It's time to get ready for the holidays and some metro-area outdoor malls are kicking-off the holiday fun this weekend. Here's a look at three events taking place Saturday and Sunday, as well as some information on what to expect for the remainder of the holiday season:
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 19
On Saturday, Nov. 19 from 1 - 10 p.m., Atlantic Station celebrates the Lighting of Atlantic Station with live music, snowfall, lights, ice skating and more. Families can see a real reindeer while enjoying music. In the evening beginning at 8 p.m., the Holiday Lights Parade kicks-off and heralds the arrival of Santa Claus. The parade ends with the lighting of the Great Tree and a fireworks display.
Here is the schedule:
- 1 - 7 p.m.: Holiday performances on the main stage from local groups
- 7:30 - 8 p.m.: Sammy Sinatra and the Mad Men perform high-energy holiday swing music
- 8 - 8:30 p.m.: Santa Claus leads the Holiday Lights Parade through Atlantic Station
- 8:30 - 9:30 p.m.: Santa Claus and 11 Alive's Brenda Wood light the Great Tree followed by fireworks and more music
The event kicks off a series of holiday fun which all includes Santa's Cottage, a place for families to enjoy holiday fun beginning Nov. 19 at noon. The Snowball Express will offer holiday rides through Atlantic Station beginning Nov. 25. And on Dec. 2 - 24, the first German Christkindl Market arrives. This outdoor holiday festival features vendors selling a range of imported goods and gifts from Germany. For more information visit Atlanticstation.com .
The Shops Buckhead Atlanta, 3035 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta
Get festive at the Holiday Kickoff Event, Saturday, Nov. 19 from 5 - 8 p.m. This block party style event will include music, shopping specials and more such as special holiday-inspired musical performances by The Premiere Brass Quintet. Guests will enjoy custom in-store experiences and holiday-themed surprises in addition to free hot chocolate, coffee, treats, and roasted chestnuts.
More than 100 trees on the property will have holiday lights including two larger sculptures created from greenery. Plein Air artists will capture the entire event with live painting which will be available for purchase throughout the evening.
The Shops Buckhead Atlanta is also introducing a rewards program for shoppers who shop the retailers during the holiday season. The “Spend $500, Get $100” shopping rewards program offers a $100 center gift card to shoppers who spend a minimum of $500 in a retail store or combination of stores in The Shops Buckhead Atlanta. Shoppers must bring retail receipts totaling $500 to the redemption booth located near Akris on Bolling Way. Staff will validate receipts and offer the guest a $100 American Express gift card for exclusive use at The Shops Buckhead Atlanta. Some restrictions apply. Restaurant receipts are not applicable and a maximum total of two gift cards can be awarded per person, per family, per household throughout the program duration.
The “Spend $500, Get $100” holiday program takes place on the following dates:
- Saturday, November 26 and Sunday, November 27
- Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, December 4
- Saturday, December 10 and Sunday, December 11
- Saturday, December 17 and Sunday, December 18
For more information on holiday events and the holiday rewards program visit www.theshopsbuckheadatlanta.com .
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20
Avalon, 2200 Avalon Blvd., Alpharetta
On Nov. 20 from 1 - 8 p.m., visit Avalon and enjoy holiday music, free activities and the opening of the ice rink, Avalon on Ice. At 7 p.m., the tree lighting ceremony begins with the arrival of Santa Claus and a post-lighting fireworks display.
Here's the schedule of events:
- 1 - 5 p.m.: Family friendly activities, crafts and more at Activity Row
- 1 - 9 p.m.: Avalon on Ice opens with a figure skating performance from 1-2 p.m. Visitors can enjoy the rink beginning at 2 p.m.
- 1- 5 p.m.: Enjoy holiday performances on the main stage throughout the day from local groups
- 4- 7 p.m.: Street performers including holiday stilt walkers, Christmas carolers, and more perform on the boulevard
- 5 - 6 p.m.: Bogey and the Viceroys perform holiday tunes
- 6 - 6:55 p.m.: Wait for Santa's arrival while enjoying a special holiday variety show
- 7 p.m.: Santa lights the tree as guests celebrate the start of holiday season. The lighting concludes with a fireworks show.
For more information visit Experienceavalon.com.
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