The holiday season can be expensive. If you've already blown through your 2016 budget, we have a way for you to #treatyoself for free.
From parades to live nativities throughout metro Atlanta, here are five free things to do this December:
Children’s Christmas Parade
Witness the largest holiday parade in the Southeast and a 35-year-old Atlanta tradition this December. The Children’s Christmas Parade features balloons, floats, Santa Claus and more.
Bring a folding chair to sit along the parade route or watch from your couch as it unfolds live on WSB-TV.
The parade will kick off on Dec. 3 at 10:30 a.m., traveling from Peachtree Street and 16th Street and ending at Peachtree Street and 5th Street.
Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Parade
Even if you're not going to the sold-out Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on New Year's Eve, you can watch the parade beforehand. The festivities will kick off at Peachtree Street and feature mascots, marching bands, cheerleaders, floats, classic cars and more.
The parade will take place from 9 a.m.-10 a.m. or 1 p.m.-2 p.m., depending on the time of kickoff, which will be decided on Dec. 4.
Tree Lighting
While several tree lighting ceremonies have already taken place, there are still plenty of others that will occur in December. From the Decatur Tree Lighting ceremony to the City of Conyers Hometown Holiday Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting and Deck the Hall in Duluth, here is a full list of tree lightings that take place throughout metro Atlanta.
Nativity Scene
Many of the live Nativity scenes that can be found throughout metro Atlanta during this time of year are free.
In Cobb County, Mountain View United Methodist Church offers a walk through “Bethlehem,” while the Peachtree Road Lutheran Church’s attraction in Fulton County includes a petting zoo.
Visit a Christmas tree farm
Yule Forest in Stockbridge is one of the seven places recommended in our guide of places to cut down your own Christmas tree this season.
Admission to the farm is free. Snack on complimentary hot apple cider and candy canes with your family as you explore the farm. If you visit on the weekend, participate in a family-style hay ride or check out the petting zoo.
If you’re willing to spend money, cut down your own tree and purchase it or buy a pre-cut one before leaving the farm.
The farm is open every day from 9 a.m. until dark during the holiday season.
