Despite the fact that shopping malls have been sporting Christmas decorations since the day after Halloween, Thanksgiving still marks the start of the holiday season for most of us. That means starting this week, the race is on to get all the shopping, cooking, cleaning and decorating done in time for the onslaught of office parties, holiday dinners, gift exchanges and neighborhood gatherings. It’s easy to get caught up in the frantic pace of it all. So before your calendar gets booked up, consider buying tickets now for some of the seasonal events and cultural activities that only come around once a year. Ranging from high arts to lowbrow, here are some of our recommendations.
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”
Nothing says Christmas to people of a certain age like the 1964 stop-motion animated TV special featuring the voice of Burl Ives as Sam the Snowman. Now a new generation gets to enjoy this holiday classic one step better in a live-action puppet show, adapted and directed by Jon Ludwig. Follow the rosy-nosed reindeer on his adventures, along with Hermey the elf and Yukon Cornelius the prospector, as he visits The Island of Misfit Toys, dodges the Abominable Snow Monster and eventually saves Christmas by leading Santa's sleigh through the fog. "Rudolph Unwrapped," a behind-the-scenes demonstration of the show, follows select performances. Through Jan. 6. Center for Puppetry Arts. $9.25-$20.50. 404-873-3391, www.puppet.org
Garden Lights, Holiday Nights
Bedazzled sunflowers and dragonflies, choreographed "Orchestral Orbs," blue lit fountain sprays and an appearance by Lumina the Light Sprite transform the grounds of the Atlanta Botanical Garden into a rainbow-hued winter wonderland. Now in its second year, the event features more than 1 million lights that illuminate the garden's 30 acres. After a stroll through the grounds, shake off the chill with a cup of hot apple cider and toast a marshmallow over an open fire for make-your-own s'mores. Through Jan. 5. Atlanta Botanical Garden. $17-$20 adults, $11-$14 children ages 3-12. 404-876-5859, www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org.
“Urban Nutcracker”
Duke Ellington meets Tchaikovsky in this reinterpretation of the holiday dance classic that pits the Nutcracker against an army of mice. Classic ballet melds with tap and hip hop in the Ballethnic Ballet's rousing production, now in its 19th year. Through Nov. 18, Georgia Tech's Ferst Center for the Arts, 404-894-9601, www.ballethnic.org.
Marietta Pilgrimage
Ever wish you could peek inside the windows of those gorgeous historic homes around the Marietta Square? The 26th annual holiday home tour is your opportunity to walk right in and give them a full inspection. On the tour are a 1905 farm house, a 1925 bungalow and an 1896 Victorian Queen Anne-cum-neoclassical, among others. Public buildings on tour include Zion Baptist Church, one of the oldest African-American churches in north Georgia, and the Marlow House, a boarding house built in 1887 that now serves as a B&B. The tour kicks off with a black-tie gala on Nov. 30, and evening tours are candlelit. Dec. 1-2, $15-$25. Tickets available in advance online or day of tour at the Marietta Visitors Bureau of any home on the tour for cash or check only. 770-429-1115, 770-426-4982, www.mariettapilgrimage.com.
“Holidays with the Chalks”
When Tubby's Bar and Grill burns down following a gig by the country-western trio the Chalks, all heck breaks out when the honky-tonking sisters are detained on suspicion. Hoping to get their tour bus back on the road by Christmas, Judeen, Judelle and Belva spend their time under bus arrest in Tubby's parking lot "drinking, cheating and hair pulling" when they aren't singing tunes like "Mud Flap Mama" and "Hog Wild & Hog Tied." Susan Booth directs. Nov. 30-Dec. 23, Alliance Theatre's Hertz Stage. $25-$45. 404-733-5000, www.alliancetheatre.org.
Atlanta Ballet’s “Nutcracker”
Herr Drosselmeyer's magic bag gets an extra dose of holiday magic thanks to illusionist Drew Thomas, who works with Artistic Director John McFall to heighten the pageantry of the ballet's 53rd annual production of the holiday classic. This year also marks the return of students from the Atlanta Chinese Dance Company who perform the Chinese variation in Act 2. The Atlanta Ballet Orchestra and Georgia Youth Choir will perform Tchaikovsky's fairy tale score at all performances. Dec. 7-26, Fox Theatre. $20-$120. 404-873-5811, www.atlantaballet.com.
“A John Waters Christmas”
Nothing is sacred when it comes to filmmaker John Waters, even Christmas. So expect plenty of profane humor when the writer/director of "Pink Flamingos," "Hairspray" and "Cry-Baby" brings his one-man show to Variety Playhouse. Tips on gift-giving etiquette, holiday fetishes and the dangers of handing over one's baby for a live nativity scene surrounded by candles, hay and donkeys are on the menu. 8 p.m. Dec. 13, Variety Playhouse. $40-$35, 800-745-3000, www.variety-playhouse.com.
ASO Handel’s “Messiah” and Gospel Christmas
Little did Handel know when "Messiah" debuted in Dublin in April 1742 to modest reception that it would go on to become one of the Western world's most beloved and frequently performed choral works. The ASO Chamber Chorus joins the orchestra in performing Part 1 of the oratorio. Bach's "Gloria" from Mass in B minor is also on the program. Expect a spirited performance when the ASO Gospel Choir joins forces with the orchestra for the ASO Gospel Christmas. Handel's "Messiah," 8 p.m. Dec. 13 and Dec. 15. $30-$60. Gospel Christmas, 8 p.m. Dec. 14 and 2 p.m. Dec. 15, $18-$45. Woodruff Arts Center, Symphony Hall, 1280 Peachtree St. 404-733-5000, www.atlantasymphony.org.
Yacht Rock Holiday Special
Leisure suits and soft rock meet Christmas tree tinsel and fake snow when the Yacht Rock Revue brings the holiday spirit to Variety Playhouse. Part parody, part homage, the show features hits by Hall and Oates, Toto and one-hit wonders like Rupert Holmes, along with a boatload of yuletide tunes that are sure to put some punch in your eggnog. 8 p.m. Dec. 15. $25-$20. Variety Playhouse. 800-745-3000, www.variety-playhouse.com
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