How to Spend Christmas in Douglas, Georgia
Even small towns can have big Christmas festivities! If you’re looking for fun things to do this holiday season in Douglas, Georgia, check out these jolly Christmas activities to get you in the spirit!
You can experience the magic and warmth of a Christmas spent in this charming Southern town!
From the shimmering Christmas lights strung around the beautiful downtown area to the annual holiday parade, there’s plenty to do during Christmas in Douglas.
Top Christmas Activities in Douglas, Georgia
From festive parades and outdoor fun to family-friendly activities for all ages, this small Southern town is the picture-perfect holiday retreat. Here’s a guide to exploring all that Douglas has to offer this Christmas season.
1. Festival of Lights Christmas Parade
Every year, Downtown Douglas comes alive with holiday spirit during the Festival of Lights Christmas Parade.
This parade features a new theme each year with music and revelry. The holiday parade is hosted by Visit Douglas and the Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce and features floats designed by local community groups, the high school marching band and ROTC programs, lots of candy, and an appearance by Santa himself.
The theme for 2024 is “Celebrating 60 Years of Christmas in Coffee”. Come out and celebrate Douglas’s 60th annual Festival of Lights Christmas Parade!
The 2024 Festival of Lights Christmas Parade will take place on Friday, December 13, 2024 at 7 p.m.
2. Annual Christmas Tree Lighting
What’s better for getting into the holiday spirit than a Christmas tree lighting? Visit Douglas and the Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce lights the Christmas tree every year at Atkinson Plaza.
You can watch the giant tree light up and enjoy Christmas carols sung by the Coffee High Show Choir. Santa will make a guest appearance so you can have your pictures made in front of the Christmas tree.
The Annual Christmas Tree Lighting will take place on Thursday, December 5, 2024 at 5:30 p.m.
3. Christmas on the Pond at General Coffee State Park
General Coffee State Park ushers in the holiday season with a jolly park makeover.
Christmas decorations are up all season long, and on the second Saturday of December, you can enjoy their Christmas on the Farm activities that include visits with Santa, photos with Santa for $5, winter wonderland of lights, cookies, and cocoa, a storyteller, and food trucks.
General Coffee State Park is closed until March 1, 2025. The festivities begin at 6 p.m. and last until 10 p.m. and costs $2 per person over 2 years old. Parking at the state park costs $5.
4. Santa Shuffle in Downtown
Santa Shuffle is a fun way to get your Christmas shopping done and to support local businesses.
From mid-November through Christmas Eve, you can shop at Downtown Douglas stores and get entered to win huge prizes every other Friday until Christmas. Then there’s a huge finale in January.
This year’s Santa Shuffle will take place from November 18, 2024 through December 24, 2024 with prize drawings on November 22, December 6, 20, and January 3.
5. Downtown Douglas Holiday Open House
Get the best gifts for your loved ones this holiday season during the Holiday Open House in Downtown Douglas.
On the Sunday before Thanksgiving, downtown shops open for a special day of shopping, dining, and fun. Stroll through the festively decorated streets, enjoy special holiday deals and treats, snap a photo with Santa, and find the perfect unique gift.
This year’s Holiday Open House will take place on Sunday, November 24th from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
6. CCAGCC Christmas Tree Lighting
Each year, the Childhood Cancer Awareness Group of Coffee County puts up the Christmas tree outside the Coffee County Courthouse to celebrate the season.
The tree is decorated with butterflies representing children who are battling, have battled, or were lost to cancer. The lighting is held the two Tuesdays prior to Thanksgiving.
This year’s CCAGCC Christmas Tree Lighting will take place November 19, 2024 and November 26, 2024.
7. Antique Store Shopping for Unique Gifts
Douglas has plenty of antique stores that are perfect for finding unique gifts for that special someone. And many of the shops are conveniently located downtown.
Go on a holiday shopping spree at Tip Top Gifts & Antiques, Town Square Antique Mall, and Faye’s Antiques and Dishes.
8. The Shoppes at Tip Top
While you’re out shopping, stop in at The Shoppes at Tip Top in downtown for more unique Christmas gifts.
This quaint village of local stores will put you in the holiday spirit while you shop through their collection of clothing boutiques, gifts, antiques, galleries, and more.
9. Check Out the Neighborhood Lights
Downtown Douglas isn’t the only place that goes all out for Christmas. Douglas residents also get into the holiday spirit with festive light displays and creative decorations.
We even found a house completely covered in high-end Christmas light displays one year! Take a drive through the neighborhoods and see what you can find!
10. Wild Adventures Christmas Wild & Bright
If you’re up for a 1.5 hour drive, South Georgia’s biggest holiday event isn’t that far away!
Wild Adventures Christmas Wild & Bright at Wild Adventure theme park in Valdosta has over 2 million lights, walk-through light displays, synchronized light shows, visits with Santa, special Christmas treats, and all the park’s normal rides and exotic animals sightings.
This year’s Wild Adventures Christmas Wild & Bright takes place on select dates from November 23, 2024 through December 31, 2024.
Read my review of Christmas Wild & Bright here.
Read next: 10 Incredible Winter Destinations in Georgia
Douglas Christmas Map
Ready to spend your Christmas in Douglas, GA? Use the map below to plan out your holiday.
I hope you have an amazing Douglas, GA Christmas!
Where to Stay in Douglas, Georgia
Find the perfect place to rest your head on your visit to Douglas, from the top rated accommodations to unique stays you can’t get anywhere else.
- Great Value: Super 8 by Wyndham Douglas
- Top Hotel: Fairfield Inn & Suites Douglas
- Unique Stay: Camping and Cottages at General Coffee State Park
More Things To Do in Douglas, Georgia
Just can’t get enough of this South Georgia town? Check out these other helpful travel guides to Douglas.
- 10 Best Things to Do in Douglas, Georgia
- 11 Amazing Restaurants in Douglas, GA
- Visiting Paulk Vineyards in Wray, Georgia
- Tips for Visiting General Coffee State Park
Ready to visit Douglas, Georgia? Plan your trip with these tips.
- Find Accommodation: You can find top hotels in Douglas using Hotels.com.
- Find Places to Eat: Click here for the top restaurants in Douglas, Georgia.
- Discover More Douglas Activities: Click here for more things to do in Douglas, Georgia.
- Finish Your Christmas Shopping: Still looking for the perfect gift for your travel-lover? Check out my comprehensive Gifts for Travelers gift guide.
Cheers!
Paige
What are your favorite Christmas activities? Let me know in the comments.
Nice parade there
Loved the parade!
Hopefully I get to do a tree lighting next year. Carnival did one but it was over in seconds. I love the bench in front of the tree for pictures…beautiful!
True, the tree lighting itself is over in a flash so you have to have lots of festivities to go along with it!