Just because it's Black Friday doesn't mean you have to stand in line all weekend long. Sure, you'll want to take advantage of all the Small Business Saturday events and department store deals, but it's all about balance. Along with shopping, make sure to spend a little time having fun with the family at some of the many festive, holiday-themed events taking place across the Metro. Holiday films, seasonal craft workshops, live music and The Nutcracker -- this weekend's lineup has your Christmas goals covered.
Cobb
Remember When Club. 10:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 24. Free. Marietta Museum of History. 1 Depot St. #200, Marietta. 770-794-5710. www.mariettahistory.org.
Get together with your community to remember the good old days around Cobb County. Coffee is provided at this event, where you can take part in lively conversation and listen to guest speakers.
Georgia Metro Dance Theatre: The Nutcracker. 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24 to 26. $10 to $30 per person. Jennie T. Anderson Theater. 548 South Marietta Parkway SE, Marietta. 678-287-9020. www.georgiametrodance.tix.com.
Enjoy Georgia Metro Dance Theatre's rendition of The Nutcracker performed at the Jennie T. Anderson Theater all weekend long.
Small Business Saturday in Marietta. 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 25. Free. Marietta Museum of History. 1 Depot St. #200, Marietta. 770-794-5710. www.mariettahistory.org.
Get out and shop at your local Marietta shops this Saturday as Small Business Saturday hits the Marietta Museum of History. You'll find a wide selection of gifts, books and memorabilia to make your season bright.
Civil War Music Program. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 26. Free. Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. 900 Kennesaw Mountain Drive, Kennesaw. 770-427-4686. www.nps.gov.
Experience the sounds of the Civil War as Living Historian and musician KD Braunsroth demonstrates the fife and discusses the use of music during this time period.
DeKalb
Christmas at Callanwolde Designer Show House. Noon. Friday, Nov. 24. $25 per person. Callanwolde Fine Arts Center. 980 Briarcliff Road NE, Atlanta. 404-872-5338. www.callanwolde.org.
It's Christmas at Callanwolde this Friday as the 12 acre transforms into a holiday extravaganza. This year's event will include an artists' market, lighting by Illuminating Design, live entertainment, holiday-themed displays, tours and stunningly decorated rooms.
Pike Nurseries Make and Take: Williamsburg Wreath. 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 25. $30 per person. Pike Nurseries. 2101 Lavista Road NE, Atlanta. 404-634-8604. www.pikenursery.com.
Start a new holiday tradition by crafting your own Williamsburg Wreath at Pike Nurseries. This decorative wreath features real fruit and nuts, and the cost includes all supply fees and refreshments.
Fernbank Holly Jolly Film Fest. 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 25. Included with museum admission, free for members. Fernbank Museum of Natural History. 767 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta. 404-929-6300. www.fernbankmuseum.org.
Enjoy a couple classic holiday movies at Fernbank, as part of the family-friendly Winter Wonderland exhibit. Along with How the Grinch Stole Christmas and A Carlie Brown Christmas, you'll enjoy hands-on crafts, Winter Wonderland Seek and Find, family activities and more.
Wine, Cheese and the Spoken Word. 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25. $5 per person. Underground Theatre, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta. 1597 I - 85 Frontage Road, Atlanta. welterdelis@gmail.com. www.uuca.org.
Join the UUCA Underground Theatre for an unforgettable night of poetry this Saturday. Along with an unbeatable lineup of spoken-word artists, you'll also get a chance to show your talent during the open mic opportunities between sets.
Gwinnett
Eddie Owen Presents: Open Mic Shootout #9. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24. $18 per person. Red Clay Music Foundry. 3116 Main St., Duluth. 404-478-2749. www.eddieowenpresents.com.
It's finally here -- the Open Mic Shootout #9 takes place this Friday as all the winners from the bi-monthly Songwriters Open Mic compete.
Northeast Atlanta Ballet: The Nutcracker. 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24 to 26. $18.50 to $24.50 per person. Infinite Energy Center. 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. 770-921-7277. www.northeastatlantaballet.org.
The Nutcracker fills the Inifinite Energy Center all weekend long as the Northeast Atlanta Ballet performs this timeless holiday ballet.
Live Music at McCray's Tavern. 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24. McCray's Tavern Lawrenceville, 100 North Perry St., Lawrenceville. 770-407-6754. www.mccraystavern.com.
Come out to listen to local artists during the live music event this Friday at McCray's Tavern. Featuring Spencer Healy and Brian Atha from BA Acoustic.
Small Business Saturday in Duluth. 8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 25. Free. City of Duluth City Hall. 3167 Main St., Duluth. 770-476-3434. www.duluthga.net.
Shop local in Duluth this weekend for Small Business Saturday and show your support for some of the distinctive stores and restaurants around town.
North Fulton
Big Trees Black Friday Hike. 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 24. Free. Big Trees Nature Preserve. 7645 Roswell Road NE, Sandy Springs. 404-851-9111. www.heritagesandysprings.org.
Get ready to shop by going on a morning hike with the Heritage Sandy Springs Outdoors Club. You'll enjoy a 3-mile hike through Big Trees Nature Preserve on this special Black Friday hike.
Gingerbread Houses workshop. 10 a.m. Friday and Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24 to 26. $60 per family of 4. Publix Apron's Cooking School. 4305 State Bridge Road, Alpharetta. 770-751-8560. www.publix.com.
You can't go through Christmas without making a gingerbread house with your kids. Luckily, Publix Apron's Cooking School offers Gingerbread Houses workshops all weekend for the whole family.
Roswell Dance Theatre: The Nutcracker. 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24 to 26. Ticket prices vary. Roswell Cultural Arts Center. 950 Forrest St., Roswell. 770-998-0259. www.roswellnutcracker.com.
Don't miss The Nutcracker performed by over 350 dancers from Roswell Dance Theatre. It all takes place at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center and features elaborately detailed scenery, lavish costumes and unforgettable dancing.
STARLAB at CNC. 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25. Included with admission, free for members. Chattahoochee Nature Center. 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell. 770-992-2055. www.chattnaturecenter.org.
If you've never experienced STARLAB, you're missing out. The whole family will have a blast inside a inflatable planetarium as you learn about the Perseid Meteor Shower and other celestial events.
