Christmas in Cobb: 11 places to see tree lightings, Santa and more

Cecily Sullivan (center) pushes the candy cane to turn on the lights on the main Christmas tree inside Six Flags Over Georgia in Austell on Friday, Nov. 21, 2014. Holiday in the Park runs through Jan.4, 2015. JONATHAN PHILLIPS / SPECIAL

Credit: Jonathan Phillips

Credit: Jonathan Phillips

Cecily Sullivan (center) pushes the candy cane to turn on the lights on the main Christmas tree inside Six Flags Over Georgia in Austell on Friday, Nov. 21, 2014. Holiday in the Park runs through Jan.4, 2015. JONATHAN PHILLIPS / SPECIAL

Christmas is in the air. Wait, maybe that's smoke. Whatever, it's probably Christmas.

And with Christmas in the air, you're probably looking for how to best celebrate the holiday.

There's everything in Cobb County from massive Christmas tree lighting events to holiday craft festivals that'll help you find the perfect gift for that one persnickety person.

Check out some of the events that'll be going on in Cobb:

Lace up your skates and clear out some space on your phone for photos because downtown Marietta is all about Christmas the rest of the year.

Although delayed by weather and technical difficulty, the city's second ice skating rink in Glover Park is open.

You can now attempt to not fall on the ice for $12 a person. For a pictures with Santa, reserve a time online. Plan your trip by looking at the schedules here.

Whatever you do when you get to 50 N. Park Square, just be ready to make memories.

Aside from being at home drinking cocoa with your family, there's only one place to celebrate the holidays in Austell.

Holiday in the Park at Six Flags over Georgia is a Cobb classic that's already back in full swing.

If you're heading there for holiday cheer, check out the top five things you need to know.

Head to Town Center at Cobb for pictures with Old Saint Nick. He'll be there until the day before Christmas because, you know, he gets a little busy after that.

Santa photo packages start at $24.99, but put down $10 early and reserve a spot. And take a look at the schedule.

Nov. 24 to Dec. 31: Lights of Life at Life University

Life University’s annual holiday light show is billed as one of the most affordable light shows in the Southeast.

Don't miss a 65-foot-tall Santa and his sleigh.

Head to the school, 1269 Barclay Circle in Marietta, from 6 to 10 p.m. for $10 per car on the weekends and $5 per car Monday through Thursday.

If you're into choral music, light refreshments and a big 'ol tree, then Kennesaw has something for you.

Join the free fun from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Tunnel Plaza on Main Street.

If you're looking to kick the yuletide month off right, consider spending a couple hours at Vinings Jubilee.

At least 1,000 people did last year, said a spokeswoman for the event, which will be held at 4300 Paces Ferry Road NW.

If you think the holly jolly bearded man would miss this, then you don't know Christmas.

The Santa Express Train will be chugging along all night. He'll be available for pictures and gift requests.

As if it wasn't already good enough for the kiddos, there will be face-painting, balloon art, cookie decorating and more.

If you've slacked on getting holiday gifts, the Christmas House Arts & Crafts Show in Mableton has your back.

Head to the Mable House Arts Center, 5239 Floyd Road, for handmade bath items, scented candles, jewelry, metal art, pottery, toys, food, home decor and much more.

Scout out some of the artists and their goods on the event's Facebook page.

You can get double the pictures at this holiday event in downtown Acworth.

The party starts an hour before, but Mr. and Mrs. Claus both roll into town at the historic train depot about 6:30 p.m., and you'll be able to snap pictures with them about 15 minutes later.

There will be live performances until 8:30 p.m., and Mayor Tommy Allegood will read "The Night Before Christmas." And then there's the tree lighting on Main Street.

Also, because it seems like you're into holiday fun, you'll be able to eat candy canes with some elves, enjoy a puppet show, get your face painted, ride a train, roast a marshmallow, sip some hot chocolate and watch a live nativity.

If you were planning on driving down Main Street in Kennesaw about noon that day, you're going to have a problem. A good one.

Santa arrives at noon to an hourlong parade of marching bands, decorated floats and vintage cars. But that's just the start.

If you want to avoid it because you're all "ain't nobody got time for that," here's the parade route, which is just under a mile:  It begins near the intersection of Park Drive and Main Street before heading south and east down Main, past Cherokee Street Northwest and toward Cemetery Street where the parade will end.

The celebration spills over into Depot Park, where Big Shanty Drive meets Cherokee Street Northwest.

There will be free snow tubing, crafts for children along with gifts and food to buy.

There are worse ways to spend a Saturday.

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For the 30th year, you can get a peak inside six Marietta homes on Kennesaw Avenue.

"Each home has been lovingly restored and will be decorated for the holiday season," said the event's website.

It'll be like a real-life Pinterest board, and you can make all your friends jealous. Check out the schedule and map here.

Back after its inaugural year, the three-day event boasts a "one-of-a-kind shopping experience."

It will be hosted by Market Maker Events and held at Cobb Galleria Centre, which the event described as being "in the affluent suburbs of Atlanta."

Well, would you look at that.

Advance tickets are $8 but $10 at the door. Tickets are good for all three days in case your feet get tired or you run out of hands to carry things.

You can find a list of the vendors, a schedule and a look at the floorplan on the event's website.

In all, there will be 120 artists selling clothing, jewelry, men's gifts and cookware along with home and garden items.