Throughout DeKalb County, communities are doing all they can to get into the holiday spirit. See what's happening during November and December to ring in this fun time of year.
Atlanta
Christmas at Callanwolde
11 a.m.-7 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. weekends, Nov. 30-Dec. 15. $20. Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, 980 Briarcliff Road NE, Atlanta 30606. 404-872-5338. http://callanwolde.org
Callanwolde's Christmas event series includes a variety of holiday activities like a Teddy Bear Tea and a Breakfast with Santa. Check the website for daily activities.
Winter Wonderland Celebration Day
10 a.m.-2 p.m., Nov. 21. museum admission, free for Fernbank members. Fernbank Museum of Natural History, 767 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta 30307. 404-929-6300. www.fernbankmuseum.org/
This holiday event is inspired by the "Winter Wonderland" exhibit (running through Jan. 10, 2016), a showcase of over 30 trees decorated to reflect the holiday traditions of cultures around the world. Event activities will include performances and crafts.
Avondale Estates
City Christmas Tree Lighting
6 p.m., Dec. 7. Free. Intersection of Clarendon Avenue and South Avondale Road, Avondale Estates. 404-294-5400. http://avondaleestates.org
Avondale Estates' annual event will kick off the holiday season with carol singing and the lighting of the tree, followed by doughnuts and cider and a visit from Santa Claus.
Christmas in Avondale Estates Holiday Market and Tour of Homes
Dec. 13. Noon-6 p.m. (holiday market), 3-8 p.m. (home tour). Free holiday market, $15 in advance, $20 day of for home tour. Avondale Community Club, 59 Lakeshore Drive, Avondale Estates 30002. www.avondaletourofhomes.com
Join the Avondale Community Club at its Holiday Market, featuring artisan gifts, crafts and treats. The tour of homes features six properties in the community, and you can take a trolley from house to house.
Brookhaven
Holiday Cookie Decorating
3-4:30 p.m., Nov. 23. Free. Brookhaven Library, 1242 N. Druid Hills Road, Atlanta 30319. 404-848-7140. http://dekalblibrary.org
Kids ages 10-17 can decorate a favorite sweet treat. Space is limited; call to register.
"The Polar Express" Screening
5:30-7:30 p.m., Dec. 1. Free. Brookhaven Library, 1242 N. Druid Hills Road, Atlanta 30319. 404-848-7140. http://dekalblibrary.org
Brookhaven Library presents a screening of the Christmas movie, "The Polar Express." The screening will be open to the first 25 participants.
Light Up Brookhaven
6-8 p.m., Dec. 3. Free. Blackburn Park, 3493 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Brookhaven 30319. 404-637-0500. www.brookhavenga.gov
Brookhaven's annual city Christmas tree lighting also includes photos with Santa, schoolchildren signing carols and a "Toys for Tots" drop off.
Chamblee
Breakfast with Santa
8 a.m.-1 p.m., Dec. 12. $5. Chamblee Civic Center, 3540 Broad St., Chamblee 30341. 770-986-5016. www.chambleega.com
Spend time with Santa and his reindeer while enjoying breakfast and arts and crafts. Register online; 60 children are admitted per hour.
New Year's Eve Book Drop
1-3 p.m., Dec. 31. Free. Chamblee Library, 4115 Clairmont Road, Chamblee 30341. 770-936-1380. http://dekalblibrary.org
Ring in the New Year with crafts, games, songs and light refreshments at the Chamblee Library. This all-ages event is open to the first 35 participants.
Clarkston
Handmade Holiday Cards
10:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Nov. 21. Free. Clarkston Library, 951 N. Indian Creek Drive, Clarkston 30021. 404-508-7175. http://dekalblibrary.org
Make a handmade card this holiday season. This event for ages 10-17 is open to the first 16 participants.
Decatur
Holiday Fun Day
3:30-4:30 p.m., Dec. 3. Free. Decatur Library, 215 Sycamore St., Decatur 30030. 404-370-3070. http://dekalblibrary.org
The Decatur Library is hosting an afternoon of games and crafts for school-age children. This event is open to the first 15 participants.
Decatur Holiday Marketplace
5:30-9:30 p.m., Dec. 4; 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Dec. 5. Free. Clairemont Elementary School, 155 Erie Ave., Decatur 30030. www.decaturholidaymarketplace.com
Enjoy a day shopping for gifts and treats at the 24th annual Decatur Holiday Market, which features artists and vendors from all over the region.
Bonfire on the Square
7-8 p.m., Dec. 17. Free. Decatur Square, Decatur. 404-371-8386. https://decaturdba.com
Join the community around a toasty bonfire while roasting marshmallows at this event sponsored by the Decatur Business Association.
Breakfast with Santa
8-10 a.m., Dec. 19. $15 adults, $10 children under 12. Decatur Courtyard Marriott Hotel, 130 Clairemont Ave., Decatur 30030. 404-371-8386. http://decaturdba.com
Bring the kids to meet Santa during this event featuring a while a breakfast buffet.
Doraville
Christmas Tree Lighting and 5K Race
Nov. 29. 5K at 4:30 p.m.; tree lighting at 6:30 p.m. Free tree lighting. Race registration $25 in advance, $30 on the day of the race. Race begins at 6000 New Peachtree Road, Doraville 30340. 770-936-3850. www.doravillega.us
The 5K will be held before the tree lighting and all proceeds will be donated to Toys for Tots.
Dunwoody
24th Annual Holiday Festival
Nov. 13-14. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Nov. 13; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 14. Free. Dunwoody United Methodist Church, 1548 Mount Vernon Road, Dunwoody 30338. 770-394-0675. http://dunwoodyumc.org
Dunwoody United Methodist Church's festival features artisan products, gifts and food items. Proceeds will benefit Habitat for Humanity.
Light Up Dunwoody
3-6 p.m., Nov. 22. Free. 5455 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody 30338. 770-393-9647. www.dunwoodyga.org
Visit the Dunwoody Christmas Village for pictures with Santa and his reindeer, refreshments and shopping. The event will be capped with the lighting of the tree.
Menorah Madness – Hanukah Menorah Lighting at the JCC
Nightly, Dec. 7-9. Free. Marcus Jewish Community Center, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody 30338. 678-812-4000. www.atlantajcc.org
Celebrate Hanukah with the lighting of the Menorah, snacks and special performances during this three-night extravaganza.
Lithonia
Holiday Bake-Off
2-3:30 p.m., Dec. 19. Free. Lithonia-Davidson Library, 6821 Church St., Lithonia. 770-482- 3820. http://dekalblibrary.org
Put your favorite holiday dessert recipes to the test in their bake-off judged by a panel of teenagers. The winner will receive a gift card and bragging rights. Call or visit the branch to register.
Stone Mountain
Stone Mountain Christmas
Nov. 7-Jan. 3, 2016. Times and ticket prices vary. Stone Mountain Park, 1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd., Stone Mountain 30083. 800-401-2407. www.stonemountainpark.com
Celebrate the holiday season at Stone Mountain Park with a nightly Christmas parade, sittings with Santa and live performances.
Snow Mountain
Nov. 21-Feb. 28, 2016. Times and ticket prices vary. Stone Mountain Park, 1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd., Stone Mountain 30083. 800-401-2407. www.stonemountainpark.com
Every winter, Stone Mountain transforms into a winter wonderland for families to enjoy. Get ready to slide down mountains of snow, make snow angels and build snowmen.
About the Author
