10 days of fun things to do in metro Atlanta

The Christmas Music of Mannheim Steamroller presents some of the most popular holiday tunes of the late 20th century. 7:30 p.m. $44.90-$78.10. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. 800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com.

Live Music

Dec. 26

Local rock heroes Drivin' N Cryin' have a "Honeysuckle Blue" Christmas. 8 p.m. $29. The Tabernacle, 152 Luckie St., Atlanta. 800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com.

Arts & Theater

Dec. 24 and 26

It's the last chance to catch Atlanta Ballet's "The Nutcracker." 1 p.m. Dec. 24; 2 p.m. Dec. 26. $29.55-$103.75. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. 800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com.

Kids & Family

Dec. 26

The Atlanta Thrashers attempt to deck the halls with the Tampa Bay Lightning. 7 p.m. $14.25-$227.30. Philips Arena, 1 Philips Drive, Atlanta. 800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com.

Etc.

Dec. 24-26 and Dec. 28-Jan. 2

"The Santaland Diaries," David Sedaris' twisted tale of an out-of-work writer who gets a job as a department store elf, continues. 8 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays; 8:30 p.m. Saturdays; 6 p.m. Sundays. $25-$100. Horizon Theatre, 1083 Austin Ave., Atlanta. 404-584-7450, www.horizontheatre.com.

DEKALB

Don’t Miss

Dec. 28

It's a family affair with singer-songwriters Pierce Pettis, Grace Pettis and son George Pettis. 7:30 p.m. $15-$18; $75 table for four. Eddie's Attic, 515-B N. McDonough St., Decatur. 404-377-4976, www.eddiesattic.com.

Live Music

Dec. 28

Dead Confederate and friends perform Neil Young's "Tonight's the Night" album in its entirety. 8:30 p.m. $10-$12. The Earl, 488 Flat Shoals Ave., Atlanta. 404-522-3950, www.badearl.com.

Arts & Theater

N/A

Kids & Family

Mondays-Sundays

Parents who must work from home during the holidays, can take the kids to Leaping Lizards inflatable play palace, bring the laptop and use free wireless Internet. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 24; closed Dec. 25. $8 children; $5 ages 2 and younger. Leaping Lizards, 185 Sams St., Decatur. 404-537-3030, www.leapinlizardsplay.com.

Etc.

Dec. 25

Christmas rocks with acts including Blunt Fang and DJ Cole Alexander of Black Lips. 9 p.m. $5. The 529, 529 Flat Shoals Ave., Atlanta. 404-228-6769, www.529atl.com.

FULTON & SOUTHSIDE

Don’t Miss

Through Dec. 30

Barrington Hall, the former home of Barrington King, co-founder of Roswell, gets dressed for the season for guests to enjoy. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays; 1-3 p.m. Sundays. Closed Dec. 25. $8; $6 ages 6-12; ages 5 and younger free. Barrington Hall, 535 Barrington Dr., Roswell. 770-640-3855, www.barringtonhall-roswell.com.

Live Music

Dec. 30

Local act Justin does its best U2 and performs other power pop covers. 9 p.m. Free. Wild Wing Cafe, 5530 Windward Parkway, Alpharetta. 678-990-9464, www.wildwingcafe.com

Arts & Theater

Dec. 30

Wacky and wiry comedian Flip Schultz takes the stage. 8 p.m. $15. The Punchline, 280 Hilderbrand Drive, Atlanta. 404-252-5233, www.punchline.com.

Kids & Family

Dec. 24

Families can choose between ice and roller rink skating at the Alpharetta Family Skate Center. 10 a.m.-noon and 2:15-4:15 p.m. $6-$7; $3 skate rental. Alpharetta Family Skate Center, 10800 Davis Drive, Alpharetta. 770-649-6600, www.coolerathletics.com.

Etc.

N/A

COBB & CHEROKEE

Don’t Miss

Dec. 24

The Door Buster Christmas Eve event includes two hours of bowling, shoe rental, one topping personal pizza and a small soft drink. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. $9.99 per person. U.S. Play by Brunswick, 775 Cobb Place Blvd., Kennesaw. 770-427-7679, www.bowlbrunswick.com.

Live Music

N/A

Arts & Theater

Mondays-Saturdays

Explore the Marietta Museum of History, including its Military Gallery, featuring displays from the Revolutionary War all the way up to both Gulf Wars. 10 a.m.-4 p.m Mondays-Saturdays; closed Dec. 24-26 and Jan. 1. $5; $3 students and seniors ages 55 and older. Marietta Museum of History, 1 Depot St., Suite 200, Marietta. 770-794-5710, www.mariettahistory.org.

Kids & Family

Dec. 25

Dave & Buster's is open for games and food. 5 p.m.-midnight. Dave & Buster's, 2215 D&B Drive, Marietta. 770-951-5554, www.daveandbusters.com.

Etc.

Dec. 24

Christmas Eve on the Square features a pair of services at The Strand hosted by New Church. 4 and 5:30 p.m. Free. Earl Smith Strand Theatre, 117 N. Park Square, Marietta. 770-293-0080, www.earlsmithstrand.org.

GWINNETT

Don’t Miss

Dec. 27

Lace up for Family Night at this roller skating venue. 6-9 p.m. $2 admission; $2 skate rental. Sparkles of Gwinnett, 1104 Grayson Highway, Lawrenceville. 770-963-0922, www.sparklesrollerrinks.com.

Live Music

Tuesdays and Wednesdays

Use props, hats and wigs when taking the mike for Mr. Smokey's Karaoke. 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Free. Sweetwater Bar and Grill, 2920 Old Norcross Road, Duluth. 770-921-5556, www.sweetwaterbarandgrill.com.

Arts & Theater

Dec. 30

Get artsy and create your own mask to wear at the Masquerade Party featuring tunes by DJ Kidd. 9:30 p.m. $13.75. Wild Bill's, 2075 Market St., Duluth. 800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com.

Kids & Family

Dec. 24

Bring the whole brood to this Family Friendly Christmas Eve Service. 5:30 p.m. Free. Norcross First United Methodist Church, 2500 Beaver Ruin Road, Norcross. 770-448-4142, www.nfumc.org.

Etc.

Through Jan. 4

Get three games of Laser Quest for $19 per person. Closed Dec. 25. Laser Quest Gwinnett, 3650 Satellite Blvd., Duluth. 770-814-8801, www.laserquest.com.