Dahlonega Christmas Parade
Published for 2026Floats decorated by community groups and music through the square.
The route, step by step
- 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
The organisers’ page promises a map but had not published one when we last checked. We will add a drawn map here once the route is confirmed with them, and not before.
Where to watch
The route is an out-and-back along Main Street with a loop around the old courthouse. As described, the Main Street stretch between Hill Street and the square sees the parade go out and come back, which makes it a good choice with small children.
The square itself is the classic view, with the 1836 courthouse behind the floats. It is also where the crowd is thickest.
- The visitors bureau says you can spot Santa in the parade. Discover Dahlonega (visitors bureau)
Road closures and rain
- 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
Where to park for the parade
- 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)
The parade is on a Saturday, so the university deck is open all day. Park before the roads close and walk in. More detail is in the parking guide.
Before and after
The Christmas Market in Hancock Park is listed for the same week, and Santa is at the Visitors Center through the season. A parade-day plan is in our itineraries.
Questions people ask
When is the Dahlonega Christmas parade in 2026?
Saturday, December 12, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, through the historic district and the square.
What is the Christmas parade route?
The organisers' parade page says the 2026 parade starts at Hill Street, goes west down Main Street, around the Gold Museum and back down Main Street to Hill Street. No map is published yet.
Where should I park for Christmas events in downtown Dahlonega?
The official parking guide points evening and weekend visitors first to the University of North Georgia parking deck, reached from South Chestatee Street and Choice Avenue, available after 5:30 PM on weekdays and all day at weekends. For a full day, use the Park & Stay spaces in the North Park Street and Warwick Street lots.
Source: Discover Dahlonega
Does the parade go ahead if it rains?
Not stated for 2026. In 2024 the Dahlonega Nugget reported the parade was planned rain or shine.
Source: thedahloneganugget.com
Are streets closed for the Lighting of the Square and the parade?
Closure times for 2026 are not published. In 2025 road closures and detours for the lighting started at 3:30 PM, and in 2024 roads closed half an hour before the noon parade.
Source: Discover Dahlonega
Dates can change. The organisers have the final word: Official Old Fashioned Christmas schedule
