LEESBURG, Ga. (WALB) - Downtown Leesburg celebrated its annual Christmas tree lighting with one of the most attended events in the city’s history, as new local businesses and recent downtown renovations brought increased holiday cheer to the community.

The Christmas tradition drew larger crowds than previous years, with residents noting the impact of downtown development on the festive atmosphere.

“It’s a lot different than last year because we have all of the new shops. And there’s a lot more things for us to do,” Natalie Smith, a local resident said. “That brings a lot more people, and I think that’s pretty cool to see.”

The downtown growth has residents excited about the enhanced Christmas celebration. Brandie Hurst said the improvements are visible in the community spirit.

“You can see everybody having a really good time. You can actually see the Christmas spirit inside Leesburg city limits this year,” Hurst said.

For many attendees, the Christmas tree lights represent more than the start of the holiday season. They symbolize positive momentum in Leesburg’s development.

“This is a small town so we don’t really see this all the time,” Smith said.

City leaders said the Christmas tree lighting event is the first of many opportunities planned for the Leesburg community to gather and enjoy the developing downtown area.

Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Let us know. Please include the article’s headline in your message.

To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WALB on Facebook and X (Twitter). For more South Georgia news, download the WALB News app from the Apple Store or Google Play.

Copyright 2025 WALB. All rights reserved.