Holiday Music
Christmas with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Saturday, Dec. 9, 2 & 8 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 10, 3 p.m. The ASO Christmas concert is a tradition for many Atlanta families. The orchestra and chorus perform beloved Christmas carols and hymns, along with their special guests, the Gwinnett Young Singers and the Morehouse Glee Club. Tickets start at $20. The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, 1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta 30309. Find out more at atlantasymphony.org.
Christmas Concert featuring Vivaldi’s “Gloria”
Sunday, Dec. 10, 4 p.m. Celebrate the Christmas season with a performance of Vivaldi’s “Gloria” and other orchestral works, featuring the Dunwoody United Methodist Church Chancel Choir and chamber group, Musica Gloria. Conductor and composer Rev. C.G. Walden III leads the musical celebration. Dunwoody United Methodist Church sanctuary, 1548 Mt. Vernon Rd., Dunwoody 30338. Details at DunwoodyUMC.org.
A Bugler’s Holiday
Sunday, Dec. 10, 5-8 p.m. Renowned jazz trumpeters Cecil Welch and Joe Gransden join forces for Heritage Sandy Springs’ Heritage Winter Classic, along with guest vocalist Robin Latimore. Tickets are $20 for Heritage Sandy Springs members, $25 for non-members. Advance purchases are strongly encouraged. Complimentary appetizers and desserts are provided. Beer, wine, soda and water are available for purchase with proceeds benefiting Heritage Sandy Springs. Heritage Hall, 6110 Blue Stone Rd., Sandy Springs 30328. Visit heritagesandysprings.org for more info and a link to purchase tickets.
A Vivaldi Christmas
Tuesday, Dec. 12, 7:30 p.m. The Choral Guild of Atlanta presents Vivaldi’s Gloria and Magnificat with string quartet. Tickets are $15; discounted senior and student tickets are available at the door. Northside Drive Baptist Church, 3100 Northside Dr., Atlanta 30305. Go to cgatl.org for additional info.
Hanukkah with Nefesh Mountain
Friday, Dec. 15, 6:30 p.m. & Saturday, Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m. Following the Friday service, a light Hanukkah dinner will be served, with latkes and applesauce, soup, salad and sufganiyot for dessert. On Saturday, Nefesh Mountain, a Bluegrass and Old-Time band with a Jewish perspective, presents an energizing Hanukkah concert. The $5 concert admission benefits The Drake House. Temple Beth Tikvah, 9955 Coleman Rd., Roswell 30075. Learn more at bethtikvah.com, or call 770-642-0434.
Christmas Gala Holiday Pops
Saturday, Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m. The Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra performs their 12th Annual Christmas Gala & Holiday Pops concert with the full JCSO and Christmas Gala Chorus conducted by Maestro J. Wayne Baughman. The evening features guest vocalist Timothy Miller, perennial soloist for the Atlanta Braves. Tickets are: seniors, $27; adults, $32; students & children, $16. Johns Creek United Methodist Church, 11180 Medlock Bridge Rd., Johns Creek 30097. Call 678-748-5802 or visit johnscreeksymphony.org for more info.
Holiday Shows
The Santaland Diaries and Madeline’s Christmas
Through Dec. 31. The Horizon Theatre offers its annual one-two punch of holiday cheer. For the adults, it’s David Sedaris’ hilarious “The Santaland Diaries,” with award-winning playwright and actor Topher Payne taking over the role of Crumpet the Elf. For the kids, join French schoolgirl Madeline for a holiday adventure in Paris. Horizon Theatre, 1083 Austin Ave., Atlanta 30307. Visit horizontheatre.org for tickets.
A Christmas at Sweet Apple
Dec. 1 to 17. Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sunday matinees, 2:30 p.m. This hometown celebration of the season, told through story and song, was written by award-winning Atlanta playwright Phillip DePoy and based on the writings of AJC columnist Celestine Sibley. Tickets are: seniors, $30; adults, $33; students, $22. Dunwoody Stage Players, 5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd., Dunwoody 30338. Call the box office, 770-396-1726, for tickets; get more info at stagedoorplayers.net.
Polar Express Experience 2017
Saturdays, Dec. 2, 9 and 16, 1, 1:45, 3:30, 4:15 & 6 p.m. Experience the movie “Polar Express” like never before—in an authentic train car. While watching the movie participants will experience some of what is happening on the screen! Tickets are $28.00 per person, and include a train ride and museum admission. All children must be accompanied by an adult, and children under 2 are free with a paying adult, but must sit on the adult’s lap. Cookies, hot chocolate and a special gift are included. Southeastern Railway Museum, 3595 Buford Hwy., Duluth 770-476-2013. More at southeasternrailwaymuseum.org.
Frosty! A Very Merry Musical
Dec. 7 to 30. This very merry musical, written by Catherine Bush and Dax Dupuy, will help to lift your holiday spirits. Tickets from $15 to $30. Theatre on the Square, 11 Whitlock Ave., Marietta 30064. Details and tickets at theatreinthesquare.net.
A Christmas Carol: The Musical
Dec. 8 to 24. Fridays & Saturdays, 7:30 p.m.; Sundays, 2 p.m. Celebrate the holidays with the beloved Dickens classic, reimagined by the creative team of Elm Street. This musical will warm your heart whether it’s your first or fiftieth time seeing it. Tickets are $15 in advance, $18 at the door. Elm Street Cultural Arts Village, 8534 Main St., Woodstock 30188. Go to elmstreetarts.org to learn more.
The Nutcracker
Dec. 8 to 28. The Atlanta Ballet presents the holiday classic that delights all audiences, the young and the young at heart. Tickets go from $25 to $129. Performed at the Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St., Atlanta 30308. Purchase tickets and get info at atlantaballet.com.
Cumming Playhouse Holiday Musical Shows
Dec. 15 to Dec. 31. There’s non-stop fun and celebration at Cumming Playhouse this season. There’s “Christmas Classics” on Friday, Dec. 15, 8 p.m.; the North Georgia Barbershop Singers’ Christmas show on Saturday, Dec. 16, 8 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 17, 3 p.m.; “Hope for Christmas” on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 8 p.m.; Sounds of Suwanee Christmas Concert on Friday, Dec. 22, 8 p.m.; and a big band New Year’s Eve with the Sentimental Journey Orchestra on Sunday, Dec. 31, 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 except the New Year’s Eve show, which starts at $25. The Cumming Playhouse, 101 School St., Cumming 30041. Call 770-781-9178 or visit playhousecumming.com for info and tickets.
Holiday Organ Concert and Sing-Along
Tuesday, Dec. 19, 7:30 p.m. This year’s annual concert features the original version of the 1947 film “Miracle on 34th Street.” Tickets start at $2.50. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St., Atlanta 30308. Go to foxtheatre.org for tickets.
Dancing with the Stars: Live! Light Up the Night
Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2018, 7:30 p.m. Fans of the popular TV dance show have a chance to see the best ballroom dancers in the business onstage at the Fox. Tickets from $56 to $121.50. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St., Atlanta 30308. Foxtheatre.org has info and tickets.