With five cities known for celebrating the season in style, it's simply impossible to list all the ways folks can get into the holiday spirit in North Fulton County. To get your merrymaking started, check out these upcoming events.
Alpharetta
Christmas Tree Lighting
5-9 p.m., Dec. 5. Free. Downtown Alpharetta, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta 30009. 678-297-6000. www.alpharetta.ga.us
The night will include the lighting of the tree in downtown Alpharetta with 10,000 white lights, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, a reading of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" by Mayor David Belle Isle and entertainment by North Point Community Church.
The Lighting of Avalon
noon-9 p.m., Nov. 22. Free. Avalon's Living Room, 2200 Avalon Blvd., Alpharetta 30009. 770-765-1000. www.experienceavalon.com
A children's scavenger hunt, ornament making, crafts, s'mores kits and live entertainment are among some of the activities planned for this family-friendly event.
Avalon on Ice. Starting Nov. 22. 3:30-9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, noon-7 p.m. Sunday. $18. $12 ages 13 and under. The Plaza, 2200 Avalon Blvd., Alpharetta 30009. 770-765-1000. www.experienceavalon.com
Ice skating is available under lights and decorations at Avalon during the holiday season.
Johns Creek
9th Annual Founders Day Parade
10 a.m.-noon, Dec. 5. Free. State Bridge Road between Kimball Bridge and West Morton roads. 678-512-3200. johnscreekchamber.com
This parade celebrates the city and will feature musical groups, local neighborhoods, community organizations, schools, businesses and civic clubs.
North Atlanta Christmas Festival
Dec. 11-13. 7 p.m., Dec. 11; 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., Dec. 12; 7 p.m., Dec. 13. $10 red seating and $15 gold seating. Mount Pisgah North Campus Sanctuary, 2850 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek 30022. 678-336-3000. www.nacfonline.com
This Christmas and winter musical celebration involves more than 400 people, made up of mostly volunteers, and features the Mount Pisgah Worship Choir and a 40-piece orchestra.
10th Anniversary Annual Christmas Gala and Holiday Pops
8 p.m., Dec. 19. $32 adults, $27 seniors (55+) and $16 students. Johns Creek United Methodist Church, 11180 Medlock Bridge Road, Duluth 30097. 678-748-5802. www.johnscreeksymphony.org
Enjoy a performance of treasured holiday music by the Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra and Christmas Gala Chorus, featuring guest soloists.
Milton
Christmas in Crabapple
2-5 p.m., Dec 5. Free. Broadwell Pavilion, 765 Mid Broadwell Road, Milton 30004. www.cityofmiltonga.us
The quaint Crabapple area holds its annual holiday event with visits and photos with Santa, caroling and live music, s'mores and hot cocoa, and children's crafts and activities.
Milton Fire Department Pancake Breakfast with Santa
8-10 a.m., Dec. 12. Free. Fire Station 43, 750 Hickory Flat Road, Milton 30004. 678-242-2533. www.cityofmiltonga.us
Enjoy pancakes with Santa, hosted by the Milton Fire Department, and benefit charity by bringing a new, wrapped toy for donation.
Roswell
Christmas at Bulloch Hall
Nov. 12-Jan. 3, 2016. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 1-4 p.m. Sunday. $8 adults, $7 seniors, $6 children. 180 Bulloch Ave., Roswell 30075. 678-639-7500. www.bullochhall.org
Visit Bulloch Hall, one of Roswell's historic homes, for a Victorian-style holiday celebration. The Greek Revival mansion will be decorated for Christmas like it was in 1845.
2nd Annual Twisted Tinsel Holiday Spectacular
Starting at 11 am., Dec. 5. Free activities, $5 for home tours. 180 Bulloch Ave., Roswell 30075. 678-640-3855. www.southerntrilogy.com.
Roswell's three antebellum mansions — Barrington Hall, Bulloch Hall and Smith Plantation — present this seasonal family-friendly event. You'll find whacky holiday games and more, and you can take the trolley from house to house.
Roswell's Annual Lighting of Town Square
5-6:30 p.m., Dec. 5. Free. Roswell Historic Town Square. 770-641-3950. www.roswellgov.com
This event features the lighting of Town Square, carolers from surrounding schools, a "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" reading and time with Santa.
Caroling on Canton Street. 5-7 p.m., Dec. 6. Free. Canton Street, Roswell. 770-594-6271. visitroswellga.com
Peruse the shops on Canton Street for holiday shopping and listen, or sing along, to caroling by a variety of groups from churches, schools and the community. Local businesses will offer refreshments such as coffee, hot chocolate, hot apple cider and s'mores.
Roswell Winter Puppet Series
Dec. 16-21. 4 p.m., Dec. 16-18; 10 a.m., Dec. 19; 2 p.m., Dec. 20; 10 a.m., Dec. 21. $5, free under 2. Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., Roswell 30075. 770-594-6232. www.roswellgov.com
The first-ever Roswell Winter Puppet Series showcases the talents of nationally touring puppeteers and their puppets. It's follows in the footsteps of the Summer Puppet Series that has taken place since 1997.
"The Nutcracker"
Nov. 27-Dec. 6. Tickets and times vary. Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., Roswell 30075. 770-998-0259. www.tysod.com
Presented by the Roswell Dance Theatre and Tolbert Yilmaz School of Dance, this stands as the biggest performance of "The Nutcracker"in North Fulton with over 250 performers.
Sandy Springs
Heritage Winter Classics Concert Series
4:30-6:30 p.m., Dec. 13. Doors open at 4 p.m. $5 admission for Heritage Sandy Springs members and $10 for non-members. Heritage Sandy Springs, 6110 Bluestone Road, Sandy Springs 30328. 404-851-9111. www.sandyspringsga.org
This particular night of the series will feature a holiday show by the UGA Accidentals, the all-male a cappella group at the University of Georgia.
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