Above: Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, a family-friendly holiday event, will shine in the evenings through January 11. More info on this and other events is available at atlantabg.org. Photo by Jason Getz, Getz Images, courtesy of Atlanta Botanical Garden.
Holiday merriment runs from November, through December and into January. Here are a few special events that celebrate the season.
Concerts and Shows
Christmas with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Friday-Sunday, Dec. 6-8, 3 p.m. & 8 p.m. A holiday staple for Atlanta families, the orchestra and chorus perform beloved carols and hymns with special guests. Woodruff Arts Center, Atlanta Symphony Hall, 1280 Peachtree Street, Atlanta 30309; atlantasymphony.org
Atlanta Ballet Presents The Nutcracker
Runs Dec. 7-24. This is the final year that Atlanta Ballet will present The Nutcracker at Fox Theatre; don’t miss the magic. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree Street, Atlanta 30308; atlantaballet.com
Hot Cocoa & Spectacular Holiday Sounds
Sunday, Dec. 8, 4 p.m. The Atlanta Concert Band and Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church invites everyone to celebrate the holidays with sing-alongs, bell ringing, sleigh rides and hot cocoa. Free admission; presented with some support from the Fulton County Board of Commissioners. Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church, 471 Mount Vernon Highway, Atlanta 30328. More at atlantaconcertband.org
A Christmas Tradition
Runs Dec. 13-22. The holiday spirit is shared through sparkling song and dance. Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theater, 117 North Park Square, Marietta 30060; earlsmithstrand.org
Christmas on Clairmont
Sunday, Dec. 15, 7 p.m. The holiday benefit concert features collaborations of world-class artists. First Baptist Church of Decatur, 308 Clairmont Avenue, Decatur 30030; christmasonclairemont.com
Have Yourself a Jewish Little Christmas
Tuesday, Dec. 17, 4 p.m. The Chorale Guild of Atlanta performs holiday music written or composed by Jewish authors. Northside Drive Baptist Church, 3100 Northside Drive, Atlanta 30305; cgatl.org
Frozen Jr.
Friday, Dec. 20, 7 p.m. & Saturday, Dec. 21, 3 & 7 p.m. The Roswell Youth Theatre presents the Disney story of love and acceptance between sisters. Tickets are $10. Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest Street, Roswell 30075; roswellgov.com/ryt
Christmas with the Georgia Boy Choir
Friday & Saturday, Dec. 20 & 21, 7-9 p.m. All five levels of the Georgia Boy Choir perform carols, sacred classics and holiday favorites. Peachtree Road United Methodist Church, 3180 Peachtree Street, Atlanta 30305; georgiaboychoir.org
Christmas Gala Concert
Saturday, Dec. 21, 7:30-10 p.m. A holiday hometown spectacular is presented by the Johns Creek Chorale. Johns Creek United Methodist Church, 11180 Medlock Bridge Road, Johns Creek 30097; johnscreeksymphony.org
Home Tours
In several communities, tours are organized that invite visitors to tour beautifully decorated historic homes for the holidays.
Virginia Highland Tour of Homes
Saturday & Sunday, Dec. 7 & 8, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The two-day event includes beautiful architecture and interior design in one of Atlanta’s most charming neighborhoods. Tour begins at YWCA, 957 North Highland Avenue, Atlanta 30306; vahitourofhomes.org
Marietta Pilgrimage
Saturday & Sunday, Dec. 7 & 8. Saturday hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. with candlelight homes open 7-9:30 p.m. Sunday hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. See restored, decorated homes as well as public buildings; mariettapilgrimage.com
Homes for the Holidays: A Family Christmas
Sunday, Dec. 8, 5-8 p.m. The Southern Trilogy of Historic Homes—Barrington Hall, Bulloch Hall and Archibald Smith Plantation—are filled with music, refreshments and decorations. Three locations, including Bulloch Hall, 180 Bulloch Avenue, Roswell 30075; bullochhall.org
Grant Park Candlelight Tour of Homes
Saturday & Sunday, Dec. 14 & 15, 6-10 p.m. Charmingly decorated homes in Atlanta’s largest historic district are open to visitors. This holiday tradition, started in 1980, benefits several worthwhile community organizations; candlelighttourofhomes.com
Christmas in Avondale Estates
Sunday, Dec. 15. Holiday Market & Cafe 12-6 p.m.; tour 3-8 p.m. The 27th annual Tour of Homes includes an English cottage built in 1926, a recently renovated 1947 ranch, two 1950s bungalows and the Avondale Baptist Church; avondaletourofhomes.com
Fun, Food and Games for Hanukkah
This year, Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, runs from Dec. 22 through Dec. 30. Menorah lightings and other celebrations are scheduled throughout the season in north metro Atlanta.
Trivia Game Night 2.0 Hanukkah Party
Tuesday, Dec. 4, 8 p.m. A night of fast-paced trivia competition and amazing food and drink. Beth Jacob, 1855 Lavista Road, Atlanta 30329; bethjacobatlanta.org
Sunday Suppers with Chef Howard: Hanukkah Party
Sunday, Dec. 15, 4-6 p.m. Join fellow families at Marcus Jacob Community Center of Atlanta (MJCCA) to learn holiday recipes hands-on and share a delicious meal once it’s prepared. Open to the community, $25; $20 for members. MJCCA at Zaban Park, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody 30338; Howard Schreiber, 678-812-3993, howard.schreiber@atlantajcc.org
East Cobb Community Party
Wednesday, Dec. 18, 6-9 p.m. The community is invited to celebrate the Festival of Lights. Temple Kol Emeth, 1415 Old Canton Road, Marietta 30062; kolemeth.net
Lunchtime Culture: Hanukkah Favorite with the ASO
Friday, Dec. 20, 12:30-1 p.m. Experience a specially curated program by The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra at the historic Breman Museum. Learn about pivotal moments in Jewish history while enjoying the music of Hanukkah and other selections by Jewish composers. Breman Museum, 1440 Spring Street, Atlanta 30309; thebreman.org
Grand Menorah Lightings and Hanukkah Celebrations
Dec. 22-29. Events include menorah lightings for Virginia Highlands, Ponce City Market, Atlanta Station and Decatur, as well as a Menorah Car Parade. Chabad Intown, 730 Ponce de Leon Place, Atlanta 30306; chabadintown.org
Chinese Food Eve
Tuesday, Dec. 24, 6 p.m. A delicious Chinese dinner precedes a discussion on the origins of Christianity as told in Jewish sources. The evening includes a menorah lighting and Hanukkah treats. Chabad Intown, 730 Ponce de Leon Place, Atlanta 30306; chabadintown.org
Ring In the New Year
You may decide to stay home with family and friends while watching the Peach Drop on TV, but north metro Atlanta offers more ways to welcome 2020.
ASO New Year’s Eve Celebration
Tuesday, Dec. 31, 6 p.m. dinner, 8 p.m. performance. Celebrate the arrival of 2020 with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. City Springs, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs 30328; citysprings.com
New Year’s Celebration: Splashing 20’s
Tuesday, Dec. 31, 7:30-11:59 p.m. Ring in 2020 in Gatsby style at the Georgia Aquarium. Georgia Aquarium, 225 Baker Street, Atlanta 303013; georgiaaquarium.org
New Year’s Eve Show: The Music of Led Zeppelin and Queen
Tuesday, Dec. 31, 7-11:59 p.m. The Georgia Players Guild presents an evening of great music. VIP ticket holders enjoy drinks and more. Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theater, 117 North Park Square, Marietta 30060; earlsmithstrand.org
Atlanta NYElectric 2020 Countdown
Tuesday, Dec. 31, 8:30 p.m.-Wednesday, Jan. 1,1:30 a.m. A variety of ticket options offer drinks, dancing and accommodations. Westin Peachtree Plaza, 210 Peachtree Street, Atlanta 30303; vipnightlife.com