Explore Gainesville

12/16/2024

Happy Holidays from the City of Gainesville, Georgia Tourism Office! 🎄❤
As we reflect on 2024, we’re filled with gratitude for the incredible milestones we’ve reached together:
• Hosting a record number of visitors who experienced the charm, beauty, and hospitality of Gainesville.
• Welcoming three wonderful new team members who have brought fresh energy and ideas to our office.
• Opening The Boathouse at Lake Lanier, a new gathering space for our community and visitors to enjoy.
• Receiving the distinguished 2024 Al Burress Award for Creative Expression from the Georgia Association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus.
• Celebrating Downtown Gainesville’s achievement of the prestigious GEMS accreditation from the Georgia Main Street Program.
These accomplishments are a reflection of the dedication and support of our community, visitors, and partners. Thank you for making 2024 a year to remember. We wish you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season and a bright 2025!
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Greater Gainesville Sports Alliance Lake Lanier Olympic Park

12/13/2024

Hop on the trolley, stroll under the lights, and soak in the magic of our beautiful Downtown Gainesville square this holiday season! 🚋 ✨🎄
Plan your visit: www.downtowngainesville.com
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📸:

12/09/2024

The City of Gainesville, Georgia shines in "The Later Daters", now streaming on Netflix! ✨🎥
This must-watch show features the stunning lakeside home of Suzanne Kimmons Doty, located right here in our beautiful city!
The Later Daters Trailer: https://youtu.be/PutwAZwHIk8?si=cc8ncUhrQYR6OagI
From serene lake views to vibrant cityscapes, Gainesville offers endless inspiration for productions of all kinds. Learn more about our film-friendly city through Film Ready Gainesville, your local contact for production needs, location scouting, and more: www.exploregainesville.org/film-ready-gainesville/
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Six older singles shake off the dust and wade back into the dating pool with the help of their family and friends and a renowned relationship expert in this ...

12/08/2024

See you in the morning, Gainesville!! 🎄✨🎅🏻

The City of Gainesville, Georgia, specifically Main Street Gainesville, looks forward to hosting Christmas on Green Street from 2-6 p.m. tomorrow (Sunday), Dec. 8, along Historic Green Street just outside Downtown Gainesville.

A few friendly reminders that, if heeded, will enhance your 2024 Christmas on Green Street experience:

𝗥𝗢𝗔𝗗 𝗖𝗟𝗢𝗦𝗨𝗥𝗘𝗦 | Historic Green Street from Spring Street to Enota Avenue NE closes at noon Sunday, Dec. 8, ahead of Christmas on Green Street. Morningside Drive will become a one-way traffic route from Green Street to South Enota Drive NE. Please plan your route accordingly. All roads are scheduled to reopen at 7 p.m.

𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗦 | Carriage rides at 106 Spring St., noon-8 p.m.; food trucks, 1-6 p.m.; activities, performances at Historic Green Street open houses, 2-4 p.m.; parade, 4 p.m.; Lighting of the Rotary Tree, 5:30 p.m.

𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗗𝗘 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗣𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗦 | Floats, cars line up for parade, 1:30 p.m.; floats and antique car judging, 3 p.m.; walking groups stage at Gainesville Civic Center, 3:30 p.m.; parade, 4 p.m.; roads reopen, 7 p.m.

𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 | Find free and covered parking at any one of the following downtown parking decks: Gainesville North Parking Deck, 100 Brenau Ave. (closest); Hall County Parking Facility, 225 Green St. (second closest); and Main Street Parking Deck, 301 Main St. (third closest). Parking will also be available at Gainesville City Park on Glenwood Drive NE. The back and lower lots of the Gainesville Civic Center, located at 830 Green St. NE, will also be open to the public.

𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀
• 2024 Christmas on Green Street timeline: https://www.exploregainesville.org/christmas-on-green-street/
• 2024 Christmas on Green Street parking opportunities: https://www.exploregainesville.org/christmas-on-green-street/
• 2024 Christmas on Green Street official Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/2268770323467663/
• 2024 Christmas on Green Street activities map: https://www.exploregainesville.org/christmas-on-green-street/
• 2024 Christmas on Green Street road closure/staging maps: https://www.exploregainesville.org/christmas-on-green-street/
• History behind the Lighting of the Rotary Tree: https://www.exploregainesville.org/christmas-on-green-street/
• Christmas on Green Street sponsorship opportunities: https://www.exploregainesville.org/cogs-sponsorship-info/

12/06/2024

¡Feliz Navidad! 💚❤️
Keep an eye out for the Hispanic Alliance GA-La Alianza chariot during the City of Gainesville, Georgia's Christmas on Green Street parade! Their traditional holiday display will include dancing horses, elegant Mexican ballet dancers, and vibrant Aztec performers. This incredible showcase of talent and beauty of our diverse community is something you won’t want to miss!
Event details: www.exploregainesville.org/christmas-on-green-street/
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12/05/2024

Game on, Gainesville-Hall County! 💙🏀💛
It's that time of year again... The best basketball teams in Hall County go head to head during the 65th annual Lanierland Basketball Tournament!
For this year's schedule, visit our website:
https://www.exploregainesville.org/event/lanierland/
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Jackson EMC

12/05/2024

🚨Important notice from the City of Gainesville, Georgia! 🚨

𝗜𝗧’𝗦 𝗝𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗔 𝗗𝗥𝗜𝗟𝗟 | Don’t be alarmed – should you see smoke and firemen in the area of West Academy and Green streets near Downtown Gainesville, it’s just the Gainesville Fire Department holding a safety and survival class.

This training exercise is expected to last until approximately 6 p.m. today (Thursday), Dec. 5, at the former First Methodist Church of Gainesville.

The smoke is engineered for training purposes and not the result of an active structure fire.

The City of Gainesville, Georgia appreciates your attention to this matter.

12/04/2024

The City of Gainesville, Georgia's annual Christmas on Green Street celebration is this SUNDAY! (12/8)✨🎄
Enjoy an amazing parade (over 100 entries!!) and get in the Christmas spirit with tons of activities along Green Street! Click here to learn more about this extra special Downtown Gainesville holiday event:
www.exploregainesville.org/christmas-on-green-street/
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📸: Billy Grimes Photography

12/03/2024

Immerse yourself in the stories and charm of Green Street’s historic homes as you enjoy the City of Gainesville, Georgia’s most festive event of the year—Christmas on Green Street. Stop by the Gainesville Welcome Center, located at 300 Henry Ward Way, to grab a printed map of the Historic Green Street Walking Tour and explore at your own pace. Let history guide your holiday spirit! 🎄✨🏛️

🎅 Event details and walking tour information are just a click away:
Christmas on Green Street: www.exploregainesville.org/christmas-on-green-street/
Historic Green Street Walking Tour: www.exploregainesville.org/historic-green-street/

Don’t miss this magical blend of history, community, and Christmas cheer! 🎁
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Downtown Gainesville

12/02/2024

Way to go, Downtown Gainesville! 🏆✨
We are so proud of all the hard work our Main Street Manager, Nicole Parham, as put into making Downtown Gainesville and the Historic Main Street District a thriving pillar of the City of Gainesville, Georgia.

Congratulations to Main Street Gainesville, recognized as a Georgia Exceptional Main Street (GEMS) community by the Office of Downtown Development! This designation highlights our communities’ unwavering dedication to the Georgia Main Street Program’s principles of downtown revitalization, economic growth, and innovation.

The GEMS status is awarded to cities that demonstrate exemplary commitment to advancing their downtowns’ economic development while preserving local culture. GEMS communities represent some of the most successful Main Street programs in the state, providing inspiration and guidance for other cities looking to achieve similar success.

Read the full story here: https://www.gainesville.org//CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=632

Georgia Main Street Program Georgia Downtown Association - est. 1999

12/02/2024

𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬, 𝐆𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞! 🎄❤
There are several special holiday events happening GVL that are sure to keep spirits bright this holiday season...

• 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: 𝐍𝐨𝐰 - 𝐃𝐞𝐜. 𝟑𝟏𝐬𝐭 @ 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 Gainesville Parks & Recreation
• 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐉𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲: 𝐍𝐨𝐰 - 𝐃𝐞𝐜. 𝟑𝟏𝐬𝐭 @ City of Gainesville, Georgia
• 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐬: 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐜. @ Downtown Gainesville
• Nutcracker Scavenger Hunt: Dec. 1st - 31st @ Kilwins Gainesville
• Pages and Pines - Silent Book Club: Dec. 3rd, 12:30pm @ Elachee Nature Science Center
• Home for the Holidays Concert from Lakeview Academy; Dec. 6th - 7th @ Brenau University’s Downtown Center
• Christmas Market: Dec. 7th, 10am-3pm @ Farmhouse Coffee
• 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞t - 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞: 𝐃𝐞𝐜. 𝟖𝐭𝐡 𝟐-𝟔𝐩𝐦 @ Downtown Gainesville
• Homeschool Day - Christmas Traditions: Dec. 12th, 10am-1pm @ Northeast Georgia History Center (NEGAHC)
• Chapel Heart - Christmas Show: Dec. 13th, 7:30pm @ Boot Barn Hall - Gainesville
• Ornament Decorating Workshop: Dec. 19th, 6:30-9pm @ Quinlan Visual Arts Center
• A Very Merry Movie Night - ELF: Dec. 19th, 7pm @ Boot Barn Hall
• Christmas Celebration - Sinatra Experience ft. Ryan Davis & His Big Band Orchestra: Dec. 20th, 8pm @ Boot Barn Hall
• Dueling Pianos - Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree: Dec. 26th, 7:30pm @ Boot Barn Hall
• New Year's Eve Celebration for Kids: Dec. 31st, 10am @ Interactive Neighborhood for Kids
• New Year's Eve Bash - Fly Betty Band: Dec. 31st, 8-11pm @ Boot Barn Hall
• Betting Big - New Year's Eve Celebration: Dec. 31st, 8:30pm @ The Vault at The National

For More Events: www.exploregainesville.org/events/
Know of an event we’re missing?
Give us the scoop by filling out our Event Promotion Application Form:
www.exploregainesville.org/events/community/add

11/28/2024

Happy Thanksgiving, GVL! 🦃🧡
Reminder: The City of Gainesville, Welcome Center will be closed today (11/28) through Sunday (12/1) in observance of the holiday weekend. We look forward to serving you as we return to regular business hours on Monday (12/2)!

From our family here at the City of Gainesville, Georgia to yours. 🧡

11/26/2024

Wilshire Wonderland of Lights is back and ready to shine bright this holiday season! ✨
Stroll from Wilshire Trails to Downtown Gainesville and enjoy the magical glow of festive lights.
📅 Opens Thanksgiving Eve! (11/27)
🕔 5 PM – 10 PM Nightly
Kick off the holidays with this must-see tradition brought to you by Gainesville Parks & Recreation as part of their 100th-anniversary celebration! 🎉🎄
Plan your visit and learn more here: www.exploregainesville.org/event/wilshire-wonderland-of-lights-gainesville-parks-recreation/

11/22/2024

Beat the lines at Jingle Mingle and purchase your GVL Merch TODAY!! ✨🎄
Our exclusive Gainesville merch is available NOW at the Gainesville Welcome Center, located at 300 Henry Ward Way. Quantities are limited, so don’t miss your chance to grab these festive favorites before they make their debut at Jingle Mingle and the Lighting of the Chicken:

❄️ Ornaments – 1 for $10 or 4 for $35
🤍 Shirt – $27
🟢 Green "Chicken Heart" Shirt – $20
🔵 Downtown Gainesville Shirt – $20
☕ Downtown Mug Bundle – $20
🧢 GVL Beanies – $10

Stop by today to show your Downtown Gainesville pride and support the organization that keeps your favorite holiday events alive! 🛍️
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City of Gainesville, Georgia

11/22/2024

Get ready to Light. That. Chicken! 🐔🎄
Join us TOMORROW in the City of Gainesville, Georgia for Jingle Mingle and the Lighting of the Chicken! The Downtown Gainesville square will be alive with holiday spirit including open houses in downtown businesses, live music, carriage rides, kiddie train rides, Santa and his arrival on a Gainesville Fire Engine, the Coca-Cola bear, S’more Station, entertainment and the grand LIGHTING OF THE CHICKEN, a 25-foot metal chicken sculpture on top of Main Street Market.
Event details: www.exploregainesville.org/jingle-mingle/
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11/20/2024

Shop Gainesville Merch & Support Downtown Gainesville! ✨🎄
Our exclusive Gainesville merch is available NOW at the Gainesville Welcome Center, located at 300 Henry Ward Way, and every purchase directly supports the Main Street Gainesville program!
Quantities are limited, so don’t miss your chance to grab these festive favorites before they make their debut at Jingle Mingle and the Lighting of the Chicken:
🤍 Shirt – $27
🟢 Green "Chicken Heart" Shirt – $20
🔵 Downtown Gainesville Shirt – $20
☕ Downtown Mug Bundle – $20
🧢 GVL Beanies – $10
❄️ Ornaments – 1 for $10 or 4 for $35
Stop by today to show your Gainesville, Georgia pride and support the organization that keeps your favorite holiday events alive! 🛍️
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Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce

11/20/2024

Planning on making the City of Gainesville, Georgia your home for the holiday season? Check out this deal from the Fairfield Inn & Suites and TownePlace Suites, both located on Browns Bridge Road! 🏨🎄
Use code "HO9" when booking online or call 1(888) 236-2427 and mention "Holiday Traditions" to get 15% of your standard booking!
Gainesville Lodging: www.exploregainesville.org/lodging/
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11/19/2024

We were thrilled to host Farm Fresh Ontario for an unforgettable tour of Gainesville-Hall County's thriving agritourism scene! This partnership showcased the incredible potential of farms as destinations for learning, connection, and growth—both locally and internationally. 🌎👩‍🌾
Special thank you to Cheryl Smith with Georgia Grown for her support of the Gainesville Convention and Visitors Bureau (Explore Gainesville) and agritourism efforts across Gainesville-Hall County! She is a wealth of knowledge and we are so honored that she was able to join us for this tour.
Read the full press release below and explore how Gainesville is making waves in agritourism!