Looking for something to keep the family happily occupied this weekend? Atlanta has plenty of activities going on, including a comic convention, a parent-child cooking class and a race that covers a 5K, 10K and a half-marathon.
Check out the following 16 things in metro Atlanta this weekend:
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Cobb
Book Swap. noon-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10 drop offs, 8 a.m.-11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 11 swap time. Free. Ben Robertson Community Center, 2753 Watts Drive, Kennesaw. kennesaw-ga.gov.
Gather your gently used books, CDs, DVDs and vinyl records to trade in for tickets you can redeem for the same number of items.
Bonsai Work Group. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. with lunch from noon-1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11. Included with Gardens admission of $10 general admission, $8 seniors 65 and up, $5 military/university student/youths age 3-17 and free for Gardens members and kids age 2 and under. Smith-Gilbert Gardens, 2382 Pine Mountain Road, Kennesaw. 770-919-0248. https://smithgilbertgardens.com/.
Learn more about bonsai as curator Rodney Clemons cares for and prunes the Gardens’ bonsai collection, answering questions along the way.
Greater Atlanta Coin Show. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 12. Free admission and parking. Hilton Atlanta/Marietta Hotel & Conference Center, Joe Mack Wilson Ballroom, 500 Powder Springs St., Marietta. 770-772-4359. http://www.atlcoin.com/.
Visit over 35 coin dealers’ tables to find collectible and investment coins, currency, bullion, jewelry and more.
"Guys and Dolls: In Concert." 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11. Jennie T. Anderson Theatre, 548 S. Marietta Parkway SE, Marietta. 770-528-8490. andersontheatre.org.
The Carroll Symphony Orchestra performs selections from the classic musical “Guys and Dolls.”
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DeKalb
Simple Sustainable Resolutions Class. 2 p.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 12. Free. Dunwoody Nature Center, North Woods Pavilion, 5343 Roberts Drive, Dunwoody. 770-394-3322. dunwoodynature.org.
Learn simple tips to incorporate sustainability into your lifestyle. The class is designed for adults and youths age 13 and up. Bring a container, since you’ll be making an earth-friendly household cleaner to take home.
Atlanta Comic Convention. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 12. $5 admission, free parking. Marriott Hotel-Century Center, 2000 Century Blvd., Atlanta. atlantacomicconvention.com.
Over a million comic books, toys, posters, Star Wars items and more are offered for sale. Print out a coupon to get a free T-shirt with paid admission (while supplies last).
Park Volunteer Day. 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 12. Mason Mill Park, 1340 McConnell Drive, Suite B, Decatur. 404-491-3670. dekalbcountyga.gov.
All ages are welcome to join park staff and master gardeners to help beautify and restore the park. You’ll also learn more about plants and gardening. Volunteers should dress for the weather, wear proper footwear and bring a refillable water bottle.
The Sun: Our Living Star. 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11. $7 adults, $5 students/seniors. Jim Cherry Memorial Planetarium, Fernbank Science Center, 156 Heaton Park Drive, Atlanta. 678-874-7102. http://fsc.fernbank.edu/.
This planetarium show features never-before seen footage of the sun’s violent surface. A free presentation will be held at 1 p.m. before the show.
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North Fulton
StarLab. 1 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 12. Included with general admission: $6 Child/$10 Adult/$7 Seniors 65+/$7 Students 13-18/Free CNC Members and Kids 2 and under. Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell. 770-992-2055. chattnaturecenter.org.
Visit the Chattahoochee Nature Center’s inflatable planetarium to see what the winter sky looks like. The program is designed for age 6 and up.
Big & Little Chef: Bakeshop. 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 12. $75 for parent/child combo. Alpharetta Cooking School, Alpharetta Commons, 4305 State Bridge Road, Alpharetta. 770-751-8560. https://ww4.publix.com/.
Pair up with your child age 5-12 to make delicious sweets such as turtle brownies and easy cinnamon rolls.
Walk with a Doc. 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 11. Free. Newtown Park, 3150 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek. https://www.johnscreekga.gov.
Walk to get some exercise and the chance to ask questions one-on-one with a doctor.
CPR Class. 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 11. Johns Creek City Hall, 11360 Lakefield Drive, Johns Creek. johnscreekga.gov.
Residents of Johns Creek who are at least 12 years old can learn CPR and how to use an AED (automated external defibrillator).
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Gwinnett
Rock the New Year Half Marathon, 10K and 5K. 8 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 12. $25-$45. Lenora Park, 4515 Lenora Church Road SW, Snellville. deborahmontgomeryracing.com/.
Take part in a 5K, 10K or half marathon on a wide path through a scenic park.
Can't Get Next to You Temptations Revue. 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10. $30-$40. Buford Community Center Town Park & Theatre, 2200 Buford Highway, Buford. 770-904-2740. bufordcommunitycenter.com.
Larry Johnson headlines a revue of Temptations tunes from the 1960s, including “Can’t Get Next to You.”
"The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time." 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10 and 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11. $44 and up. Aurora Theatre, 128 East Pike St., Lawrenceville. 678-226-6222. auroratheatre.com.
This Tony Award-winning play tells the story of a boy on the spectrum who finds himself wrongly accused of murdering his neighbor’s dog.
Trees for the Georgia Landscape. 11:15 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 11. Norcross City Hall, 65 Lawrenceville St., Norcross. advance online registration required. norcrossgardenclub.org.
The Norcross Tree Board and Norcross Garden Club will present a program on Trees for the Georgia Landscape. Wayne Juers, aka The Plant Doctor, is the guest speaker.
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