Georgia malls are gearing up for Black Friday, but there is more to do than shopping this holiday season. How about some mall entertainment to get you through those long lines and traffic? Here are some things coming up at malls around metro Atlanta. A word about visiting with Santa: If it's possible to make a reservation, please do so for the sake of your child and your sanity!
ATLANTIC STATION
1380 Atlantic Drive N.W., Atlanta. 404-733-1221, www.atlanticstation.com.
Skate Atlantic Station
Lace up and skate at Atlantic Station's ice skating rink between 17th and 18th streets. 3-10 p.m. Nov. 21 until Feb. 15. $10-$13.
Christmas tree lighting
Enjoy the winter weather, live music, entertainment, kids activities and snow. Christmas tree lighting around 8:30p.m.. Noon-9 p.m. Nov. 21. Children can get a picture with Santa from Nov. 21 until Dec. 24. Photo packages $19.99-$24.99.
Snow Show
Snow falls every night this holiday season in Central Park at Atlantic Station. 7 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 6, 7, 8 and 9 p.m. Friday-Saturday from Nov. 21 until Jan. 1.
AVALON
2200 Avalon Blvd., Alpharetta. 770-765-2000, www.experienceavalon.com.
The Lighting of Avalon
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. 11a.m.-9 p.m. Nov. 22. www.experienceavalon.com.
Avalon on Ice
Glide across an outdoor ice rink similar in size to the famous Rockefeller Center in New York. Nov. 22-Jan. 24. 3:30-10 p.m. Mondays-Fridays; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturdays; noon-7 p.m. Sundays. $18 including skates, kids $12 (only valid Mon-Thursday 3:30-6PM). Group and private lessons available. 770-765-1000, www.experienceavalon.com.
Meet Santa
Santa will host children and their families in Santa's Workshop for a variety of events, including cookies and story time. Nov.23-Dec. 24. Sunday-Thursday 12-7p.m. Friday-Saturday 10a.m.-8p.m. Check the website for special Santa opportunities: www.experienceavalon.com.
CUMBERLAND MALL
1000 Cumberland Mall, Atlanta. 770-435-2206, www.cumberlandmall.com.
Photos with Santa
Santa Claus is in town and at Cumberland Mall. Take a photo with Santa Nov. 21-Dec. 24. Bring your pet at 6-9p.m. Mondays Nov. 23-Dec. 14. Reservations require a photo package, $31.99-$45.99, reservations not required. www.cumberlandmall.com.
LENOX SQUARE
3393 Peachtree Road N.E., Atlanta. 404-233-6767, www.simon.com/mall/lenox-square.
Macy's Pink Pig
Now until Jan. 3, take a ride through a life-size storybook adventure featuring Priscilla the Pink Pig and her friends. Tickets are available at the Macy's Pink Pig kiosk located between Abercrombie & Fitch and Godiva on the upper level. Closed Nov. 22, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. $3 for 1 ride, $5.50 for 2 rides, and $7.50 for 3 rides.For the 2015-2016 operating schedule, visit www.macys.com.
Photos with Santa
Nov. 5-Dec. 24, come by the Macy's Court to capture a photo with Santa. Santa is a busy man, hours vary by the day with longer hours nearing Christmas Eve; check simon.com/mall/lenox-square for Santa's complete schedule and pricing. Reservations $10 per family, which can be applied toward a $39.99 photo package.
Macy's Great Tree Lighting
Lenox Square Mall. Sunday, Nov. 22. Tree lighting is at 7p.m., a concert featuring Jordin Sparks begins at 6p.m. www.simon.com/mall/lenox-square/
MALL OF GEORGIA
3333 Buford Drive, Buford. 678-482-8788, www.simon.com/mall/mall-of-georgia.
Photos with Santa
Nov. 5-Dec. 24, come by Nordstrom Court to capture a photo with Santa. Visit www.simon.com/mall/mall-of-georgia for Santa's day-to-day schedules and pricing. Reservations $10 per family, which can be applied toward a $39.99 photo package.
Pet Night with Santa
From 8-10p.m. Dec. 13, shoppers are invited to bring their furry friends to have holiday photos taken with Santa in Nordstrom Court. Please visit the website for more details.
United Hospice Tree of Memories
Nov. 27-Dec. 24. Those who have lost loved ones can share their favorite memory on a memory card and place it on the Tree of Memories inside the mall. Located on the upper level across from Macy's.
Red Cross blood drives
Noon-5 p.m. Nov. 27-29, Dec. 12-13 and Dec. 26-27. Trained Red Cross staff will be collecting donations in the upper level near Dick's Sporting Goods. Log on to redcrossblood.org to schedule an appointment in advance. Use the code 'moga' for Mall of Georgia.
NORTH POINT MALL
1000 North Point Circle, Alpharetta. 770-740-9273, www.northpointmall.com.
Interactive Santa photos
North Point Mall and DreamWorks Animation take guests on a never-before-seen, magical experience with the "Adventure to Santa" 15-minute movie. Join Shrek and his friends as they take you on an interactive journey to find Santa at the North Pole. Then visit with Santa and pose for a keepsake photo. Nov. 6-Dec. 24. Times vary. Reservations only available with purchase of $40-$74 photo package. www.northpointmall.com/events/adventure-to-santa.
NORTHLAKE MALL
4800 Briarcliff Road., Atlanta. 770-938-3565, www.simon.com/mall/northlake-mall.
Santa's arrival
Santa makes his Northlake arrival via a parade that begins at 6p.m. on Nov.21. The fun, including performances, refreshments, and prize giveaways continues until the tree lighting around 8p.m.
Photos with Santa
Photos with the big guy will be available Nov. 21-Dec. 24. Pets can get their photo taken with Santa on Nov. 29th from 6p.m.-8p.m. Contact the mall at 770-938-3565 for hours and pricing.
PERIMETER MALL
4400 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Atlanta. 770-394-4270, www.perimetermall.com.
Nov. 14-Dec. 24. Santa's detailed schedule and pricing can be found online. Reservations require a photo package, $34.99-49.99 Reservations are not required. Bring your pet for photos with Santa 6-8p.m. Mondays, Nov. 16-Dec. 14.
PHIPPS PLAZA
3500 Peachtree Road N.E., Atlanta. 404-262-0992, www.simon.com/mall/phipps-plaza.
Photos with Santa
We hate to be the Grinch but Santa's elves tell us he's already completely booked up for 2015. You can double-check us here: santaatphipps.com.
Holiday Community Day
Enjoy a festive day of live, seasonal entertainment from various organizations from throughout the Atlanta community during Phipps Plaza's Eighth Annual Holiday Community Day. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 12. in Monarch Court.
TOWN CENTER AT COBB
400 Ernest W Barrett Parkway, Kennesaw. 770-424-9486, www.simon.com/mall/town-center-at-cobb.
Kidgits PJ Party with Santa
Dec. 5, 1-3p.m. Cookies and refreshments with Mrs. Claus and DJ Scott then a visit and a story and songs with Santa. If your kiddo is not a member you can sign her/him up anytime at Guest Services or at the event for just $5. Kidgits PJ Party.
Photos with Santa
Capture the holiday spirit with Santa. He will be stationed in Center Court for photo opportunities. Until Dec. 24. Shoppers are invited to bring their pets to have holiday photos taken with Santa from 6-8 p.m. Nov. 15 & 29 or from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 13 from 8-10 p.m. in the Center Court. Reservations are $10 which can be applied toward a photo package. There will be a no reservation line too. Santa's detailed schedule can be found online.
Red Cross blood drives
Town Center at Cobb invites shoppers to spread the holiday cheer and help save lives by donating blood. Trained Red Cross staff will be collecting donations from noon-5 p.m. Nov. 27-29 and Dec.26-27, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. on Dec. 24 in the upper level J.C. Penney Wing. To schedule an appointment in advance got to redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code TCAC.
For more ideas about gifts, decorating, where to eat and what to do, check out our complete Atlanta Holiday Guide.
