It’s the last weekend before Christmas, which means you’re probably not reading this — you already know your weekend consists of sitting in traffic around Lenox Square and fighting off hordes of last-minute shoppers with a tube of glittery wrapping paper. If you must brave the mall, here are a few suggestions for ways to de-stress afterward.
“Manipulated”
Photographers used to alter images by physical manipulation in the darkroom. Today, most effects are generated digitally. In Manipulated, ten contemporary artists—including Chuck Close and Radcliffe Bailey—exhibit works inspired by the creative potential of old-school techniques such as silver gelatin. Through January 15. scad.edu/calendar/events
Kingsized Holiday Jubilee
Imagine a mash-up of Elvis, Santa, Bing Cosby, and various Sons of Anarchy, and you’ve got Big Mike Geier’s Kingsized Holiday Jubilee, a concert, fundraiser, and celebration of hipster holiday cheer staged at the Variety Playhouse. The show is also a fundraiser for Toys for Tots. Saturday 8 p.m. variety-playhouse.com
Celtic Christmas
This Rialto show features the Irish, Scottish, and Welsh tunes you’d expect — with an added Appalachian flavor. Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. rialtocenter.org
Andrea Bocelli
The famed Italian tenor, who is visiting Philips to promote his latest album, Passione. Sunday 7:30 p.m. philipsarena.com
Or, bask in the glow of holiday light displays
Most of these displays run for a few days after Christmas, so bear this in mind for next week if you’ve got house guests with cabin fever.
Fantasy in Lights
With more than 8 million lights and 15 scenes, it’s no wonder this Callaway Gardens show has been named one of National Geographic Traveler’s top spots to check out holiday lights. Through December 30. callawaygardens.com
Gift of Lights
What’s cooler than driving around neighborhoods, looking at Christmas lights? Getting to drive on sections of the Atlanta Motor Speedway track, looking at Christmas lights. Through January 4. atlantamotorspeedway.com
Garden Lights, Holiday Nights
After you’ve toured the botanical garden grounds, drop by the “Glow Bar” to dance to the DJ and sip a seasonal cocktail or two. Through January 4. atlantabotanicalgarden.org
Holiday in Lights
Gaze at the thousands of lights and unleash your inner Peanuts kid by sliding around the outdoor ice rink. It’s supposed to be in the 60s this weekend, so you can have cold weather fun without having to bundle up. centennialpark.com