We’ve all heard of the 12 days of Christmas.
With the multitude of holiday events hitting metro Atlanta like a heavy snowfall, you need more than double that to experience just a sample.
However, in an attempt at some seasonal focus, we’re gathering a dozen of the merriest and brightest for your consideration.
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Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at Atlanta Botanical Garden
The garden grounds glow with nearly 2 million bulbs, including the new Skylights Lounge in the Skyline Garden along with the Tunnel of Light and twinkling creations such as the Ice Goddess, the Orchestral Orbs and Radian Rainforest.
Through Jan. 11. Tickets start at $19.95 for adults, $16.95 for children (but can vary by date). Discounts are available for members. Buying online saves you some bucks and there’s a $16.95 after 9 p.m. deal for adults and children. It’s open til 11 p.m.. Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1345 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta. 404-876-5859, atlantabg.org.
College Park’s 44th annual Christmas Parade
College Park has been filling its streets with Christmas cheer every season since 1975. There will be marching bands accompanied by marchers in at least two different uniforms along with floats. Brunch with Santa to follow.
10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Dec. 14. Free. Begins at College Park City Hall, 3667 Main Street, College Park. www.collegeparkga.com.
Alliance Theatre’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ at Cobb Energy Centre
Through Dec. 24. Times vary, 2:30 p.m. matinees on weekends and Tuesday, Dec. 24. $14-$115. The Coca-Cola Stage at Alliance Theatre, 1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta. 404-733-4650, alliancetheatre.org/christmas.
“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”
The beloved holiday TV special shines brightly as a perennial puppet show adapted by the center’s Jon Ludwig.
Multiple shows Tuesdays-Sundays through Dec. 29. No shows Mondays and Dec. 25. $15-$35. Center for Puppetry Arts, 1404 Spring St. N.W., Atlanta. 404-873-3391, puppet.org.
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“Waffle Palace Christmas”
The Waffle Palace and its regulars return for more scattered and smothered humor, this time with a Christmas theme.
Through Dec. 29. 8 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays; Matinees, Dec. 6, 11 and 18 at 11 a.m. No shows Dec. 25. $30-$35; Horizon Theatre Company, 1083 Austin Ave., Atlanta. 404-584-7450, horizontheatre.com.
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Stone Mountain Christmas and Snow Mountain
Stone Mountain throws a lot at you during the holidays. There’s Santa Claus, live performances, caroling and other activities — expect a 4-D flick, a Christmas train ride, a parade and more. Snow Mountain takes over Memorial Lawn with tubing runs and a snow-laden play area. Both can be visited separately or together with a combo pass ($49.95).
Stone Mountain Christmas: Select dates through Jan. 5. Lots of deals ranging from 29.95 to $79.95; free ages 2 and younger. Stone Mountain Park, 1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd., Stone Mountain. 800-401-2407, stonemountainpark.com.
Winter Wonderland: Celebrations & Traditions Around the World
Fernbank Museum of Natural History gleams with its tribute to seasonal celebrations across the globe. Explore two floors lined with trees and displays each designed as nods to respective cultures and traditions.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Through Jan. 12. $20; $19 seniors; $18 ages 3-12; free for museum members and ages 2 and younger. Fernbank Museum of Natural History, 767 Clifton Road N.E., Atlanta. 404-929-6300, fernbankmuseum.org.
Christmas at Callanwolde
For more than 40 years, Callanwolde Fine Arts Center has been ringing in this tradition. There's an outdoor tour of lights, a magic Christmas tree and more kid-friendly features. Meanwhile, inside, decorators drape the 27,000-square-foot Candler Mansion in holiday cheer. Breakfast with Santa and Teddy Bear Tea and other events take place on select dates.
Christmas at Callanwolde; Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, 980 Briarcliff Road N.E., Atlanta. 404-872-5338, callanwolde.org.
Atlanta Ballet’s “Nutcracker”
You may have seen the “Nutcracker” before but you haven’t see this “Nutcracker.” The production offers a little bit of everything: Choreography, set design, costumes, lighting, even the music will sound new (it’s the same music).
Dec. 7-24. Times vary. $35-$140. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. 855-285-8499, foxtheatre.org.
Credit: Jeff Roffman
Credit: Jeff Roffman
Christmas at the ASO
The ASO will hold a family holiday concert featuring all your favorite holiday tunes.
1:30 and 3 p.m. Dec. 15; $15-$20. Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. 404-733-4900, atlantasymphony.org.
Lights of Life at Life University
Introduced in 1989, Life University’s annual holiday light show is a dazzler and a great value. In addition to lights, lights, lights there will be train rides, concessions, pony rides and a petting zoo.
Through Dec. 31. Admission is $10 per car on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and from December 13 to 31; rates drop to $5 per car Monday through Thursday. www.life.edu/lights-of-life.
Lanier Islands Magical Nights of Lights
They’ve been decking the roads and trees and overpasses and lots of other things at Lanier Islands for more than 25 years. It’s seven miles of lights!.
Through Feb. 23. Admission is $45 per car. You can also visit License to Chill Snow Island and purchase tickets for more attractions. You'll need a reservation for snow tubing. Lanier Islands, 7000 Lanier Islands Parkway, Buford. 770-945-8787, lanierislands.com.
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