Small Town Charm, Big Holiday Moments: Your Guide to Holiday Events in Canton

Nov 14, 2025

Picture yourself in a quaint historic downtown glowing under twinkling Christmas lights. You stroll through merry markets, catch a festive parade, and savor a cup of hot chocolate as the winter air turns crisp. This is the kind of small-town charm you thought only existed in your favorite holiday movies, and this year, we invite you to Explore Canton and experience the magic for yourself. Here's everything you need to know to have a perfect small-town holiday season in Canton.

The Community Lights Up Cannon Park... and the Skies

It all kicks off with the Annual Tree Lighting in Cannon Park. On November 19, join us as Santa Claus himself flips the switch to light Cannon Park's tree, ushering in the holiday season. Enjoy special caroling performances by the Knox STEM Academy Chorus and the Avery Elementary Chorus throughout the evening, and be sure to snap your picture with Santa in the gazebo once the tree is lit.

And that's not all! This year, be sure to look up at the sky for the Canton's first-ever drone show. Dazzling dancing lights will fill the sky above Cannon Park as we count down for the tree lighting. It's a unique twist on this cherished community tradition that just gets bigger, brighter, and more festive every year.

Finding That Perfect Holiday Gift Has Never Been Easier

Historic Downtown Canton is known year-round for its unique boutiques, making it the perfect destination for shoppers looking to find something special. Additionally, holiday shoppers will especially love our lineup of outdoor winter markets and festivals. First up, on November 25, join us in Brown Park for the Canton Farmers Market Night Market - the final date for the Canton Farmers Market this year. Shop local produce, meet the growers behind your food, and pick up some last-minute seasonal goodies for your Thanksgiving table.

Then, on November 28 and 29, head to The Mill on Etowah for Christmas at The Mill, where they will have their own tree lighting ceremony and a lineup of vendors to shop from.

Also on November 29 is Downtown Canton's Sugar and Shop Shuffle, where you can pick up a tasty sweet treat from participating shops in Downtown Canton. Treats are included with your ticket purchase, so feel free to stop and shop at each participating location while enjoying your sugary snack!

Finally, you definitely don't want to miss the 2025 Merry Market in Cannon Park on December 13. Find the perfect gift for that special someone (or yourself!) from a selection of local vendors from noon until 6 p.m. Then, be sure to stick around, as the Downtown Canton Christmas Parade takes over Main St. as soon as the market closes!

No matter what's on your holiday shopping list, you're sure to find it all and more in Canton!

A Sweet Historic Celebration

We love the Cherokee County History Center's unique rotating exhibits throughout the year, and they have something extra sweet in store for us this winter! Join the History Center for Historic Sweetscapes: A Gingerbread Journey Through Cherokee County.

From November 29 to December 23, visitors to the museum will be able to see a collection of Cherokee County landmarks made entirely from Gingerbread! Be sure to vote for your favorite confectionary creation while you're there - the one with the most votes will get bragging rights until next year's exhibit!

More Holiday Magic in Downtown Canton

The twinkling holiday lights make exploring Historic Downtown Canton especially magical this time of year, and on December 4, 8, and 11, you can enjoy complimentary wagon rides through Downtown during Mistletoe on Main! After your wagon ride, be sure to stop by the Gazebo in Cannon Park to get your picture with Santa.

On December 12, join us for Christmas in Canton - a festive celebration for all ages featuring a petting zoo, face painting, a s'mores station, inflatables, a wreath making station and so much more! Our Downtown shops will also have extended hours to help you get in that last-minute gift shopping. It's a special evening that's sure to get you in the festive mood.

If you've ever wanted to meet Santa's actual reindeer, Mr. and Mrs. Claus will be in Downtown on December 19 from 6 - 8:30 p.m. with two of their reindeer from the North Pole! You will also get additional chances to meet Santa on December 6, 13, and 20.

Over at The Mill on Etowah, those 21 and up can enjoy the Christmas Bar Crawl on December 6th. This extremely popular event features over-the-top holiday-themed drinks from a variety of the Mill's top restaurants and bars. Be sure to grab your tickets early before they sell out!

Looking for a more family-friendly outing at The Mill? Lace up those ice skates, because Rink on the River returns from November 22 until January 20! This seasonal ice rink has become a must-do winter tradition in Canton and is a fun and affordable outing for the whole family.

Prefer to stay off the ice? Be sure to check out Polar Express: A Winter Wonderland on December 20 - The Mill's free outdoor Christmas festival featuring a screening of The Polar Express, a winter market, and many more activities for adults as well as the little ones.

Concerts and Christmas Classics at the Canton Theatre

Escape the winter chill and step into our beautiful Historic Canton Theatre, which is hosting a variety of holiday-themed programming from concerts and shows to your favorite Christmas cinema classics.

Country music fans won't want to miss Nashville Noel: A Country Christmas Spectacular on December 3 - a spectacular showcase of the best of country music and the joy of the holiday season. Then, on December 6, GlowBand keeps the caroling going with their annual Hometown Christmas concert - a staple holiday event at the Canton Theatre.

Of course, the holiday season is all about spreading joy and cheer - so don't be a Scrooge and catch a performance of A Dicken's Christmas Carol, presented by the Cherokee Theatre Company. This hilarious re-telling of the Charles Dickens classic has performances on December 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, and 21, so be sure to get your tickets for this comedic twist on the story we all know and love.

Finally, it wouldn't be the festive season in Canton without screenings of Elf and White Christmas at the Historic Canton Theatre. Bring the family along for this annual Canton Christmas tradition to get you in the spirit of the season. You can catch both films on December 23, and tickets go on sale on December 1!

Unforgettable Holiday Moments Are Made in Canton

Whether you're shopping for that last-minute Christmas gift or looking to make small-town holiday memories, the festive season is one of the most magical times to Explore Canton. New events are constantly being added, so be sure to keep an eye on our Christmas in Canton and Events pages to stay up to date on all the latest Holiday happenings throughout our City!

Author

Michael Loizou

Digital Content Specialist; City of Canton, GA

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