Get in the holiday spirit with tree lightings and holiday craft markets across the city.
FAIRS, FESTIVALS, ETC.
Book Festival of the MJCCA. Through Nov. 22. All-access series ticket $145; individual event prices vary. Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody. 678-812-4005, www.atlantajcc.org.
Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles presents Home for the Holidays Designer Showhouse. Through Dec. 13. $30; $25 in advance. 1150 West Garmon Road N.W., Atlanta. www.atlantaholidayhome.com.
Indie Craft Experience Holiday Shopping Spectacular. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 21-22. $5. Geogia Freight Depot, 65 Martin Luther King Drive, Atlanta. www.ice-atlanta.com/events/2015/11/21/ice-holiday-shopping-spectacular
Zen & Now Clay Studio Pottery Show & Sale. Nov. 20-22. Free. 2534 N. Royal Place, Tucker. www.zenandnowclaystudio.com.
Artisan Resource Center's 2015 Fall Open Studios Event & Art Party. Nov. 20-22. Free admission. Artisan Resource Center, 585 Cobb Parkway S., SuiteA-1, Marietta. www.artisanresourcecenter.net.
Fantasy in Lights at Callaway Gardens. Now in its 24th year, the display features scenes such as Christmas Tree Lane, Enchanted Rainbow Forest and Snowflake Valley, plus 10-minute light and music shows at Robin Lake Beach. Visitors can ride in an open-air trolley or in their own vehicle. Through Jan. 2. Adults $19-$28, kids 6-12 $9.50-$14. 5 and under free, ask for "free child" tickets when ordering in advance. 17800 U.S. 27, Pine Mountain. www.callawaygardens.com.
Garden Lights, Holiday Nights. More than 1.5 million LED lights decorate the 30-acre garden. A new feature, the Tunnel of light joins old friends Orchestral Orbs, Glittering Galaxy, Radiant Rainforest and more. Through Jan. 9. 5-10:o0 p.m. Peak night admission: Thursdays-Sundays, Thanksgiving and all nights from Dec. 17-Jan. 9: $26 (member discounts available for peak and non-peak); $20 ages 3-12; free under 3. Non-peak nights: Mondays-Wednesdays: $23; $17 ages 3-12. Night Light Special, 9-10:00 p.m. peak nights (advance booking online only): $15; regular admission for children. Advance tickets recommended. Parking: $10 ($5 for vehicles with four or more) 1345 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta. 1-855-454-6849, atlantabotanicalgarden.org.
Swedish Christmas Market. 10 a.m. Nov. 21. $2. Dorothy Benson Event Center, 6500 Vernon Woods Drive N.E., Sandy Springs. www.sacc-georgia.org.
Atlantic Station Annual Christmas Tree Lighting. 1-9 p.m. Nov. 21. Live music, entertainment, and kids activities all day. At 7:15 p.m., the holiday parade will begin. Yacht Rock Schooner plays from 8-8:30 p.m. followed by the tree lighting and fireworks. Atlantic Station, 1380 Atlantic Drive N.W., Atlanta. atlanticstation.com.
Snow Mountain. Nov. 21-Feb. 28. $28-$39.95. Stone Mountain Park, Highway 78, Stone Mountain. 770-498-5690, stonemountainpark.com.
Holiday in Lights at Centennial Olympic Park. Walk amid thousands of lights illuminating the 21-acre park. Nov. 21 through Jan. 10. Open 7 a.m.-11 p.m. daily. Free. Ice skating rink, also opening Nov. 21, is $12 per person (includes skate rental) for 90 minutes. 4:30-10 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays (until 11 p.m. Fridays), 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturdays, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sundays. 265 Park Ave W. N.W., Atlanta. 404-223-4412, centennialpark.com.
Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Over Georgia. The amusement park will be decorated with more than 1 million low-energy LED lights. Select rides (including Goliath, Dare Devil Dive and Georgia Scorcher) will be running, sections of the park will have distinct themes and the train will be rechristened the North Pole Express. 4-10 p.m. most nights, Nov. 21 through Jan. 3. Closed Thanksgiving day and Dec. 24-25. Open 2-10p.m. Dec. 26-Jan. 3. Day passes at the gate or online: $43.99-$48.99; $20 parking fee per car. 275 Riverside Parkway S.W., Austell. 770-739-3400, www.sixflags.com/overgeorgia.
Macy's Great Tree Lighting. 7 p.m. Nov. 22. Free. Lenox Square, 3393 Peachtree Road, Atlanta. www.simon.com/mall/lenox-square.
The Lighting of Avalon. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Nov. 22. The annual lighting of Avalon's 30-foot Christmas tree will kick off the holiday season. This family-friendly event will feature seasonal music, entertainment and free activities throughout the day. The Christmas tree is located next to Pinkberry in Avalon's Living Room. At sunset, Santa will arrive to light the tree. Avalon, 2200 Avalon Blvd., Alpharetta. www.experienceavalon.com.
Light Up Dunwoody. Dunwoody Christmas Village at Cheek/Spruill Farm. Village opens at 3 p.m. Nov. 22, tree lighting concludes the evening around 5:45 p.m. Vendors will sell gifts and food and beverages, photos with Santa. 5455 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody. 770-668-0401, www.dunwoodyga.org/Light-Up-Dunwoody.
Hapeville for the Holidays: Tree Lighting. Jess Lucas Y-Teen Park. 5:30-8 p.m. Nov. 24. Annual event includes carols, hot chocolate, Santa Claus visits, nondenominational Community Thanksgiving Service, "A Christmas Carol" characters, and tree lighting ceremony. hapeville.org.
Lights of Life at Life. Millions of light bulbs illuminate more than 100 displays dotting the 1.5-mile drive through Life University's campus. Nov. 26 through Dec. 31. 6-10 p.m. Cars: $10 Fridays-Sundays and Nov. 26-29, Dec. 18-31; $5 all other nights. Vans, buses: $20 nightly. (Additional fees for petting zoo, train and pony rides, photos with Santa.) 1269 Barclay Circle, Marietta. 678-331-4334, life.edu.
The City of Hampton Downtown Tree Lighting. Depot Park. 7 p.m. Nov. 26 (Thanksgiving evening). Event includes Christmas carols, complimentary cocoa and cookies. cityofhampton-ga.gov.
Day After Thanksgiving "Bark in the Park" Dog Hike. 11 a.m. Nov. 27. $5 parking. Sweetwater Creek State Park, 816, Lithia Springs. 770-732-5871, gastateparks.org/SweetwaterCreek.
Holidays at the High Artisan Market. Nov. 27-28. Free entrance to museum shop and market. High Museum of Art, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. www.high.org.
Holiday Light Spectacular at Atlanta Motor Speedway. View "over-the-top decorating" and get the rare chance to drive on the AMS oval. Nov. 27 through Dec. 30. 6-9 p.m. Sundays-Wednesdays, 6-10 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and holidays, open 6-10p.m. starting 12/17 through 12/30. $15 per car Mondays-Wednesdays, $20 Thursdays-Sundays and holidays, $20 12/17 through 12/30. 1500 Tara Place, Hampton. 770-946-4211, www.holidaylightspectacular.info.
Lanier Islands Christmas. Thousands of twinkling lights illuminate the new location and layout this year. Stroll down the beach and boardwalk to enjoy an extended tour of the light show. 5-10 p.m. nightly, Nov. 27 through Jan. 3. Adults, $17-$28, children (5-12), $10-$17. Live Nativity starts Dec. 4; plus other activities and attractions. Lanier Islands, 7000 Lanier Islands Parkway, Buford. 770-945-8787, lakelanierislands.com.
Stone Mountain Christmas. Walk through Crossroads village, illuminated by 2 million lights. Admission includes live holiday shows, film "Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas 4-D," Singalong Train ride around the mountain), holiday parade winding through the village, with Snow Angel flying over Crossroads for the finale just before a fireworks display. Nov. 27-Jan. 4 (closed Dec. 25). $24.95-$29.95; children 3-11, $19.95-$24.95. Parking pass, $15. Various combo packages, including Snow Mountain, available, see ticket page. Stone Mountain Park, Highway 78, Stone Mountain. 770-498-5690, stonemountainpark.com.
34th Annual Snellville Christmas Tree Lighting. Towne Green. 5:30-9 p.m. Nov. 28. Christmas Parade, visits and photos with Santa Claus, Christmas carolers, canned goods to Give Hunger the Boot. Tree lighting at 7 p.m. Check out ticketed events at www.snellvilletourism.com/events.
Buford Community Center Tree Lighting and "The Polar Express." Town Park Amphitheater. 6 p.m. Nov. 28. There will be fire pits for marshmallow roasting, an outdoor showing of "The Polar Express," and Santa Claus. 2200 Buford Highway N.E., Buford. 770-945-6762, bufordcommunitycenter.com.
Avondale Estates Annual City Christmas Tree Lighting. Clarendon Avenue and South Avondale Road. 6 p.m. Nov. 30. Festivities begin with Boy Scout Troop 6 giving away cookies. The Avondale Estates First Baptist Church begins caroling at 6:30 p.m. Tree lighting and cider and doughnuts to be served at approximately 7 p.m. Santa Claus to make an appearance. avondaleestates.org.
Lilburn Tree Lighting. Main Street. 7-8 p.m. Dec. 1. Lilburn Middle School Chorus will perform and coloring contest winners will be announced. cityoflilburn.com.
Coming Home for the Holidays in Smyrna. Smyrna Community Center. 5-8 p.m. Dec. 1 on the Village Green. Holiday festivities and musical performances. Santa will light the Christmas tree at 7 p.m. smyrnacity.com.
Marietta Square Christmas Tree Lighting. Glover Park. 5-8 p.m. Dec. 3. Festivities include caroling by local school choruses and visits with Santa, who arrives at 5:20 p.m., and tree lighting at 6 p.m. marietta.com.
The 2015 Vinings Jubilee Tree Lighting. Tower Stage at Vinings Jubilee. 6-8 p.m. Dec. 3. Family-friendly event includes holiday music, food, activities, train rides on the Vinings Express, face painting, balloon twisting, and pictures with Santa Claus. viningsjubilee.com.
Decatur Tree Lighting. 7 p.m. Dec. 3. Event includes caroling, cocoa, snow and an appearance by Santa Claus. Little Shop of Stories, 133A E. Court Square, Decatur. www.littleshopofstories.com.
City of Conyers Hometown Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting. Olde Town Conyers. 4-6 p.m. Dec. 5. Hometown Holiday Parade begins at 4 p.m. at Rockdale County High School, with over 70 floats and entries featuring Santa and Mrs. Claus. Lighting of the county Christmas tree at the Rockdale Auditorium caps the evening. conyersga.com.
Alpharetta Christmas Tree Lighting. Main Street. Festivities begin at 5 p.m. Dec. 5. Activities include free pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, a reading of "'Twas the Night Before Christmas," snow play area, strolling elves, balloon sculptures, marshmallow roasting, food trucks, Alpharetta's holiday market, holiday crafts, and more. alpharetta.ga.us.
Duluth Festival Center. Historic downtown Duluth. Event starts at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 5. Festival includes live music performances and appearance by Santa. duluthfallfestival.org.
Sixth Annual Downtown Fayetteville Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting. Gazebo on the square in downtown Fayetteville. Parade starts at 5 p.m. Dec. 5. Tree lighting program begins immediately after parade. fayetteville-ga.gov.
Flowery Branch Christmas Tree Lighting Festival. Downtown Flowery Branch. Noon-6 p.m. Dec. 5. Parade starts at 3 p.m. Music, vendors, photos with Santa. flowerybranchga.org.
City of McDonough Tree Lighting Celebration. 5 p.m. Dec. 5 on the historic McDonough Square. Christmas Parade follows at 6 p.m. www.mainstreetmcdonough.com.
Peachtree City Hometown Holiday. City Hall Plaza. 5 p.m. Dec. 5. Activities include children's holiday crafts, s'mores, live music performances, and visit from Santa Claus. Hometown Holiday will serve as an official Toys for Tots drop-off location. visitpeachtreecity.com.
City of Riverdale's Annual Tree Lighting and Holiday Celebration. The Amphitheater at the Riverdale Town Center. 5-8 p.m. Dec. 5. Celebration includes musical performances and activities for children of all ages. riverdaleculture.com.
Tyrone Christmas Tree Lighting. Shamrock Park. Festivities begin at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 6. Performances by local schools, churches, recreation classes, and businesses. Pictures with Santa Claus, hot chocolate, sleigh rides, tree lighting at 6:35 p.m. tyrone.org.
Union City Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony. Mayor's Park. 6 p.m. Dec. 7. Featuring live music, singalongs, and pictures with Santa Claus. unioncityga.org.
