The season for holiday happenings is upon us, and it will soon look a lot like Christmas in Jackson County.
Braselton
Continuing its Centennial Celebration into the holiday season, Braselton will host its annual outdoor tree lighting from 5-7 p.m. Nov. 12 followed by the Movie Under the Stars in Town Green Park.
The free event will follow the Veterans and Military Appreciation drop-in event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the community room of the Braselton Police and Municipal Court Building at 5040 Ga. 53 in downtown Braselton.
At the veterans and military activity, guests may meet veterans of all branches of the military and hear their stories. The oldest and youngest veterans will be honored. Military memorabilia, vehicles and photographs will be on display.
Later in the day, the tree lighting will feature special music from area church choirs and singers from community groups and schools. A special gift bag will be delivered to little ones and seniors, in keeping with a longtime Braselton Brothers Department Store tradition. And a special white-bearded guest will make an appearance.
Visitors may bring lawn chairs and blanket for the movie, “Ice Age: Collision Course,” which will begin at dusk.
Food vendors will include the Jefferson FFA selling hamburgers, PawPaws Peanuts offering hot boiled peanuts and hot dogs and Rowe’s Concessions with shaved ice, ice cream, funnel cakes, nachos and a variety of other goodies.
The Town Green is on Davis Street near the historic Braselton Brothers Store complex. Many downtown shops will be open late for the special event.
Braselton’s holiday fun will continue Nov. 19 with the annual Celebrate the Holidays in Braselton Parade and Festival. The festival will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the Town Green. The parade, with its Centennial Christmas theme, gets underway at 10:30 a.m. on Ga. 53.
On the same day, Cookies with Santa and the Christmas in Braselton car show will be at YearOne, at 1001 Cherry St., in Braselton. For more information, visit www.drivinithome.com/braselton-bash.
Braselton businesses are also participating in Small Business Saturday on Nov. 26. To see more happenings, visit www.DowntownBraselton.com
Hoschton
In Hoschton, you can jumpstart your holiday shopping list Nov. 11 by browsing among the 14 vendors during the One-Stop Holiday Shop at the Hoschton Depot.
Hosted by the city of Hoschton, the third annual shopping experience is from 4-8 p.m. at 4219 Ga. 53 in Hoschton.
Three weeks later, Santa will be at the depot for photos. Sponsored by the Hoschton Women’s Civic Club, the free event will be from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 3. A goody bag will be provided to each child.
The Jolly Ole Elf will return Saturday, Dec. 17, for Breakfast with Santa from 9-11 a.m. Children may have photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus and enjoy a pancake breakfast and crafts and storytime.
Tickets are $5 per child or free for children younger than 1. Seating is limited, so purchase your ticket as soon as possible at Hoschton City Hall.
For more information, contact jkidd@cityofhoschton.com
Jefferson
Jefferson is also promoting Small Business Saturday with downtown merchants and others promoting holiday shopping opportunities.
The city’s tree lighting will happen in conjunction with the Downtown in Jefferson event, which includes shopping and dining at downtown businesses from 5:30-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2. The tree lighting will occur at 5:30 p.m. the same day at Marlowe Park.
The downtown event will feature free horse-drawn carriage rides and photos with Santa inside the Crawford W. Long Museum.
The next day, Jefferson’s annual Christmas parade, with the theme “All I Want for Christmas Is ...,” will step off at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. The route is along Ga. 11 through the downtown shopping area.