🧭 Hundred-Mile Happenings: Lee's Campus Tree Lighting, Cartersville's Parade, Gadsden Lights Broad Street, Classic Christmas in Cleveland, Christmas at the Crossing and Crossville's United Fund Holiday Market

Or: Six New Outings, From Nov. 13 Through Mid-December

By Thomas Seest, Dunlap.Today · Thursday, November 5, 2026

Morning, neighbor. This batch starts next week and carries you into mid-December. On Friday, Nov. 13, Lee University lights its campus Christmas tree with cookies, cocoa and live music. Cartersville’s Exchange Club Christmas Parade rolls on Thursday night, Dec. 3. Gadsden fills Broad Street with its Christmas Parade on Friday, Dec. 4. Lee’s free Classic Christmas concert fills the Conn Center on Sunday, Dec. 6 — free tickets open Nov. 16. Christmas at the Crossing turns Hamilton Crossing Park into a two-day play day on Dec. 11–12. And Crossville’s free United Fund Holiday Market brings Santa photos to the Depot on Saturday, Dec. 12. What it means for you: most of these are free to watch or attend, and Cleveland, Cartersville and the Crossing run on Eastern time.

⏱️ Your 30-second trip list

• Fri., Nov. 13, 6:30 p.m. (Eastern): Lee University Christmas Tree Lighting, Cleveland. Free.
• Thu., Dec. 3, 6 p.m. (Eastern): Exchange Club Christmas Parade, Cartersville. Free to watch.
• Fri., Dec. 4, 5:30 p.m. (Central): Gadsden Christmas Parade, Broad Street. Free to watch.
• Sun., Dec. 6, 3–4 p.m. (Eastern): Lee University Classic Christmas, Conn Center. Free tickets required (on sale Nov. 16).
• Fri.–Sat., Dec. 11–12 (Eastern): Christmas at the Crossing, Cartersville. Free; toy donation asked.
• Sat., Dec. 12, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. (Central): United Fund Holiday Market, Crossville Depot. Free.

🕰️ The one thing to remember: Cleveland, Cartersville and Christmas at the Crossing run an hour ahead of us. For those three stops, subtract one hour to get Dunlap time. Lee’s tree lighting at 6:30 p.m. Eastern is 5:30 p.m. our time. Cartersville’s parade at 6 p.m. Eastern is 5 p.m. our time. Classic Christmas at 3 p.m. Eastern is 2 p.m. our time. Crossing hours Friday 5–9 p.m. Eastern are 4–8 p.m. our time; Saturday noon–9 p.m. Eastern are 11 a.m.–8 p.m. our time. Gadsden and Crossville are on Central time, same as Dunlap. Lee’s Classic Christmas page labels EST; Cleveland/Bradley County observes Eastern — if you’re unsure, check before you go.

🎄 Join Lee’s Campus for the Christmas Tree Lighting

If you want a warm campus evening without a ticket line, head to Cleveland next Friday. Lee University’s annual Christmas tree lighting gathers the campus and the Cleveland community for cookie decorating, hot cocoa and live music in front of the Science and Math Complex — Jet Lag’s jazz ensemble and the North Cleveland Church of God Children’s Choir are on the bill, and you can drop off an Operation Christmas Child shoebox while you’re there.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Friday, Nov. 13, 2026, 6:30 p.m. Eastern (5:30 p.m. our time).
• Where: Science and Math Complex, corner of Ocoee Street and Billy Graham Avenue, Cleveland, TN.
• How far: About 35–40 miles, roughly 50–55 minutes from Dunlap.
• Cost: Free and open to the public. Park in the surrounding lots.
• Who’ll love it: Families, choir fans and anyone who likes a simple campus lighting.
• Good to know: Contact studentengagement@leeuniversity.edu or (423) 614-8405. Cleveland is on Eastern time — leave Dunlap by about 4:30 p.m. our time for a calm drive. Check before you go if the weather looks rough.

👉 Read more (Lee University — Christmas Tree Lighting)

🎅 Wave at Cartersville’s Exchange Club Christmas Parade

Cartersville keeps this one classic: Shottenkirk Honda presents the Exchange Club Christmas Parade through downtown on a Thursday night. Proceeds support Advocates for Bartow’s Children and the Boys & Girls Club of Bartow County — a good reason to grab a curb spot and cheer.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Thursday, Dec. 3, 2026, 6:00 p.m. Eastern (5:00 p.m. our time). Rain date: Thursday, Dec. 10, 6:00 p.m. Eastern. Lineup for entries begins at 4:00 p.m. at the Tabernacle church parking lot.
• Where: Downtown Cartersville, GA (route leaves the Tabernacle lot onto Church Street and loops through downtown).
• How far: About 85–95 miles, roughly 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours from Dunlap.
• Cost: Free to watch. Entry fees apply only if you’re bringing a float or vehicle.
• Who’ll love it: Parade fans, families and anyone who likes a Thursday-night outing.
• Good to know: Georgia is on Eastern time. Leave by mid-afternoon our time. Watch the rain date if the forecast turns wet. Nothing may be thrown to watchers (city ordinance) — they hand things out instead.

👉 Read more (Cartersville Exchange Club — Christmas Parade)

🎺 Catch Gadsden’s Christmas Parade on Broad Street

Historic Downtown Gadsden lights up Broad Street for its First Friday Christmas Parade — floats, bands and holiday cheer from 7th Street to 2nd Street. It’s a little past our usual hundred-mile line, so treat it as a special evening trip with a filled gas tank.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Friday, Dec. 4, 2026, 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. Central time, same as ours. Lineup begins at 4:30 p.m.
• Where: Historic Downtown Gadsden, Broad Street from 7th to 2nd Street, Gadsden, AL.
• How far: About 100–110 miles, roughly 2 hours from Dunlap — a little past the usual hundred-mile line.
• Cost: Free to watch. Float entry is for participants only (about $25 per unit on the Greater Gadsden listing).
• Who’ll love it: Parade fans and families who want a Northeast Alabama First Friday night.
• Good to know: Contact Durell Richardson at 256-549-4709. Weather may reschedule the parade (date TBA if that happens) — check before you go. Leave Dunlap by about 3 p.m. for a calm drive.

👉 Read more (Greater Gadsden — Christmas Parade)

🎶 Reserve Free Seats for Lee’s Classic Christmas

Lee’s School of Music brings back its family Classic Christmas concert in the Conn Center — free seats, but you need a ticket. Mark Monday, Nov. 16, on the calendar so you don’t miss the open.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Sunday, Dec. 6, 2026, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. Eastern (2:00 to 3:00 p.m. our time). Will Call opens at 1:30 p.m. Eastern; doors at 2:00 p.m. Eastern.
• Where: Conn Center, 150 11th St NE, Cleveland, TN 37312.
• How far: About 35–40 miles, roughly 50–55 minutes from Dunlap.
• Cost: Free tickets required. On sale Monday, Nov. 16 at LeeUClassicChristmas2026.eventbrite.com or the Dixon Center Box Office on Church Street, weekdays 3–6 p.m., (423) 614-8343.
• Who’ll love it: Music fans, families and anyone who wants a calm Sunday afternoon concert.
• Good to know: Lee’s page labels the time as EST; Cleveland/Bradley County observes Eastern — same clock as Chattanooga, an hour ahead of Dunlap. If you’re unsure, check before you go. The Dixon Center Box Office is closed for Thanksgiving Break Nov. 25–27 and on Reading Day, Wednesday, Dec. 3. Groups of 10 or more should email the box office ahead.

👉 Read more (Lee University — Classic Christmas)

❄️ Play All Day at Christmas at the Crossing

Bartow County Parks and Recreation turns Hamilton Crossing Park into a full holiday playground for two days. Think inflatables, snow tubing, train rides, vendors, entertainment and Santa photos — free to attend, with a toy donation asked for Bartow Christmas.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Friday, Dec. 11, 2026, 5 to 9 p.m. Eastern (4 to 8 p.m. our time) and Saturday, Dec. 12, noon to 9 p.m. Eastern (11 a.m. to 8 p.m. our time).
• Where: Hamilton Crossing Park, 31 Beavers Dr NW, Cartersville, GA 30120.
• How far: About 85–95 miles, roughly 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours from Dunlap.
• Cost: Free. Organizers ask you to bring a toy donation for Bartow Christmas.
• Who’ll love it: Kids who want rides and tubing, grandparents and anyone looking for a full Saturday in the park.
• Good to know: Georgia is on Eastern time. Saturday gives you the longer window if you’re driving from Dunlap. Bring a wrapped or new toy if you can.

👉 Read more (AllEvents — Christmas at the Crossing)

🎁 Meet Santa at Crossville’s United Fund Holiday Market

Crossville’s Depot hosts a free family morning on the Plateau. The United Fund Holiday Market brings photos with Santa, kids crafts and Christmas cheer — and it falls on the same Saturday as Crossville’s Christmas on the Plateau parade (already covered in an earlier package), so you can make a full Depot day of it.

Why it’s worth the drive:

• When: Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Central time, same as ours.
• Where: The Crossville Depot, 169 N. Main St., Crossville, TN 38555.
• How far: About 61 miles, roughly 1 hour 15 minutes from Dunlap.
• Cost: Free.
• Who’ll love it: Grandkids who want Santa photos, craft-loving kids and anyone who likes an easy Plateau stop.
• Good to know: Same building that hosts Crossville’s Depot tree lighting earlier in December. Pair with the already-announced Christmas on the Plateau parade if you want a full Saturday.

👉 Read more (Cumberland County United Fund Holiday Market)

✅ Remember These Dates

• Fri., Nov. 13: Lee tree lighting, 6:30 p.m. Eastern = 5:30 p.m. our time.
• Mon., Nov. 16: Classic Christmas free tickets go on sale.
• Thu., Dec. 3: Cartersville parade, 6 p.m. Eastern = 5 p.m. our time (rain date Dec. 10).
• Fri., Dec. 4: Gadsden parade, 5:30 p.m. (Central).
• Sun., Dec. 6: Classic Christmas, 3 p.m. Eastern = 2 p.m. our time.
• Fri.–Sat., Dec. 11–12: Christmas at the Crossing (Eastern hours — subtract one).
• Sat., Dec. 12: United Fund Holiday Market, Crossville Depot, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. (Central).

Before you head out, a quick checklist:

• 🕰️ Subtract one hour for Cleveland (Lee), Cartersville and Christmas at the Crossing. Gadsden and Crossville are on our time.
• 🎫 Classic Christmas tickets open Monday, Nov. 16 — free but required; grab them early.
• 🌧️ Watch the Cartersville rain date (Thursday, Dec. 10) and Gadsden’s weather note (reschedule TBA if needed).
• 🧸 Bring a toy donation if you go to Christmas at the Crossing.
• 💵 Bring cash for vendors, cocoa and downtown stops.
• ⛽ Fill up before you leave, especially for Gadsden or Cartersville. Need a local mechanic or gas stop? Look on Dunlap.Directory.

— Dunlap.Today

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Which of these are free?

All six are free to watch or attend. Classic Christmas needs a free ticket reserved ahead. Christmas at the Crossing asks for a toy donation. Parade entry fees apply only if you’re bringing a float, not if you’re watching from the curb.

Which one is closest to Dunlap?

Lee University in Cleveland — both the tree lighting and Classic Christmas — about 35–40 miles. Crossville’s Depot market is about 61 miles.

Which ones are on Eastern time?

Three stops: Cleveland (Lee tree lighting and Classic Christmas), Cartersville’s parade and Christmas at the Crossing. Gadsden and Crossville are on Central time, same as us.

Can I bring the grandkids?

Yes to most of these. The Lee tree lighting, both parades, Christmas at the Crossing and the United Fund market are built for families. Classic Christmas is a calm concert — great for kids who can sit for an hour.

Can I pair any of these in one trip?

On Saturday, Dec. 12, you could do Christmas at the Crossing in Cartersville (opens at 11 a.m. our time) or the United Fund market in Crossville (11 a.m.–3 p.m. our time) — they’re in different directions, so pick one. Lee’s Nov. 13 lighting and Dec. 6 concert make two separate Cleveland trips about three weeks apart.

Is Gadsden really within 100 miles?

It’s right at the edge — roughly 100 to 110 road miles — so we flagged it as a special evening trip. Give yourself a full evening and a filled gas tank.

Why did we skip the Chattanooga Holiday Market this round?

That Convention Center market (Dec. 12–13 and 19–20) was already covered in Hundred-Mile Happenings No. 43. We don’t repeat the same outing.

🔗 Other Resources

• Lee University — Christmas Tree Lighting
• Cartersville Exchange Club — Christmas Parade
• Greater Gadsden — Christmas Parade
• Gadsden RecDesk — Christmas Parade program
• Lee University — Classic Christmas
• Eventbrite — LeeU Classic Christmas 2026 tickets
• AllEvents — Christmas at the Crossing
• Cumberland County United Fund Holiday Market
• Dunlap.Directory — local businesses and services

🌅 Take It Easy, and Pick the One That Fits

You don’t have to do all six. If you want something soon, Lee’s campus tree lighting is Friday, Nov. 13, at 5:30 p.m. our time. For later, jot down three things: free Classic Christmas tickets on Monday, Nov. 16, a parade night in Cartersville or Gadsden, and either Christmas at the Crossing or the United Fund market in Crossville on Dec. 12. A campus tree, a curb-side parade, a Conn Center carol or Santa at the Depot: there’s plenty of calm cheer within an easy drive. And for more calm, useful news from right here at home, keep reading Dunlap.Today and find local help on Dunlap.Directory.