Christmas Tree Lighting events in Atlanta signify the official beginning of the holiday & Christmas celebration. And I have to say it feels like the season has just sneaked up on me. Nevertheless, attending the Christmas tree lighting and holiday parade is one of many families’ tradition for the holiday.
As Santa’s arrival has already hit most of shopping mall, you will find where to take your kid to have Photos with Santa in Atlanta from our holiday guides. But if you are looking for less expensive activity like Christmas tree lighting in your city, you still have time to plan. Many cities will host Christmas Tree Lighting events in late November or early December.
Here is our handy guide to Christmas Tree Lighting in Atlanta area. Let us know if we miss your town and I will add them.
Christmas Tree Lighting & Holiday Celebration in Atlanta 2012
Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration @ Alpharetta
Alpharetta Downtown Historic District will light up at the 35th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting at 5pm on Friday, November 30, 2012. The celebration will take place in the Milton Square City Park on Milton Avenue.
At 5pm Santa and Mrs. Claus will be visiting with children all evening in the gazebo. A North Fulton Jaycee’s volunteer will be on hand to help take FREE online photos, or parents may bring their cameras to take photos. On Milton Square City Park with Santa, pre-lighting entertainment will consist of strolling elves creating FREE balloon sculptures, lighted train rides, glow necklaces and holiday crafts provided by City of Alpharetta; and FREE face painting provided by Milton High School’s Interact Club.
Place: Christmas Tree Lighting in Alpharetta, Historic Downtown Alpharetta, Milton Square City Park , Alpharetta, GA.
Date: November 30, 2012
Time: 5pm
Cost: FREE
Santa’s Arrival @ Acworth
Tt’s that special time again! Santa will be stopping at the Depot in Downtown Acworth on Friday, December 7 from 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. There will be a host of performances to help Santa kickoff the holiday season.
Place: Santa’s Arrival in Acworth, The Depot in Downtown Acworth
Date: December 7, 2012
Time: 6:30pm-9pm
Cost: FREE
Macy’s Great Tree Lighting @ Lenox Mall, Atlanta
November 22. The 65th annual event returns to Lenox Square on Thanksgiving night with a show featuring live musical performances and fun for the entire family! Crowds of more than 100,000 are drawn each year for the spectacular event as a special Thanksgiving tradition. The lighting of Atlanta’s most beloved and recognized Christmas tree will take place in front of Macy’s at Lenox Square from 7 to 8 p.m. A pre-show concer will begin at 6:15 PM. The celebration will be capped off with a fantastic fireworks finale to holiday music – a moving and memorable way to kick off the holiday season!
Place: Macy’s Christmas Tree Lighting Atlanta, Lenox Mall, 3393 Peachtree Rd., N.E., Atlanta, GA
Date: November 22, 2012
Time: 6:00 PM- 8:00 PM
Cost: FREE
Christmas Tree Lighting @ The Governor’s Mansion, Atlanta
Celebrate the Holiday with the Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the Governor’s mansion on Sunday, December 2nd 6:30 pm and enjoy Christmas tour from December 3rd – 18th, 2012. Call (404) 261-1776 for more information or to make a reservation.
Place: Christmas Tree Lighting Atlanta, Governor’s Mansion, 391 West Paces Ferry Road. NW, Atlanta, GA
Date: December 2, 2012
Time: 6:30 PM
Cost: FREE
Annual Tree Lighting of Atlantic Station @ Atlanta
Atlantic Station is having the ultimate all-day celebration with live music, arts, crafts, delicious winter treats, and activities the whole family can enjoy!
Children’s activities fill East and West District Streets from Noon to 6:00 p.m. Performances from Atlanta Concert Ringers, Jordan Grassi, Georgia Tech Glee Club, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Brass, Horizon Theater – Madeline Girls and many more! Scrooge from the Alliance Theater and Santa arrive at 7:15 p.m. The tree will light up at 8:00 p.m. to cap off an event to remember!
Place: Christmas Tree Lighting of Atlantic Station, Atlantic Station Central Park, 1380 Atlantic Drive, , Suite 14250 , Atlanta, GA 30363
Date: November 17, 2012
Time: Noon – 9PM
Cost: FREE
Holiday Parade & Festival @ Buford
Celebrate the holiday with Historic Buford Holiday parade & festival on Saturday December 1, 2012. A fun filled day of Stage Performances, Vendors, Shopping, Giveaways, Holiday Treats and an exciting Parade!
Place: Holiday Parade in Buford, Downtown Buford, Corner Main/S. Hill Streets , Main Street, Buford, GA 30518
Date: December 1, 2012
Time: 5:30PM
Cost: FREE
Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting @ Conyers
Over 70 floats, organizations, churches, businesses and bands will participate in the Hometown Holiday Parade that begins from Rockdale County High School and continues to its conclusion at the community tree lighting at the Rockdale County Courthouse on Milstead Avenue. This is the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus in Conyers this holiday season! For more information, call 770-602-2606.
Place: Holiday Parade in Conyers, Olde Town Conyers, Conyers, Georgia
Date: December 1, 2012
Time: 4:30PM – 7:30 PM
Cost: FREE
Christmas Parade & Celebration of Lights @ Market Place, Cumming
Bring your family and friends and enjoy entertainment from local groups and schools, photos with Santa Claus and many other activities for the kids. WSB-TV anchor Fred Blankenship will serve as emcee. Christmas trees will be lit in Atlanta, Alpharetta and Cumming, with lights on the trees representing those who have been affected by cancer. Visit website for more info.
Place: Christmas Parade at Market Place & Tree Lighting at Northside Hospital-Forsyth, Market Place Boulevard, Cumming, GA 30041
Date: December 1, 2012
Time: Christmas parade: 3:30pm-4:30pm, Tree Lighting: 4:30pm-6:30pm
Cost: FREE
Christmas Tree Lighting @ The Avenue Forsyth, Cumming
Enjoy complimentary children’s activities and be the first to greet Santa when he arrives to light the tree!
Place: Christmas Tree Lighting Cumming, The Avenue Forsyth, 410 Peachtree Parkway, Cumming, GA 30041
Date: November 17, 2012
Time: 3 PM – 6 PM
Cost: FREE
Christmas Tree Lighting @ Little Shop of Stories, Decatur
It’s that time of year again! We are once again working with other local businesses to bring you the annual Decatur Christmas Tree! Join us on Thursday, November 29th for carols, sweet treats, a visit from a jolly man in a red suit, and lots of merry making! You don’t want to miss this wonderful holiday tradition!
Place: Christmas Tree Lighting Decatur, Little Shop of Stories, 133A East Court Square, Decatur, Georgia 30030
Date: November 29, 2012
Time: 7pm-8pm
Cost: FREE
Christmas Tree Lighting & Parade @ Douglasville
The City of Douglasville is proud to bring you Magic on Main Street Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting Friday, Dec. 7 in downtown Douglasville from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Douglasville will take you on a ride to a magical place filled with decorated streets and glowing parade floats. That’s just part of the Magic of Christmas; join us on O’Neal Plaza after the parade for caroling, hot chocolate, and candy canes. In addition, children can visit and take a photo with Santa.
Place: Christmas Tree Lighting Douglasville, Downtown Douglasville, Main Street, Douglasville, Georgia
Date: December 8, 2012
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Cost: FREE
Christmas Tree Lighting @ Duluth
Come early to enjoy craft activities, games and food on the Town Green and carrolling with the Duluth High Chorus in City Hall. Also featuring a performance by BB Harris Elementary on the Amphitheatre stage. And, you better watch out – Santa Claus is coming to town on a sleigh pulled by LIVE Reindeer!
Place: Christmas Tree Lighting Duluth, Duluth Town Green, Main Street, Duluth, GA 30096
Date: December 1, 2012
Time: 5 PM
Cost: FREE
Christmas Tree Lighting @ Dunwoody
Save the date for Dunwoody’s annual welcome to the Holiday Season. An annual community event to welcome the holiday season, Light up Dunwoody Christmas Village opens at 3:00 pm and concludes with the lighting of the tree at 6:00 pm. Vendors will offer wonderful holiday treasures and refreshments!
At the Spruill Farm House, Santa will welcome children to sit on his lap, and a Santa sleigh with reindeer will be available for more photo opportunities. Bring your own camera! Visit website for more info.
Place: Christmas Tree Lighting Dunwoody, Dunwoody Farmhouse, 5455 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd., Dunwoody, GA 30338
Date: Novermber 18, 2012
Time: 3pm-6pm
Cost: FREE
City Hall Tree Lighting @ Johns Creek
Lighting of Christmas tree and dreidel with traditional holiday music by local elementary school choruses. Visit website for more info.
Place: Christmas Tree Lighting Johns Creek, Johns Creek City Hall, 12000 Findley Road, Johns Creek, GA 30097
Date: November 26, 2012
Time: 6:30pm
Cost: FREE
A Day with Santa @ Kennesaw
Santa’s arrival begins at 1 pm with a FREE parade on Main Street featuring costumed characters, designer floats, marching bands, and live reindeer pulling Santa’s sleigh. The attractions continue with a holiday host of activities, live music and dance performances, along with a seasonal variety of food vendors, crafts, gift and general merchandise near the Depot. Children’s activities include a real snow playground, snow tubing down “Depot Hill”, trackless train rides, an inflatable bounce house, obstacle course and slide, a petting zoo, pony rides, and much more. Festivities conclude with a Christmas tree lighting program at 5:30 pm.
Place: Christmas Tree Lighting Kennersaw, The Depot in downtown Kennesaw, Main Street, Kennesaw, GA
Date: December 1, 2012
Time: Parade begins at 1pm, Tree lighting begins at 5:30pm
Cost: FREE
Annual Lighting of the Tree @ Lawrenceville
Free! Join the tradition as we host the 25th Annual Lighting of the Tree! Enjoy live music, kid’s crafts, Santa’s Magical Forest, live entertainment and, of course, visits with Santa! The tradition continues as the Great Tree is lit on the lawn of the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse. Enjoy an evening with family and friends as music fills the air. There will be live performances, music, crafts, food vendors, and more!
Place: Christmas Tree Lighting Lawrenceville, Gwinnett Historic Courthouse, 185 West Crogan Street, Lawrenceville.
Date: November 22, 2012
Time: 5:00pm – 8:30pm
Cost: FREE
Santa on the Square @ Marietta
Join Santa Claus for the kick off to the holiday season in Marietta, Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, in Glover Park on the Marietta Square. Festivities will begin at 5 p.m. with performances by local school choruses. Santa will make his grand entrance at 5:20 p.m. and light the giant Christmas tree at 6 p.m. More entertainment will follow while Santa visits with children in the gazebo until 8 p.m.
Place: Santa on the Square Marietta, Historic Marietta Square, Marietta, GA
Date: November 29, 2012
Time: 5pm-8pm
Cost: FREE
Annual Tree Lighting @ Milton
Kick off the holiday season with the City of Milton as it holds the fourth annual Tree Lighting on Thursday, Nov. 29 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the corner of Ga. 9 and Webb Road. The tree lighting ceremony will last 30 minutes, from 6:30 to 7 p.m., and include performances by the Milton High School Chorus and dance troupe Off Broadway Expressions.
Place: Christmas Tree Lighting Milton, Deerfield Place shopping center at Webb Road and Ga. 9., Alpharetta, GA
Date: November 29, 2012
Time: 6:30pm-7:30pm
Cost: FREE
Historic Norcross Lighting of the Tree @ Norcross
Friday, November 30, 2012, is the official opening of SPARKLE! Historic Norcross’ annual celebration of the holidays. Sparkle! Christmas Tree Lighting Event complete with choirs of music, photos with Santa, free movies in the park, hot chocolate & cookies, downtown carriage rides and more!
Place: Christmas Tree Lighting Norcross, Thrasher Park, 93 Park Drive, Norcross, GA 30071
Date: November 29, 2012
Time: 5:45pm
Cost: FREE
Annual Lighting of the Christmas Tree @ Powder Springs
Come and enjoy the live entertainment, Festival of Trees, carriage rides, keepsake photo with Santa and free hot chocolate. The City of Powder Springs invites all area youth groups to participate in a Festival of Trees. Decorate a Christmas tree on the Historic Town Square. First, second and third place prizes to be awarded during the Annual Lighting of the Christmas Tree on December 3, 2011. Visit website for more info.
Place: Christmas Tree Lighting Powder Springs, Historic Town Square, Powder Springs, GA
Date: December 1, 2012
Time: 5pm-9pm
Cost: FREE
Annual Lighting of the Square @ Roswell
From holiday carols to brightly colored lights, nothing welcomes in the most wonderful time of year like Roswell’s Annual Lighting of Historic Town Square. On December 1 at 5:00 p.m., celebrate together as the City kicks off the yuletide season with one of its most beloved traditions.
Place: Lighting of the Square Roswell, Roswell Square, Roswell, GA
Date: December 1, 2012
Time: 5pm
Cost: FREE
Old Town Holiday Festival & Caboose Lighting @ Suwanee
Place: Holiday Lighting Suwanee, Historic Old Town Suwanee, Suwanee, GA
Date: November 30, 2012
Time: 6:30pm-10pm
Cost: FREE
Christmas Tree Lighting @ Emory-Adventist Hospital, Smyrna
Emory-Adventist Hospital at Smyrna (EAH) will host a Christmas Tree Lighting Event for the public. The event will include musical performances, warm drinks and special appearances from Smyrna Fire Department and Santa. Families are invited to bring their cameras for photos with Santa at the conclusion.
Place: Christmas Tree Lighting Smyrna, Emory-Adventist Hospital at Smyrna, 3949 South Cobb Drive, Smyrna, Georgia
Date: November 29, 2012
Time: 6 PM
Cost: FREE
Christmas Tree Lighting @ Vinings Jubilee, Smyrna
Please join us this year for our 2012 Vinings Jubilee Christmas Tree Lighting, on November 29th from 6 to 8 pm. Enjoy, holiday music, delicious treats offered by our merchants and restaurants; reindeer pony rides, Vinings Express Train rides, face painting, balloon twisting, prizes and of course the opportunity to get your picture taken with Santa Claus! Bring your family, friends and neighbors and help us celebrate the holidays with this tradition.
Place: Christmas Tree Lighting Smyrna, Vinings Jubilee, 4300 Paces Ferry Road SE # 245, Atlanta, GA
Date: November 29, 2012
Time: 6 PM
Cost: FREE
Holiday Celebration @ Sugar Hill
Our annual Holiday Celebration will be held in the Town Green Gazebo on the newly finished West Broad Street with ample on street parking. We will feature caroling by the United Methodist Church Choir and the Sugar Hill Elementary Choir. The Tree Lighting will happen at dusk and then everyone is invited to the Community Center for hot chocolate, treats and photos with Santa. Carriage rides will continue around the Town Green until 8:30 p.m.
Place: Christmas Tree Lighting Sugar Hill, Sugar Hill Community Center, Sugar Hill, GA
Date: December 1, 2012
Time: 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Cost: FREE
Christmas Tree Lighting @ Woodstock
Enjoy city of Woodstock on this year Christmas Jubilee and Parade of Lights to start the holiday season with visti with Santa, Christmas tree lighting, parade floats along with free marshmallow roast & cookies, moonwalk and entertainment. Enjoy free marshmallow roast in the park and help the Woodstock Jaycees Christmas Toy Drive for Cherokee County’s less fortunate children.
Place: Christmas Jubilee Woodstock, The park at City Center, Downtown Woodstock, Woodstock, GA 30188
Date: December 1, 2012
Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Cost: FREE
As always, please do not hesitate to drop me a comment or email if I miss your town!
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