Christmas is only a few weeks away and related events are in full swing in metro Atlanta this weekend. You’ll find everything from an updated Frosty the Snowman musical to several town Christmas parades to Rudolph-themed runs to help you get in the holiday spirit.
Check out the following 16 things to do in metro Atlanta this weekend:
» RELATED: Tour Waffle House Museum, decorate waffles during holiday open house
Cobb
Smyrna Handmade Market. noon-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. Free admission. Old Smyrna Firehouse, 2889 Alexander St., Smyrna. https://www.facebook.com/events/998905317107984/.
Shop for unique holiday presents from local artists and makers selling original handmade art and handcrafted items.
"Frosty! A Very Merry Musical!" 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 and Saturday, Dec. 7 and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8. $35 general admission, $30 senior/military, $22.50 children under 12. Marietta's New Theatre in the Square, 11 Whitlock Ave. NW, Marietta. 770-426-4800. theatreinthesquare.net.
The story of Frosty the Snowman gets an update when a homeless man living in Central Park befriends an orphan who promised his mother he would build the best snowman ever.
Reindeer Run & Santa Village Fundraiser. 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Dec. 7. $5 per child, no more than $20 per family. Wildhorse Trail, Wildhorse Creek Park, 3829 Macedonia Road, Powder Springs. cityofpowdersprings.org.
Help Santa by following clues to track his reindeer in Santa’s Village. Challenges to win prizes are featured along the way, and if you visit with Santa and finish the course, you’ll get a T-shirt. The event helps raise money for families in need at local elementary schools.
» RELATED: Night Market returns to Home Depot Backyard for holidays
School of Music Holiday Concert. 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6. $15-$20. Bailey Performance Center, Kennesaw State University, 1000 Chastain Road, Bldg. 30, Kennesaw. arts.kennesaw.edu.
Enjoy a performance full of holiday favorites performed by the KSU Symphony Orchestra, wind ensemble and choirs.
DeKalb
Winter Wonderland. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. $10 for skating bands. Brook Run Park, 4770 North Peachtree Road, Dunwoody. dunwoodyga.gov.
Brook Run Park hosts a day of winter fun with skating, food trucks, live music, an inflatable snowman and a showing of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” at dusk. Buy skating bands for specific times online.
Christmas Parade and Fireworks. 4 p.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. Municipal Parking Lot, 922 Main St., Stone Mountain. stonemountaincity.org.
Join in the fun with Stone Mountain Village’s Christmas parade and fireworks.
Holiday Movies Under the Stars. 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6. Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Center, 246 Perimeter Circle Parkway, Atlanta. discoverdunwoody.com.
Watch “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York” while you sip on free coffee and hot cocoa.
Winter Wanderland. noon-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. Downtown Tudor Village and adjacent Arts District, Avondale Estates. avondaleestates.org.
Wander through the Tudor Village and Arts District and meet seasonal characters, visit with A Live Christmas Tree, the Gingerbread Man, Santa and the “Art-bominable” Snowman. There will also be live music, crafts, treats and a hunt for a golden Christmas cracker filled with prizes and giveaways.
» RELATED: Woodruff Park to become 3-month wonderland of light sculptures
North Fulton
Sparkle Sandy Springs Holiday Parade. 4 p.m. festivities begin and 5:30 p.m. parade starts. City Green, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs and other locations. visitsandysprings.org.
Play in snow from the snow machine, take part in or watch a holiday parade, see Santa and a tree lighting and more.
Christmas is Coming! 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8. Advance tickets $23 for adults, $18 for seniors 60 and up and students. Tickets at the door are $25 for adults and $20 for seniors/students. Roswell United Methodist Church, 814 Mimosa Blvd., Roswell. 770-594-7974. mosingers.com.
The Michael O’Neal Singers (MOS) and Atlanta Young Singers will perform individual selections of Christmas favorites as well as some together. The audience can join in on some of the singing.
Season of Celebration. 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Village Green by Alpharetta City Hall, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta. 678-297-6000. alpharetta.ga.us.
The town’s 55-foot live spruce tree will be lit at the same time as a 25-foot tree sculpture. Musical performances, falling snow, photos with Santa, food trucks and more will also add to the festivities.
Santa's Fantastical. various times Friday, Dec. 6-Sunday, Dec. 8 plus additional dates. Adults $29.95, children age 3-12 $24.95. 1155 Mount Vernon Highway, Suite 300, Sandy Springs. https://santasfantastical.com/.
The holiday season comes alive through interactive experiences, live performances and state-of-the-art technology.
» RELATED: Fernbank After Dark returns with a festive twist
Gwinnett
Run Run Rudolph 5K Run/Walk. 8 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. $30. Suwanee Town Center, 300 Town Center Ave., Suwanee. active.com.
Dress in your Rudolph attire, Christmas pajamas or other holiday garb and take party in this USATF-certified, electronically chip-timed race.
Lilburn Christmas Parade. 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. Main Street, Lilburn. cityoflilburn.com.
Watch the Christmas parade travel down Main Street and end at the intersection of Railroad Avenue. After the parade, visit City Hall to make crafts and take a photo with Santa and inside a life-size inflatable snow globe.
Southeast Exotic Bird Fair. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 and Sunday, Dec. 8. Adults $4, children 16 and under free. 2405 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville. 813-431-8799. https://www.southeastexoticbirdfair.com/.
Buy exotic birds and find all the products you need, including food, cages, toys and more.
Deck the Hall. 2 p.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. Duluth Town Green. 3167 Main St., Duluth. duluthga.net.
Listen to live music and let the kids join activities such as romping in a snow playground, playing games and making crafts. The town tree will also be lit during this event.
About the Author
