Looking for something to do this weekend in metro Atlanta? As Christmas grows closer, you’ll find several tree lightings and holiday music concerts as well as the chance to shop for unique gifts at local markets.
Check out the following 16 things to do this weekend in metro Atlanta:
Cobb
Credit: From southernmuseum.org
Credit: From southernmuseum.org
9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11. Adults $10, seniors 65+ $8, active-duty military/student with ID and children 3-17 $5, children 2 and under free. The Southern Museum of Civil War & Locomotive History, 2829 Cherokee St. NW, Kennesaw. 770-427-2117.
Come to The Southern Museum for a day of holiday activities including 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. screenings of “The Polar Express,” a 1 p.m. reading of the book, a 1 p.m.-5 p.m. appearance by Santa and Mrs. Claus and craft and educational tables set up throughout the day.
Christmas Concert: Atlanta Christmas Extravaganza
6 p.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11. Free admission. Taylor-Brawner Park, 3180 Atlanta Road, Smyrna.
Listen to an eight-piece band performing Christmas music including traditional, spiritual and pop favorites.
5 p.m.-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11. Free admission. Piedmont Church, 570 Piedmont Road, Marietta. 770-422-2566.
Shop at over 40 arts and crafts booths and enjoy food and entertainment. Kids will have a huge play area and interactive crafts, and photos with Santa will be available for free.
Stepp Stewart’s A Soulful Christmas
8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12 plus additional dates. $35-$45. Marietta’s New Theatre in the Square, 11 Whitlock Ave., Marietta. 770-426-4800.
Take the whole family to a musical event with Stepp Stewart, a Broadway veteran and dance fitness star on “The Dr. Oz Show.” The show features Broadway-style production numbers, soulful voices and classic Christmas songs.
DeKalb
Winter Animal Habits and Tracking
1 p.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11. Free. Dunwoody Nature Center, 5343 Robert Drive, Dunwoody. 770-394-3322.
Join a guided walk through the Dunwoody Nature Center to learn about the winter habits of native animals.
Credit: From artstation.org
Credit: From artstation.org
8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9-Saturday, Dec. 11 and 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12, plus additional dates. $21 and up. ART Station, 5384 Manor Drive, Stone Mountain Village, Stone Mountain. 770-469-1105.
Laugh along with the story of four Southern belles from different generations and their dysfunctional countrified Christmas celebrations. Masks are required, and patrons age 12 and up must provide proof of a completed COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test completed no more than 72 hours before the show.
Sesquicentennial Grand Finale Event
4 p.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11. Along Park Avenue, Doraville. 770-451-8745.
Doraville turns 150 this month! Celebrate with a grand finale event with food trucks, photos with Santa, the annual tree lighting, live music, a photo booth and light-up swag.
Stonecrest’s Soulful Tree Lighting Spectacular
4 p.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11. Free admission. 2994 Turner Hill Road, Stonecrest. 866-633-5252.
Join in the fun at the city of Stonecrest’s annual tree lighting with live entertainment, holiday characters and a Santa meet-and-greet.
North Fulton
Credit: From chattnature.org
Credit: From chattnature.org
Noon-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12. Make reservations in advance for a time slot. Walk-ups may be accommodated if possible. $10 adults, $7 seniors 65+ and students age 13-18, $6 children age 3-12 and free for children 2 and under and members. Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell. 770-992-2055.
Create family memories at this popular annual event, which features live reindeer, seasonal festivities, crafts, lawn games and more.
Trumpet! Voice! Piano! Holiday Concert
3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12. $30 (includes hors d’oeuvres and wine). Alpharetta Arts Center, 238 Canton St., Alpharetta.
Enjoy festive music from Nathan Hudson on the trumpet, David Troy Francis on the piano and soprano Tiffany Wharton.
A Tour of California Wine Country
6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10. $60. Publix Aprons Cooking School, 4305 State Bridge Road, Alpharetta. 770-751-8560.
Watch a chef prepare a menu that includes dishes like beef Wellington while pairing it with the perfect California wine. The class is for adults 18 and under, and if you’re drinking wine, you’ll need to be at least 21.
7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11. $18 adults, $9 students, $15 seniors 62+ and $40 for a family of up to two adults and 2 kids. St. James United Methodist Church, 3000 Webb Bridge Road, Alpharetta. 678-740-3554.
Join the Alpharetta Symphony Orchestra, soprano Bevin Hill and the St. James UMC Choir for a concert featuring some favorite holiday classics, including selections from “The Nutcracker.”
Gwinnett
Merry Little Christmas Experience & Fireworks Show
Noon-7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11. Free. downtown Lawrenceville. 770-963-2414.
Shop at a holiday market on the Lawrenceville Lawn, meet Santa and his reindeer, enjoy holiday music and watch an ice sculptor before settling in to watch the 6:30 p.m. fireworks show.
9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11. Free admission. Gwinnett County Fairgrounds, 2405 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville. 727-225-6261.
Shop for Christmas gifts or other items, let the kids play in a bounce house and try some food truck goodies.
Credit: From gassouthdistrict.com
Credit: From gassouthdistrict.com
3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12. $49.50-$89.50. Gas South District, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra presents the rock opera “Christmas Eve and Other Stories,” based on the triple-platinum album of the same name. A new second set for this tour will feature some TSO favorites like “Christmas Canon.” Masks are strongly encouraged.
7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9-Friday, Dec. 10 and 2:30 and 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11. $20 and up. Aurora Theatre, 128 East Pike St., Lawrenceville. 678-226-6222.
Ooh and aah over a cirque-style performance by Akrosphere Aerial & Circus Arts. This holiday show is appropriate for the entire family. Masks are required.
