By Beth Clark
Friday, November 16, 2018
Bored? Don’t be. Check out the many things to do in Atlanta during December
- NEW M.L.S. Cup Atlanta: Atlanta United will face off against the Western conference champions Portland Timbers for the M.L.S. Cup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Make some noise, ATL UTD fans! Dec. 8.
- Children’s Christmas Parade fills Peachtree Street with floats, giant balloons, costumed characters and marching bands, starting at Peachtree and 16th streets. Dec. 1.
- Reindog Parade invites you to dress up your dog for fun and a chance to win prizes at Atlanta Botanical Garden. Dec. 1.
- Jungle Bells at the zoo invites the whole family to Zoo Atlanta’s 2nd annual holiday tree lighting. Dec. 1.
- The Elton John: Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour brings the singer’s half-century of hits to Atlanta. Dec. 1.
- The Virginia-Highland Tour of Homes features eight homes that exhibit beautiful architecture and interior design. Dec. 1 and 2.
- Christmas at Callanwolde brings the beautiful Tudor Revival mansion to life with holiday decorations and a lively artists’ market. Nov. 23 — Dec. 9.
- Atlanta Christkindl Market is an open-air German holiday market featuring handmade gifts, German food and beverages, and entertainment. Nov. 30 — Dec. 23
- Holiday shows and performances include Gala Holiday Concert (Dec. 2 at Rialto Center for the Arts), “Black Nativity” (Nov. 28 — Dec. 9 at Ferst Center for the Arts), Invasion Christmas Carol (Nov. 30 — Dec. 29 at Dad’s Garage), “Madeline’s Christmas”(Dec. 1 — 30 at Horizon Theatre),”Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (through Dec. 30 at Center for Puppetry Arts), Christmas with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (Dec 8 and 9 at Atlanta Symphony Hall), The “Nutcracker” (Dec 8 –24 at Fox Theatre), Alliance Theatre’s “A Christmas Carol” (Dec. 12 –24 at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre), Holiday Hootenanny (Dec. 20 at Variety Playhouse), A Festive Family Holiday (Dec. 16 at Atlanta Symphony Hall) and Urban Nutcracker (Dec 20 and 22 at Viola Turner Theater in East Point).
- Festival of the SEAson features a light and music show, tree-lighting ceremonies, Santa and SCUBA Claus, and live entertainment at the Georgia Aquarium. Through Dec. 31.
- Garden Lights Holiday Nights features high-tech light displays, illuminated attractions, model trains and restaurants at the 30-acre Atlanta Botanical Garden. Through Jan 6, 2019.
- Winter Wonderland celebrates Christmas, Hanukkah and other holidays with twinkling lights and trees hung with ornaments and cultural objects at Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Through Jan. 6, 2019.
- Stone Mountain Christmas has 2 million lights, holiday shows, a snow-angel palace, a nightly parade with Santa and snowfall. Nearby Snow Mountain has inner tube rides. Through Jan 6, 2019.
- Chanukah Celebrations take place in Decatur Square, Virginia Highland, Atlantic Station, Ponce City Market and include a menorah lighting, music, doughnut decorating, latkes and hot drinks. Dec. 2 — 6.
- Holiday pub crawls include Pub Crawl on the BeltLine (Dec. 8) and Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl (Dec. 15).
- Jingle Ball brings big-name music artists to State Farm Arena, courtesy of Power 96.1 radio. Dec. 14.
- Candlelight Nights invites you to walk candlelit paths at Atlanta History Center to historic houses with holiday decorations and activities, plus food and drink for sale. Dec 14 and 21.
- The Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl treats you to an exciting college football game in Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Dec. 29.
- Enjoy surprise cocktails at the Pop-Up Christmas Cocktail Bar Miracle on Monroe. Nov. 24 — Dec. 24.
- Check out Pop-Up Christmas Cocktail Bar Miracle on Highland. Nov. 24 — Dec. 31.
- Ring in 2019 with various New Year’s Eve parties and events, like Atlanta NYElectric (Westin Peachtree Plaza), Atlanta Wine Festival’s New Years Eve (City Winery) and New Beer’s Eve (Front Page News).
Beth Clark is a writer and foodie who loves to roam around Atlanta, uncovering the city’s quirky, glam, upscale and down-home character. Curiosity is her compass, and you’ll find her writing on www.thecitydweller.me.