Wild Georgia Events

Don Carter State Park


Friday, December 12, 2025

Name That Christmas Tune
Friday, Dec 12, 2025 6 PM to 7 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Get into the Holiday spirit by testing your Christmas music knowledge! For $2 a person, you can compete against other teams for the grand prize while sipping on campfire hot cocoa. Pre-registration required; enter your team by calling the visitor center. See you at picnic shelter 2! $2 plus $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
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Saturday, December 20, 2025

Camouflaged Critters
Saturday, Dec 20, 2025 12 PM to 12:45 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Why are camouflage jokes so funny? You never see them coming! A program about how our local animals camouflage themselves in the winter, with an activity where you will get to practice your new skills! Meet at Picnic Shelter 2, call the front office to pre-register, or bring cash to the event. $1 plus $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
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Winter Weaving: Christmas String Art
Saturday, Dec 20, 2025 2 PM to 4 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Ho-Ho-Who's ready to join us in the group shelter for a cozy Christmas craft? Create your own nail and string pattern on a tree cookie for an adorable, rustic holiday craft. Pre-registration is required as space is limited, and you will need a gate code. Call the visitor center to reserve your spot! Ages 16+. $20 plus $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
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Movie Night at the Park: Double Feature!
Saturday, Dec 20, 2025 5 PM to 10 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Join us for a night of winter magic at the group shelter. Stop by the visitor center first for snacks and the gate code. The first movie (animated, holiday-themed, PG-rated) starts at 5:30 pm. The second movie (live-action, winter-themed, PG-rated) will be at 7:30 pm. Bring your own chairs and blankets. Call the visitor center for more info! $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
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Sunday, December 21, 2025

Make a Bird Feeder!
Sunday, Dec 21, 2025 2 PM to 2:30 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Join our naturalist at Picnic Shelter 3 to make a pinecone bird feeder for your yard and learn about the non-migratory birds it could attract! Pre-registration is required, call the visitor center to reserve your spot. $3 plus $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
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Monday, December 22, 2025

Camouflaged Critters
Monday, Dec 22, 2025 12 PM to 12:45 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Why are camouflage jokes so funny? You never see them coming! A program about how our local animals camouflage themselves in the winter, with an activity where you will get to practice your new skills! Meet at Picnic Shelter 2, call the front office to pre-register, or bring cash to the event. $1 plus $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
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To Sleep or Not to Sleep: Georgia's Hibernating Animals
Monday, Dec 22, 2025 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
A hike on the Huckleberry Trail that explores where our animals go in the wintertime. Learn the difference between hibernation, brumation, torpor, and migration. Call the visitor center to pre-register or bring cash to the event. $1 plus $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
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Name That Christmas Tune
Monday, Dec 22, 2025 6 PM to 7 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Get into the Holiday spirit by testing your Christmas music knowledge! For $2 a person, you can compete against other teams for the grand prize while sipping on campfire hot cocoa. Pre-registration required; enter your team by calling the visitor center. See you at picnic shelter 2! $2 plus $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
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Wednesday, December 24, 2025

Christmas Eve Carols
Wednesday, Dec 24, 2025 2 PM to 3 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear! Join our rangers in caroling Christmas classics in the campgrounds. We will meet at the pavilion in the RV campground at 2pm and begin caroling at 2:15pm. $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
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Thursday, January 1, 2026

Finding your "First Bird"- First Day Hike
Thursday, Jan 1, 2026 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Join a ranger to search for your "First Bird!" Bird watchers across the globe participate in this tradition and say that the first bird you see in the new year represents the upcoming 12 months. Don't miss out on this memorable and meaningful first day hike! Pre-registration is required; save your spot by calling the visitor center. $3 plus $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
Monumental Moments Event First Day Hike Event 
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Celebrating the Start of America's 250th Year!
Thursday, Jan 1, 2026 2 PM to 3 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Join a ranger on the Huckleberry Trail for a fun first-day hike! To celebrate the start of America's 250th year, we will have some history/New Year's themed trivia with prizes for correct answers. Pre-registration is required; call the visitor center to save your spot! $3 plus $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
Monumental Moments Event First Day Hike Event 
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A Cup of New Year Cheer
Thursday, Jan 1, 2026 5 PM to 6 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Join us outside the visitor center to ring in the New Year with some family-friendly campfire wassail! Wassail is an old English apple cider drink, originating as a toast to good health. Share your hopes for 2026 around the campfire with friendly faces and this delicious beverage. Pre-registration required, call the visitor center! $3 plus $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
Accessible Event Monumental Moments Event 
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Saturday, January 3, 2026

Camouflaged Critters
Saturday, Jan 3, 2026 12 PM to 12:45 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Why are camouflage jokes so funny? You never see them coming! A program about how our local animals camouflage themselves in the winter, with an activity where you will get to practice your new skills! Meet at Picnic Shelter 2, call the front office to pre-register, or bring cash to the event. $1 plus $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
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Movie Night at the Park!
Saturday, Jan 3, 2026 5 PM to 7 PM
Don Carter State Park - Gainesville, GA
Join us at the group shelter to watch an animated, PG-rated movie to end Winter Break! Doors open at 5 pm, and the movie will begin at 5:30 pm. Bring your own chairs and blankets. Call the visitor center for more information! $5 parking. 678-450-7726.
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