Christmas calendar

ATTRACTIONS

The Lighting of Atlantic Station. This event flips the switch on a quarter of a million lights throughout the eight-block district. Family-oriented festivities throughout the day. The Lighting of Atlantic Station begins at 7:30 p.m. with a live TV broadcast on WXIA. Experience the first glimpse of 2008’s “It’s Snowin’ in the Station” series of snowfall shows around the Grand Christmas Tree. Noon-8 p.m. Nov. 22. Atlantic Station, 171 17th St. N.W., Atlanta. 404-733-1221, www.atlanticstation.com.

Mall of Georgia Simon Evening of Giving. The mall opens exclusively to shoppers who have purchased event tickets. Features store discounts and family entertainment. Proceeds benefit local charities and the Simon Youth Foundation. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Nov. 23. $10. Mall of Georgia, 3333 Buford Drive, Buford. 678-482-8788, www.mallofgeorgia.com.

Great Turkey Campout. Customers are invited to bring their tents and camp out all night on the parking lot for Black Friday. Activities include hot chocolate, coffee, and s’mores around the fire pits and drawings and raffles for gift cards. 5 p.m. Nov. 27. Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, 5900 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville. 678-847-5500, www.basspro.com.

The Lighting of Macy’s Great Tree. Singer-songwriter Jewel and Tony Award-winning Broadway star Heather Headley appear onstage as part of this Thanksgiving tradition. 7-8 p.m. Nov. 27. Free. Macy’s at Lenox Square, 3393 Peachtree Road N.E., Atlanta. 404-231-2800, www.macys.com.

DANCE

“Urban Nutcracker.” A contemporary African- American interpretation of the traditional “Nutcracker,” set on Auburn Avenue in the 1940s. Performed by Ballethnic Dance Academy. 8 p.m. Nov. 21, 2 and 8 p.m. Nov. 22, 2 p.m. Nov. 23. $29-$52. Ferst Center for the Arts, 349 Ferst Drive N.W., Georgia Tech, Atlanta. 404-762-1416, www.ballethnic.org.

“Christmas With Hans Christian Andersen.” Annual holiday ballet includes special breakfast performance. Vista Grove Dance Center. 10 a.m., 7 p.m. Nov. 22; 2 p.m. Nov. 23. $8-$15. St. Pius X Catholic High School, 2674 Johnson Road N.E., Atlanta. 404-633-2144, www.DanceTroupe.org.

“How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Dance performance presented by Go Simply Dancing. 8 p.m. Nov. 22. $10. Gwinnett Performing Arts Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. 770-921-6669, 404-249-6400, www.gosimplydancing.com.

FAITH AND VALUES

Hosea Feed the Hungry’s Thanksgiving Dinner Event. Seven-course meal, medical clinics, legal aid, showers, barbers and beauticians for the neediest. 10 a.m. Nov. 27. Free. Turner Field, 755 Hank Aaron Drive S.W., Atlanta. 404-755-3353, hoseafeedthehungry.com.

Community Thanksgiving Dinner. Home delivery for shut-ins available. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 27. Free. Cumming First United Methodist Church, 770 Canton Highway, Cumming. 770-887-2900, www.cfumcga.com.

FESTIVALS

Christmas in Roswell. A celebration of the season with musical performances, historic home holiday tours, dance, reenactments, candlelight tours, shopping, art receptions and exhibitions, theater, lighting of the Historic Town Square, visits with Santa and much more. Nov. 22-Dec. 31. Times and prices vary. Check Web site. Historic Roswell, Canton Street at Norcross Street, Roswell. 770-640-3253, www.visitroswellga.com.

BabyLand’s Appalachian Christmas. Festivities include visits with Santa, games, pony rides, petting zoo, simulated snow flurries, live performances, tree lighting (5 p.m.) and Cabbage Patch Kids costume characters. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 22. Free. BabyLand General Hospital, 73 W. Underwood St., Cleveland. 706-865-2171, www.cabbagepatchkids.com.

Christmas in Central Park. Activities include “Lighting of the Tree” (5:30 p.m. Nov. 22) and pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus (10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Nov. 22 and 1:30-4:30 p.m. Nov. 23). 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 22; 1-5 p.m. Nov. 23. Free admission. Central Park, 2300 Keith Bridge Road, Cumming. 770-781-2215, www.christmasincentralpark.com.

Holiday at Home Street Festival. Vendors, pony rides, bungee jumping, rock wall, holiday music. Tree lighting and street dancing after the parade (4:30 p.m. start). Noon-8 p.m. Nov. 22. Free. Downtown Jonesboro, Main Street at College Street, Jonesboro. 770-473-5775, artsclayton.org.

Hapeville for the Holidays. Annual tree lighting festivities including musical performances by local children, refreshments and visits with Santa. 8 p.m. Nov. 25. Free. Jess Lucas Y-Teen Park, 680 S. Central Ave., Hapeville. 404-669-2136, www.hapeville.org.

Gwinnett Lighting of the Tree. Tree lighting ceremony includes a visit from Santa and carriage rides. 5-8:30 p.m. Nov. 27. Free admission. $5 photos with Santa and carriage rides. Gwinnett Courthouse Square, 185 Crogan St., Lawrenceville. 770-822-5450, www.visitlawrenceville.com.