Holiday Lights! Small Town Celebrations! Snow!

ATLANTA, December 2, 2010 - It's the holiday season in Georgia again, and small towns abound with Southern hospitality and cheer. Georgia features outdoor activities this year for the whole family all around the state. Whether you go explore luminary trails, walk through holiday light displays, take part in snow activities, go ice skating, or enjoy amusement rides and gingerbread houses at small town holiday celebrations, be sure not to miss out on one of the many outdoor holiday happenings Georgia has to offer this year.

Get lost in the festivities this year! And, in Grovetown, at Lights of the South, you can literally get lost! Groveton boasts the world's largest Christmas tree maze now through December 30 where visitors can see hundreds of thousands of lights. Walk through the light displays, or hop on a cozy hayride to view them. Spot your favorite character among Cinderella, Sponge-Bob, Spiderman, or Snow White. This event also has lit-up play areas for kids, a fire pit for roasting s'mores, photos with Santa, snacks made by Mrs. Claus, and souvenirs such as ornaments, hats, blankets, t-shirts, and sweatshirts.

Make your holiday luminescent this year by traipsing about candlelit paths and luminary trails in Savannah or in Atlanta. In Savannah, visit the Enchanted Luminary trail and holiday festival at Skidaway Island State Park on December 18 from 6-8 p.m. Bring your kids and pets for pictures with Santa, walk the enchanted luminary trail, do holiday arts and crafts and enjoy caroling on hayrides while enjoying holiday treats and hot chocolate. Or, enjoy one of Atlanta's classical holiday offerings! See the Atlanta History Center candlelit paths and historic holiday homes on December 14 and December 16 from 5:30 – 9 p.m.  Escape the hustle and bustle of Atlanta without leaving the city! Relax and enjoy the winter landscape of the Atlanta History Center's 33 acre Buckhead campus at dusk and explore beautiful candlelit paths, illuminated gardens, trails, and historic homes decorated with holiday cheer.

Who says it never snows in the South? This year there is ample opportunity to play in the snow in Moultrie. On December 19 at 1 p.m., have a snowy Sunday at the Snowy Sunday Stroll in Downtown Moultrie where there is 100% chance for snow. Bring the kids to have lunch, shop and play in the snow - the coolest way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Restaurants open at noon and the snow begins to fall at 1 p.m.  Stone Mountain's newest attraction will also resemble an Alpine village with its Snow Mountain at Stone Mountain. The park features acres of real snow, more than 20 slides and winter games such as 'avalanche alley,' which is a new family tube ride, 'fort snow' that's perfect for climbing, sliding and tunneling through the snow; and 'SnoFire Point' a bonfire to warm up and make s'mores.

After playing in the snow, hit the ice and get your 'skate on'. Celebrating its thirteenth anniversary season in the fall, Atlanta's only outdoor ice skating rink at Centennial Olympic Park is an annual holiday tradition. Skaters enjoy fresh ice, theatrical lighting and holiday music. Covered observation seating is available for onlookers who want to sit back, relax, and watch the skaters. The rink is open daily, including holidays, through January 30. And, while you are skating downtown, enjoy the Christmas lights as well! See Centennial Park transformed into a winter wonderland with a dazzling display of thousands of lights. Different and unique every year, Holiday in Lights runs through January 3. The Park is open daily, so come view the lights from 7- 11 p.m., including Christmas Day. After you experience the park, enjoy holiday specials at restaurants and other attractions in the Luckie Marietta District in Downtown Atlanta.

Get your fill of lights this year, because Georgia has light shows galore! Dazzling displays promise to put a twinkle in your heart. A classic event, the Fantasy in Lights at Callaway Gardens, invites you to bring your family and friends to see more than eight million sparkling lights. The Gardens are aglow through December 30 with larger-than-life scenes, each with its own theme and music. Travel through the lights on the Jolly Trolley or in your personal vehicle. The Tripp Family Christmas Lights will be lit in Cochran from December 3 – 26. The Tripp Family in Yonkers decorates their entire yard and invites everyone to view the delightful display for free. Or, take the seven-mile drive through a tour of animated, festive, holiday light displays at Lake Lanier Islands Magical Nights of Lights. This holiday tradition is open nightly through December 30 from 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.  Be sure to make the time to visit Santa's workshop.

Small town celebrations ring in the holiday season this winter beginning with the Christmas Open House at Amicalola Falls, at Amicalola Falls State Park in Dawsonville, December 11 from 5-9 p.m. Enjoy choir performances, and visit the kids' crafts. View gingerbread house creations, and vote for your favorite! Afterwards, warm up by the fire and visit with Santa. Or, from December 2 – 4, visit downtown Tifton for the 12th Annual Hometown Holiday Celebrations. Enjoy holiday entertainment, food & craft vendors, a festival of wreaths & trees, amusement rides, merchant's open house, and tour of homes. On December 2 from 5 – 9 p.m., have a merry Hometown Christmas in Warrenton: a nostalgic evening of Christmas treats and activities for the entire family. Downtown restaurants will serve delicious dinners by candlelight and specialty shops will be open at 3:00 p.m. with open house bargains to complete each and every shopping list.

The mild winter temperatures make it easy for visitors to enjoy Georgia's outdoor holiday festivities! Visit www.ExploreGeorgia.org to plan your adventure!

About the Georgia Department of Economic Development
The Georgia Department of Economic Development is the state's sales and marketing arm, the lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, locating new markets for Georgia products, attracting tourists to Georgia, and promoting the state as a location for film, music and digital entertainment projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development. For more information, visit www.Georgia.org.