Celebrate the Holidays A-Z

A: Angel

At Stone Mountain Christmas, watch Angelina the Snow Angel’s Christmas Parade, the festive Christmas Lasershow, Santa lighting the Enchanted Tree, travel through the Musical Frosted Forest and more. 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. Through Jan. 15.

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

Catch the Our Common Joy performance at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center. Roam the beautiful grounds and enjoy the night sky as you watch this dance. Dec. 10-11.

Lanier Islands

E: Elf

Get the PJ party started with Santa’s Elves at Lanier Islands. The Elf Tuck In features an elf reading a bedtime story and giving out cookies and milk. You’ll also get to visit with the elves’ big boss, Santa! Through Dec. 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. 9.

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. Through Dec. 5.

H: Hanukkah

This year, Hanukkah begins on Nov. 28.

• Light up the JCC Hanukkah Celebration at MJCCA. Dec. 1.
• Menorah Lighting at Logan Farm Park. Dec. 1.
• Celebrations in Light: Hanukkah at Children’s Museum of Atlanta. Dec. 5.

I: Ice

Head to Lawrenceville’s Merry Little Christmas Experience & Fireworks Show to see a holiday ice sculpture, visit with Santa, hear live Christmas music, shop on the square, watch a classic holiday movie at the drive-in, and view the dazzling fireworks show. Dec. 11.

J: Joy

Enjoy a joyful, virtual holiday concert each day from the Atlanta Concert Band. Dec. 12.

K: Kris Kringle

Straight from the North Pole, enjoy a visit with Santa at Tellus Science Museum’s Holiday PJ Party. JingleRing. Wear your favorite PJs for hands-on activities, a visit with the Grinch, cupcakes, “The Polar Express” and more. Dec. 11.

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 Jan. 2.

M: Movie Magic

Travel to Nashville to celebrate the holidays with A Country Christmas at Gaylord Opryland. Help Santa and Buddy the Elf save Christmas with “Mission: Save Christmas featuring Elf,” where you’ll travel to Buddy’s world, meet Mr. Narwhal, take part in a snowball fight and more. You can also go ice tubing or ice skating, decorate gingerbread, enjoy carriage rides, see lights and decorations and more. Through Jan. 2.

N: The Nutcracker

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

• The Nutcracker at Jennie T. Anderson Theatre. Dec. 2-5.
• The Nutcracker at Blessed Trinity Performing Arts Theater. Dec. 3-5.
• Cartersville City Ballet’s The Nutcracker at The Grand Theatre. Dec. 3-5.
• Gwinnett Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker at Gas South District. Dec. 4-19.
• Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Dec. 4-29.

O: Ornaments

Shop for ornaments, nutcrackers, household décor, arts and crafts and more at the Christkindl Market at 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 Jan. 2.

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. 11.

Q: Queen

Meet the beautiful queen of Arendelle at Halcyon’s Winter Wonderland. Visit with Anna, Elsa and Olaf, listen to Christmas music, make crafts, play with snow, sip on hot chocolate and more. Dec. 18.

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. Through 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 The Ritz-Carlton’s Toys and Tea, where Santa and Mrs. Claus will drop by for a visit. Families can enjoy tea, hot chocolate, a cookie decorating station and more. Dec. 4-5, 11-12, 18-19 and 21-22.

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 at the Children’s Museum of Atlanta with festive stories, songs and activities. Dec. 26.

V: Victorian

Celebrate the holidays of yesteryear with the Victorian Holiday at Oakland Cemetery. Explore mausoleums decorated for the holidays, shop the Pop-Up Shop, go on mini tours, and enjoy photo opportunities. Dec. 4-5.

W: It’s a Wonderful Life

Wear your Christmas pajamas to The Strand Theatre to enjoy a 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. Dec. 21.

X: X Marks the Spot

Test your sleuthing skills at the self-guided Holiday Hunt at Oakland Cemetery. Choose from three different difficulties and follow clues to solve riddles as a family. Through Jan. 2.

Y: Yuletide Carols

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

• Handel’s Messiah presented by The Lanier Chamber Singers at Gainesville First United Methodist Church. Dec. 4.
• Georgia Symphony Orchestra Presents Holiday Pops at Marietta Performing Arts Center. Dec. 4.
• Handel’s Messiah at Atlanta Symphony Hall. Dec. 17-18.
• Emmanuel Christmas Cantata at Gas South District. Dec. 22.

Z: Zip Around Town

Head to cities all over metro Atlanta to find festive decorations are all around you. Look for Santa in Marietta Square; view life-sized nutcrackers in Alpharetta; take in holiday lights with Norcross’ carriage rides; and head to Kennesaw to see the beautiful contest entries in Holiday Art Walk and Holiday Extravaganza.