This weekend is full of holiday celebrations, starting with Atlanta's annual Christmas parade and continuing with a sleigh full of community and city tree lightings all across metro Atlanta.
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The Children's Christmas Parade
Date: 10:30 a.m. December 7
Description: Beginning at 10:30 a.m., Saturday December 7, 2013, Peachtree Street in Midtown Atlanta will be transformed into Santa Claus Lane with the sights and sounds of the season. Enjoy the splendor of the holidays for the biggest holiday parade in the southeast- featuring festive floats, marching bands, live performances and much more. To purchase bleacher seats please go to www.choa.org/paradebleachers.
Venue: Midtown Atlanta
Cost: $18 per bleacher seat; No cost for street viewing
Peachtree St NW, Midtown Atlanta. Parade begins at 16th Street and ends at 5th Street
http://www.choa.org/parade | Read more about this parade and others across metro Atlanta on MyAJC.com
Vinings Christmas Tree Lighting
Date: 6 p.m. Thursday December 5
Description: Come enjoy holiday music, delicious treats, Vinings Express train rides, pony rides, face painting, balloon twisting and of course pictures with Santa Claus! The Vinings Jubilee Christmas Tree Lighting is a Vinings tradition kicking off the holiday season with a community event perfect for the whole family.
Venue: Vinings Jubilee
Cost: Free
4300 Paces Ferry Rd. SE, Atlanta
(770) 438-8080
viningsjubilee.com
Christmas for the Community, Smyrna
Date: 6:30 p.m. Thursday December 5
Description: Emory-Adventist Hospital at Smyrna will host its 3rd annual Christmas for the Community tree lighting event on Thursday, December 5 at 6:30 p.m. This free event will be held in front of the hospital and feature musical performances, warm drinks and cookies, and appearances by the Smyrna Fire Department, The Fish 104.7 and Santa Claus. Families and friends are encouraged to bring their cameras for pictures with Santa!
Venue: Emory Adventist Hospital
Cost: FREE
3949 S. Cobb Dr. SE, Smyrna
(770) 434-0710
www.emoryadventist.org
Alpharetta City Tree Lighting Celebration
Date: 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6
Description: Alpharetta Downtown Historic District will light up at the 36th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting on Friday, December 6, 2013. Celebration will fill the downtown streets in with Musical Performances, Santa, Snow, Movies, Food Trucks, Farmer's Market and more. Parking and shuttles from Wills Park and Milton Center, 30 School Drive, Alpharetta.
Venue: Downtown Alpharetta
2 South Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009
http://www.alpharetta.ga.us/
City of Douglasville Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting
Date: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec 6
Description: The city of Douglasville puts on one of the largest Christmas parades and tree lighting ceremonies in the area. The night kicks off with a parade and concert that leads right into the Christmas tree lighting in downtown Douglasville. Santa will also be present to visit and take pictures with children.
Venue: Downtown Douglasville and O'Neal Plaza
6695 Church Street Douglasville, GA 30134
(770) 947-5920
http://visitdouglasville.com/Calendar.aspx?EID=78
More metro Atlanta Christmas parades
38th Annual College Park Christmas Parade: 11 a.m. Dec. 14. Tri-City Plaza to Yale Avenue Sun Trust Bank. www.collegeparkga.com.
Newnan's Annual Christmas Parade: 3 p.m. Dec. 8. Downtown Newnan, ending at Newnan High School. www.cityofnewnan.org.
Kirkwood Home for the Holidays, Atlanta
Date: 5 p.m. December 7
Description: A holiday celebration in downtown Kirkwood including a holiday market, tree lighting, live music, pet costume contest, and so much more!
Venue: Kirkwood Station
Cost: FREE
1963 Hosea L Williams Dr. NE, Atlanta
(404) 370-1505
Town Brookhaven Tree Lighting
Date: December 5, 2013 5:30pm- 8:00pm
Description: Mayor J. Max Davis will light the tree amid a variety of related activites. Children can visit with Santa, and local singers and musicians will perform. Students from Chamblee High School will read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas after lighting.
Venue: Town Brookhaven
Cost: FREE
4330 Peachtree Rd. NE, Atlanta, 30319
www.townbrookhaven.net
Lighting of Roswell Square
Date: 5 p.m., Saturday, Dec 7
Description: This family event includes carolers from local schools, lighting of Town Square, a reading of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas and a visit from Santa Claus.
Cost: FREE
Venue: Historic Roswell Town Square
Atlanta Street and Marietta Highway, Roswell.
www.roswellgov.com
City of Kennesaw's A Day with Santa
Date: Noon-6 p.m,. Saturday, Dec 7
Description: Santa's arrival begins at noon with a parade featuring costumed characters, designer floats, marching bands, and live reindeer pulling Santa's sleigh. The entertainment continues with activities, stage performances, and food, crafts, gift & merchandise vendors near the Depot. Activities include snow tubing, snow playground, free and pay-to-play inflatables, trackless train rides, a petting zoo, pony rides, and more. Festivities conclude with a Christmas tree lighting program at 5 p.m. Santa's arrival begins at noon with a parade featuring costumed characters, designer floats, marching bands, and live reindeer pulling Santa's sleigh.
Venue: Kennesaw Depot
2828 Cherokee St., Kennesaw 30144
(770) 422-9714
http://www.adaywithsanta.com
City of Riverdale's Annual Tree Lighting Concert & Holiday Celebration
Date: 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec 7
Description: Performance from local choirs and national recording artist Regina Belle. Children will have the opportunity to have their picture taken with Santa for $5 per picture.
Venue: The Amphitheater at Riverdale Town Center
7200 Church Street, Riverdale, 30274
(770) 909-5300
http://www.riverdaleculture.com/Calendar.aspx?EID=109
Snow Shows
Date: Through Dec. 31. Times vary.
Description: Snow Shows will take place Nov. 23 through Dec. 31, weather permitting, every Monday–Thursday at 7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday at 6 p.m., 7 p.m., 8 p.m. and 9 p.m.; and Sunday at 6 p.m. w Shows will take place Nov. 23 through Dec. 31, weather permitting, every Monday–Thursday at 7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday at 6 p.m., 7 p.m., 8 p.m. and 9 p.m.; and Sunday at 6 p.m.
Venue: Atlantic Station
1380 Atlantic Dr. NW, Atlanta
(404) 733-1221
Ongoing Christmas attractions: Find information about snow, light and holiday shows at
Carols for Christmas
Date: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6 and 4:30 p.m.- Dec. 8
Description: A cast of over 200 singers, instrumentalists and actors kick off a spectacular start to the Christmas season.The concert will feature much-loved Christmas movies that lead listeners on a journey through memories of Christmases past. Using clips from nostalgic Christmas classics to evoke memories we all hold dear, this light-hearted, family-friendly concert will leave the audience with the warmth and knowledge of the true meaning of Christmas
Venue: Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church
4385 Lower Roswell Rd., Marietta
770-971-2730 & 770-971-2880
mtbethel.org/
A Choral Guild Christmas
Date: 8 p.m. December 5-6
Description: The Covington/Conyers Choral Guild presents 'A Choral Guild Christmas' Thursday, Dec. 5 at Covington First Baptist Church, and Friday, Dec. 6 at the Rockdale Auditorium in Conyers.
(770) 483-1295
The Marietta Pilgrimage: A Christmas Tour of Homes
Date: 9 a.m. December 7- December 8
Description: The Marietta Pilgrimage is a Christmas Home Tour that takes place in the historic districts around the Marietta Square. The tour, a favorite holiday tradition for over 25 years, showcases 6 private historic homes all lovingly restored and decorated for the season. This much loved event will unveil its 27th Edition, December 7-8, 2013. The Marietta Visitors Bureau and Cobb Landmarks & Historical Society organize the tour each year.
Venue: Marietta Welcome Center and Visitors Bureau
Cost: $15-$25
4 Depot St., Marietta
(770) 429-1115
www.mariettasquare.com
Latimer Hall Arts and Craft Show
Date: Dec. 7 and Dec. 21
Description: Latimer Hall Arts and Craft Show in Downtown, Woodstock continues it's monthly show and Fall Season!
Venue: Latimer Hall - Arts and Craft Show
Cost: free
103 Towne Lake Pkwy., Woodstock
www.mainstreetcraftshow.com/
Christmas in Crabapple
Date: 2 p.m. December 7
Description: The city of Milton and the the Crabapple Community Association host the sixth annual Christmas in Crabapple from 2 to 5 p.m. in historic downtown Crabapple. Nearby Friendship Community Park will offer Christmas, Hanukkah and holiday music favorites, a holiday bounce house, funnel cakes, hot chocolate and holiday train rides. The CCA is offering photos with Santa Claus at Blencoe and Co. Photographic Arts, a bonfire at Crabapple Crossroads and the return of the "North Pole Passport" program featuring local businesses.
Venue: Crabapple Crossroads
790 Mayfield Rd., Alpharetta
(678) 242-2500
www.crabapplecommunityassociation.org/
An Evening in Bethlehem
Date: 5 p.m. December 7
Description: Experience a Christmas like no other! Don't miss "An Evening in Bethlehem," a free, indoor, community-wide Christmas event for all ages. Roam through the authentic 1st Century marketplace, brought to life by costumed characters and real animals. Share the excitement of shepherds, Roman soldiers, shopkeepers, and artisans, and witness the live production that tells the story of the very first Christmas. Reserve your time (5, 6, or 7 p.m.) at www.rumc.com/bethlehem for this live nativity event.
Venue: Roswell United Methodist Church
814 Mimosa Blvd., Roswell
(770) 261-1701
www.rumc.com/
