We're still several weeks away from Halloween, and Christmas is already grabbing some attention with Hallmark's Merriest Christmas Towns contest. It's been narrowed down to 25 towns which bring "the spirit of Christmas to life through cherished traditions, joyful celebrations, and a deep sense of community."
While Georgia
didn't have any that made the cut, you could visit some of them with little stress.Hallmark Merriest Christmas Town Contest full list
A few of the finalists are within a semi-reasonable driving distance, depending on where in Georgia you live. Cullman, AL might be the closest at just under 2 hours, 20 minutes from Rome. Conway, SC is about 3.5 hours east of Augusta.
If you live in the very southeast corner of the state,
you can potentially get to Winter Garden, FL within 3-3.5 hours.
There is a Tennessee finalist, specifically Collierville, but it's all the way over on the west side near Memphis, so you'd be in for a 5+ hour roadtrip whether you're living in Atlanta or north Georgia.
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Here are the rest of the finalists:
- Eureka Springs, AK
- Placerville, CA
- Marlborough, CT
- Carlinville, IL
- Versailles, KY
- Chatham, MA
- Berlin, MD
- Bemidji, MN
- Parkville, MO
- Carolina Beach, NC
- Papillion, NE
- North Conway, NH
- Cape May, NJ
- Corning, NY
- Portsmouth, OH
- Ashland, OR
- Hanover, PA
- Boerne, TX
- Leavenworth, WA
- Neenah, WI
- Lewisburg, WV
Georgia Christmas town
While it's not one of the finalists, Georgia does have picturesque spots around Christmas. One with particular shine is Dahlonega, the only Georgia spot to make HGTV's list of the top 50 small towns to visit for the holidays.
Dahlonega boasts a well lit and decorated town square featuring horse-drawn carriage rides and Santa Claus visits. There is also a live Nativity scene, parade, concerts, and other festive events. The setting is so iconic, Dahlonega has been used for multiple romantic Christmas films, including multiple Hallmark flicks.
How to vote for Hallmark's Merriest Christmas Town Contest?
Voting is open to anyone 18 or older in the United States or its territories, with one vote allowed per day now through 11:59 p.m. Friday, Hallmark says. While daily votes help, Hallmark’s judging panel will ultimately select the grand prize winner based on traditions, charm, and community spirit.
When is Hallmark Countdown to Christmas 2026?
Long before Christmas or even Thanksgiving, the Hallmark Channel kicks off the holiday season with multiple specials on TV as part of its "Countdown to Christmas." This year's kicks off on Saturday, Oct. 17 with the premiere of "Holiday Touchdown: A Bears Love Story."
Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for USA Today. Find him on Instagram @miguelegoas and email at mlegoas@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Hallmark Christmas Town contest finalists announced. Nearest to Georgia?
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