Christmas at Callanwolde is back Dec. 7 -18 and visitors can tour and enjoy the splendor of the 27,000 square-foot historic mansion transformed for the holidays by Atlanta’s top interior and floral designers.

Period furniture, designer treasures, fine art and dazzling Christmas trees, will reflect a classic English Christmas reminiscent of the era when the prominent Candler family lived in the mansion at 980 Briacliff Road. The 1920’s Gothic-Tudor landmark was the home of Coca-Cola heir Charles Howard Candler and his family.

Visitors will celebrate the season with holiday shopping, special family activities, the Artists’ Studio, entertaining Cabaret Nights and music played on the Aeolian pipe organ. Highlights include. Breakfast at Santa will be held Dec. 8 and 15 at 9 p.m. and the Teddy Bear Tea on Dec. 9 and 16 at 3 p.m. Both are by advanced reservations only.

For Cabaret Nights, vocalist Marsha DuPree performs on Dec. 7 and Libby Whitmore on Dec. 14, both from 6 to 9 p.m. Cook’s Warehouse will offer special events onsite including kids cookie decorating (Dec. 8, 11 a.m.), a talk and tasting on sparkling wines (Dec. 9, 4:30 p.m.) and holiday appetizers (Dec. 15, 11 a.m.).

Hours for Christmas at Callanwolde are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and Saturdays; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays; and extended evening hours on Fridays from 4 to 9 p.m.

Admission is $20 for adults, $15 for those 65-plus, $12 for children ages 4 to 12. Children three and under get in free. Tickets for Breakfast with Santa and the Teddy Bear Tea are $20 per person.

Free on-site parking is available Mondays through Thursdays. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays there will be free parking and shuttle from the Emory University Briarcliff Campus, 1256 Briarcliff Road.

For tickets and information, visit christmasatcallanwolde.org.

Collin Kelley

Collin Kelley has been the editor of Atlanta Intown for two decades and has been a journalist and freelance writer for 35 years. He’s also an award-winning poet and novelist.