Every day (and night) is a festive delight in downtown Decatur! Come for holiday lightings and unveilings. Cozy up at bonfire and movie nights. Expect Santa sightings and the occasional Grinch alert! Terrific Thursdays bring extra cheer with in-shop festivities and annual events. Twinkling lights, life-sized nutcrackers and gingerbread friends, walk-through ornaments and a giant tree await.
Santa Sightings
Snap that classic portrait with Santa during Santa on the Square Nov. 29! Got a furry friend? Get a paws-itively magical photo of him with your pet Nov. 20. Remember to bring your own camera.
See if you can spot jolly Ol’ St. Nick in his red suit at local shops and restaurants during “Where’s Santa?”. He’ll be back in December to flip the switch and light up Decatur’s holiday tree lighting.
Santa’s Schedule
- Nov. 13 • Where’s Santa?
- Nov. 20 • Santa Pictures With Pets
- Nov. 29 • Santa on the Square
- Dec. 4 • Tree Lighting
- Dec. 18 • Where’s Santa
Letters to Santa
Send your letter straight to the North Pole! We will have three special delivery drop-offs in Decatur starting in November:
📫 Decatur Visitors Center, 113 Clairemont Ave.
📫 Kelly’s Market, 308 E. Howard Ave.
📫 Oakhurst Market, 650 East Lake Dr.
Psst: We hear Santa might write back this year. Parents, make sure your kids include a return address!
Grinch Alert!
Grumpy, green, and always scheming, the Grinch is slinking around Decatur while Santa’s in town on Thursday Nov. 20. More Grinch Mischief this way.
Unveilings and Lightings
Light up the season with Decatur’s annual tree lighting, menorah lighting, and bonfire events. We’ll have holiday carols, gelt drops, and marshmallow roasting. We kick off the season with our annual ornament unveiling at a local shop.
- Nov. 6 • Ornament Unveiling
- Dec. 4 • Tree Lighting
- Dec. 11 • Bonfire
- Dec. 14 • Menorah Lighting
Standout Shopping
Sip and shop! Snag snacks and sales! Live DJs, trunk shows, pop-ups, and more! Beyond our annual events and Santa sightings, you never know what special offerings and events you might find in stores on Terrific Thursdays. Take a peek at all our standout shops here.
Sparkle and Snap!
Stroll through walk-through light-up ornaments in two spots —Downtown Decatur and Harmony Park. They’re lit day and night, perfect for your next holiday selfie, couple pic, or family photo.
As you explore, look for our gingerbread friends decorated by local businesses. These playful cutouts will be out throughout the season.
Share with us!
Tag @VisitDecaturGA for a chance to be featured.
Holiday Events
Where's Santa
Can you spot Santa out and about around town?
Santa’s taking a break from his North Pole duties for a night out in Decatur! Join the Terrific Thursday holiday fun and search for him as he pops into local shops to spread cheer and pick out presents. Santa knows he’ll find the perfect gifts for everyone on his list, and you will too! If you spot Santa, snap a selfie with him and tag @VisitDecaturGA.
Santa Pictures With Pets
Take a picture of your furry friends with Santa!
Bring your furry, feathery, or scaly pets and snap a photo with Santa. Remember your camera or smartphone! Enjoy complimentary hot cocoa and apple wassail from Oakview Coffee, while supplies last, and shop holiday-themed puppy treats from Taj Ma Hound. All pets must be well-behaved, properly restrained, and up-to-date on vaccinations. Donations for LifeLine Animal Project will be accepted.
Grinch Alert!
Look out for the grumpy, green curmudgeon around town.
The Grinch is slinking around town, sneaking into shops and restaurants and stirring up mischief wherever he goes. Can you catch the curmudgeon in his holiday hijinks? Take a pic and tag @VisitDecaturGA. Surprise our grumpy green guest with holiday cheer! Who knows, by the end of the night, his heart may even grow a few sizes.
Brought to you by DBA.
Small Business Saturday and Santa on the Square
“Shop small” at Decatur’s local businesses and see Santa!
“Shop small” at Decatur’s local businesses and see Santa! It’s a win-win for wish lists and gift lists! Grown-ups can check off their holiday shopping while kids enjoy festive fun.
After you shop, bring your City of Decatur purchases to the Square for free gift wrapping, and enter the raffle for a splendiferous gift basket packed with Decatur-branded goods and local treats.
Snap photos of your little ones with Ol’ St. Nick, then enjoy warm cookies and cold milk. Stick around for holiday music, toy soldier stilt walkers, make-and-take ornament crafting and Santa mail stations. All activities are free.
Tree Lighting
Annual tree lighting with carols, cookies, and “snow.”
Light up your week at the annual tree lighting in Downtown Decatur! The fun starts at 6 pm with our annual tradition of holiday carols, hot cocoa, and mini gingerbread cookies by the tree. The F.AVE Chorus will perform, and we’ll have a community sing-along too.
At 7 pm sharp, Santa himself flips the switch to light the tree! Afterwards, there’ll be “snow”!
This year, the tree is in front of the Historic DeKalb Courthouse / DeKalb History Center, 101 East Court Square, Decatur, GA.
Sponsored by the Little Shop of Stories.
Bonfire + Marshmallow Roast
Roast marshmallows with us!
Join us for a giant, roaring bonfire and roast yourself a marshmallow (or two). Hot chocolate, marshmallows and roasting sticks provided while supplies last! (And yes, you can bring your own.)
Decatur Fire / Rescue lights the bonfire at 6 pm. The Talley Street Chorus performs holiday classics at 6:30 pm. Marshmallow roasting is from 7- 8 pm.
Brought to you by the City of Decatur and supervised by the Decatur Fire / Rescue.
Menorah Lighting
Join in the Chanukah celebration!
Join in the Chanukah celebration in downtown Decatur. Enjoy hot drinks, latkes, music, photos with Mr. Dreidel, and the Chanukah gelt drop by the Decatur Fire / Rescue. Hosted by Chabad Intown, chabadintown.org.
Where's Santa?
Can you spot Santa out and about around town?
Santa’s taking a break from his North Pole duties for a night out in Decatur! Join the Terrific Thursday holiday fun and search for him as he pops into local shops to spread cheer and pick out presents. Santa knows he’ll find the perfect gifts for everyone on his list, and you will too! If you spot Santa, snap a selfie with him and tag @VisitDecaturGA.
Find more events throughout the holiday season on our community calendar!
