Cobb County cities still have plenty of winter activities planned beyond the Christmas season. Check out these events in January to keep family members in good cheer throughout the first part of the year.
Acworth
Fourth annual MLK Day Celebration and Service Project | 10 a.m. Jan. 18.
Free.
Acworth City Hall, 4415 Senator Russell Ave., Acworth, Ga. 30101.
www.acworthtourism.org/mlk-day-celebration-service-project
All volunteers will be invited to assist the Acworth Parks, Recreation and Community Resource Department celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday with a day of service to the Acworth community. The event will begin with a ceremony in Acworth City Hall, followed by a service project led by the Acworth Achievers Mentoring and After School Program.
Austell
Holiday in the Park | All day. Jan. 1-3.
Ticket prices vary.
Six Flags Over Georgia, 275 Riverside Parkway, Austell, Ga. 30168.
www.holiday.sixflags.com/overgeorgia
Take the family for a day of fun at Six Flags Over Georgia as Atlanta's theme park wraps up its annual holiday celebration. The park event includes a 25-foot Christmas tree, a North Pole-themed train and other winter fun in addition to the park's many rides.
New Manchester History Hike | 3 p.m. Jan. 1.
$5 admission, $5 parking.
Sweetwater Creek State Park, 1750 Mount Vernon Road, Lithia Springs, Ga. 30122.
770-732-5871
Join park rangers on New Year's Day as they guide you through Sweetwater Creek State Park. The tour will include a discussion of interpretative signs and will feature a view of New Manchester Mill, shown in "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1."
Kennesaw
Game On: Live Video Game Music featuring KSU Symphony Orchestra and Wind Ensemble | 8 p.m. Jan. 15.
Ticket prices vary.
Bailey Performance Center, 1000 Chastain Road, Building 30, Kennesaw, Ga. 30144.
470-578-6650.
Spend the night exploring orchestral renditions of well-known video game themes with Kennesaw State University's Orchestra and Wind Ensemble. Musicians will play music from games such as Final Fantasy, World of Warcraft, Call of Duty and Halo during the performance.
Canoeing and Kayaking Guide to Georgia | 3 p.m. Jan. 23.
Free
REI Kennesaw, 740 Barrett Parkway, Suite 450, Kennesaw, Ga. 30144.
770-425-4480.
Learn about some of the best places to canoe with author Suzanne Welander, who will review the best paddling experiences in Georgia and offer tips on how to get started with canoeing.
Marietta
Shen Yun | Jan. 15-17.
Times and ticket prices vary.
Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta, Ga. 30339. www.cobbenergycentre.com
Explore 5,000 years of Chinese culture with this showstopping performance featuring classically trained dancers and Eastern- and Western-style music.
Open Bluegrass Jam | 7 p.m. every Tuesday.
Free.
Australian Bakery Cafe, 48 S. Park Square NE, Marietta, Ga. 30060.
678-797-6222.
http://www.australianbakerycafe.com/
Test your bluegrass skills and learn from other local players at this weekly gathering. Musicians of all skill levels often form groups that span the shop to the nearby oak trees during these jam sessions.
Powder Springs
Owl Creek Band | 8-11 p.m. Jan. 30.
Free.
American Legion Post 294, 3282 Florence Road, Powder Springs, Ga. 30127.
770-439-0956.
Enjoy favorites from the 1970s with this Canton group, which focuses on blues, country and rock classics.
Smyrna
Saturday Afternoon Wine Tastings | 2-4 p.m. every Saturday.
Ticket prices vary.
The Wine Cellars, 1295 W. Spring St., Suite 100, Smyrna, Ga. 30080.
www.winecellarsonline.com
Sample five to six wines from around the world every week at The Wine Cellars' Wine Cafe. The broad variety of wines presented should guarantee that all attendees find something they enjoy. Members can bring a guest and sample the wines for free.
Latin Vibe Thursdays | 8 p.m.-3 a.m. every Thursday.
Free.
J's Lounge, 1995 Windy Hill Road SE, Smyrna, Ga. 30080.
www.js-lounge.com
Practice your Latin dance moves with this weekly mix of salsa, bachata and merengue music. The event also features several drink specials, including $5 margaritas and an $18 bucket of Corona.
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