Dahlonega Christmas Market: dates and what to expect

One market, or several?

Several, which is why the dates online disagree. The market on the organisers’ schedule is the fundraiser in Hancock Park. A separate Christmas Art Market, with local artists and makers, was held in the same park on the Saturday after the lighting in 2025. A one-day Holiday Bazaar at an antiques shop is listed for mid-November.

• The organisers describe the Christmas Market as an annual fundraiser supporting the Women's Club. Old Fashioned Christmas committee schedule
• The organisers' 2026 schedule shows no ticket or admission price for the Lighting of the Square, the parade, the Christmas Market or Kid's Day. Old Fashioned Christmas committee schedule

What is still unclear

The schedule gives a start and an end but not the open days. Some older articles describe a market on only the first two weekends of December. Until the organisers say which, plan on a weekend visit inside December 5 to 13, when it is most likely to be open.

Shopping on the square

• The downtown authority says the season brings extended shopping hours, holiday music and trolley or horse-drawn carriage rides. Downtown Dahlonega (development authority)

• The Fudge Factory

  Confectioner on the square

  Homemade fudge, pralines and hand-dipped chocolates; featured in Southern Living's Christmas article and the chamber's holiday gift guide.

  Source: Discover Dahlonega, checked 2026-10-12

• Paul Thomas Chocolates

  Chocolate shop

  Chocolates made on site, including a chocolate 'gold bar'. The chamber's current event sitemap includes a 'Free Tasting Event – Paul Thomas Chocolates' listing (not opened in this pass).

  Source: Discover Dahlonega, checked 2026-10-12

• Giggle Monkey Toys

  Toy store on the square

  Toys, games, puzzles and books; listed on the organiser's sponsor page (no year printed) and in the chamber's gift guide.

  Source: Old Fashioned Christmas committee, checked 2026-10-12

• Dahlonega General Store

  General store on the square

  Old-style general store; listed as an Old Fashioned Christmas sponsor. The Dahlonega Nugget reports it was heavily featured in Christmas in Homestead.

  Source: Old Fashioned Christmas committee, checked 2026-10-12

• Cranberry Corners

  Gift shop on the square

  Featured in Southern Living's Christmas article, where staff wear Christmas pajamas to work on the first Friday of December; listed in the downtown authority's shop directory.

  Source: Southern Living, checked 2026-10-12

• Outlaw House of Jerky (listed in 2016 as Outlaw Jerky and Trail Grub)

  Specialty food shop

  Jerky and specialty foods; listed as an Old Fashioned Christmas sponsor and in the chamber's gift guide.

  Source: Old Fashioned Christmas committee, checked 2026-10-12

Hancock Park is a short walk from the square. Park once and do both.

Dates can change. The organisers have the final word: Official Old Fashioned Christmas schedule