16 Nov 10 Ways to Celebrate the Holidays on the Highway
As soon as Halloween is over the seven cities along Georgia 400 Hospitality Highway are ready for the holiday season! Break out those winter coats and mittens and get ready to ring in the holidays with families and friends during the many holiday events along the highway.
BUCKHEAD
Macy’s Pink Pig – Photo Credit: visitmacyusa.com
The Macy’s Pink Pig
If you’re from the metro Atlanta area you have more than likely made your way to Lenox Mall in Buckhead during the holidays to take a ride on the Macy’s Pink Pig Train. The Macy’s Pink Pig Train has been a beloved holiday tradition in Atlanta for more than 50 years. If you have yet to experience the Macy’s Pink Pig Train, this year is the year! Atlanta’s most “pink-tacular” train ride travels along train tracks to carry children and parents through a life-sized storybook that includes the original Pink Pig and other holiday friends.
Quick Facts: Saturday, November 3, 2018 through Sunday, January 6, 2019. Each ride costs $3 and multi-ride tickets have a special discounted price (two rides for $5.50, three rides for $7.50). The ride will be closed November 18, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Candlelight Nights at Atlanta History Center
Head to The Atlanta History Center in Buckhead to experience Christmas past with a candlelit stroll through their beautifully decorated gardens and historic houses. As you walk through the house, you’ll become enthralled by the warm glow of the holiday season. Candlelight Nights offers memorable fun for the whole family. Children can share their holiday wish list with Santa Claus and parents can pick up some last-minute gifts at the lively holiday market filled with local crafts, artist creations, and vintage holiday decor.
Quick Facts: Friday, December 14, 2018 from 5:30pm – 9:30pm. Admission tickets are $20 for adults; $15 for members; $10 for all children.
SANDY SPRINGS
Sparkle Sandy Springs – Photo Credit: Sandy Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau
Sparkle Sandy Springs
You won’t want to miss the 2nd annual Sparkle Sandy Springs. This one-of-a-kind, month-long holiday light and art display the whole family will enjoy. Walk through a wonderland of festively decorated wooden houses painted by local business, schools and non-profit organizations spread throughout the city green. Sparkle Sandy Springs begins on December 1st and is open to the public through the month of December. To top it off, this event is completely free! We all know you can’t beat free during the holidays!
Quick Facts: December 1, 2018 at 6:00pm through December 31, 2018. Located on the City Green in City Springs.
Jewel’s Handmade Holiday Tour at the Sandy Springs Preforming Arts Center
Sing along to all your holiday favorites at Jewel’s Handmade Holiday Tour at the Sandy Springs Preforming Arts Center. You won’t want to miss this one of a kind holiday tour! Jewel will be performing Holiday classics, originals and of course some of her own classic hits alongside Special Guests and family members Atz, Atz Lee and Nikos Kilcher (Alaska: The Last Frontier).
A true family affair, the tour marks the second annual ‘Handmade Holiday Tour’ alongside Jewel’s family members. The tour will also feature a unique and interactive gifting experience offering guests the chance to make handmade one of a kind holiday gifts. There truly is no better way to get in the holiday spirit than singing loud for all to hear!
Quick Facts: December 19, 2018 at 8:00pm. Tickets range in price from $45 – $80 and are available to purchase directly from the performing arts center’s website, or from the Box Office at City Springs.
ROSWELL
Barrington Hall – Photo Credit: Roswell Convention and Visitors Bureau
Christmas in Roswell
Roswell’s Southern Trilogy Historic Homes, Barrington Hall, Bulloch Hall and Smith Plantation Home, are dressed in seasonal splendor for tours and very special events.
Christmas time in 1853 Mittie Bulloch married Theodore Roosevelt in magnificent Bulloch Hall. On December 19th experience the romance of Mittie and Three by attending the dramatic and historically accurate portrayal of their wedding. On December 1st and 2nd, see Barrington Hall’s one-woman portrayal of the historic interview, followed by a formal tea. On December 8th, children will enjoy a Gingerbread Christmas at Smith Plantation Home, preparing cookies for baking in the 1863 cookhouse and making a craft ornament.
Explore Chattahoochee Nature Center’s trails, finding gnome homes and fairy houses along the way. Don’t miss CNC’s hand-made and eco-friendly holiday market on December 1st.
Quick Facts: For more information on dates and times for all the events taking place in Roswell this holiday season visit their website, here.
ALPHARETTA
Season of Celebration: Light the Night
Kick off the holiday season with Downtown Alpharetta’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting celebration, Light the Night. The celebration will include live musical performances, snow, photos with Santa and delicious food from Alpharetta’s delicious collection of food trucks. You can even bundle up by a fire and roast marshmallows or have your picture taken with some of your favorite holiday characters. As an added bonus, there will be a live viewing area of the SEC Championship Football Game on the big screen’s, so you can cheer on the team of your choice.
Quick Facts: Saturday, December 1, 2018 from 4:00pm – 8:00pm on Milton Ave.; Tree lighting at 6:15pm.
The Lighting of Avalon
The Lighting of Avalon – Photo Credit: Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau
A celebration for the season you won’t want to miss! Get in the holiday spirit in style with festive music and free activities for the whole family at Avalon. From the annual opening of Avalon on Ice to the magnificent tree lighting, and an appearance from Jolly Old Saint Nick himself, there’s something exciting for all to enjoy. You can even pick up some last-minute gifts for everyone on your list and get rewarded for it! If you spend $300 or more in Avalon on Sunday, November 18th and present your same day receipts to the Concierge, you will receive a free pair of tickets to Avalon On Ice!
Quick Facts: November 18, 2018 from 1:00pm to 8:00pm. Admission is free.
CUMMING/FORSYTH
Cumming Christmas Parade – Photo Credit: Forsyth County News
Winter Wonderland at the Cumming Fairgrounds
Lace up those skates and kick off the holiday season with a visit to an outdoor ice-skating rink! The Cumming Fairgrounds will be host to an outdoor ice-skating rink this November – January. Save the Date for December 15th as the Cumming Christmas Parade will be in town beginning at 5pm and will end at the Fairgrounds culminating in a holiday festival including Christmas Light Display, Hayrides, s’mores, hot cocoa and photos with Santa.
Quick Facts: Cost is $12 per person (all ages) and includes skate rental. When school is in session, Hours are: Monday-Thursday 4:30-9:00pm Friday 4:30 – 11:00pm, Saturday 10:00am – 11:00pm Sunday Noon- 8pm. When school is out for the holiday break, hours are: Monday – Thursday 10:00am-10:00pm Friday & Saturday 10:00am-11:00pm and Sunday, Noon to 8:00pm
DAWSONVILLE
Dawsonville Christmas Parade – Photo Credit: Dawsonville Convention and Visitors Bureau
Dawsonville Christmas Parade
Hop in your car and head up to Dawsonville to witness the Dawsonville Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting. This day-long event is sure to get you and your family in the holiday spirit. Get there early and shop around the jingle market where you can purchase handmade crafts and delicious bites from local vendors then watch as the city shuts down for the annual Christmas parade which runs directly though Downtown Dawsonville. Following the parade stick around for the annual tree lighting ceremony and enjoy a night of music, dancing, cookie decorating and pictures with Santa.
Quick Facts: December 1, 2018 from 3:00pm – 8pm. Parade starts at 5:00pm; Festivities and Tree Lighting following the parade.
DAHLONEGA
Old Fashioned Christmas – Photo Credit: Dahlonega Convention and Visitors Bureau
Old Fashioned Christmas
The day after Thanksgiving, Dahlonega’s Old Fashioned Christmas kicks off a month-long celebration of the season with the lighting of the square followed by a real home-town parade that officially brings Santa to town. Festive holiday events continue throughout December with caroling, entertainment, carriage rides, wine sampling and live theater events. With events happening almost every day of the week, you won’t want to leave this small town with big holiday spirit all winter long.
Quick Facts: For more information on dates and times for all the events occurring during Old Fashioned Christmas this year visit their website, here.
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