The Mill on Etowah in Downtown Canton is ready to celebrate the holiday season in a big way. Once a historic textile mill, The Mill on Etowah now comes alive with twinkling lights, music, and community gatherings, making it one of the most festive spots in North Georgia.
The season kicks off with Christmas at The Mill on November 28th and 29th, featuring a tree-lighting ceremony on November 29th at 6 p.m. Hosted by Canton City Lifestyle and presented by Northside Hospital Cherokee, the night includes live music from Joe Grandsen and the Little Big Band, performances by Theodora Dance Conservatory and a visit from Santa himself.
Throughout the holidays, you’ll find plenty to enjoy across The Mill campus. Cotton Mill Exchange offers 48,000 square feet of holiday shopping, from handmade candles to heirloom ornaments; every corner feels like a treasure hunt. Canton Cigar Bar, Reformation Brewery and Suds & Bottles can’t wait to welcome you to their themed holiday bars for the Christmas Bar Crawl on December 6th.
Outside, ice skating at the Rink on the River operates from November 22nd through January 20th under a 10,000 sq ft tent complete with 3 inches of real ice and plenty of room to skate with family and friends. Friday nights in December feature Holiday Family Movie Nights on the green, each one starting with a performance by a local school choir. Make sure to stop by the Letters to Santa station inside Frik & Frak Market, check out Fraser Fir Express tree-farm opening November 30th, and stroll through the Holiday Makers Markets on December 6, 13 & 20. You’ve got a holiday calendar that doesn’t quit.
At The Mill on Etowah, the holidays aren’t just celebrated- they’re shared. With its mix of history, community and small town charm, it’s the kind of place that reminds you what this season is about.
You are invited into a small-town environment and world where every moment is styled and every experience points towards joy. Whether you’re gliding across real ice, browsing artisan wares in the heart of the mill, sipping a themed cocktail at a participating bar, or simply enjoying the glow of choir voices under the night sky, this is one locale that embraces the full breadth of the season. Bring your family, invite your guests, arrive for a date night, or soak it all in: the Mill is where tradition meets contemporary flair. From the tree lighting to the last spin on the ice come January, you’ll find yourselves anchored here because Christmas isn’t just an event anymore; it’s a destination.
Holiday Highlights – At a Glance
- Tree Lighting & Live Music – Nov 29, 6 p.m.
- Christmas at The Mill Festival – Nov 28–29 (craft show + small business market)
- Real Ice Skating “Rink on the River” – Nov 22–Jan 20 (10,000 sq ft tent, 3″ real ice)
- Makers Markets – Dec 6, 13, 20 inside Cotton Mill Exchange
- Christmas Bar Crawl – Dec 6 (Suds & Bottles, Canton Cigar Bar, Reformation Brewery, Luna Del Rio, Rock N Roll Sushi)
- Holiday Family Movies – Every Friday in December (choirs perform pre-show)
- Fraser Fir Express Tree Farm – Opens Nov 30 by the rink
- Letters to Santa Station – Inside Frik & Frak Market