Atlanta elementary school students performed at the 68th Annual Macy's Great Tree Lighting ceremony last month.

The Sarah Smith Elementary School fourth and fifth grade chorus performed at the event for the third year in a row. Their teacher, Neil Thompson, selected the song Let There Be Peace on Earth “to shine a positive message this holiday season.”

Thousands of people showed up to the Lenox Square event Thanksgiving week to help ring in the holiday season.

Channel 2’s Jovita Moore and Craig Lucie hosted the evening that included performances by contemporary Christian music group MercyMe, and Jordin Sparks and Danny Gokey, both of “American Idol.”

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Students at Carver Early College School of Technology attend the school’s art class on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025. Atlanta Public Schools plans to convert the campus to a school of the arts that will serve grades 6-12. The plan depends on voters extending a one-cent sales tax for education. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

Credit: Natrice Miller

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Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com