What to do in Atlanta | Dec. 10-17

"My Favorite Things." Rodgers and Hammerstein's beloved tune provides the theme for this year's Christmas decorations at Bulloch Hall, the childhood home of Theodore Roosevelt's mother. Through Dec. 30. $6-$8. 180 Bulloch Ave., Roswell. 770-992-1731, www.bullochhall.org.

Garden Lights, Holiday Nights. Through Jan. 3. $15-$20; ages 3-12 $11-$14. Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1345 Piedmont Ave. N.E., Atlanta. www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org.

"Winter Wonderland." Learn about international holiday celebrations. Through Jan. 4. $16-$18. Fernbank Museum of Natural History, 767 Clifton Road N.E. 404-929-6400, www.fernbankmuseum.org.

Gift of Lights. Through Jan. 3. $15 per car with six passengers or less; Fridays-Sundays and holidays, $20 per car. Vans or buses: $15 plus $1 per person; Fridays-Sundays and holidays, $20 per car plus $1 per person. Atlanta Motor Speedway, 1500 Tara Place, Hampton. 770-707-7904, www.atlantamotorspeedway.com.

Lanier Islands Christmas. Thousands of twinkling lights illuminate the new location and layout this year. Stroll down the beach and boardwalk to enjoy an extended tour of the light show. 5-10 p.m. nightly through Dec. 31. $30 per car. Free skating at the Coca-Cola Polar Rink; plus other activities and attractions. Lanier Islands, 7000 Lanier Islands Parkway, Buford. 770-945-8787, lakelanierislands.com.

Holiday in Lights at Centennial Olympic Park. Walk amid thousands of lights illuminating the 21-acre park. Through Jan. 19. Open 7 a.m.-11 p.m. daily. Free. Ice skating rink is $12 per person (includes skate rental) for 90 minutes. 4:30-10 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays (until 11 p.m. Fridays), 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturdays, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sundays. 404-223-4412, centennialpark.com.

Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Over Georgia. For its first holiday event in more than a decade, the amusement park will be decorated with more than 1 million low-energy LED lights. Select rides (including Goliath, Dare Devil Dive and Georgia Scorcher) will be running. 4-10 p.m. most nights, through Jan. 4. Day passes at the gate: $61.99; children under 48 inches, $41.99 (discount for purchasing online). 275 Riverside Parkway S.W., Austell. 770-739-3400, www.sixflags.com/overgeorgia.

Stone Mountain Christmas. Walk through Crossroads village, illuminated by 2 million lights. Open Saturdays-Sundays and Dec. 19-24 and Dec. 26-31, through Jan. 4 (closed Dec. 25). $29.95; children 3-11, $24.95. Parking pass, $10. Combo ticket for Stone Mountain Christmas and Snow Mountain, through Jan. 4, $44.95 (may be used on same or separate days). 770-498-5690, stonemountainpark.com.

Lights of Life. Millions of light bulbs illuminate more than 100 displays dotting the 1.5-mile drive through Life University's campus. Through Dec. 31. Cars: $10 Fridays-Sundays and Dec. 19-31; $5 all other nights. Vans, buses: $20 nightly. (Additional fees for petting zoo, train and pony rides, photos with Santa.) 1269 Barclay Circle, Marietta. 678-331-4334, life.edu.

"Civil War in Sandy Springs." Through April 1. Free. Heritage Sandy Springs Museum, 6075 Sandy Springs Circle N.E., Sandy Springs. 404-851-9111, www.heritagesandysprings.org.

PERFORMING ARTS

"Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer." Through Dec. 28. $16.50-$20.50. Center for Puppetry Arts, 1404 Spring St. N.W., Atlanta. www.puppet.org.

"Christmas Canteen." Through Dec. 21. $30-$50. Aurora Theatre, 136 W. Pike St., Lawrenceville. www.auroratheatre.com.

"A Christmas Carol." Through Dec. 24. $16-$65. Alliance Theatre, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. www.alliancetheatre.org. For more about this show and several other holiday shows, click here.

"The Santaland Diaries." Through Dec. 31. $25-$40. Horizon Theatre, 1083 Austin Ave. N.E., Atlanta. www.horizontheatre.com.

"Dad's Christmas Miracle." Through Dec. 21. $12-$15. ACT1 at Alpharetta Presbyterian Church, 180 Academy St., Alpharetta. 770-663-8989, www.act1theater.com.

"A Broadway Christmas Carol." Through Dec. 21. $13-$23. OnStage Atlanta, 2969 E. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur. www.onstageatlanta.com.

"Lyle the Crocodile." Through Dec. 28. $15-$30. Synchronicity Theatre, 1545 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. www.synchrotheatre.com.

"Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol." Through Dec. 23. $18-$39. The Shakespeare Tavern, 499 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. www.shakespearetavern.com.

"Merry Little Holiday Shorts." Through Dec. 14. $13-$16. OnStage Atlanta, 2969 E. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur. www.onstageatlanta.com.

"Black Nativity." Through Dec. 21. $20-$35. Southwest Fulton Arts Center, 915 New Hope Road, Atlanta. blacknativityatlanta.com.

"A Christmas Survival Guide." Through Dec. 21. $23-$27. Art Station, 5384 Manor Drive, Stone Mountain. www.artstation.org.

"The Snow Queen." Through Dec. 21. $15-$20. Serenbe Playhouse, 10640 Serenbe Lane, Chattahoochee Hills. 770-463-1110, serenbeplayhouse.com.

"Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day." Through Dec. 14. $10-$20. Marcus Jewish Community Center's Morris & Rae Frank Theatre, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody. 678-812-4002, www.atlantajcc.org/boxoffice.

"Invasion: It's a Wonderful Laugh." Dad's Garage improvisers get a different unexpected guest for each performance. Through Dec. 20. $15-$35. Dad's Garage at the Alliance Theatre, 1280 Peachtree Street N.E., Atlanta. www.alliancetheatre.org.

"The Unexpected Guest." Through Dec. 14. $12-$15.  Cherokee Theatre Company at Canton Theatre, 171 E. Main St., Canton. 770-591-0282, www.cherokeetheatre.org, www.cantontheatre.com.

"Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol." Through Dec. 20. $17-$25. Out of Box Theatre at the Artisan Resource Center, 585 Cobb Parkway S., Marietta. www.outofboxtheatre.com.

"Santa After Hours." Through Dec. 20. $17-$25. Out of Box Theatre at the Artisan Resource Center, 585 Cobb Parkway S., Marietta. www.outofboxtheatre.com.

"A Christmas Tradition." Through Dec. 21. $15-$25. Earl Smith Strand Theatre, 117 N. Park Square, Marietta. earlsmithstrand.org.

"It's A Wonderful Life." Presented by the Renaissance Project and New African Grove Theatre. Through Dec. 14. $20. Greater Travelers Rest Baptist Church, 4650 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur. 678-250-4800, www.trp-atl.org.

"Sanders Family Christmas." Presented by Atlanta Lyric Theatre. Through Dec. 14. $21.25-$40. First United Methodist Church of Marietta's Family Life Hall, 56 Whitlock Ave N.W. atlantalyrictheatre.com.

Gwinnett Ballet Theatre: "The Nutcracker." Through Dec. 21. $18-$35. Gwinnett Arena, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. www.gwinnettcenter.com.

"The Gifts of the Magi." Through Dec. 21. $30-$35. Theatrical Outfit, 84 Luckie St. N.W., Atlanta. 1-877-725-8849, theatricaloutfit.org.

"Madeline's Christmas." Through Dec. 31. $12-$15. Horizon Theatre Company, 1083 Austin Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-584-7450, www.horizontheatre.com.

"Peter Pan Jr." Through Dec. 20. $10; $7 in advance.  OnStage Atlanta, 2969 E. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur. www.onstageatlanta.com.

Atlanta Ballet's "Nutcracker." With the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra. Through Dec. 28. $20-$131. Fox Theatre. www.atlantaballet.com.

Libby's at the Express. Dec. 12-20. $40 Actor's Express, 887 W. Marietta St., Suite J-107, Atlanta. www.actors-express.com.

Battle of the Beards. 7 p.m. Dec. 13. $20 in advance. Smith's Olde Bar, 1578 Piedmont Road N.E., Atlanta. 404-875-1522, www.smithsoldebar.com.

Chris Franjola. Dec. 11-14. $18-$28. Laughing Skull Lounge, 878 Peachtree St., Atlanta. laughingskulllounge.com.

Pablo Francisco. Dec. 12-14. $28. The Punchline, 280 Hilderbrand Drive, Atlanta. www.punchline.com.

Atlanta Dance Theatre: "Babes in Toyland" and "The Nutcracker  Land of Sweets." Dec. 12-14. $15.30-$23.30. Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., Roswell. www.atlantadancetheatre.org.

"Disney Junior Live On Tour: Pirate & Princess Adventure." Dec. 13-14. $20-$80. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta. www.cobbenergycentre.com.

"An Atlanta Christmas." Presented by Atlanta Radio Theatre Company. Dec. 13-14. $10 to reserve seats, or pay what you can. Academy Theatre at the Stockbridge Community Arts Center, 146 Burke St., Stockbridge. www.artc.org.

MUSIC

Christmas Festival Concert. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12; 3 p.m. Dec. 14. Free; tickets required. Roswell United Methodist Church, 814 Mimosa Blvd., Roswell. 770-594-0512, www.rumc.com.

The Sundogs Present: The Tom Petty Show. 8 p.m. Dec. 12. $12 in advance. Smith's Olde Bar, 1578 Piedmont Road N.E., Atlanta. 404-875-1522, www.smithsoldebar.com.

Lisa Kelly's Celtic Christmas Concert. 4 p.m. Dec. 13. $35-$50. Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater, 201 McIntosh Trail, Peachtree City. 877-725-8849, www.amphitheater.org. For more about this and other holiday concerts, click here for AJC writer Melissa Ruggieri's story.

Yacht Rock Revue Holiday Special. 8:30 p.m. Dec. 13. $20-$25. Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. N.E., Atlanta. www.variety-playhouse.com.

Cobb Wind Symphony. 7 p.m. Dec. 13. Free. Lassiter High School, 2601 Shallowford Road, Marietta. www.cobbwindsymphony.org.

Christmas with the ASO. 2 and 8 p.m. Dec. 13. Symphony Hall, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. www.atlantasymphony.org.

Atlanta Baroque Orchestra: Handel's "Messiah." With the Cathedral Schola of the Cathedral of St. Philip. This performance will include all three parts of the oratorio. Atlanta superstar counter-tenor David Daniels is one of the soloists. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13. The Cathedral of St. Philip, 2744 Peachtree Road N.W., Atlanta. 4 p.m. Dec. 14. St. David's Episcopal Church, 1015 Old Roswell Road, Roswell. $35; $25 in advance (discount for students and senior citizens). www.atlantabaroque.org.

Atlanta Master Chorale. Dec. 13-14. $30. Schwartz Center, Emory University, 1700 N. Decatur Road, Atlanta. 404-727-5050, www.atlantamasterchorale.org.

The Spivey Hall Children's Choir and Tour Choir. 3 p.m. Dec. 13-14. $25. Spivey Hall, Clayton State University, 2000 Clayton State Blvd., Morrow. 678-466-4200, www.spiveyhall.org.

Atlanta Boy Choir. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14. $20. St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 636 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur. 404-378-0064, www.atlantaboychoir.org.

Goapele. 8 p.m. Dec. 14. $20-$25. The Loft, 1374 W. Peachtree St., Atlanta. www.centerstage-atlanta.com.

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis and Cecile McLorin Salvant Big Band Holidays. 8 p.m. Dec. 14. $45-$95. Symphony Hall, 1280 Peachtree St. 404-733-5000, www.aso.org.

Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15. $52.20-$169.85. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. foxtheatre.org.

Alex Clare. 8 p.m. Dec. 15. Center Stage. $20-$22. Center Stage, 1374 W. Peachtree St., Atlanta. www.centerstage-atlanta.com.

Fleetwood Mac. 8 p.m. Dec. 17. Sold out. Philips Arena, 1 Philips Drive, Atlanta. www.philipsarena.com.

Trace Adkins. 8 p.m. Dec. 17. $39.50-$99.50. Symphony Hall, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. www.atlantasymphony.org.

Star 94's Jingle Jam featuring the Script, Lindsey Stirling and Echosmith. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18. $35-$75. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta. www.cobbenergycentre.com.

Abbey Road Live. 8 p.m. Dec. 19. $17-$20. Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. N.E., Atlanta. www.variety-playhouse.com.

"Joy – An Irish Christmas" featuring Keith and Kristyn Getty with Ricky Skaggs. 7 p.m. Dec. 19. $20-$55. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta. www.cobbenergycentre.com.

Power 96.1's Jingle Ball featuring Calvin Harris, Fall Out Boy, T.I., Jessie J and more. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19. $45-$85. Gwinnett Arena, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. www.gwinnettcenter.com.

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra: "A Very Merry Holiday Pops." With Reginald Smith Jr. as the Grinch and John Lemley as narrator. 8 p.m. Dec. 19; 2 and 8 p.m. Dec. 20. $26-$99. Symphony Hall, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. www.atlantasymphony.org.

Justin Timberlake. 8 p.m. Dec. 20. Sold out. Gwinnett Arena, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. www.gwinnettcenter.com.

Selwyn Birchwood. 9:30 p.m. Dec. 20. $12. Blind Willie's, 828 N. Highland Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-873-2583, www.blindwilliesblues.com.

Kingsized Holiday Jubilee and Toy Drive. 8 p.m. Dec. 20. $28.50. Variety Playhouse, 1099 Euclid Ave. N.E., Atlanta. www.variety-playhouse.com.

Flosstradamus. 8 p.m. Dec. 20. $25. Tabernacle, 152 Luckie St. N.W., Atlanta. tabernacleatl.com.

Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra: 9th Annual Christmas Gala & Holiday Pops Concert. 8 p.m. Dec. 20. $15-$30. Johns Creek United Methodist Church, 11180 Medlock Bridge Road, Johns Creek. 678-748-5802, www.johnscreeksymphony.org.

The Michael O'Neal Singers: "Messiah Sing-along." 3 p.m. Dec. 21. $10. Roswell United Methodist Church, 814 Mimosa Blvd., Roswell. 770-594-7974, www.mosingers.com.

VISUAL ARTS

"Master Photos of the World." Images by Frank Sharp from Indonesia, Machu Picchu, Israel, Japan, China and more. Through Jan. 30. Pinckneyville Park Activity Building, 4650 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Norcross. www.gwinnettparks.com.

"Where the Wild Things Are: Maurice Sendak in His Own Words and Pictures." The exhibition returns to Atlanta with new content and a focus on literacy. Through July 5. $4-$12. William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum, 1440 Spring St. N.W., Atlanta. 678-222-3700, thebreman.org.

Holiday Artists Market. Find one-of-a-kind gifts for everyone on your list. Through Dec. 23. Spruill Center Gallery, 4681 Ashford-Dunwoody Road N.E. 770-394-4019, www.spruillgallery.blogspot.com.

"Gordon Parks: Segregation Story" and "Leonard Freed: Black in White America." Through June 7. $12-$19.50. High Museum of Art, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. www.high.org.

"Cézanne and the Modern: Masterpieces of European Art From the Pearlman Collection." Through Jan. 11. $12-$19.50. High Museum of Art, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. www.high.org.

"Make A Joyful Noise: Renaissance Art and Music at Florence Cathedral." Through Jan. 11.  $12-$19.50. High Museum of Art, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. www.high.org.

"Bandits & Heroes, Poets & Saints: Northeast Brazilian Art Exhibit." Through May 18. Free. Atlanta University Center's Robert W. Woodruff Library, 111 James P. Brawley Drive, S.W., Atlanta. 404-978-2003, www.auctr.edu.

The Paintings of Casey Olson. Through Dec. 18. Free. Diana Brehm Gallery, Cobb Chamber of Commerce, 240 Interstate North Parkway S.E., Atlanta. www.caseyolson.com.

"The Art of Diplomacy: Winston Churchill and the Pursuit of Painting." Through Feb. 1. $10-$12. Millennium Gate Museum, 395 17th St. N.W., Atlanta. www.thegateatlanta.com.

"Grandfather Sun, Grandmother Moon: Wixárika Arts of Modern West Mexico." Through Feb. 1. $8; $6 ages 5 and younger free. Michael C. Carlos Museum of Emory University, 571 S. Kilgo Circle N.E., Atlanta. 404-727-4282, www.carlos.emory.edu.

"Two of Each: The Nippur Deluge Tablet & Noah's Flood." Through July 24. Michael C. Carlos Museum of Emory University, 571 S. Kilgo Circle NE, Atlanta. www.carlos.emory.edu.

"Bodies … The Exhibition." Ongoing. $16-$24. Premier Exhibition Center at Atlantic Station, 265 18th St., Atlanta. 866-866-8265, www.atlanticstation.com.