ALPHARETTA
Adventure to Santa
If you’ve got kids, you’ve gotta do it: Make that trek to the mall to see Santa. But everybody dreads dawdling in long lines. This year, North Point Mall has an alternative. The center has partnered with DreamWorks Animation to create a diverting 15-minute experience called “Adventure to Santa.” Shrek and other characters from DreamWorks productions take guests on an interactive journey to the North Pole, and afterward the kids get their personalized visit and photo with Santa. The best part: It’s all done by registration that you can set up from your phone. Appointments are available throughout the day.
10 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Nov. 28-30. Free; photo packages extra. North Point Mall, 1000 North Point Circle, Alpharetta. 770-740-9273, northpointmall.com/adventure-to-santa.
LAWRENCVILLE
“The Twelve Dates of Christmas”
If you’ve seen every version of “The Nutcracker” and “A Christmas Carol” and are looking for an offbeat holiday show in the style of “The Santaland Diaries,” head to Gwinnett. “The Twelve Dates of Christmas” is the comedic tale of Mary, who goes through a year of dating highs and lows after seeing her financé kiss another woman on national TV (during the Macy’s parade, no less). Laugh along through her creepy encounters, absurd setups and the awkward mess that is dating in the new millennium. (This show contains adult language and may not be suitable for younger audiences.)
8 p.m. Nov. 29; 5 p.m. Nov. 30. $15-$20. Aurora Theatre, 128 E. Pike St., Lawrenceville. 678-226-6222, auroratheatre.com.
LITHONIA
Smash Brothers Wii U Tournament
This is the event for those whose Thanksgiving festivities are less about parade floats, football games and shopping and more about challenging family members to battle one another using Nintendo characters. GXGaming is holding this tournament of the latest Smash Brothers game on Wii U. Competitors will go head-to-head against other local gamers for cash prizes. Participants are invited to arrive at 4 p.m. to get full access to the store's wide range of games at no additional charge.
7 p.m. sign-up and practice; games begin at 8:30 p.m. Nov. 28. $10. Gamers Xperience, 6981 Main St., Lithonia. 770-482-1411, gxgaming.com.
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