January Festivals, Celebrations and Special Events - The Southeast U.S.

January welcomes the New Year with plenty of winter festivals and special events throughout the Southeast U.S. In North Carolina, jazz and big bands take center stage in Asheville, while Blowing Rock plunges into winter during the annual Winterfest celebration. Rodeos and oceanfront treasure hunts delight visitors to Georgia, while oysters, blues and more keep winter travelers busy in South Carolina. For great dining at reduced prices, plan a culinary visit to one or more of the many Winter Restaurant Week events. The following selected events offer winter fun for an array of interests and ages.

Holiday Events - Many holiday events extend into the early days and weeks of January. For more information, visit these holiday event round ups:

• Holiday Events - Round up of Southeast U.S. holiday festivals, events and trip ideas.
  
  
• New Year's Eve Events - Round up of New Year's Eve Events in the Southeast U.S.
  
  
• College Bowl Games in the Southeast - Round up of College Bowl games played in the Southeast U.S., including several games scheduled for New Year's Eve, New Year's Day and early January.

January Festivals and Events

• Winter Restaurant Week Events
  Various Cities and Dates in January 2011
  Many cities in the Southeast U.S. celebrate Winter Restaurant Week during January, offering an array of opportunities to explore Southern cuisine at participating restaurants for special fixed prices.
  
  
• Centennial Olympic Park Ice Skating
  November 19, 2011 – January 29, 2012 - Atlanta, Georgia
  Atlanta's popular outdoor ice skating rink is an annual holiday tradition, continuing until the end of January.
  
  
• Stone Mountain Park - Snow Mountain
  November 25, 2011 - February 20, 2012 (Select Dates) - Stone Mountain, Georgia
  Transforming the large Laser Lawn into Atlanta's only snow park, Snow Mountain's signature 400-foot long tubing hill features single tubing lanes and Avalanche Alley for family tube rides. A Snow Zone provides play areas and activities, including snowman making, snowball fun and Fort Snow, complete with tunnels mid-sized slides and more. At SnoFire Point, there is a bonfire for warming up and enjoying delicious, gooey s'mores. For maximum play time in the snow, advanced ticket purchase is recommended. Related Information - Visiting Stone Mountain Park
  
  
• Island Treasures
  January - February, 2012 - Jekyll Island, Georgia
  This annual winter treasure hunt features hand-worked glass float creations including stunning starfish, sand dollars and other pieces, which are placed along the beach above the high water line for lucky winter beachcombers to find and treasure forever.
  
  
• Elvis Presley Birthday Celebration
  January 5 - January 8, 2012 - Memphis, Tennessee
  Four days of events celebrate the anniversary of Elvis' birthday each year with special concerts, a birthday cake cutting ceremony, tours of Graceland featuring Elvis' traditional Holiday decorations and much more.
  
  
• Atlanta Boat Show
  January 12 - 15, 2012 at the Georgia World Congress Center - Atlanta, Georgia
  One of the largest displays of boats in the Southeastern United States, the Atlanta Boat Show features the latest models of boats of all shapes and sizes, as well as show specials on the latest marine accessories and electronics. Offering attractions for the whole family, boating courses for new and seasoned boaters and more, this is a premier boat show in the Southeast U.S.
  
  
• Big Band - Swing Dance Weekend
  January 20 - 22, 2012 at the Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa - Asheville, North Carolina
  This year, the Annual Big Band Weekend salutes the 70th Anniversary of USO, North Carolina and the era of Big Band music with a Friday night dance by the NC Revelers Orchestra and the USO Liberty Bells. The Saturday Dance welcomes back the famous Glenn Miller Orchestra. Other weekend activities include dance instruction and workshops, an afternoon tea dance and more.
  
  
• Augusta Futurity
  January 21 - 28, 2012 at the James Brown Arena - Augusta, Georgia
  The Annual Augusta Futurity is the largest cutting event east of the Mississippi River. Highlights include the cutting competitions, bull riding, a Family Fun Fest, Western themed vendors and much more. (A 2011 Southeast Tourism Society Top 20 Event)
  
  
• Blowing Rock Winterfest Celebration
  January 26 - 29, 2012 - Blowing Rock, North Carolina
  Offering something for everyone, this annual winter festival includes a wine auction, the Frosty 5K Run and live Bluegrass, plus a Chili Cook-Off, lot of kid's activities and, for the very hearty, a polar plunge in Chetola Lake.
  
  
• All That Jazz Weekend
  January 27 - 29, 2012 at the Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa - Asheville, North Carolina
  One of the premiere jazz festivals of the Southeast U.S., this popular annual jazz weekend features evening and afternoon jazz concerts, an array of performers throughout the weekend, themed culinary delights, Meet the Artists receptions and more.
  
  
• Southern Gardening Symposium
  January 27 - 29, 2012 at Callaway Gardens - Pine Mountain, Georgia
  The annual Southern Gardening Symposium presents professional speakers on topics related to gardening in the South. In addition to the lectures, the program offers a complete one-stop gardening marketplace, tours and optional workshops.
  
  
• The Annual Lowcountry Oyster Festival at Boone Hall Plantation
  January 29, 2012 - Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina (near Charleston)
  Activities include an oyster shucking contest, an oyster eating contest, local live entertainment and more. With 65,000 pounds of oysters on hand, this event is not to be missed by oyster lovers.