Dahlonega at a glance
- CountyLumpkin County (county seat)
- Population, 2020 Census7,537U.S. Census Bureau
- Elevation1,452 ftUSGS elevation at the town centre
- From downtown Atlantaabout 1 h 24 minby road, no traffic
What to know about Dahlonega
- Dahlonega was incorporated on December 21, 1833, and was the site of the first significant gold rush in the United States. City of Dahlonega
- Dahlonega is the county seat of Lumpkin County, in the foothills of the North Georgia mountains about 70 miles north of Atlanta. City of Dahlonega
- When the town was laid out in 1833 it was given a gridiron street pattern with a public square, and a permanent courthouse was built on the square in 1836. City of Dahlonega
- Visitors today shop and dine on Dahlonega's historic town square, try gold panning and visit the area's wineries. City of Dahlonega
- A U.S. Branch Mint operated in Dahlonega from 1838 to 1861, minting gold coins only. City of Dahlonega
- The Dahlonega Gold Museum State Historic Site is housed in the 1836 Lumpkin County Courthouse, one of the oldest courthouse buildings in Georgia. Georgia State Parks
- Dahlonega's downtown is listed on the historic register, according to the local visitors bureau. Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber & Visitors Bureau
- Dahlonega-Lumpkin County has 12 wine-tasting rooms and eight wineries. Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber & Visitors Bureau
- The Chattahoochee National Forest covers one-third of Lumpkin County, with hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and off-roading. Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber & Visitors Bureau
- DeSoto Falls, in the Chattahoochee National Forest's DeSoto Falls Scenic Area in Lumpkin County, has trails to two falls on Frogtown Creek. Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber & Visitors Bureau
- Gold Rush Days, which celebrates Dahlonega's 1828 discovery of gold, is always held the third full weekend in October. Gold Rush Days Festival (Dahlonega Jaycees)
- The Bear on the Square Mountain Festival, a celebration of Appalachian music and crafts on the Public Square, is Dahlonega's signature spring event. Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber & Visitors Bureau
- Dahlonega's Old-Fashioned Christmas is a month-long celebration that starts the day after Thanksgiving with a Lighting of the Square. Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber & Visitors Bureau
- The Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Visitors Center is at 13 South Park Street, Dahlonega, GA 30533. Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber & Visitors Bureau
Coming up in Dahlonega
USO Show: A Veterans Day Celebration
Organizer date for 2026A USO-style tribute show for Veterans Day with impersonations of performers such as Bob Hope, Elvis and Marilyn Monroe. Veterans and active-duty military get in free. The venue is between Harbor Freight and Dahlonega Fitness and is fully ADA accessible.
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$25 regular, $20 senior/student, veterans and active duty free Source: Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Visitors Bureau (Discover Dahlonega), checked 2026-10-19
Swing Band: The Modernaires, a Classic Big Band Experience
Organizer date for 2026A 17-piece swing band with swing dancers, billed as part of Veterans Day weekend in Dahlonega. Veterans and active-duty military get in free.
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$25 regular, $20 senior/student, Veterans and Active Duty free Source: Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Visitors Bureau (Discover Dahlonega), checked 2026-10-19
Lighting of the Square
Organizer date for 2026Opening night of Dahlonega's Old Fashioned Christmas season, with the annual lighting of the Christmas tree on the Public Square. The organizers list carolers, hot cocoa and a visit from Santa Claus.
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Source: Christmas in Dahlonega – Schedule/Parking, checked 2026-10-19
Visit Santa on the Square
Organizer date for 2026Santa visits the Public Square through the Old Fashioned Christmas season. The organizers say visitors can take a free photo and share Christmas wishes; they point to their schedule for exact dates and times.
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Source: Christmas in Dahlonega – Schedule/Parking, checked 2026-10-19
A Christmas Carol
Organizer date for 2026A stage version of Dickens' A Christmas Carol over three December weekends at the Menagerie. The Visitors Bureau lists each weekend as a separate entry; the source URL given here covers the first weekend.
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$25 regular, $20 senior/student Source: Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Visitors Bureau (Discover Dahlonega), checked 2026-10-19
Annie at the Holly Theater
Organizer date for 2026The Holly Theatre stages the musical Annie (rated G) over three December weekends. The listing gives a running time of about two and a half hours, with military and group discounts available.
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Adults $35, Students & Children $15 Source: Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Visitors Bureau (Discover Dahlonega), checked 2026-10-19
Christmas Market at Hancock Park
Organizer date for 2026An annual holiday market in Hancock Park that raises money for the Women's Club. The organizers list unique gifts, homemade sweets and holiday decor.
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Source: Christmas in Dahlonega – Schedule/Parking, checked 2026-10-19
Dahlonega Christmas Parade
Organizer date for 2026The annual Old Fashioned Christmas parade through Dahlonega's historic district, with floats decorated by community groups. The organizer's schedule page links the parade application, rules and route map.
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Source: Christmas in Dahlonega – Schedule/Parking, checked 2026-10-19
Kid's Day
Organizer date for 2026Holiday activities and crafts for children in kindergarten through 5th grade, open to guests of all abilities. A parent or guardian must stay with the child throughout; information is at the main tent arch in Hancock Park.
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Source: Christmas in Dahlonega – Schedule/Parking, checked 2026-10-19
Free Holiday Movie at the Holly Theater: The Santa Clause
Organizer date for 2026A free family screening of The Santa Clause (rated PG) at the Holly Theatre as part of the Old Fashioned Christmas schedule.
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Free Source: Christmas in Dahlonega – Schedule/Parking, checked 2026-10-19
Every North Georgia event in the finder
How far is Dahlonega?
Drive times by road
| Town | Atlanta | Alpharetta | Marietta | Lawrenceville | Athens | Chattanooga |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dahlonega | about 1 h 24 min66 mi | about 55 min41 mi | about 1 h 26 min60 mi | about 1 h 9 min50 mi | about 1 h 25 min60 mi | about 2 h 25 min106 mi |
Computed 2026-10-19 with the OSRM router on OpenStreetMap data, town centre to town centre. free-flow driving time, no traffic
Visitor information
Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Visitors Center, 13 South Park Street, Dahlonega, GA 30533. Official visitor site
The 1836 courthouse square and the streets of shops and tasting rooms around it have a guide of their own: Downtown Dahlonega.
Towns near Dahlonega
- Dawsonville about 11 mi straight-line
- Helen about 19 mi straight-line
- Gainesville about 19 mi straight-line
Dates, times and rules can change. Each listing links the organizer or local government page it came from, with the date we checked it; confirm there before you go.
