Blue Ridge, GA Holiday Season 2026: Thanksgiving to New Year’s

In Blue Ridge, Georgia, the holiday season starts on Thanksgiving weekend with Light Up Blue Ridge downtown, and the scenic railway runs Santa trains into December. This page covers the dated events we could confirm on the organizers’ and the Fannin County Chamber’s own pages, read on October 30, 2026. Where a 2026 detail is not published, we say so. Shortlist cabins on Blue Ridge rentals, then book on the property site. For year-round ideas, see things to do, and for cold nights, the winter packing guide.

Quick answer

Light Up Blue Ridge is November 27–28, 2026. The Christmas parade starts at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 28, and the Great Tree is lit at about 7 p.m. The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway’s Holiday Express runs on set days from November 28 to December 24. The full 2026 Light Up Blue Ridge schedule was not posted when we checked.

The 2026 holiday calendar

Thanksgiving: Thursday, November 26, 2026.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day: Thursday, December 24, and Friday, December 25, 2026.
New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day: Thursday, December 31, 2026, and Friday, January 1, 2027.

Many rentals set their own minimum stay for these nights, and it can differ from the rest of the season. Read the minimum for your exact dates on the booking site, not the general winter rule.

Light Up Blue Ridge and the Christmas parade

Dates: the Fannin County Chamber’s event listing gives November 27–28, 2026. Blue Friday on November 27 has store discounts, live entertainment and food vendors downtown. The chamber describes the activities as free.
Parade: per the organizers’ parade page, Saturday, November 28, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. It runs along East Main Street to Mountain Street and back up West Main.
Parking: the organizers’ schedule page says all cars must be off East and West Main Street by 4 p.m. on parade day.
Tree lighting: caroling around the Great Tree starts between 6:30 and 6:45 p.m., and the tree is lit as close to 7 p.m. as the parade allows.
Not posted yet: the schedule page says the rest of the 2026 schedule is still being worked on.

Blue Ridge Scenic Railway: Holiday Express

The ride: the railway’s holiday rides page describes a 1-hour trip with holiday music and a reading of “The Night Before Christmas.” Children get a jingle bell and a candy cane and a chance to see Santa. Hot chocolate and snacks are sold on board.
Dates: the chamber’s Holiday Express listing gives November 28–29, December 5–6, 12–13 and 19–24, 2026.
Times: the railway’s 2026 operating schedule shows Holiday Express departures between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and the times change by day. Choose a time when you book.
Accessible coach: the lift-equipped coach is not sold online. Book it with a ticket agent at 877-413-8724.
The train leaves from the depot in downtown Blue Ridge. The railway says these rides sell out fast.

What to confirm before you pay

The minimum stay and cancellation terms for Thanksgiving weekend and your other holiday nights.
Driveway grade and road surface, and whether the host recommends four-wheel drive in snow or ice.
Whether the fireplace or hot tub in the photos works and is included in winter. See cabins with fireplaces and cabins with hot tubs.
House rules and occupancy: Blue Ridge rental tips.

If one feature matters for a holiday stay, start with these Blue Ridge pages; each lists only rentals whose own listing title or website mentions that feature: Blue Ridge rentals with a hot tub (17), Blue Ridge cabin rentals (49), Blue Ridge rentals with a fireplace (8), Pet-friendly Blue Ridge listings (8), Blue Ridge rentals with mountain views (8). Confirm the feature and the holiday minimum stay with the owner or manager in writing before you pay.

FAQ

When is Light Up Blue Ridge in 2026?

November 27–28, 2026. The parade is Saturday, November 28, at 5:30 p.m., and the tree lighting follows at about 7 p.m.

What days does the Holiday Express train run?

November 28–29, December 5–6, 12–13 and 19–24, 2026, per the chamber’s listing. Departure times change by day.

Does BnB Search book the stay?

No. Compare on the hub, then finish on the site linked from the listing.

Start browsing stays

Sources

Fannin County Chamber (Blue Ridge Mountains) — Light Up Blue Ridge (read October 30, 2026)
Light Up Blue Ridge — Parade (read October 30, 2026)
Light Up Blue Ridge — Schedule of events (read October 30, 2026)
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway — Holiday special rides (read October 30, 2026)
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway — 2026 operating schedule (PDF) (read October 30, 2026)
Fannin County Chamber — Holiday Express listing (read October 30, 2026)

Things to do · Winter packing · Rental tips · Cabins with fireplaces · Christmas cabin destinations