Photograph by Greg Mooney
A Christmas Carol
When: Through December 24
Where: Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
Cost: $20-$80
Details: Fun fact: the Charles Dickens classic turns 175 this year. Catch the Alliance Theatre’s interpretation of Ebenezer Scrooge’s path to redemption—their 29th time performing the tale—in Cobb County now through Christmas Eve.
6lack
When: December 21-23, 8 p.m.
Where: Tabernacle
Cost: Sold out, but some tickets are available on the resale market
Details: The Atlanta rapper’s hometown leg of his From East Atlanta with Love Tour—which comprises of not one but three shows at the Tabernacle downtown—is completely sold out, but some tickets are still lingering on the resale market. If you’re lucky enough to have one, enjoy the bragging rights of having a spot at one of the hottest shows of year.
Holiday Hootenanny
When: December 20, 7 p.m.
Where: Variety Playhouse
Cost: $30
Details: Last year, this annual benefit concert for Atlanta Habitat for Humanity served as a tribute to the late Col. Bruce Hampton. The eighth annual extended jam session—the show is four hours long and can have up to 20 artist on stage at one time—will this year pay tribute to fiddler Vassar Clements.
A Christmas Story at City Winery
When: December 22, noon
Where: City Winery
Cost: Free
Details: If you don’t want to wait until Christmas Eve to watch the annual TBS marathon of this 1980s holiday classic, you can catch this matinee screening at City Winery, where guests are encouraged to come in costume. (You have your own pink bunny pajamas, right?) They’ll also offer a “You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out” cocktail made with rum and coconut milk.
Illuminate Chinese Lantern Festival
When: Through January 1, 5 p.m.-11 p.m.
Where: Sugarloaf Mills Mall
Cost: $14.95-$18.95
Details: If you’re looking for a dazzling lights show that isn’t entirely Christmas related (although there is a Christmas village), head up to Lawrenceville for this lantern extravaganza, which features huge lit structures themed to China’s Forbidden City, undersea life, and more. Some nights feature acrobatic or musical performances, and there’s food available for purchase. Plus: It’s open on Christmas and New Year’s, if you’re looking for activities to do with the family.
Plus: Hungry this holiday? Here’s our roundup of restaurants open on Christmas Eve and Day.
