Looking for something fun to do this weekend in metro Atlanta? Now that it’s December, you’ll find lots of holiday events on the calendar, including parades and tree lightings. You can even play in real snow at Duluth’s Deck the Hall.
Check out the following 15 things to do in metro Atlanta this weekend:
Intown Atlanta
8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3 and 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, plus additional dates. $25 general admission, $40 VIP (includes reserved seat and a beverage). Horizon Theatre Company, 1083 Austin Ave., Atlanta. 404-523-1477 main office, 404-584-7450 box office.
Get a dose of holiday hilarity with a show that creates an all-new, live, onstage holiday “movie” from scratch every night. It’s led by Atlanta playwright and Hallmark movie screenwriter Topher Payne.
Illuminights at the Zoo: A Chinese Lantern Festival
5:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m., last entry at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2-Sunday, Dec. 4, with additional dates. Adults 12 and up $20.99-$24.99, seniors 65 and up $17.99-$21.99, kids 3-11 $17.99-$19.99, ages 2 and under free. Discounts for members. Zoo Atlanta, 800 Cherokee Ave. SE, Atlanta, 404-624-9453 (WILD).
See vistas of illuminated wildlife and lighted works of art in this one-of-a-kind light experience. This year’s display features many new lanterns and scenes.
8 a.m. parking lots open, 1:30 p.m. gates open, 4 p.m. game time. $198 and up on the secondary market. Saturday, Dec. 3. Mercedes-Benz Stadium, 1 AMB Drive NW, Atlanta. 470-341-5000.
Watch the Georgia Bulldogs take on the LSU Tigers for the SEC Championship.
Cobb
3 p.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. $45 adults, $41 seniors, $38 military, $19 students, all plus fees. Marietta Performing Arts Center, 1171 Whitlock Ave. NW, Marietta. 770-615-2908.
Get in the holiday spirit with the Georgia Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, along with Marietta native Kayce Denise and an appearance by Santa.
Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting
6:30 p.m. parade, 7:30 p.m. tree lighting. Friday, Dec. 2. Parade goes from Marietta Street to downtown Powder Springs. Tree lighting at Thurman Springs Park, 4485 Pineview Drive, Powder Springs. 770-943-1666.
Watch Powder Springs’ Christmas Parade, which includes an appearance by Santa, followed by the tree lighting at Thurman Springs Park. Complimentary cocoa, cookies and photos with Santa will be available.
Marietta Pilgrimage Christmas Home Tour
9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4. $25 in advance online, $30 day of the tour. Five private homes inside the Whitlock Avenue Historic District, Marietta.
Tour five private homes that have been lovingly restored and decorated for the holiday season. A number of Marietta’s churches, museums and other public buildings will also be open to tour.
DeKalb
1 p.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. Free. Park Avenue, downtown Doraville. 770-451-8745.
Enjoy a tree lighting, performances, food, games and more at Doraville’s Winter Holiday Event.
5 p.m.-10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2-Sunday, Dec. 4, plus additional dates. Free. Brook Run Park, 4770 North Peachtree Road, Dunwoody. 678-382-6700.
Head to Brook Run Park to see 85,000 lights, a chocolate volcano, candy castle, ice cream land and more.
Winter Tree ID Walk at Arabia Mountain
9 a.m.-11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 4. Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve, 3787 Klondike Road, Stonecrest. 770-484-3060.
Join a ranger for a winter tree identification hike to learn about Arabia’s forests and winter tree ID signatures.
North Fulton
4 p.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. Free admission. Johns Creek City Hall, 11360 Lakefield Drive, Johns Creek. 678-512-3200.
Kick off the holiday season with the lighting of the new 40-foot city Christmas tree, holiday market and displays, Santa, Elf Zone games and activities, live musical performances, food trucks, live llamas and college football on TVs.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. Free admission. Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell. 770-992-2055.
Shop the works of local artisans who have unique, handmade, and/or eco-friendly gifts. You can also tour the Nature Center’s grounds for free as a gift to the community. Reserve a time in advance, since walk-ups may not be able to be accommodated.
“A Christmas Story: The Musical”
8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2 and Saturday, Dec. 3 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, plus additional dates. $20-$25. Act1 Theater, 180 Academy St., Alpharetta.
Watch a musical version of the classic “A Christmas Story” that received rave reviews on Broadway.
Gwinnett
11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4. $5 general admission, kids and seniors free, $20 VIP. Gas South Convention Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. 984-900-6800.
Attend Georgia Vegfest, which has speakers, food samples, music, a Family Fun Zone and over 75 exhibitors.
Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting
6 p.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. Free. 235 Main St., Loganville. 770-466-1165.
Watch entries from local schools, businesses, civic groups and others participate in Loganville’s annual Christmas parade, followed by a lighting of the city’s Christmas tree led by Santa.
2 p.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3. Free. 3142 Hill St. NW, Duluth. 770-476-3434.
Deck the Hall features a real snow playground and snow slide, live entertainment, crafts for kids, photo ops with Santa and holiday light installations.
