‘Tis the season…well, almost. As the midpoint to December, Christmas in July has become one of the world’s most quirky (yet beloved) traditions over time. Santa Claus is coming to town (a bit early). With lots of events around the metro area, you can catch St. Nick and celebrate the Christmas season in the summer.
So, if you’re feeling some early onset good tidings and cheer, here’s how you can take part in the tradition around Atlanta. From holiday-inspired charity drives to some early-bird Christmas shopping opportunities, here’s our list (and needless to say we checked it twice).
Marietta Square Winter Wonderland Presents: Christmas in July!
Santa dons a Hawaiian shirt and brings midsummer merriment to Marietta Square. Children are invited to take pictures with summertime Santa at the free event. In exchange for professional digital photos with Santa, parents are asked to make a toy or cash donation, which will benefit Cobb Christmas, a local non-profit dedicated to serving low-income families.
Located in Glover Park at the center of Marietta Square, the event will also feature decorations (such as Christmas trees, leis and lawn flamingos) and live music from the Strand Choir as well as other musical acts. The event coincides with the Marietta Square Farmers Market and Artisan Market, guests can shop for locally-made and locally-grown foods and crafts.
9 a.m.-1 p.m. July 13. Free. Glover Park at Marietta Square, 50 N. Park Square NE, Marietta. winterwonderlandmarietta.com.
Helen’s Christmas in July Festival
The city of Helen, which is known for its Bavarian architectural charms and annual Oktoberfest celebration, channels Germany once again with their own version of a Christkindlmarkt, albeit in July. With a range of tri-state vendors selling everything from fine crafts to handmade Christmas wares, get a six-month head start on your holiday shopping. The second annual Christmas market and festival will also include live music, face painting, food vendors and more
11 a.m.-6 p.m. July 19-21. Free. Outside the Helen Arts & Heritage Center, 25 Chattahoochee Strasse, Helen, 706-878-3933, helenarts.org.
Christmas in July at SunTrust Park with the Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves will host the Washington Nationals for an evening game while The Battery Atlanta plaza will host Santa and a few other special guests and surprises.
“As an organization, we pride ourselves on being family friendly,” says Scott Cunningham, vice president of Fan Experience, about their Christmas in July programming. “We have invited Santa Claus to join us all the way from the North Pole, so parents can get pictures and allow children to get a jump on their Christmas wish lists. We will theme out our plaza with holiday cheer and decorations.”
Expect to see a winter scene set with snow flurries, holiday music and activities for the entire family in The Battery Atlanta plaza, which is open to the public. Braves game attendees also receive a free commemorative Christmas mug with a specialty ticket (mlb.com/braves).
Game starts at 7:20 p.m. July 20. Free to access The Battery Atlanta Plaza; tickets for Braves game start at $20. SunTrust Park, 755 Battery Ave. SE, Atlanta. mlb.com/braves.
Christmas in July at the Dixie Speedway
Feel a rush of excitement as the cars zip around the Dixie Speedway’s dirt track. Then feel a sense of goodwill by supporting the night’s Toys for Tots drive. Dixie Speedway’s first Christmas in July event will feature the regular weekly race division and its first-ever minivan demolition derby.
“We love Christmas and we love racing, so this was our chance to put it all together. Since our season ends in October, we don’t really get to celebrate Christmas with our racing family,” says Dixie Speedway’s Marketing Director Chase Swims.
Swims adds that guests can expect to hear Christmas music played throughout the night as well as a few fun festive surprises. With a Toys for Tots donation, guests will receive a discount off of regular admission.
7 p.m. (gates open at 5 p.m.) July 20. $14; $6 for ages 9-18; and ages 8 and younger are free. Dixie Speedway, 150 Dixie Drive, Woodstock. 770-926-5315, dixiespeedway.com
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