Want more fun ideas to make the most out of your holiday season? Check out our Atlanta Holiday and Christmas Guide for helpful info about all-things holiday!

Curl up with a festive drink during your holiday stay at The St. Regis Atlanta. Photo courtesy Mariott Bonvoy

Why These Holiday Getaways are Worth the Trip

There's something special that happens as the weather turns colder and Christmas lights start appearing. Enjoy Christmas towns near Atlanta and festive hotels with over-the-top decorations and lights, family-friendly Christmas events, themed dining, and more. These holiday hotels near Atlanta make easy overnight stays, perfectly aligned with school breaks, out-of-town visitors, and Christmas staycations.

Insider Tips for Visiting Christmas Hotels & Towns with Kids

Christmas is quickly coming up so it's time to plan now. When planning the perfect holiday destination consider these factors:

• Arrive before dusk for parking and exploring.
• Book hotels early! 
• Atlanta and surrounding areas up north can get chilly, so pack hand warmers, winter gear, and of course, festive holiday sweaters.
• Check event calendars for parades and tree lightings.
• Combine day trips with an overnight for extra magic.
• Make it a tradition -- visit a new town or hotel each year!

Bundle up in a signature blue parka and explore ICE! featuring"A Charlie Brown Christmas" at Gaylord Opryland. Photo courtesy Marriott Bonvoy

Festive Hotels Near Atlanta

1. The St. Regis Atlanta - Buckhead

This festive hotel in Atlanta really makes the holidays special every year. Families celebrate with an afternoon tea with Santa, a 22-foot Christmas tree, a Santa tuck-in (featuring a room visit for a reading of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas and milk and cookies), as well as festive cocktails (for parents). The Astor Chalet in the lobby opens November 18-December 24, 2025.

2. The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island - Amelia Island

Amelia Island sits about five hours away (by car) from Atlanta and is a gorgeous way to enjoy the beautiful scenery. Experience the enchantment of the season starting on November 29, 2025 with a Nutcracker tea and performance by The Florida Ballet. This charming afternoon tea, admidst holiday cheer and festive treats, is a great way to enjoy the holidays.

3. Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta - Midtown

Besides deliciously festive Christmas dinners and brunches, the Four Seasons Atlanta hosts even more holiday events including cookie decorating, holiday-themed tea time, beautifully adorned Christmas trees in each room, and more joyful experiences.

4. Lanier Islands Resort - Buford

Lanier Islands Resort's Magical Nights of Lights is the quintessential Christmas event for Atlanta families and those visiting the area. From November 15, 2025 - January 4, 2026, drive through thousands of Christmas lights, catch Santa's attention (on select nights), and more. At the hotel, enjoy elf tuck-ins, breakfast with Santa, a holiday market, wreath making, and more.

5. Bellyard - West Midtown

Book the Holiday Lodge at Bellyard for a cozy alpine retreat November 14-December 31, 2025. This exclusive experience allows guests to enjoy the lodge-style touches, including complimentary hot cocoa service (with optional liquor) delivered to the room, a take-home Bellyard stocking filled with holiday treats, and more sweet Christmas touches.

6. Omni at The Battery Atlanta - Atlanta

The Omni at The Battery welcomes families during the holiday season, as well as Santa himself, where he makes his stop preparing for the next leg of his route. The Santa's Landing package includes a room decked out in holiday decor, twinkling lights, and a sprinkle of North Pole magic. And at the surrounding Battery, families enjoy countless holiday events including a tree lighting, Santa's post office, kids holiday market, and more.

7. Barnsley Resort - Adairsville

Head about an hour north of Atlanta to Barnsley Resort for outdoor activities and family-friendly holiday fun. Special Christmas events include the holiday train, gingerbread house making, breakfast with Santa, wreath-crafting workshop, letters to Santa, and fun with the elves including storytelling, tuck-ins, and more.

8. The Inn at Christmas Place - Pigeon Forge, TN

We can't have a list about festive hotels near Atlanta and NOT include a year-round, Christmas-themed one! Sitting in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains about 4.5 hours away, this Christmas hotel offers holiday magic including Santa and Mrs. Claus, a seasonal outdoor pool (the new Winter Wonder Lagoon), cookies at bedtime, and more. The entire month of December includes special activities like cooking decorating, s'mores, kids crafts, Christmas bingo, and much more! Bonus? You can come during the spring, summer, and fall!

9. Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center - Nashville, TN

Drive four hours north to Nashville for Gaylord Opryland's magnificent Christmas events! Families will enjoy the ICE! "A Charlie Brown Christmas" fun, with ice tubing, ice skating, bumper cars, Santa photos, carriage rides, gingerbread decorating, and more.

Wave to Santa and Mrs. Claus during the parade at Stone Mountain Park. Photo courtesy SMP

Christmas Towns Worth the Drive

10. Stone Mountain Park, GA

Enjoy the fun and follies of the Christmas season by visiting Stone Mountain Park! This beloved Atlanta attraction hosts tons of events throughout the year, but Christmas is the big one. Stone Mountain Christmas runs November 8, 2025 - January 4, 2026 with magical experiences including Christmas parades, Santa's Big Flight, Christmas drone and light show, and more.

11. Helen, GA

This Alpine village, located in the Blue Ridge mountains, is one of the most charming places to visit during the holiday months. The celebration kicks off at the annual tree lighting, with Santa and Mrs. Claus, at the end of November, followed by weeks of Christmas events, including a holiday market, gorgeous Christmas lights, an evening 5K, parade, breakfast with Santa, and more.

12. Santa Claus, GA

Who doesn't want to visit a town named after Jolly Old St. Nick?! Located about 15 minutes from Vidalia, Santa Claus, Georgia features Christmas-themed streets and welcomes families to bring Christmas cards to Santa Claus City Hall. While at City Hall, visit the Christmas gift shop and museum as well as leave a message for Santa using his official phone number.

13. Buford, GA

We've included Buford, Georgia on great Christmas towns near Atlanta for one major reason: License to Chill Snow Island at Lake Lanier Islands. From mid-November through February, this property becomes a winter wonderland with snow tubing, winter-themed carnival rides, ice skating, fire pit with s'mores, drive-thru Christmas lights display, and more. Don't forget to catch the Buford Holiday Festival & Parade on December 6, 2025.

14. Amelia Island, FL

Drive five hours south to Amelia Island, Florida for this Christmas-crazed city! Families can enjoy the annual Dickens on Centre Christmas Market & Festival, inspired by Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, as historic Fernandina Beach transforms to a Victorian Age Christmas village and marketplace. Characters wear Victorian dress (guests are welcome to dress-up, too!) and highlights include a beach run, costume dog parade, and live entertainment. Tiny Tim's Kid Zone offers holiday movies throughout the weekend, letter-writing to St. Nick, and Santa photos. This event is free and runs December 12-14, 2025. 

Get the best of both worlds: A beach vacay with Christmas vibes! Photo courtesy City of Seaside

15. Seaside, Florida

Located on Highway 30A, the panhandle's Seaside, Florida is about a 5-hour drive south of Atlanta and goes all out for the holidays. 2025 events include an outdoor screening of The Grinch, a holiday parade, Children's Theatre holiday shows, a whimsical Christmas village, photos with Santa, and more!

16. Franklin, TN

Head north for about 4 hours to Franklin, Tennessee, and enjoy the annual Dickens of a Christmas Festival (December 13 & 14, 2025). Historic downtown Franklin recreates the time of Charles Dickens, with musicians, dancers, and Dickensian characters like Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim, Fagin, and more. Try Victorian-era holiday treats like sugar plums, enjoy carolers, and skip being a Scrooge.

17. Andalusia, AL

Drive southwest for 3.5 hours to Andalusia, Alabama for the ultimate holiday daytrip -- Christmas in Candyland! This holiday-themed attraction opens select nights December 5-28, 2025. Here's just some of the Christmas events scheduled for this year: play cottages for kids, train rides, snow shows, winter skating, hot cocoa, and Christmas characters. Downtown Andalusia was voted Southern Living's Top Small Towns in the South for Christmas and one of the Most Magical Christmas Towns by Country Living!