Choose by what you want to walk to
The main decision is whether you want to walk to the events. The Christmas Market, the parade and most of the lights are on and around Main Street, and the New Year’s Eve party is at the Festhalle. Staying downtown means you park once and leave the car. Staying out of town means quieter nights and more room, but a drive and a pay lot for each event.
The kinds of lodging Helen has
The Helen visitor guide sorts the area’s lodging into five groups and names examples of each. We list them as the guide does; we have not stayed at them and are not paid to mention them.
| Type | Examples named by the visitor guide | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown hotels | Helendorf River Inn, Hofbrau Riverfront Hotel | Walking to the market and parade |
| Chain hotels | Home2 Suites by Hilton, Hampton Inn, Fairfield Marriott | Familiar rooms and points |
| Bed and breakfast | Sautee Inn Bed and Breakfast | A quieter base near Hardman Farm |
| Cabin rentals | Blue Creek Cabins, Georgia Mountain Rentals | Families and groups, fireplaces |
| Campgrounds | Cherokee Campground, Leisure Acres Campground | RVs and hardy campers |
For a full, current list, the visitors bureau keeps a lodging directory.
When to book
The nights that fill first are the Friday after Thanksgiving (the Lighting of the Village), the Saturdays of the two market weekends, parade night on December 12 and New Year’s Eve. If one of those is your date, book as early as you can and check the cancellation terms.
Thinking about staying longer?
Plenty of people who come up for a December weekend start wondering what owning a cabin or home around Helen would be like. Our living in Helen page covers the year-round side of the village, and Gold Peach Realty, the North Georgia brokerage behind this guide, can show you what is actually for sale.
Dates can change. The organisers have the final word: Helen Chamber of Commerce events