DECEMBER -Month To Month Around Town In North Atlanta & Surrounding Cities

December
Alpharetta Tree Lighting Ceremony
All the magic of Christmas glistens at the annual lighting of the City of Alpharetta’s live spruce with 10,000 white lights. Live holiday music with James Casto, children’s music and dance performances, and the reading of a Christmas classic with Mayor Arthur Letchas and his wife Sally. A “TOP 20” event by Southeast Tourism Society!

Late December
1st Day Of Winter

December
Atlanta Ballet Nutcracker
The Atlanta Ballet will produce and perform this annual holiday classic during the Christmas Season.
Fox Theatre

December
Chanukah Begins At Sundown

December
Children's Healthcare Christmas Parade
Giant balloons and favorite cartoon character inflatables make their way down Atlanta streets in the annual Christmas parade sponsored by the hospital.
More Information

December 25th
Christmas

December
Ice Skating At Centennial Olympic Park
This activity is great for children of all ages.
Centennial Olympic Park

December 31st
Chick-fil-A Bowl
The annual college bowl game, held the week between Christmas and New Year's, is preceded by a parade with balloons and floats as well as cheerleaders, mascots and marching bands from the participating universities. The parade takes place downtown, and the game is played at the Georgia Dome. Chick-Fil-A-Bowl

December 31st
Peach Drop
Atlanta's answer to New Year's Eve in Times Square. Thousands brave the (relative) cold to crowd into and around Underground Atlanta for an evening of live music and other performances. An 800-pound lighted peach rings in the new year at midnight. Peach Drop

December
North Georgia's Santa Claus And More December Events

December
Macy's Pink Pig
Celebrate the season with a traditional Atlanta landmark and ride on this pink oinker under the Pink Pig tent at Lenox Mall. Proceeds are given to various non-profit orgainizations.
Macy's Pink Pig

December
HOLIDAY ENTERTAINMENT
Cumberland Mall. Atlanta. Traditional holiday melodies performed by area schools, choral groups and churches. Call 770-435-2206 or visit Cumberland Mall for information.

December
Magical Nights Of Lights
Drive Through the Park and view thousands of light displays, with the road ending at the Holiday Village for hot chocolate and Christmas crafts. Lake Lanier.
Lake Lanier Islands Web Site

December
COBB SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: HOLIDAY POPS CONCERT
The Dozier Centre for the Performing Arts. Kennesaw. 3pm. Admission $15-$35. Enjoy holiday favorites. Call 770-429-7016 or visit Cobb Symphony for information.

December
Historic MARIETTA Events
Historic Marietta. Call the Marietta Welcome Center for ticket information at 770-426-1115 or visit Marietta Square

December
FESTIVAL OF TREES
Atlanta History Center. Mon.-Sat. 10am-5:30pm; Sun. 12-5:30pm. $15 Adults; $12 Seniors 65 and up and students 13 and up. $10 children ages 4-12, members & children under 3 are Free. New to the Atlanta History Center this year! More than 60 designer trees and wreaths will be on display and for sale. Shop early at the on-site holiday gift shop. Call 404-814-4000 or visit Atlanta History Center for information.

December
HOMESCHOOL DAY
Southern Museum of Civil War & Locomotive History. Kennesaw. 10am-2pm. Children of all ages who are homeschooled can explore the Museum’s exhibits for a special rate. Call 770-427-2117 x 114 or visit Southern Museum for information.

December
PET AND FAMILY PHOTO NIGHT
Cumberland Mall. Atlanta. Shoppers and their families can have a picture taken with their pets and Santa. Reservations recommended. Call 770-435-2206 or visit Cumberland Mall.com
for information.

December
LIGHTING OF THE CITY TREE
The Depot. Kennesaw. Free. 7-8pm. If you love the lights and sounds of the holidays, then grab your winter coat and join your friends and neighbors for the annual City of Kennesaw’s Lighting if the City Tree ceremony. Call 770-422-9714 or visit Kennesaw Web Site for information.

December
A DAY WITH SANTA AND SANTA PARADE
Downtown Kennesaw. Free. 11:30am-3pm. Parade starts at noon. Santa’s arrival takes place with a parade down Main Street featuring designer holiday floats, music, marching bands and of course, Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and live reindeer. Call 770-422-9714 or visit City of Kennesaw Web Site for information.

December
SANTA’S ARRIVAL
Downtown Acworth. 6:30pm. Free. Bring the family for a night of Christmas festivities. Call 770-974-3112 or visit Acworth Web Site
for information.

December
CANDY CANE HUNT
Mable House Art Center. Mableton. Free. A time for children to enjoy crafts, hot chocolate, popcorn, roasted marshmallows and entertainment, followed by a hunt for candy canes. Call 770-819-3285 for information. Mable House

December
SATURDAY WITH SANTA
Smyrna Welcome Center. 11am-2pm. $10 per child. For kids four to 10 years-crafts, baking and lunch with Santa. This is a popular event and space fill sup fast! Muse pre-register by calling 770-319-2538.

December
TIBETAN MONKS CONSTRUCT WISDOM MANDALA
Unity North Atlanta Church, Marietta. Noon - 7pm. Free to all . Stop in at your leisure to watch Tibetan monks as they create the Wisdom Mandala, sacred sand art, and then buy Tibetan wares at the on-site shop. The Mandala, an intricate design filled with ancient spiritual symbolism, is constructed with millions of grains of 19 different colors of sand. Visit Unity North for photos and information or call 678-819-9100.

December
MOMMY AND ME CHILDREN’S PROGRAM SERIES
Southern Museum of Civil War & Locomotive History. Kennesaw. 10am-11am. Free with museum admission. Imagine, explore, create! This program is designed for pre-school age children and their parents. The Museum’s history, themes, and exhibits provide a fun and exciting starting point for educational activities. Call 770-427-2117, x 116 or visit Southern Museum for information.

December
ATLANTA BALALAIKA SOCIETY
Emerson UU Church. Marietta. 7:30pm. Advance purchase $12. At the door $15. Authentic Russian musicians in costume. Colorful traditions and balalaika instruments explained by director Cooper, of Kiev, Ukraine. Call 770-704-0333 for information.

December
HANDEL’S “MESSIAH” AND CAROLS OF THE SEASON
First Presbyterian Church. Marietta. Free. 4pm. Celebrate the season as the First Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir and Orchestra present Handel’s “Messiah” and Carols of the Season. Call 770-427-0293 for more information.

December
A CIVIL WAR CHRISTMAS
Southern Museum of Civil War & Locomotive History. Kennesaw. Free with Museum admission. Visitors will get a unique viewpoint at A Civil War Christmas. The Lacy Hotel will be dressed in Civil War style Christmas decorations. Children will make their own special decorations for the tree as the 125th Ohio Volunteer infantry will be encamped out front. Call 770-427-2117 or visit Southern Museum for information.

December
CANDLELIGHT NIGHTS
Atlanta History Center. Atlanta. $10 for adult members; $5 for children members; $15 for non-member adults; $7 for non-member children. Reservations requested. Escape the hustle and bustle of the holiday season and enjoy the winter landscape of the Atlanta History Center at dusk as beautiful candlelit paths illuminate gardens, trails and historic homes with holiday cheer. Call 404-814-4000 or visit Atlanta History Center for information

December
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Jennie T. Anderson Theatre. Marietta. Fri.-Sat. 8pm; Sun. 3pm. A show that will get you into the holiday spirit. A Christmas show with all of your favorite holiday music. Call 770-528-8490 for information.

December
THE COBB WIND SYMPHONY PRESENTS SOUNDS OF THE SEASON
Kell High School Auditorium. Marietta. 3pm. Free. Call 678-305-7148 or visit Cobb Wind Symphony for information.

December
ANNUAL PJ PARTY WITH SANTA
Cumberland Mall. Atlanta. 6-9pm. Children and parents can come to the event dressed in their pajamas and be entertained by Santa with story-time, milk and cookies, activities and much more. Each child will receive a special gift. Families can also pose for pictures with Santa, in their pajamas. Call 770-435-2206 or visit Cumberland Mall for information.

December
CANDLELIGHT NIGHTS
Atlanta History Center. Atlanta. $10 for adult members; $5 for children members; $15 for non-member adults; $7 for non-member children. Reservations requested. Escape the hustle and bustle of the holiday season and enjoy the winter landscape of the Atlanta History Center at dusk as beautiful candlelit paths illuminate gardens, trails and historic homes with holiday cheer. Call 404-814-4000 or visit www.atlantahistorycenter.com for information.

December
GEORGIA SERVICE ACADEMIES MILITARY BAND
Renaissance Waverly Hotel. Atlanta. 6pm-midnight. By invitation & reservations only. Honoring the midshipmen and cadets from the State of Georgia who are attending the United States Naval Academy, United States Military Academy, United States Air Force Academy, Unites States Coast Guard Academy and the United States Merchant Marine Academy. Call 404-847-9726 for information.

December 31
NEW YEAR’S EVE
Downtown Smyrna. Bring in a new Smyrna year with fireworks at midnight on the Village Green! Call 770-434-6600 or visit Smyrna City for information.