Canton's Victorian Christmas Festival - Our Insider's Guide
Each year thousands, from across the South, come to Canton's Christmas Festival and for many families it's a yearly tradition. The staff at The Emporium has put together this guide filled with helpful tips, time schedules and detailed information about the event.
Victorian Christmas Festival - General Details

Friday, November 24- December 23, 2017
Canton, "The City of Lights”, with it's Historic Square comes alive with attractions and events for young and old alike, with over 200,000 glittering lights!
A special attraction is the Musical Christmas Tree and the three Animation Museums featuring over 150 life-size animated figures set in various historic and fairy tale scenes. Other festivities include the carousel and vintage car rides, light and character parades, horse and buggy rides and more! (For rides times and dates see schedule below)
The Canton Christmas Festival kicks off with a special event The Merchants Open House (Friday, Nov. 24- Sunday, Nov. 26.) All of the stores, around the Historic Canton Square, will be having special sales and serving shoppers complimentary beverages and holiday treats.
Canton, "The City of Lights”, with it's Historic Square comes alive with attractions and events for young and old alike, with over 200,000 glittering lights!
A special attraction is the Musical Christmas Tree and the three Animation Museums featuring over 150 life-size animated figures set in various historic and fairy tale scenes. Other festivities include the carousel and vintage car rides, light and character parades, horse and buggy rides and more! (For rides times and dates see schedule below)
The Canton Christmas Festival kicks off with a special event The Merchants Open House (Friday, Nov. 24- Sunday, Nov. 26.) All of the stores, around the Historic Canton Square, will be having special sales and serving shoppers complimentary beverages and holiday treats.
Victorian Christmas Festival - Schedule of Events

Merchant Open House Weekend
(Friday, Nov. 24-Sunday Nov. 26, 2017 - Friday & Sat.: 10 am- 8 pm / Sunday: 1-5 pm)
The Christmas Festival kicks off with a special event The Merchants Open House. Around the Historic Canton Square all the stores will be fully decked out with Christmas decor and the holiday spirit! Each store will be having special sales and serving shoppers complimentary beverages and holiday treats.
Christmas Animation Museums
Open House Weekend (Nov. 24-26) Friday/Saturday/Sunday : 5-9 pm
From Dec. 1 - Dec. 23 (Every Night): 5 pm- 9 pm
Both adults and children love the animation museums that include over 150 life-size moving figures from fairy tales, Canton's past and children's Christmas stories. The various scenes of the museums are a delight to behold and have been crafted and added to over the years.
11th Annual Canton's Sip N' Cider
Friday, Dec. 8, 2017 4 pm - 8 pm
Each store around the Canton Square will be preparing and serving their own special blend of hot cider to shoppers (most merchants will also serve up delightful and tasty Christmas treats for the shoppers.) Shoppers will sample and vote for the store with the best hot cider.
Light and Character Parade
Weekends Only (Nov. 24-Dec. 23, 2017) Friday, Saturday & Sunday: 6:30 pm and 8 pm
A great way to get the family into the Christmas spirit with a parade featuring characters singing and dancing to lights and music! The parade is only performed twice each weekend night (Friday-Sunday.)
Children's Carousel & Vintage Car Rides
Open House Weekend (Nov. 24-26) Friday/Saturday/Sunday : 5-9 pm
From Dec. 1 - Dec. 23 (Every Night): 5 pm- 9 pm
Miniature Train & Fire Truck Rides
Open House Weekend (Nov. 24-26) Friday/Saturday/Sunday : 5-9 pm
From Dec. 1 - Dec. 23 (Every Night): 5 pm- 9 pm
Pictures with Santa
Open House Weekend (Nov. 24-26) Friday/Saturday/Sunday : 5-9 pm
From Dec. 1 - Dec. 23 (Every Night): 5 pm- 9 pm
Horse and Buggy Rides
Open House Weekend (Nov. 24-26) Friday/Saturday/Sunday : 5-9 pm
From Dec. 1 - Dec. 23 (Every Night): 5 pm- 9 pm
For more information about Canton's Victorian Christmas Festival call the Canton Convention & Visitors Bureau at: 1-800-844-3369.
(Friday, Nov. 24-Sunday Nov. 26, 2017 - Friday & Sat.: 10 am- 8 pm / Sunday: 1-5 pm)
The Christmas Festival kicks off with a special event The Merchants Open House. Around the Historic Canton Square all the stores will be fully decked out with Christmas decor and the holiday spirit! Each store will be having special sales and serving shoppers complimentary beverages and holiday treats.
Christmas Animation Museums
Open House Weekend (Nov. 24-26) Friday/Saturday/Sunday : 5-9 pm
From Dec. 1 - Dec. 23 (Every Night): 5 pm- 9 pm
Both adults and children love the animation museums that include over 150 life-size moving figures from fairy tales, Canton's past and children's Christmas stories. The various scenes of the museums are a delight to behold and have been crafted and added to over the years.
11th Annual Canton's Sip N' Cider
Friday, Dec. 8, 2017 4 pm - 8 pm
Each store around the Canton Square will be preparing and serving their own special blend of hot cider to shoppers (most merchants will also serve up delightful and tasty Christmas treats for the shoppers.) Shoppers will sample and vote for the store with the best hot cider.
Light and Character Parade
Weekends Only (Nov. 24-Dec. 23, 2017) Friday, Saturday & Sunday: 6:30 pm and 8 pm
A great way to get the family into the Christmas spirit with a parade featuring characters singing and dancing to lights and music! The parade is only performed twice each weekend night (Friday-Sunday.)
Children's Carousel & Vintage Car Rides
Open House Weekend (Nov. 24-26) Friday/Saturday/Sunday : 5-9 pm
From Dec. 1 - Dec. 23 (Every Night): 5 pm- 9 pm
Miniature Train & Fire Truck Rides
Open House Weekend (Nov. 24-26) Friday/Saturday/Sunday : 5-9 pm
From Dec. 1 - Dec. 23 (Every Night): 5 pm- 9 pm
Pictures with Santa
Open House Weekend (Nov. 24-26) Friday/Saturday/Sunday : 5-9 pm
From Dec. 1 - Dec. 23 (Every Night): 5 pm- 9 pm
Horse and Buggy Rides
Open House Weekend (Nov. 24-26) Friday/Saturday/Sunday : 5-9 pm
From Dec. 1 - Dec. 23 (Every Night): 5 pm- 9 pm
For more information about Canton's Victorian Christmas Festival call the Canton Convention & Visitors Bureau at: 1-800-844-3369.