What are your favorite traditions this season? We’ve gathered the top 10 holiday events around Buckhead to add to your fun with the whole family this month.
Head to The Atlanta History Center for several heartwarming holiday activities during its “Candlelight Nights” program on Friday, Dec. 16 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. For starters, the darling holiday market offers unique gifts from local artists selling jewelry, sculptures, pottery, glass art and more. Next, snap a few pics on your visit with Saint Nick before traveling back in time to 1861 on the Smith Family Farm, where you’ll take part in traditional Christmas-related crafts, such as popcorn and garland making and candle-dipping. At the Swan House, you’ll jump forward to an elegant 1930s soiree, complete with live holiday music and holiday postcard making. Enjoy food, cash bars and more fun throughout the event, which costs $10 for members, $15 for nonmembers and $8 for children.
There’s nothing quite like watching a performance of the fantastical The Nutcracker to get in the holiday spirit. Now in its 21st production, Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker returns to The Fox Theatre through Saturday, Dec. 24 along with the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra and the Georgia Youth Choir for all 19 performances. The tale will be performed not only by the Atlanta Ballet professional company, but also more than 200 of Atlanta’s young dancers, who bring the story to life with beautiful dancing and imaginary characters. The set of the Sugar Candy Kingdom also helps bring the magic of this whimsical holiday story to life, as it features 20 pounds of snow; 8 tons of scenery, lighting and props and a 38-foot-tall Christmas tree. Ticket prices start at $25.
Get your glow on at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. Now in its sixth season, the “Garden Lights, Holiday Nights” exhibit showcases a variety of stunning light displays that will have you “oohing” and “ahhing” as you walk through the Gardens. This year, through Jan. 7, enjoy larger-than-life attractions such as the Orchestral Orbs (different shapes of white orbs that are choreographed to light up to holiday tunes) and the Ice Goddess (a gorgeous fixture adorned in electric blue-colored twinkle lights). Advance ticket prices start at $23 for adults and $17 for children 3 to 12 years old.
Photos courtesy of Jason Getz Photography.
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra makes their annual Christmas extravaganza bigger and better each year, complete with full orchestra, a chorus, and visit from Santa and his reindeer! A favorite of many Buckhead concert-goers, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra always offers something for the entire family. The concert is on Friday Dec 16 at 8:00 p.m. and it tends to sell out early so get your tickets now!
The voices of The Georgia Boy Choir bring sheer joy to the season. On Dec. 16 and 17 at 7 p.m., all five levels of boys in the Choir and a full orchestra conducted by David R. White will perform a range of favorite Christmas songs, such as “The First Noel” and “This Christmastide.” The experience is heightened further by the beautiful surroundings and acoustics of the Sanctuary of Peachtree Road United Methodist Church. The audience will be invited to join in on an epic performance of “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” so brush up those vocals before you go! General admission tickets are $20 or $12 for seniors, students and children.
Photo Credit: Monumental Media
It’s tree-shopping time! And what better way to make your annual Fraser fir tree, wreath and garland purchases than to do it at Chastain Park, where a portion of the proceeds will be given to the Chastain Park Conservancy? The Conservancy works hard to maintain, restore, preserve and enhance our local Buckhead park each year. The trees, which are sold by Barefoot Mountain, are available for pickup at Chastain Horse Park’s Red Lot on Thursdays and Fridays from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 8.p.m. through Jan. 2.
Photo Credit: Carson Matthews
Power 96.1’s Jingle Ball has quickly become the most anticipated concert of the year in Atlanta, this year it’s happening on Friday, December 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Philips Arena. The all-star performers for Power 96.1’s Jingle Ball 2016 will include: Meghan Trainor, The Chainsmokers, Fifth Harmony, DNCE, Alessia Cara, Daya, Ariana Grande and Lukas Graham. Every year, Power 96.1’s Jingle Ball gives back to the community, this year’s official charity is the Ryan Seacrest Foundation donating proceeds to the non-profit organization inspiring today’s youth through entertainment and education focused initiatives.
He’s in the process of making a list and checking it twice! Santa’s waiting to hear what your, er, your little one’s, heart desires for Christmas. Give him the dish and capture the spirit of the season by making an appointment here to see him at Lenox Square’s Macy’s Court through 6 p.m. on Dec. 24. A $10 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your appointment and will go towards your purchase of a Santa photo package during your visit. Just show your appointment confirmation as a printout or on your mobile device when you arrive.
If you haven’t experienced Priscilla the Pink Pig, you haven’t fully experienced the holidays in Buckhead. A beloved tradition for more than 50 years, the Macy’s Pink Pig has carried five generations of children (and their parents, too!) into the holiday season. Located underneath the 170-foot Pink Pig Tent at Lenox Square’s upper-level parking deck near Macy’s, the “pink-tacular” train ride takes you along train tracks and through a delightful, life-sized storybook. Each ride costs $3 and repeat rides are discounted (two rides for $5.50, three rides for $7.50). A portion of the proceeds from each ride benefits Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. To date, Macy’s has donated more than $735,000 to this worthy organization.
Photo Credit: John Amis/AP Images.
Governor Nathan Deal and first lady Sandra Deal open the doors of the 24,000-square-foot Governor’s Mansion in Buckhead to the public each holiday season. The current series of complimentary Christmas Tours will continue through Dec. 16. The tours include a viewing of all of the official rooms, each boasting an array of flowers and beautifully decorated Christmas trees, on the lower and main floors of the Greek-revival-style mansion. The Deal family encourages visitors to bring along a new and unused toy to donate to Toys for Tots. Photo Credit: Andrea Briscoe
The spirit of Buckhead heads forward. This is the way it has been, and perhaps this is the way it will always be. The spirit of Buckhead points forward. You see it in the way we work, and you see it in the way we play. The reach is always extending further. The search is for excellence and beauty and grace and vibrancy.
We are a community of individuals. We are diverse, we are dynamic, and we are discerning. We are builders. We are connected to one another with a common bond. A common dream. A common quest. Pointing life in one direction. Forward.
