Visiting Santa, ice skating, viewing twinkling lights and enjoying a holiday service -- Christmas is truly in the air this weekend all across metro Atlanta.
Although you (and your little ones) might feel anxious for the big day to arrive, make sure to spend a little time with your family at some of these festive events that will make your celebration one to remember.
»RELATED: Where to go in Atlanta to eat out on Christmas
Check out the Christmas lineup happening near you:
Not-to-miss Christmas events
Credit: Jessica McGowan / jmcgowan@ajc.com
Credit: Jessica McGowan / jmcgowan@ajc.com
Winter Puppet Series: "'Twas the Night Before Christmas". 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 22 and 23. $5 per person, free for children under 2. Roswell Cultural Arts Center. 950 Forrest St., Roswell. 770-594-6232. www.roswellgov.com.
Join Piccadilly Puppets for a whimsical production of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" taking place at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center. Bring a small donation for North Fulton Community Charities.
Christmas Royal Tea and Grand Yuletide Ball. 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22. $15 per person. Earl Smith Strand Theatre. 117 North Park Square, Marietta. 770-293-0080. www.earlsmithstrand.org.
Indulge your children in a royal Christmas event filled with decadent sweets, tea and juice and even a visit from the Prince and Princess of the Grand Yuletide Ball.
A Christmas Tradition at The Strand. 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Friday, 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22 and 23. $30 per person. Earl Smith Strand Theatre. 117 North Park Square, Marietta. 770-293-0080. www.earlsmithstrand.org.
Sing your favorite holiday songs while watch a one-of-a-kind song and dance revue at The Strand as part of A Christmas Tradition.
Santa's Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops. 10 a.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 22 and 23. Free. Bass Pro Shops Lawrenceville. 5900 Sugarloaf Pkwy, Lawrenceville. 678-847-5500. www.basspro.com.
Visit Bass Pro Shops Lawrenceville for Santa's Wonderland, which will include a visit from Santa, activities for children, fun games a laser and foam toy arcade and remote control trucks.
Santa's Village in Roswell. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Dec. 22 to 24. Free, donations accepted. Santa's Village. 405 Waverly Hall Drive, Roswell. 425-205-1854. www.alpharettamoms.org.
Santa's Village fills Roswell with a dazzling collection of Christmas lights, holiday characters, train rides, elaborate displays and more.
Cobb
Remember When Club. 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 22. Free. Marietta Museum of History, 1 Depot St. #200, Marietta. 770-794-5710. www.mariettahistory.org.
Guest speakers discuss life in the old days around Cobb County as you enjoy coffee and take part in lively conversation.
Credit: Winter Wonderland Marietta
Credit: Winter Wonderland Marietta
Ice Skating at c. 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Christmas Eve, 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Christmas Day, Dec. 22 to 25. $12 per person, includes skates. Glover Park. 50 North Park Square, Marietta. Contact. www.winterwonderlandmarietta.com.
Glide across the ice surrounded by a Winter Wonderland at the Historic Marietta Square this weekend. It all takes place around Glove Park, and costs $12 including skates.
Lumiere Lounge at The Strand. 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 22 and 23. Earl Smith Strand Theatre. 117 North Park Square, Marietta. 770-293-0080. www.earlsmithstrand.org.
Sip cocktails created with local Hometown Honey while enjoying the sights and sounds of a silent film-inspired lounge this Friday and Saturday evening.
2017 Christmas at Living Hope Church. 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 24. Free. Living Hope Church. 3450 Stilesboro Road, Kennesaw. 770-425-6726. www.livinghopega.com.
Living Hope Church celebrates Christmas with a candlelight service on Sunday featuring special holiday music.
DeKalb
Threads of Time: Tradition and Change in Indigenous American Textiles. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Dec. 22 to 24. $8 for adults, $6 for students, seniors and children, free for members and Emory students. Michael C. Carlos Museum. 571 South Kilgo Circle NE, Atlanta. 404-727-4282. www.carlos.emory.edu.
The Threads of Time: Tradition and Change in Indigenous American Textiles exhibition continues at the Carlos Museum, featuring 149 examples of indigenous fiber arts throughout America.
Ugly Christmas Sweater Party at The Iris. 10 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 23. $15 per person. The Iris. 2715 Buford Highway NE, Atlanta. 770 240-0377. www.irispresents.com.
Experience an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party like never before at The Iris this Saturday, which will include Stranger Candy, Daddydough, DJ Nuk and more.
Christmas at the Grove. 9 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 24. Free. The Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church. 1879 Glenwood Ave. SE, Atlanta. 404-377-0561. www.greaterpineygrove.org.
Join The Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church for a holiday worship service this Sunday Morning.
Christmas Eve at Shallowford Presbyterian Church. 10 a.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 24. Free. Shallowford Presbyterian Church. 2375 Shallowford Road, Atlanta. 404-321-1844. www.shallowford.org.
Shallowford Presbyterian Church will host Christmas Eve services throughout the day on Sunday with morning worship, a family service, candlelight service and communion service.
»RELATED: Where to eat on Christmas Eve in metro Atlanta
Gwinnett
Banks and Shane Christmas Concert. 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22. Red Clay Music Foundry. 3116 Main St., Duluth. 404-478-2749. www.eddieowenpresents.com.
Don't miss Banks and Shane for a special Christmas Concert this Friday at Red Clay Music Foundry.
Joe Gransden's Big Band Christmas with Francine Reed. 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23. $24 per person. Red Clay Music Foundry. 3116 Main St., Duluth. 404-478-2749. www.eddieowenpresents.com.
Enjoy a Big Band Christmas celebration this Saturday with Joe Gransden and a special guest, Blues Legend Francine Reed.
3hr Salsa Boot Camp and Salsa Party. 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23. $50 per person, $90 per couple. Dancing 4 Fun Dance Studio. 6025 Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree Corners. 678-304-7343. www.salsaatl.com.
Learn something new on Saturday at the 3hr Salsa Boot Camp and Salsa Party, which will help you discover dance moves you never knew you had.
Credit: Courtesy of Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament
Credit: Courtesy of Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament
Christmas Eve Story Time at Medieval Times. 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 24. Special pricing. Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament. 5900 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville. 770-225-0230. www.medievaltimes.com.
Enjoy a Medieval Times show followed by the reading of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" this Sunday, which will include hot cocoa and cookies around a fireplace.
North Fulton
Holiday Special: The Kristina Koller Quartet. 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22. $29 per person. The Velvet Note. 4075 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta. 855-583-5838. www.kristinakoller.net.
Join vocalist, composer and arranger Kristina Koller for a holiday performance at The Velvet Note, which will also feature music from her debut album, "Perception."
Avalon on Ice Live. 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23. $18 per person to ice skate, includes skates. 400 Avalon Blvd., Alpharetta. 770-765-1000, www.experienceavalon.com.
Listen to live music from The Mike Veal Band while ice skating in a Rockefeller-inspired ice rink this Saturday at the Avalon on Ice Live event.
Milton Tacky Sweater Party. 9 p.m. to midnight. Saturday, Dec. 23. Olde Blind Dog irish Pub. 12650 Crabapple Road, Alpharetta. 678-624-1090. www.oldeblinddog.com.
Don your gaudiest sweater because Milton will host their Tacky Sweater Party at Olde Blind Dog this Saturday. This event will feature live music, drink specials and a sweater contest.
Christmas Eve lunch and dinner at Osteria Mattone. 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 24. Prices vary. Osteria Mattone. 1095 Canton St., Roswell. 678-878-3378. www.osteriamattone.com.
Osteria Mattone offers a special holiday lunch and dinner on Christmas Eve featuring their classic Roman-inspired pizzas, pastries and pastas.
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