Celebrate the Holidays A-Z

A: Angel

At Stone Mountain Christmas, watch Angelina the Snow Angel and other festive characters at the Christmas Parade, and celebrate the season with a larger-than-life Christmas Drone Show. Each night, Santa flies in his sleigh for the Enchanted Tree Lighting Ceremony. Through Jan. 2.

B: Botanical

Atlanta Botanical Garden’s Alston Overlook includes the fantastically decorated and running Holiday Model Trains for a cute Christmas display with landscaped mountains, a lake, bridges, Santa and more. At night, view the glowing holiday extravaganza with millions of brilliantly colored LED lights with Garden Lights, Holiday Nights. Through Jan. 14.

C: A Christmas Carol

“A Christmas Carol” returns to Alliance Theatre’s stage with a reimagined set design, a spinning stage and stunning new costumes. In this story, Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by ghosts on Christmas Eve who offer him a chance at a better future in this reimagined experience. Through Dec. 24.

D: Dance

Strand Theatre’s A Christmas Tradition features costumed singers and dancers performing traditional and funky Christmas favorites at this high-energy concert. Arrive thirty minutes before showtime for a live holiday concert performed on the organ. Dec. 15-23.

Lanier Islands

E: Elf

Get the PJ party started with Santa’s Elves at Lanier Islands. The Everything But Coal Package features an elf reading a bedtime story, plus milk and cookies. You’ll also get to visit with the elves’ big boss, Santa! Select dates, Dec. 2-23.

F: Fernbank’s Winter Wonderland

This special event at Fernbank Museum of Natural History showcases celebrations from around the world with trees and displays representing Christmas, Hanukkah and other cultures. Through Jan. 7.

G: Gifts

In Gift of the Magi 2.0 at Marietta’s New Theatre in the Square, Jim, an Atlanta streetcar driver struggling in the Atlanta Transit Strike of 1950, goes to great lengths to buy a Christmas gift for his wife, unaware that she is also making sacrifices to afford a gift for him. Nov. 25-Dec. 10.

H: Hanukkah

This year, Hanukkah begins on Dec. 7.

• Menorah Lighting at Avalon. Dec. 10.
• Light up the JCC Hanukkah Celebration at MJCCA. Dec. 12.
• Chabad InTown’s Menorah Lightings. Dec. 10 and 12-14.

I: Ice

Head to License to Chill Snow Island for snow tubing, ice skating, carnival rides, snow angels, s’mores and hot cocoa by the fire pits and more. Through Feb. 25. Find more spots for ice skating here.

J: Joy

Enjoy joyful holiday concerts. Samara Joy, one of jazz’s newest stars, celebrates the holidays with her delightful interpretations of holiday classics. Dec. 19. Find more holiday concerts here.

K: Kris Kringle

Straight from the North Pole, enjoy a visit with Santa at A Day With Santa in Kennesaw. Play on the snow slide, watch performances and a parade, shop the market, and take photos with Santa. Dec. 2. Find more ways to spot Kris Kringle this season here.

Center for Puppetry Arts

L: Love

The Center for Puppetry Arts’ faithful adaptation of the beloved 1964 stop-motion special “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” speaks to the misfit in all of us. Watch as Rudolph and his friends learn to love themselves for who they are. Through Dec. 31.

M: Movie Magic

Based on the beloved and hilarious holiday movie, Ralphie’s story comes to life in A Christmas Story, live on stage! Ralphie plots numerous schemes to achieve his desire for a BB gun for Christmas. Nov. 29-Dec. 24.

N: The Nutcracker

No holiday is complete without this classic ballet following Clara’s adventures in a magical world.

•  Roswell Dance Theatre’s The Nutcracker at Byers Theatre. Nov. 24-Dec. 3.
• The Georgia Ballet’s The Nutcracker at Jennie T. Anderson Theatre. Nov. 30-Dec. 3.
• Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Dec. 8-26.

O: Ornaments

Shop for ornaments, nutcrackers, household décor, arts, crafts and more at the Christkindl Market in Buckhead Village. This German holiday market features more than 50 vendors offering food, beverages and items, along with live music and entertainment on the weekends. Through Dec. 24.

P: The Polar Express

Come dressed in your pajamas to watch a delightful screening of “The Polar Express” at the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History’s All Aboard for Holiday Fun. Listen to the story prior to the movie, and explore real-life, historic locomotives. Dec. 9.

Q: Queen

Meet the beautiful queen of Arendelle with Roswell Dance Starz’ production of Frozen. Filled with exciting choreography, dazzling costumes and heartwarming storytelling, this tale depicts the power of love and friendship. Dec. 2. Visit with Elsa and Anna, as well as Santa, Mickey Mouse and The Grinch, at Halcyon’s Holiday Magic event. Dec. 2.

Pettit Creek Farms

R: Reindeer

Stop by A Country Christmas at Pettit Creek Farms to take a drive or hayride through lights, take photos with Santa and his reindeer on select days, visit the petting zoo and more. Nov. 23-Dec. 30.

S: Santa’s Wonderland

This special event at local Bass Pro Shops includes a picture with Santa, holiday crafts, aquariums and wildlife displays, shopping and more. Through Dec. 24.

T: Tea

Treat yourself to tea and holiday sweets at St. Regis Atlanta’s Tea with Santa, where Santa and Mrs. Claus will drop by for a visit. Families can enjoy tea with delectable holiday sweets and savories, live music and a festive atmosphere. Select dates, Nov. 24-Dec. 24.

U: Unity

Kwanzaa is a week-long celebration honoring African American heritage and culture that was created in 1966. The seven principles honored during Kwanzaa are unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith. Celebrate Kwanzaa with the Children’s Museum of Atlanta on Dec. 26.

V: Victorian

Celebrate the holidays of yesteryear with Victorian Christmas at Hardman Farm Historic Site. See the mansion dressed in period holiday décor, and learn about traditions from the 1870s. Dec. 1-2, 8-9 and 15-16.

W: It’s a Wonderful Life

Wear your Christmas pajamas to The Strand Theatre to enjoy its annual screening of “It’s a Wonderful Life.” An angel shows a dispirited George Bailey what life would have been like for his loved ones if he’d never been born. Come early for an organ show before the movie begins. Dec. 19.

X: X Marks the Spot

Test your sleuthing skills at this self-guided hunt of Oakland Cemetery. Follow clues to solve riddles as a family. Through Nov. 30.

Y: Yuletide Carols

Listen to gorgeous holiday carols to enjoy the spirit of the season.

• Georgia Symphony Orchestra Presents Holiday Pops! at Marietta Performing Arts Center. Dec. 2.
• Spivey Hall Children’s Choir Holiday Concert at Clayton State University. Dec. 8-10.
• Handel’s Messiah at Atlanta Symphony Hall. Dec. 14-15.
• A Kids’ Christmas at Johns Creek United Methodist Church. Dec. 16.

Z: Zip Around Town

Head to cities all over metro Atlanta to view festive decorations. Take in holiday lights in Norcross and Alpharetta; Dunwoody’s Brook Run Park will feature a ski-themed light show; and spot lighted displays of student-built sculptures at University of West Georgia. Plan all your brilliant spots to visit with our guide.