Holiday wreaths, decorated storefronts, photo opportunities, twinkling lights, and an abundance of holiday events turned Christmas in Thomasville from a marketing slogan in December of 2020 into a magical time of year filled with cherished holiday memories in 2021. The holiday season in downtown Thomasville saw visitors shop, dine, sip, stroll, dance, and take in the holiday postcard views of downtown from November - December.
“From the Holiday Open House to Sip & Shops, to Family Movie Night and Victorian Christmas, Christmas in Thomasville featured something for everyone,” said Sheryl Sealy, Assistant City Manager. “The 2021 holiday season has truly been special with guests returning from near and far to enjoy our packed schedule of fourth-quarter events and support our small businesses that are the backbone of our community.”
According to Sealy, prior to the pandemic, it was not unusual to meet visitors from across the globe while perusing the historic bricks of downtown. “As preparations began for the holidays, we had the expectation that this season would feature the return of guests from both across the United States and around the world,” said Sealy. “Our City staff, especially our team at the Visitors Center, were eager to once again meet and greet an abundance of visitors to our beautiful city. We are thankful for the many people that traveled from near and far to spend Christmas in Thomasville.”
For 35 years, Victorian Christmas has been the jewel of the Thomasville holiday season and this year’s event was no exception. “Prior to this year, a successful Victorian Christmas would welcome an average of 8,500 people per evening,” said Sealy. “The turnout for this year’s event was truly magnificent, with an approximate average of 15,000 guests descending upon the historic bricks of downtown each evening. 2021 has become the benchmark for future Victorian Christmases.”
With a schedule of events that spread from November through December, Christmas in Thomasville provided ample opportunities for guests to visit the Thomasville area. “Our Downtown and Tourism Development staff did a great job creating a calendar of events that covered the entire holiday season,” said Alan Carson, City Manager. “The calendar offered guests the opportunity to support our local businesses by shopping, dining, and creating family memories during our various free of charge City-sponsored events. We are aware that families are still recovering economically from the pandemic, so it is important to offer opportunities for families to enjoy the holiday without enhancing their economic stress.”
All City-sponsored events require coordination between various City departments in order to provide guests and citizens with not only a memorable event experience but also a quick return to the normal functions of event areas. “Whether we are hosting a Holiday Sip & Shop or Victorian Christmas, it is a team effort,” said Carson. “While considerable work is done by our Downtown and Marketing Departments to create and promote these events, there is an army of help coming from other city departments. The work of departments such as CNSNext, Electric, Public Works, and Solid Waste provides the manpower that shapes our events before, during, and after them to allow the least amount of disruption possible to businesses in the event areas.” Carson added, “Even our public safety departments participate in the planning and execution of these events, as it is important that we provide a safe and secure celebration for our guests and citizens to enjoy.”
Carson says that Christmas in Thomasville events are not successful without the support of downtown merchants. “We are extremely appreciative of the support that our participating downtown merchants provide to our events by offering extended shopping and dining hours along with the holiday events they host within their restaurants and shops,” said Carson. “While we certainly understand the stress extended hours place on some small business owners, the filled restaurants and shops during those times are a testament to these successful businesses. Assisting our merchants with successful holiday seasons has always been a key marketing component of Christmas in Thomasville.”
The true success of Christmas in Thomasville revolves around an entire community. “Organizations such as Flowers Foods, the YMCA, Pebble Hill Plantation, Lapham Patterson House, Thomasville On Stage & Company, South Georgia Ballet’s The Nutcracker, and many others truly make this a community-wide holiday season,” said Carson. “We are fortunate to live in a community that cherishes the holiday season. Thank you to our entire community and the many City employees and departments that helped make Christmas in Thomasville a memorable time for all.”
For more information about Christmas in Thomasville please visit downtownthomasville.com or call the Thomasville Visitors Center at 229-228-7977.
