Downtown Dahlonega’s 2026 calendar peaks with Gold Rush Days on October 17–18 and Old Fashioned Christmas, which opens with the Lighting of the Square on Friday, November 27 and brings the Christmas parade on Saturday, December 12. Below is every confirmed event on and around the historic Public Square, each linked to the organizer’s own listing so you can check times before you go.
September 2026
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Sep 25Fri, Sep 25 – Sun, Oct 11Theater & arts
Fiddler on the Roof (Holly Theatre Company)
The Holly's season-opening musical, rated PG, about 2h 30m.
Historic Holly Theater Mainstage, 69 W Main St, Dahlonega, GA 30533 · Source: www.onthestage.tickets
October 2026
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Oct 2Fri, Oct 2 · 6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m.Live music
First Friday Concert: Kurt Thomas
A free family concert in Hancock Park. Kurt Thomas, a country artist and songwriter, plays the last listed show of the 2026 First Friday series.
Hancock Park, Hancock Park, North Meaders Street & Warwick Street, Dahlonega, GA 30533 · Free · Source: dahlonegadda.org
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Oct 3Sat, Oct 3 – Sat, Oct 10 · 8 a.m.–1 p.m.Market
Dahlonega Farmers Market (Saturdays)
A Saturday morning farmers market in Hancock Park, one block off the square. The DDA calendar shows the 2026 season ending on October 10.
Hancock Park, Hawkins St, Dahlonega, GA 30533 · Source: dahlonegadda.org
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Oct 17Sat, Oct 17 · 8 a.m.Festival
Gold Rush 5K
A 5K race at 8 AM on the Saturday morning of Gold Rush Days, sponsored by the Dahlonega Rotary.
· Source: goldrushdaysfestival.com
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Oct 17Sat, Oct 17 – Sun, Oct 18 · 9 a.m.Festival
72nd Annual Gold Rush Days Festival
Dahlonega's largest festival, with arts and crafts vendors around the square, live music, contests and a parade. It is run by volunteers, and the proceeds go back to Lumpkin County causes.
Historic Public Square and Historic District, Public Square, Dahlonega, GA 30533 · Source: goldrushdaysfestival.com
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Oct 17Sat, Oct 17 · 3 p.m.Festival
Gold Rush Days Parade
The festival parade on Saturday afternoon. Organizers say it goes ahead rain or shine, and the route ends at the college Drill Field circle.
Downtown parade route (ends at the UNG Drill Field circle) · Source: goldrushdaysfestival.com
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Oct 24Sat, Oct 24 · 7:15 p.m.Theater & arts
Dahlonega's Got Talent (finale show)
The Holly's community talent show. Contestants also performed during Gold Rush Days, and audience voting doubles as a fundraiser.
Historic Holly Theater Mainstage, 69 W Main St, Dahlonega, GA 30533 · Source: www.onthestage.tickets
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Oct 31Sat, Oct 31 · 5 p.m.–7 p.m.Holiday
Scares on the Square (Halloween trick-or-treat)
Halloween trick-or-treating at downtown businesses around the square.
Dahlonega Square, Public Square, Dahlonega, GA 30533 · Source: dahlonegadda.org
November 2026
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Nov 5Thu, Nov 5 · 7 p.m.Theater & arts
Planet Acorn's The Game Show Dahlonega: Fall Edition
A live game-show night at the Holly Theater.
Historic Holly Theater Mainstage, 69 W Main St, Dahlonega, GA 30533 · Source: www.onthestage.tickets
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Nov 27Fri, Nov 27 · 3 p.m.–8 p.m.Christmas
Lighting of the Square (Old Fashioned Christmas opening night)
Opening night of Old Fashioned Christmas, with carolers, hot cocoa and a visit from Santa as the square and town tree are lit. The DDA and the Visitors Bureau both put the illumination itself at 6 PM, but neither of those pages states the year.
Dahlonega Visitors Center, 13 S Park St #1220, Dahlonega, GA 30533 · Source: www.christmasindahlonega.com
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Nov 27Fri, Nov 27 – Tue, Dec 29 · 3 p.m.–6 p.m.Christmas
Visit Santa on the square
Santa is on the square for free photos during the season. The organizer lists the window as Nov 27 to Dec 29, 2026. Its homepage refers visitors to the schedule for exact days, so Santa is probably not there every day.
Dahlonega Visitors Center, 13 S Park St #1220, Dahlonega, GA 30533 · Free photo (per organizer) · Source: www.christmasindahlonega.com
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Nov 27Fri, Nov 27Christmas
Letters to Santa mailbox
Children can drop their letters to Santa in a special mailbox at the Visitors Center, which the Bureau says will be delivered to the North Pole.
Dahlonega Visitors Center, 13 S Park St #1220, Dahlonega, GA 30533 · Source: www.dahlonega.org
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Nov 27Fri, Nov 27Christmas
Old Fashioned Christmas season (lights, decorated square)
The square is decorated with white lights, starting at the Lighting of the Square on Nov 27, 2026 and running into early January. The 2026-27 end date has not been published.
Historic Public Square, Public Square, Dahlonega, GA 30533 · Free to stroll · Source: www.dahlonega.org
December 2026
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Dec 4Fri, Dec 4 – Sun, Dec 20 · 7:30 p.m.Theater & arts
Annie (Holly Theatre Company)
The theater's December musical, rated G. It is not a Christmas story, but it runs through the Old Fashioned Christmas season.
Historic Holly Theater Mainstage, 69 W Main St, Dahlonega, GA 30533 · Adults $35; Military $32; Students & Children $15 (Visitors Bureau listing) · Source: www.dahlonega.org
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Dec 5Sat, Dec 5 – Sun, Dec 13 · 10 a.m.–5 p.m.Christmas
Christmas Market (Woman's Club fundraiser)
A yearly fundraising market for the Woman's Club, with gifts, homemade sweets and holiday decor.
Hancock Park, Hawkins St, Dahlonega, GA 30533 · Source: www.christmasindahlonega.com
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Dec 12Sat, Dec 12 · 12 p.m.–1 p.m.Christmas
Dahlonega Christmas Parade
The town's Christmas parade, with floats from community groups, runs through the historic district, and Santa appears in it. The organizer gives the date and time, and the Visitors Bureau page confirms Saturday, December 12th.
Historic district / Public Square (route map on organizer site) · Source: www.christmasindahlonega.com
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Dec 19Sat, Dec 19 · 2 p.m.–4 p.m.Christmas
Kid's Day
Activities and crafts for children in kindergarten through 5th grade, open to all abilities. Check in at the main tent arch in Hancock Park. A parent or guardian must stay with the child.
Hancock Park, Hawkins St, Dahlonega, GA 30533 · Source: www.christmasindahlonega.com
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Dec 21Mon, Dec 21 · 10 a.m.–3 p.m.Christmas
Free holiday movie at the Holly Theater: The Santa Clause
A free family showing of The Santa Clause (rated PG) at the Holly Theater. The organizer lists a 10 AM to 3 PM window and does not give separate showtimes.
Historic Holly Theater, 69 W Main St, Dahlonega, GA 30533 · Free · Source: www.christmasindahlonega.com
February 2027
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Feb 12Fri, Feb 12 – Sun, Feb 28, 2027Theater & arts
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) [Revised] (Again)
A three-actor comedy that covers all of Shakespeare's plays in one evening. Rated PG.
Historic Holly Theater Mainstage, 69 W Main St, Dahlonega, GA 30533 · Source: www.onthestage.tickets
April 2027
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Apr 17Sat, Apr 17 – Sun, Apr 18, 2027Festival
Bear on the Square Mountain Festival
A spring festival of Appalachian old-time and bluegrass music, with jams around the square, a juried crafts market, workshops and a Sunday gospel jam.
Public Square, Public Square, Dahlonega, GA 30533 · Free (festival says sponsors keep it free) · Source: bearonthesquare.org
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Apr 23Fri, Apr 23 – Sun, May 9, 2027Theater & arts
The Secret Garden (Holly Theatre Company)
The Holly's spring musical, rated G. The theater's own season page gives two different end dates, May 9 and May 19. The ticketing site says May 9.
Historic Holly Theater Mainstage, 69 W Main St, Dahlonega, GA 30533 · Source: www.onthestage.tickets
May 2027
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May 15Sat, May 15 – Sun, May 16, 2027Festival
Dahlonega Arts & Wine Festival
An arts-and-crafts festival on the square with a wine and beer garden pouring Dahlonega Plateau and North Georgia wines, plus jazz in Hancock Park.
Public Square, Public Square, Dahlonega, GA 30533 · Source: www.chestateeartists.org
July 2027
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Jul 16Fri, Jul 16 – Sun, Aug 1, 2027Theater & arts
The Little Mermaid (Holly Theatre Company)
The Holly's summer musical, rated G.
Historic Holly Theater Mainstage, 69 W Main St, Dahlonega, GA 30533 · Source: www.onthestage.tickets
Annual & not yet announced
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Date TBADay after Thanksgiving; DDA: 'grand illumination of Downtown Dahlonega at 6 PM'
Tree lighting ceremony (6 PM illumination)
The Visitors Bureau says the tree lighting takes place at 6 PM in front of the Visitor Center. The date is confirmed for 2026 by the organizer. The 6 PM time appears on a Bureau page that still carries a stale November 28th reference, so the time has not been confirmed for 2026.
Check before you go: www.dahlonega.org
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Date TBAEvenings starting Black Friday after the Lighting of the Square (2026 schedule, hours and prices not published on a fetched source)
Horse-drawn carriage rides
Horse-drawn carriages run around downtown in the evenings during the Christmas season. The DDA also mentions trolley rides.
Check before you go: www.dahlonega.org
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Date TBAEvery evening of December (per Visitors Bureau; 2026 specifics not published)
December evenings downtown (extended merchant hours, wine sampling)
During December, many downtown shops stay open later, and the Bureau says visitors will also find wine sampling and carriage rides in the evenings.
Check before you go: www.dahlonega.org
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Date TBAIn 2025: Friday after Thanksgiving, road closures 3:30 PM, lighting 6:00 PM, Concert in the Park 7:00 PM in Hancock Park with the Festival of Trees. No 2026 confirmation.
Concert in the Park after the lighting (2025 pattern)
In 2025 a concert in Hancock Park followed the lighting, with the Festival of Trees on display and food trucks. It is not on the organizer's 2026 schedule.
Check before you go: www.dahlonega.org
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Date TBA2025: Saturday Nov 29 at 10:00 AM in Hancock Park. No 2026 confirmation.
Christmas Art Market, Saturday after Thanksgiving (2025 pattern)
In 2025 local artists and makers set up a holiday market in Hancock Park the day after the lighting. It is not on the organizer's 2026 schedule.
Check before you go: www.dahlonega.org
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Date TBAAnnual. No 2026 lineup is published. The Visitors Bureau page still shows the 2024-25 lineup.
New Year's Eve in Dahlonega
New Year's Eve in Dahlonega is run by individual restaurants, wineries and venues, not as one town event. No venue lineup for 2026 has been published. The Bureau notes that the Christmas lights are still up and that many businesses close on New Year's Day.
Check before you go: www.dahlonega.org
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Date TBAClosed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day (standing policy)
Gold Museum holiday closures
The Gold Museum in the old courthouse at the center of the square closes on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. The admission prices shown are its current published rates.
Check before you go: gastateparks.org
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Date TBAAnnual around Nov 11. 2024 pattern: Saturday parade (Nov 9, 2024) at 11 AM, assembling at Old Courthouse Hill at 10 AM. 2026 date not published on any fetched source.
Veterans Day parade and observances
Dahlonega and Lumpkin County hold a yearly Veterans Day parade through the square. No 2026 date or time has been published yet.
Check before you go: nowgeorgia.com
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Date TBASaturday afternoons, April through October (no 2026-specific schedule fetched)
Appalachian Jam at the Gold Museum
An informal old-time and mountain-music jam on the square in front of the Gold Museum. Players bring their instruments, and listeners are welcome to bring a chair.
Check before you go: www.dahlonega.org
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Date TBAEarly March; 2026 edition was March 5-8 (6th annual). 2027 dates not published.
Dahlonega Chocolate Crawl
A downtown tasting passport event at chocolate shops and restaurants. Passports are picked up at the Visitor Center.
Check before you go: www.dahlonega.org
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Date TBAEarly March; 2026 edition was Saturday, March 7, at the Holly Theater. 2027 date not published.
Dahlonega Literary Festival
A yearly book festival with author panels and signings. Most sessions are free.
Check before you go: www.dahlonega.org
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Date TBAAnnually July 4. 2027 schedule not published. 2026 schedule (pattern): 7:00 AM Firecracker 5K; 10 AM-3 PM car show at 342 Hill St; 10:45 AM Declaration reading at Gold Museum; 11:00 AM Patriotic Parade; 12 PM Kids Zone & Food Truck Alley in Hancock Park; 2:30 PM watermelon contest; 6:30 PM free concert in Hancock Park; 8 PM DJ and fireworks at dark at UNG Drill Field.
Dahlonega 4th of July Celebration
An all-day Independence Day celebration with a patriotic parade, car show, kids' zone, free concert and fireworks at the UNG Drill Field. The 2027 schedule has not been posted.
Check before you go: dahlonegadda.org
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Date TBAAlways the third full weekend in October. 2027 dates not yet published by the organizer.
Gold Rush Days Festival 2027
Dahlonega's biggest yearly festival. The organizer has not announced dates for 2027.
Check before you go: goldrushdaysfestival.com
Planning around Christmas? Start with our Old Fashioned Christmas guide, then see where to park and places to stay near the Square.