Where to put the car
- Evening and weekend visitors are pointed first to the University of North Georgia parking deck, reached from South Chestatee Street and Choice Avenue. It is available after 5:30 PM Monday to Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday. Old Fashioned Christmas committee schedule
- For a full day or several days, use the Park & Stay spaces in the North Park Street lot or the Warwick Street lot, close to the shops and the Welcome Center. Old Fashioned Christmas committee schedule
- The downtown authority counts 300 free spaces on and around the Public Square, plus three free lots with 140 spaces. Downtown Dahlonega (development authority)
Because the parade is on a Saturday, the weekday rules do not apply: the deck is open all day and the 3-hour limit around the square is not enforced at weekends.
- Spaces around the Public Square and in the Choice Street lot are 3-hour spaces. The limit is enforced 8 AM to 5 PM, Monday to Friday. Discover Dahlonega (visitors bureau)
When to arrive
- In 2024 the Dahlonega Nugget reported roads closing half an hour before the noon parade, which was planned rain or shine. The 2026 plan is not published. The Dahlonega Nugget
The parade starts at noon. If roads close at 11:30 again, being parked by 11 leaves time to walk in and find a spot on the kerb.
Where the parade goes
- Start at Hill Street.
- Head west down Main Street.
- Go around the Gold Museum in the middle of the square.
- Come back down Main Street to Hill Street.
Route as published by the organisers: Old Fashioned Christmas committee parade page
Anywhere along Main Street between Hill Street and the square is on the route. The parade guide has more on where to watch.
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Written by the Christmas Dahlonega Editorial Team. AI tools help us draft; people check every fact before it publishes.
Dates can change. The organisers have the final word: Official Old Fashioned Christmas schedule
