Last updated: November 11, 2024
It's holiday time in Sandy Springs! Dive into our guide to discover all the seasonal events and activities. Whether you're rediscovering your city or seeing it anew, our guide brings you the best of Sandy Springs's holiday season.
Popular Events: Experience the enchanting Georgia Festival of Trees, where beautifully decorated trees create a festive atmosphere perfect for all ages. The Nutcracker: Atlanta Ballet captivates audiences with its stunning choreography and timeless story that brings the spirit of Christmas to life. And the whimsical Frozen: The Musical is something you definitely don't want to miss, as it combines the beloved characters and songs with a magical theatrical experience. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Sandy Springs Holiday Light Displays
Christmas Tree Lighting & Santa on the Square
- What to Expect
- Ugly Sweater Walking Parade and Santa's arrival via fire truck.
- Description
- Join the City of Marietta for the annual Christmas Tree Lighting & Santa on the Square. The event features local choir performances, Santa's arrival, and an Ugly Holiday Sweater Walking Parade. Enjoy letter-writing stations and see the beautifully decorated trees by local schools and organizations.
- Where
- Marietta | More Info : Christmas Tree Lighting & Santa on the Square
Tree Lighting on the Square
- What to Expect
- Santa lights the tree at 7 p.m. sharp.
- Description
- Join us for the annual Tree Lighting on the Square in Decatur, GA, featuring holiday carols, hot cocoa, and a festive tree lighting ceremony. Santa himself will flip the switch to light the tree at 7 p.m. sharp, followed by snow.
- Where
- Decatur | More Info : Tree Lighting on the Square
Sparkle Sandy Springs
- What to Expect
- Twinkling lights and a nighttime parade.
- Description
- Sparkle Sandy Springs is a holiday celebration featuring twinkling lights and a nighttime parade. The event includes live music, food trucks, and a Sparkle Gift Market. It takes place at City Springs, showcasing miniature lit homes decorated by local businesses, schools, and nonprofits.
- Where
- Sandy Springs | More Info : Sparkle Sandy Springs
Christmas Tree Lighting at Snellville Towne Green
- What to Expect
- Family-friendly holiday celebration with a lighted parade and festive activities.
- Description
- Join us for the 43rd Annual Snellville Christmas Tree Lighting and Lighted Christmas Parade at the Towne Green. The event features a lighted parade starting at Wisteria Plaza, ending at the Towne Green, and includes activities like cookie decorating, s'mores, and ornament making. Santa will be present, offering plush animals to children. All activities are family-friendly and offer a variety of fun activities for everyone.
- Where
- Snellville | More Info : Christmas Tree Lighting at Snellville Towne Green
Sandy Springs Holiday Markets and Shopping
Holiday Spirit at Oakland Cemetery
- What to Expect
- Holiday celebration with decorated mausoleums and live music.
- Description
- Holiday Spirit at Oakland Cemetery features decorated mausoleums, live holiday music, a wreath sale, and a holiday gift market. The event includes photo opportunities with Santa, a family craft area, and snacks. It is a free event open to the whole family.
- Where
- Atlanta | More Info : Holiday Spirit at Oakland Cemetery
Decatur Holiday Marketplace
- What to Expect
- Local artisans selling handmade goods.
- Description
- The Decatur Holiday Marketplace is a celebration of the season featuring handmade goods from local and regional artisans. Shop for unique gifts and seasonal items in a festive atmosphere.
- Where
- Decatur | More Info : Decatur Holiday Marketplace
Lakewood Antiques Market
- What to Expect
- Unique collection of antiques and collectibles from over 500 vendors.
- Description
- Lakewood 400 Antiques Market is a monthly event featuring classic antiques, collectibles, unique home and garden decor, art, and jewelry. The market offers a vast array of items from over 500 vendors, making it a premier destination for antique enthusiasts.
- Where
- Cumming | More Info : Lakewood Antiques Market
Sandy Springs Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Georgia Festival of Trees
- What to Expect
- Dazzling Christmas tree auction with live music and entertainment.
- Description
- The Georgia Festival of Trees is a holiday event featuring a forest of fully-decorated Christmas trees, children's activities, live entertainment, boutique gift shops, sugar cookie decorating, and a Christmas Gingerbread competition. Proceeds benefit organizations fighting human trafficking.
- Where
- Atlanta | More Info : Georgia Festival of Trees
The Nutcracker: Atlanta Ballet
- What to Expect
- Elaborate sets and costumes in a live ballet performance.
- Description
- Atlanta Ballet's Nutcracker is a reimagined, larger-than-life production featuring larger-than-life sets and bold costumes, set to the iconic Tchaikovsky score played live by the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra. This holiday season, witness the transformation of Cobb Energy Centre into a dream-like world where falling snowflakes, twirling flowers, and spinning stars come to life.
- Where
- Atlanta | More Info : The Nutcracker: Atlanta Ballet
Frozen: The Musical
- What to Expect
- EGOT-winning creative team brings theatrical magic to the stage.
- Description
- Frozen: The Musical is a thrilling adaptation of the Disney film, featuring a dozen new songs and a sister-centric tale of true love and acceptance.
- Where
- Sandy Springs | More Info : Frozen: The Musical
A Christmas Carol
- What to Expect
- Stunning set design and striking costumes.
- Description
- A Christmas Carol is a timeless adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic tale, featuring a stunning set design and striking costumes. Audiences are transported to the streets of London to witness Ebenezer Scrooge's redemption journey, told with beautiful live music and an all-star cast.
- Where
- Atlanta | More Info : A Christmas Carol
Twas the Night Before... by Cirque du Soleil
- What to Expect
- Breathtaking acrobatics and re-invented holiday classics.
- Description
- Twas the Night Before... by Cirque du Soleil is an exhilarating spin on the beloved Christmas classic, featuring thrilling acrobatics, lovable characters, and a soundtrack of holiday classics re-imagined by Cirque du Soleil.
- Where
- Atlanta | More Info : Twas the Night Before... by Cirque du Soleil
Disney’s Frozen in Concert
- What to Expect
- Live orchestral performance of a GRAMMY-nominated score.
- Description
- The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra presents Walt Disney Animation Studios' Frozen in Concert, featuring Christophe Beck's GRAMMY-nominated score performed live to the film. The concert will be led by conductor Susie Seiter. The story follows fearless optimist Princess Anna and rugged mountain man Kristoff as they embark on an epic journey to find Anna's sister Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter. Encountering Everest-like conditions, mystical trolls, and a hilarious snowman named Olaf, Anna and Kristoff battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom.
- Where
- Atlanta | More Info : Disney’s Frozen in Concert
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol
- What to Expect
- Stunning set design and striking costumes.
- Description
- Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol is a timeless redemption story of Ebenezer Scrooge, told with beautiful live music and an all-star cast, featuring a stunning set design and striking costumes.
- Where
- Atlanta | More Info : Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol
Gwinnett Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker
- What to Expect
- World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
- Description
- Gwinnett Ballet Theatre presents The Nutcracker, a 42nd annual production featuring Clara's dream come alive as she is swept away into a world of adventure. Join Clara as she battles the Mouse King and travels through the Land of Snowflakes and the Kingdom of Sweets to meet the Sugar Plum Fairy.
- Where
- Duluth | More Info : Gwinnett Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker
The Nutcracker: Gas South Theater
- What to Expect
- World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
- Description
- The Nutcracker, presented by Northeast Atlanta Ballet, is a classic rendition of E.T. Hoffmann's tale. Join Clara and her Nutcracker prince on a journey through the Land of Snowflakes and the Kingdom of Sweets to meet the Sugar Plum Fairy. This elaborate production features exquisite costumes and original lavish scenery, ensuring a delightful experience for all ages.
- Where
- Duluth | More Info : The Nutcracker: Gas South Theater
Holiday Celebration in Norcross
- What to Expect
- Classic holiday traditions with choirs, Grinch, and Santa Claus.
- Description
- Join us at Thrasher Park for the Holiday Celebration in Norcross, featuring choirs singing carols, a Grinch-themed course, and Santa Claus. Enjoy festive treats and hot cocoa throughout the night in a family-friendly event.
- Where
- Norcross | More Info : Holiday Celebration in Norcross
Deck the Hall in Duluth
- What to Expect
- Holiday tree lighting ceremony with Santa Claus.
- Description
- Deck the Hall in Duluth features outdoor winter activities, live music, and carolers from local schools, culminating in a festive tree lighting ceremony.
- Where
- Duluth | More Info : Deck the Hall in Duluth
Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting at Downtown Loganville
- What to Expect
- Community celebration with a festive parade and tree lighting.
- Description
- Join us for the Loganville Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting, featuring over 75 entries from local businesses and civic groups. The parade will be followed by the lighting of the city's Christmas tree at the Town Green, where Santa will pose for pictures.
- Where
- Loganville | More Info : Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting at Downtown Loganville
Shen Yun
- What to Expect
- Classical Chinese dance and live orchestra blend.
- Description
- Shen Yun is a brilliant artistic revival and celebration of China's rich cultural heritage, featuring classical Chinese dance, stunning costuming, and high-tech backdrops. Each performance consists of about 20 pieces, showcasing delicate elegance, battlefield heroics, and timeless philosophical works.
- Where
- Atlanta | More Info : Shen Yun
A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage
- What to Expect
- Broadway-style production with immersive sets and traditional Christmas music.
- Description
- A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage brings the timeless Peanuts holiday special to life with a Broadway-style production featuring Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the gang. The show includes all-new immersive sets, lighting, choreography, and colorful costumes, celebrating the true meaning of Christmas with traditional Christmas songs and carols.
- Where
- Atlanta | More Info : A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage
85 South Show Live
- What to Expect
- Unique blend of improv and roasting skills by three comedians.
- Description
- The 85 South Show, produced by 85 South Media, brings together DC Young Fly, Karlous Miller, and Chico Bean for a high-energy comedy experience. With over two million YouTube subscribers and half a billion independent views, this trio has revolutionized the comedy industry through their improv, freestyling, and roasting skills.
- Where
- Atlanta | More Info : 85 South Show Live
Sandy Springs Other Holiday Activities
Atlanta Jingle Bell Jog
- What to Expect
- Santa Suit costumes and jingle bells for participants.
- Description
- The Atlanta Jingle Bell Jog is an annual 5K run and ELF Dash event that celebrates the festive winter holidays with Santa suits, jingle bells, and holiday-themed medals. Participants will enjoy the sights and sounds of running Santas in Piedmont Park.
- Where
- Atlanta | More Info : Atlanta Jingle Bell Jog
Bellpoint Gem Show
- What to Expect
- Diverse selection of gemstones and minerals from exotic locations.
- Description
- The Bellpoint Gem Show is a three-day event featuring a diverse array of gemstones, minerals, fossils, and jewelry from around the world. It offers an exquisite selection of rare mineral specimens, unique jewelry pieces, and healing stones, making it a spectacular Mother Earth shopping extravaganza.
- Where
- Duluth | More Info : Bellpoint Gem Show
Pop-In For Family Fun: Holiday Crafts
- What to Expect
- Hands-on holiday crafts and interactive exhibits.
- Description
- The Marietta History Center's Pop-In for Family Fun: Holiday Crafts offers a variety of activities, including crafting and exploring holiday-themed exhibits. Families can engage in creative projects and learn about the history behind holiday traditions.
- Where
- Marietta | More Info : Pop-In For Family Fun: Holiday Crafts
Cookies with Santa - Zoo Atlanta
- Holiday celebration in a zoo setting
- At Zoo Atlanta, bring your family for a personal visit with Santa, enjoy cookies and hot chocolate, and create holiday crafts. Each ticketholder will receive a professional Santa photo.
- Atlanta | More Info : Cookies with Santa - Zoo Atlanta