The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Your guide to Christmas tree lightings
Beloved holiday-season events continue today.
Light the night (and the tree) with these metro Atlanta Christmas tree lightings.
We’ve gathered the details on metro Atlanta’s most dazzling tree lightings, and we’ve included some of the smaller tree lightings in communities outside of Atlanta. Hapeville for the Holidays: Tree Lighting. 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m. today, Jess Lucas Y-Teen Park, Annual event includes music, games, crafts, Santa Claus visit and tree lighting ceremony. 680 S. Central Avenue, Hapeville. hapeville.org. The City of Hampton Downtown Tree Lighting. 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 23, Depot Park. Event includes Christmas carols, cocoa and cookies. hamptonga.gov.
36th Annual Snellville Christmas Tree Lighting. 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25. Christmas Parade starts at 5:30 p.m. and ends near the Towne Green. Visits and photos with Santa Claus, Christmas carolers. See their site for ticketed events which can be
paid for with canned goods for the Southeast Gwinnett Co-op. Tree lighting 7 p.m. www.snellvilletourism.com/ events/christmas-tree-lighting.
Coming Home for the Holidays in Smyrna. Smyrna Community Center. 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28 on the Village Green, 200 Village Green Circle SE. Holiday festivities and musical performances. Parade begins at 7 p.m. Santa will light the Christmas tree after that. smyrnacity.com.
Avondale Estates Annual City Christmas Tree Lighting. 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 27, Clarendon Avenue and South Avondale Road. Festivities begin with Boy Scout Troop 6 giving away cookies and a Christmas lantern parade. The Avondale Estates First Baptist Church begins caroling at 6:30 p.m. Tree lighting around 6:45-7 p.m. Cider and doughnuts to be served after the lighting. Santa Claus will make an appearance. There will be another tree lighting at Lake Avondale at 6 p.m. on Dec. 2 avondaleestates.org.
Marietta Square Christmas Tree Lighting. 4 p.m.-8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30, Glover Park. Festivities include caroling by local school choruses and visits with Santa. This is also the kickoff for the Festival of Trees, so after the tree lighting at 6 p.m. many themed trees will light up as well. mariettaga.gov.
The 2017 Vinings Jubilee Tree Lighting. 6 p.m.- 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov 30, 4300 Paces Ferry Rd SE, Atlanta. Familyfriendly event includes holiday music and dance from local schools, food, activities, train rides on the Vinings Express, face painting, balloon twisting, and pictures with Santa Claus. viningsjubilee.com.
Decatur Tree Lighting. 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30., on the Decatur Square/ Music, hot chocolate and more. Organized by Little Shop of Stories.
City of Conyers Hometown Holiday Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting. Olde Town Conyers. 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2. 4 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Parade (theme: “My Favorite Christmas Movie”) begins at 4:00 p.m. at Rockdale County High School and winds its way to the Courthouse on Milstead Ave. Lighting of the county Christmas tree at the Rockdale Auditorium, 901 Main Street caps the evening. conyersga.com, 770-602-2606.
Alpharetta Christmas Tree Lighting. Main Street. 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2. Activities include free pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, a reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, snow play area, marshmallow roasting, food trucks, holiday crafts for the kids, a live broadcast of the Georgia SEC Championship game and more. Tree lighting at 6:15 p.m. alpharettaga.ga.us
Deck the Hall. 2 p.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, Duluth Town Green. A tree lighting will happen but there’s a lot more. Music, decorations, face painting, inflatables, snow playground and slide. Santa will be there. www. duluthga.net.
7th Annual Downtown Fayetteville Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting. 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2. EStarts and ends at gazebo on the square in downtown Fayetteville. Parade starts at 5 p.m. Tree lighting program begins immediately after parade. 5-7 p.m. fayetteville-ga.gov.
8th Annual Flowery Branch Christmas Festival and Tree Lighting. Noon-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, Main St., downtown Flowery Branch. Parade starts at 1 p.m. Tree lighting at 6 p.m. Vendors, hayrides, S’mores and photos with Santa. flowerybranchga.org.
City of McDonough Tree Lighting Celebration. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2. It’s a full day in McD. with Santa on the Square. Bring your camera or phone. Tree lighting at 5 p.m. Christmas Parade follows at 6 p.m. www.mcdonoughga.org.
Peachtree City Hometown Holiday. 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, The Fred-City Hall Plaza/ Fun starts at 5 p.m. at The Fred (amphitheater, 201 McIntosh Trail) with music, firepits and s’mores. Then it’s into your trusty golf cart and head over to City Hall for the tree lighting around 6:30 p.m. visitpeachtreecity.com.
City of Riverdale’s Annual Tree Lighting & Holiday Celebration. 4 p.m. Dec. 2, Dubois Integrity Academy, beginning with Christmas parade and ending up at the Riverdale Town Center. The celebration, from 4-8 p.m. Saturday, includes musical performances and activities for children of all ages including a petting zoo, hayrides, train and more. riverdaleculture.com, Eventbrite.com
Tyrone Christmas Tree Lighting. 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Shamrock Park. Sunday, Dec. 3, Live local music, lantern parade, vendors, and … the real Santa! tyrone.org
Union City Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony. 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11. Mayor’s Park. Featuring live music, train rides, moonwalk and pictures with Santa Claus. unioncityga.org.