Acworth
Santa's Arrival by Acworth and NorthStar Church. 5:30-9 p.m. Dec. 4. Free. Depot, Main Street, downtown Acworth. 770-917-1234. AcworthParksAndRecreation.org.
Mayor Tommy Allegood will read "The Night Before Christmas" and the lighting of the Christmas tree will take place on Main Street. Enjoy pictures with Santa (bring your camera), eating candy canes with all his elves, puppet shows, face painting, train rides, marshmallow roasting, hot chocolate and a live Nativity. Visit Frana Brown Park to view the Festival of Trees. Check the website for details on how to get pictures taken with Santa.
Christmas in Acworth. 1-5 p.m. Dec. 5 and 12. Free. Depot, Main Street, downtown Acworth. 770-917-1234. AcworthParksAndRecreation.org.
Bring your camera to take pictures of Santa and roast marshmallows. On Dec. 12, there will be horse-and-carriage rides from the plaza on Senator Russell Avenue.
Acworth's Menorah Lighting Ceremony. 6 p.m. Dec. 8. Free. Corner of Cowan Road and Main Street in downtown Acworth. 770-917-1234. AcworthParksAndRecreation.org.
Rabbi Zalman Charytan from the Chabad Jewish Center will officiate the lighting with assistance from Mayor Tommy Allegood. A reception will follow at Dogwood Forest of Acworth across the street from the menorah.
Austell
Six Flags Over Georgia's Holiday in the Park. 4-10 p.m. through Dec. 23 (excluding Thanksgiving) and 2–10 p.m. Dec. 26–Jan. 3. $43.99 to $48.99 online for adults, $43.99 for children under 48 inches and $63.99 for general admission, free for 2 and under. 275 Riverside Parkway SW, Austell. 770-739-3400. www.sixflags.com/overgeorgia
Six Flags Over Georgia's Tacky Sweater Party. 4-10 p.m. Dec. 12-13. Wear a tacky sweater and get a buy-one-get-one-free general admission ticket to Holiday in the Park. 275 Riverside Parkway SW, Austell. 770-739-3400. www.sixflags.com/overgeorgia
Austell's Christmas Tree Lighting. 6 p.m. Dec. 4. Free. Collar Park, 2625 Joe Jerkins Blvd., Austell. 770-944-4309. www.austellga.gov
As you welcome Santa and Mrs. Claus on their sleigh, enjoy free hot dogs, hot chocolate, pastries and musical entertainment provided by local high school choruses.
Cumberland
"The Forgotten Carols." 7 p.m. Dec. 6. $25 to $45. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway. ForgottenCarolsAtlanta.com.
All proceeds go to Atlanta Mission, providing help to the homeless with nutritious meals, shelter, a warm bed, clothing, job attainment services, counseling and the opportunity of choosing help to end their homelessness.
Kennesaw
Donations for MUST Ministries Christmas Toy Shop. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays to Saturdays through Dec. 25. Donation Center, Chastain Place Office Park, 55 Chastain Road NW, Suite 110, Kennesaw. 678-581-8090. MUSTMinistries.org.
Needed most are throw blankets, hats, scarves, gloves, underwear, socks, items for pre-teens and teens (jewelry, wallets, perfume/cologne, sports equipment, hand-held games, belts, vests).
The Gift Box Holiday Market. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 16. Art Station-Big Shanty, 2050 Kennesaw Due West Road, Kennesaw. 770-514-5930. artstationcobb.org.
Everything is made by a local artist or crafter at all price points. Children may enjoy free holiday card making, cookies and hot cocoa while parents shop for gifts at the market.
Kennesaw Christmas Tree Lighting Program. 6-7 p.m. Dec. 1. Free. Tunnel Plaza across the street from Revival on Main, Kennesaw. kennesaw-ga.gov.
This program will include festive choral music and sing-alongs and light refreshments.
A Day with Santa. Noon-6 p.m. Dec. 5. Free. Depot, Downtown Kennesaw. ADayWithSanta.com.
Santa's arrival begins at noon with a Main Street parade, featuring marching bands, decorated floats, vintage cars and colorfully costumed characters. The celebration continues with free snow tubing, inflatables and amusements, children's crafts, visits with Santa, stage entertainment and a holiday market full of gift ideas and unique merchandise. Food vendors will be on site.
Holiday Laser Show. 5:30-5:45 p.m. Dec. 5. Free. Depot, Downtown Kennesaw. ADayWithSanta.com.
This multimedia presentation of choreographed laser beams, animation and special effects will be presented by Atlanta Laser & Light with a high-energy selection of Christmas songs.
Breakfast with Santa. 8-9:15 a.m. or 10-11:15 a.m. Dec. 12. $6 to $8, free for age 2 and under if they sit on an adult's lap. Ben Robertson Community Center, 2753 Watts Drive NW, Kennesaw. kennesaw-ga.gov.
The Kennesaw-Acworth Optimist Club is hosting an all-you-care-to-eat breakfast - complete with pancakes, sausage, juice, coffee and table-to-table visits with Santa Claus.
Mableton
Christmas House Arts and Crafts Show. 2-6 p.m. Sundays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays. Dec. 4-13. Mable House Arts Center, 5239 Floyd Road, Mableton. 770-819-3285. MableHouse.org.
Hundreds of handcrafted items will be for sale.
Mable's Tea Room. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays, closed Sundays, and Dec. 6 for Mommy and Me Tea, Dec. 4-12. Prices vary with homemade soups, desserts, sandwiches, salads and tea. Mable House Arts Center, 5239 Floyd Road, Mableton. 770-819-3285. MableHouse.org.
Candy Cane Hunt. 10 a.m.-noon Dec. 5. Free. Grounds of Historic Mable House, 5239 Floyd Road, Mableton. 770-819-3285. MableHouse.org.
Along with the Candy Cane Hunt and prizes, activities will include cookie decorating, crafts, marshmallow roasting and photos with Santa.
Marietta
Winter Wonderland on the Marietta Square with open-air ice skating. 4:30-10 p.m. Mondays to Thursdays, 4:30-11 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturdays, noon-10 p.m. Sundays, with extended hours during school breaks. Open Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Runs through Jan. 4. $12 for entrance and skate rental. Glover Park, Marietta Square, 4 Depot St. NE, Marietta. WinterWonderlandMariettaSquare.com.
NewSong's A Very Merry Christmas Tour with performances by NewSong, Plum, Reno and Building 429. 6 p.m. doors open, 7 p.m. concert, Dec. 2. $20 to $25, $75 for VIP tickets. Piedmont Church, 570 Piedmont Road, Marietta. Tickets: 1-800-965-9324. 770-422-2566. MustMinistries.org.
MUST provides groceries, hot meals, work recovery shelter, supportive housing, affordable housing resources, employment services, clothing and other essential services needed for financial stability to 31,000 people in need each year – two-thirds being children.
Santa's Workshop. 5-8 p.m. Dec. 3. Free. Glover Park, Marietta Square, 4 Depot St. NE, Marietta. The Christmas tree will be lighted at 6 p.m. WinterWonderlandMariettaSquare.com.
The Marietta Pilgrimage Christmas Home Tour. 9 a.m.-6 p.m., 7-9:30 p.m. of three homes on the Candlelight Tour Dec. 5, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 6. $15 to $30. Free parking off Mill Street and at the Cobb County Parking Deck off Cherokee Street. Free shuttle service for day tours from Mill Street at the railroad tracks near the Marietta Welcome Center, where tickets may be purchased and picked up if ordered online. 770-429-1115. MariettaPilgrimage.com.
This annual tour of six private historic homes in the Church-Cherokee National Register Historic District and many of Marietta's historic public buildings is sponsored by the Marietta Welcome Center and Cobb Landmarks and Historical Society. Children under 8 are not permitted. Refreshments or a light lunch will be available at The Bistro in Ivy Grove built around 1843.
"Holiday Pops" by Georgia Symphony Orchestra and Chorus with the Irrera Brothers. 3-4 p.m. and 8-9 p.m. Dec. 5. $10 to $30. Marietta Performing Arts Center, 1171 Whitlock Ave., Marietta. 770-429-2390. GeorgiaSymphony.org.
Big Chicken Chorus Christmas Concert. 7-8 p.m. Dec. 12, 3-4 p.m. Dec. 13. Up to $30. Marietta Performing Arts Center, 1171 Whitlock Ave., Marietta. 770-428-2631 ext. 2131. BigChickenChorus.org.
This 50+-voice all-male chorus sings a cappella, four-part harmony in the Barbershop style. Also performing will be the Marietta High School Bel Canto Choir, the quartets of the Marietta Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society and guest performers "The Core" from Grove City, Ohio, the 2013 Johnny Appleseed District Quartet Champion and a 2014 and 2015 International Semi-Finalist Quartet.
Menorah Lighting for Chanukah Celebration by Congregation Ner Tamid. 6:30-7:30 p.m. Dec. 13. Free. Glover Park Stage, Marietta Square, 4 Depot St. NE, Marietta. 678-264-8575. MyNerTamid.org.
Chanukah is celebrated from sundown on Dec. 6 through sundown on Dec. 14. This event will include holiday music and children's games.
Powder Springs
Christmas Tree Lighting and Santa. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Dec. 4. Free. Historic Town Square, 4488 Pineview Drive, Powder Springs. CityOfPowderSprings.org.
Enjoy free photos with Santa, the Chick-fil-A cows, Christmas caroling, cookies and cocoa.
Powder Springs Reindeer 5K Fun Run. 9-11 a.m. Dec. 5. $5 to $25, free for ages 1 to 3. Wild Horse Trail, Wild Horse Park, 3820 Macedonia Road by the lower ballfield, Powder Springs. 770-943-1666. CityOfPowderSprings.org.
Proceeds from the run will benefit the city's Angel Trees. Participants, who register in advance, will receive a Reindeer Run T-shirt and event swag bag. All levels of fitness are encouraged to attend.
Smyrna
Coming Home for the Holidays. 5-8 p.m. Dec. 1. Rain date is Dec. 8. Free. Village Green, Smyrna. 770-431-2842. SmyrnaCity.com.
Watch Santa light the Christmas Tree in the Village Green at 7 p.m. and transform downtown Smyrna with brilliant lights. Enjoy holiday festivities, musical performances by local church and school choral groups, activities for the children, a parade and a visit with Santa at the Smyrna Community Center, 200 Village Green Circle.
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