Blue Ridge

The Hiawassee show’s drive-thru nights, Christmas Eve and December 26 to 31, are the only drive-through display we could confirm from an organizer for 2026. If another public display publishes dates, we will add it.

Are the lights still up in January?

The Light Up Blue Ridge organizers have not published a take-down date for the downtown tree or decorations, and they do not post nightly hours for the tree after Light Up night. Mountain Country Christmas in Lights ends December 31. For what runs after Christmas, see after Christmas in Blue Ridge.

Why we don’t list home displays

Some of the best lights in any mountain county are on private houses. We only list displays with a public organizer and published dates, so you will not find home addresses here. If you drive past a lit house, enjoy it from the road and keep moving.

Making a lights evening of it

• Days are short. Sunset is 5:26 p.m. on November 28 and 5:30 p.m. on December 21, so the lights are on by dinnertime.
• December nights normally drop below freezing. Dress for standing still outdoors.
• The Gingerbread Village at The Art Center is indoors, and the organizer lists no admission fee. It pairs well with an evening downtown.

Questions people ask