The Gordon Gazette updates the Community Calendar three times per week. The Community Calendar is a listing of events in Calhoun-Gordon County that the Gordon Gazette provides as free content.

If you'd like an event added, please email the information to staff@gordongazettega.com and we will add it free of charge!

ONGOING

VETERANS COFFEE TIME EACH FRIDAY AT THE CALHOUN-GORDON COUNTY LIBRARY: Veterans coffee hour is every Friday at 10:30 a.m. at the Calhoun-Gordon County Library, located at 100 North Park Avenue in downtown Calhoun. Veterans are invited to enjoy coffee and chat in a relaxed environment.

PARKINSON'S SUPPORT GROUP: Bradley Wellness Center (BWC), 1225 Broadrick Drive in Dalton, is beginning a Parkinson’s Support Group on Oct. 2. Whether you are newly diagnosed, a long-term fighter or a caregiver, this group can help. The sessions will include tips, resources and encouragement to help with daily life. The meetings will be held in the upstairs classroom at BWC from noon to 1 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. Please call 706-278-9355 to register.

SILVER SNEAKERS CLASS EACH TUESDAY AND FRIDAY: Make sure to join in on this fun Silver Sneakers class every Tuesday and Friday mornings at 9am. Silver Sneakers is a fitness and wellness program offered to seniors that helps you get active, stay fit, and connect with others. Some insurance plans cover the class, however anyone is welcome for a price of $4 per class.

For more information visit call 706-629-2599.

HAMILTON HOSPICE GRIEF & BEREAVEMENT GROUP EVERY FOURTH THURSDAY OF THE MONTH: Hamilton Hospice will begin a new grief and bereavement group every fourth Thursday of the month. The group meets from 12 noon - 1 p.m. at the Dalton-Whitfield County Library, 310 Cappes Street, Dalton.

MUSIC LESSONS AT HARRIS ARTS CENTER: The Harris Arts Center is offering a variety of music lessons with Lauren Talley and Stephen Hare. For more information call the Harris Arts Center, 706-629-2599.

BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP AT PEEPLES CANCER INSTITUTE: The local Breast Cancer Support Group will meet on the first Thursday of each month from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Peeples Cancer Institute (1215 Memorial Drive in Dalton) conference room. If you have questions, please call 706-226-8966.

ATRIUM HEALTH FLOYD HOLDING STROKE SURVIVOR SUPPORT GROUP: Stroke survivors and caregivers can find support, camaraderie and education during a free monthly support group organized by Atrium Health Floyd. The Stroke Survivor Support Group will meet the first Thursday of each month at noon at Suite 101, 304 Shorter Ave., Rome. The first meeting will take place Nov. 6. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet other stroke survivors, share experiences and learn how they can better navigate daily living. Topics include: – general stroke education – nutrition – disease management – physical therapy
– occupational therapy – speech therapy – spiritual support – emotional wellbeing – community – resources – peer support

For more information or to attend, contact Merrell at 706-509-5994. Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center is designated as a Primary Stroke Center by The Joint Commission. The certification recognizes that the hospital has critical elements to achieve long-term success in improving outcomes for stroke patients.

HARRIS ARTS CENTER TO OFFER MAKE & MINGLE MONDAYS: The Harris Arts Center is thrilled to announce their latest art offering! Every fourth Monday, the Arts Center will host their Make & Mingle class! This is your opportunity to work on whatever project you've got going on -- whether it's drawing, painting, crotchet, stitching, sewing, writing…you name it! Bring your materials and chat with other local artists and makers. You might even bounce ideas off one another. Don't have anything to work on but still want to socialize? That's perfect -- there is always something crafty to be done around the Harris Arts Center! This is completely free, however storage and supplies are not offered. Bring what you need and take what you brought! Don't miss out on this fun (& FREE) new avenue. The first Make & Mingle class will be on March 25th from 10 a.m. until Noon.

FOOD CITY PHARMACY OFFERS SEASONAL FLU SHOT: Company officials recently announced that area Food City Pharmacy locations will once again be providing the flu vaccine this immunization season. Seasonal flu vaccine provides protection against the most common strains of influenza. Vaccinations are available on a walk-up basis at Food City immunizing pharmacies and will continue throughout flu season, based upon vaccine availability. Visit foodcity.com for a complete list of immunizing locations.

SOCKS & TOBOGGANS DRIVE UNDERWAY ACROSS CALHOUN: Calhoun’s Historic GEM Theatre is hosting a Socks and Toboggans Donation Drive, collecting new socks and hats to help local community members in need stay warm this winter.

Donations can be dropped off at any of the following locations: Calhoun Aquatic Center, Pickleball 706, Wolves Den Barbell Club, Calhoun Coffee Club, Cassie’s on Wall Street, Cheyenne’s Boutique, Gift of Season, Pete’s Music City, and Tot Roost & Teens. More locations may be added to this list, so stay tuned. You can also bring donations to the first two movies in The GEM Theatre’s FREE Christmas Movie Series - “The Year Without a Santa Claus” on November 22 and “The Polar Express” on November 23, both at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Those who donate at these showings will receive a free popcorn as a thank-you.

PUBLIC CAN NOW RECYCLE CANS AT GCF&R RANGER STATION TO ‘GIVE BURNS THE BOOT’: Gordon County Fire & Rescue’s Station 10 in Ranger invites the public to recycle their aluminum cans in the trailer outside of the station, located at 131 US-411, Ranger, to help the ‘Give Burns The Boot’ campaign through the Georgia Firefighter Burn Association. “Give Burns The Boot” is an annual campaign in which more than 100 fire departments throughout the State join together and collect funds to benefit the organization’s mission and programs. The trailer will be a permanent fixture at the fire station.

DECEMBER 2025

HARRIS ARTS CENTER’S FESTIVAL OF TREES BIDDING ENDS DEC. 7TH!! The 21st Annual Festival of Trees Silent Auction Fundraiser is almost here! Mark your calendars — bidding opens NEXT Monday, November 3 and runs through Saturday, December 7! Experience the magic of the season both online and in the Harris Arts Center galleries, where dozens of beautifully decorated trees, wreaths and holiday centerpieces await your bids. Visit www.32auctions.com/HarrisArtsCenter to bid online, or 212 South Wall Street in downtown Calhoun to bid in person!

FRIENDS OF NEW ECHOTA FOOD DRIVE ENDS DEC. 20TH: Would you like to help a community in need and learn about the Cherokee people? New Echota State Historic Site along with Friends of New Echota State Historic Site are teaming up with Voluntary Action Center of Calhoun, Ga, with a food drive from November 15th-December 20th. Nonperishables, canned meat, protein, and breakfast items are preferred along with cash donations. You can drop items off at New Echota State Historic Site, 1211 Chatsworth Highway NE, Calhoun, GA, 30701. Food items may be dropped off Tuesday-Saturday, 9a.m.-4:30p.m.

ICE SKATING AT RIDGE FERRY PARK IN ROME THIS HOLIDAY! The Rink at Ridge Ferry Park is open through Jan. 19th, 2026! Ridge Ferry Park is located at 363 Riverside Parkway NE in Rome. A real ice rink! All skaters should dress in appropriate warm clothing; the ice is real and is slippery, cold and a bit hard if you fall down. Regular business hours are Tuesday - Thursday, 4 - 8 p.m.; Friday, 4 - 10 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Sunday, 12 - 8 p.m. Special Holiday hours are Christmas Eve, 12 - 6 p.m.; Christmas Day, 4 - 9 p.m.; New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, 12 - 6 p.m. Parties and rentals are available. Cost to skate includes skate rental; $15 adults and $12 for kids under 9 yo. Anyone under 18 needs an adult present to sign a waiver before they can skate. For more information, visit www.rfpra.com/iceskating

ROME CHRISTMAS PARADE TO BE HELD TUESDAY, DEC. 2: The Rome Christmas Parade will make its way to Broad Street on Tuesday, Dec. 2 beginning at 6:30 p.m. One of the oldest Christmas parades in the state of Georgia, this year's theme is 'Christmastime in the City.'

DOWNTOWN DALTON CHRISTMAS PARADE TO BE HELD THURSDAY, DEC. 4: Downtown Dalton's annual Christmas Parade, benefiting the Dalton Noon Lions Club, will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4. This year's theme is 'Gingerbread Village.'

ROME FOR THE HOLIDAYS...3 NIGHTS OF FESTIVE CHEER THIS DECEMBER 4TH, 11TH AND 18TH! Three nights of festive cheer are headed your way! Rome for the Holidays returns for the first three Thursdays in December! Each night will feature special holidays surprises from 4 - 8 p.m. You can expect:

Santa Claus
Later Shopping hours
Hot cocoa and hot tea courtesy of Southern Seasons
The Holly Jolly Trolley on Dec. 4th
Christmas Carolers on Dec. 11th
Live music with Jeremy Wells on Dec. 18th
Face Painting on Dec. 18th

BUILD A SNOWMAN FROST LAUNCH TO BE HELD DEC. 5TH! The 3rd annual community-wide Snowman Building Competition will take place in December at the Calhoun Recreation Department, at 110 Recreation Drive in Calhoun. The Frost Fest Launch Party will be held on Friday, Dec. 5, from 4 - 7 p.m. with Food Trucks, Train Rides, Crafts and Free Family Fun! To register to build a snowman this year, visit ExploreCalhounGordon.com or call 706-625-3200.

THE VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS & MORE TOUR COMES TO THE FORUM IN ROME ON DEC. 5: The Very Merry Christmas & More Tour, featuring Colton Dixon, along with New Song, Building 429 and Special Guest Daniel Mulkey, comes to The Forum in Rome on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. Get tickets at ForumRiverCenter.com

THE GEM’S 2025 CHRISTMAS MOVIE HAS BEGUN: Christmas is right around the corner, and The GEM Theatre is your go-to spot for holiday cheer! Enjoy a festive lineup of 10 FREE movies - starting with family favorites, moving into the must-watch holiday classics, and wrapping up with laugh-out-loud cult hits. Concessions will be available for purchase. Donations are accepted in lieu of admission and go toward supporting general operations, arts programming, and ongoing renovation projects. Your contribution is appreciated and helps sustain and enhance The Historic GEM’s mission and future.

A Christmas Story – Friday, December 5 at 7pm; sponsored by Calhoun Rotary Club
The Holiday – Saturday, December 6 at 7pm; sponsored by Community Foundation of Calhoun Gordon County
Miracle on 34th Street – Sunday, December 8 at 3pm; sponsored by AdventHealth Gordon
How the Grinch Stole Christmas – Saturday, December 13 at 7pm; sponsored by Community Foundation of Calhoun Gordon County
Lethal Weapon – Friday, December 19 at 7pm; sponsored by CFL Creative Flooring Solutions
Home Alone – Saturday, December 20 at 7pm; sponsored by Lindsey Carson, Maximum One Community Realtors
Home Alone 2 – Sunday, December 21 at 7pm; sponsored by AdventHealth Gordon
The Nightmare Before Christmas – Monday, December 22 at 7pm; sponsored by Voluntary Action Center.

Located at 114 N. Wall Street in Calhoun, Georgia, the historic GEM Theatre hosts concerts, free movies, and community events.

NUTCRACKER PAINT EVENT AT THE HAC ON SATURDAY, DEC. 6: Studio 306 and the Harris Arts Center are teaming up to offer a Nutcracker Pain Event on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. at the HAC, located at 212 South Wall Street. 11x14 canvas. Can choose between Nutcracker and Nutcracker Doll. Painter's Choice on colors. See Harris Art Center Facebook or website to sign up for this event.

ANNUAL POLAR EXPRESS EVENT AT THE CHATSWORTH DEPOT ON DEC. 6: Come out to the Chatsworth, Georgia Train Depot on Dec. 6, 2025 from 12 - 4 p.m. for the annual Polar Express Event. Admission: Adults $3.00, Children Free when accompanied by paid adult (extra donations are always welcome and appreciated!) The Whitfield-Murray Historical Society is proud to announce that the Polar Express is returning to the Chatsworth Depot on Saturday, December 6th. Dramatic readings of the book, THE POLAR EXPRESS, by local retired educator C. L. Dunn, will take place inside the depot on each half hour. The Chatsworth Train Depot will be elaborately decorated for the Christmas Holidays. The Depot’s Big Blue Train will take riders to visit Santa at the Wright Hotel located around the block from the Depot. Highlighting the afternoon will be a model Christmas train set up and running in the freight room of the depot. Trains just seem to go with Christmas! The Wright Hotel will also be open for tours during the same hours. The hotel will be decorated for the Christmas season and a display of vintage Christmas cards from the Hotel archives is planned. Refreshments will be served by the Chatsworth Depot Committee members. The event is free for children 10 and under (must be accompanied by a paid adult), but a $3 donation for those ages 11 and up is requested for Depot admission. Big Blue Train rides to see Santa are free, but donations are always appreciated. The event is sponsored by the Wright Hotel Committee and Chatsworth Depot Committee.

SIXTH ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TOUR OF HOMES IN ROME ON DEC. 6TH: the sixth annual Christmas Tour of Homes will take place on Saturday, Dec. 6th, from 3 - 6 p.m. in Rome. The annual tradition gives you an exclusive look inside the beautiful homes in Historic Between the Rivers. Sign up today by visiting https://www.romeareaheritagefoundation.org/tickets

ALLEN CHAPEL AME CHURCH TO HOLD COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CANDLELIGHT SERVICE ON SATURDAY, DEC. 6TH: The community is invited to join Allen Chapel AME Church at the Victory Fellowship Center, located at 925 Oothcalooga Street in Calhoun, on Saturday, Dec. 6th beginning at 5 p.m. for their Community Christmas Candlelight Service. Come and start the Holiday Season with Prayer and Thanksgiving!

COOKIES WITH SANTA AT CALHOUN COFFEE COMPANY: Join FC Calhoun Girls Soccer & let’s kick off the Christmas season with cookies, cocoa, Christmas carols, and Santa at Calhoun Coffee Company (117 South Wall Street) on Sunday, Dec. 7, from 3 - 4:30 p.m.! $25 first child; $20 additional child (sibling). Cookie Decorating, Hot Cocoa, Christmas Carols and a Professional Photo with Santa! Limited tix available. Call/text 706.766.0089 for your tickets today!

CFBC WALK THROUGH BETHLEHEM AND LIVE NATIVITY ON SUNDAY, DEC. 7: 'Tis the Christmas season, and there is no better way to begin celebrations than by joining Calhoun First Baptist Church for our annual Walk Through Bethlehem & Live Nativity event! On this night, you and your family will travel through a detailed Bethlehem market and then take a journey straight into a live Nativity scene! Date: Sunday, December 7th; Time: 6:00 PM; Location: Calhoun First Baptist Church (411 College Street). This will be a great night for all ages! See you there!

CITY OF PLAINVILLE CHRISTMAS PARADE AND TREE LIGHTING TO BE HELD TUESDAY, DEC. 9: The public is invited to the Plainville Christmas Parade, which will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. Lineup will begin at 6 p.m. at the Plainville Recreation Department, located at 610 School Street SW in Plainville, with the parade beginning at 7 p.m. The tree lighting will follow. No registration required for those wishing to enter the parade; just show up at 6 p.m. and get in line!

CALHOUN'S CHRISTMAS PARADE OF LIGHTS TO BE HELD THURSDAY, DEC. 11: Dust off your boots and get ready to jingle all the way—western style! The 2025 Calhoun’s Christmas Parade of Lights rides into town on Thursday, December 11 at 7:00 PM, bringing holiday cheer to spectators of all ages. This year’s theme is Cowboy Christmas, and the streets of Calhoun will transform into a magical winter wonderland, complete with unforgettable floats decked in twinkling lights, festive decorations, and the joyful sounds of local school choirs filling the air. From cowboy hats to Christmas lights, it’s a holiday celebration you won’t want to miss—and yes, Santa Claus himself will be there, spreading cheer with his famous jolly wave! Hosted by the Northwest GA Regional Fair, Explore Calhoun–Gordon County, and Downtown Calhoun. Come join us and be part of Calhoun’s cherished holiday tradition—whether you’re watching from the sidewalk or riding in the parade, it’s going to be a night to remember!

Parade Route
The parade begins at Line Street and makes its way through downtown, ending at Oak Street.

Traffic Notice
North Wall Street will be closed to local traffic from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM for parade line-up. Please plan your route accordingly.
Want to be part of the parade?

Parade registration is now open! Secure your spot and help make this year’s event the best yet. Register here: https://bit.ly/45ICy2l

RING IN THE HOLIDAYS WITH CANDLELIGHT TOURS AT CHIEF VANN HOUSE: Candlelight Tours at the Chief Vann House Historic Site will be hosted the second weekend of December, Friday the 12th and Saturday the 13th, from 5 – 9 p.m. To best enjoy your experience please arrive by 8:00 p.m., the candles will be extinguished at 9 p.m. No reservations are needed for this event; if you are bringing a large group, try to arrive earlier in the evening. There is no rain date for the event, and it will be held rain or shine. This annual event celebrates the many Christmases hosted by the Moravian missionaries who operated a western-style school (sponsored by the Vann family) for Cherokee children from 1801 until 1835. It is likely the missionaries were hosting the first formal Christmas celebrations within the Cherokee Nation. 82 Hwy. 225 N. · Chatsworth, GA 30705 ·706-695-2598 · vann_house_park@dnr.ga.gov

CHRISTMAS AT OAK HAVEN TO BE HELD DEC. 13: The public is invited to Christmas at Oa Haven, located at 718 Erwin Hill Church Road SE in Adairsville, for a fun-filled event perfect for the whole family! Shop with local vendors, enjoy Cookies & Hot Chocolate, there are FREE Kid's Activities, Christmas Photos with Santa. $5 entry per car. Enjoy the day and get some Christmas shopping done! Dec. 13, 2025 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

TWIN PONDS AT RIVERBEND TO HAVE COOKIES WITH SANTA ON DEC. 13TH: Join Twin Ponds at Riverbend, located at 922 Riverbend Road in Plainville, on Saturday, Dec. 13th for Cookies with Santa from 1 - 4 p.m. Christmas Cookies, Hot Chocolate, Ornament Making, Christmas Music and more!

'EVENING OF HANDBELLS' TO BE HELD ON DEC. 18TH; DONATIONS FOR BLEWER FOOD CENTER TO BE ACCEPTED: The community is invited to An Evening of Handbells on Thursday, Dec. 18th, from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. in the Belmont Baptist Church sanctuary, located at 275 West Belmont Drive in Calhoun. Join organizers as a celebration is held in recognition of the birth of our savior and the joy of the season through an evening of handbells! Special guests are Jim and Treva Sellers. The concert is a partnership with the Blewer Memorial Food Distribution Center to help provide food for those in need this holiday season. Entry "fee" is a bag of non-perishable food items to donate!

MISSION HOLIDAY - TRADITIONAL CHEROKEE RECIPES: The holidays are right around the corner and while Christmas was not a traditional Cherokee holiday they did celebrate it along side the missionaries in the early 19th century. Mission Holiday: Traditional Cherokee Recipes will be held at New Echota, located at 1211 Chatsworth Hwy in Calhoun, on Saturday, Dec. 20, from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. This recipe comes from the Moravian journals written at Springplace Mission. Admission fee required. Admission includes Ranger led programs, entry to the grounds. $6-$8. 706-624-1321.