Community Events

Join the team at the Zambezi Elephant Center and immerse yourself in what it takes to care for the largest land animals on the planet! Spend the morning working alongside the Elephant Care Team to prepare the habitat for the day and ensure the elephants’ needs are met.

Spend the morning working alongside the Elephant Care Team to prepare the habitat for the day and ensure the elephants’ needs are met.

This unique experience is sure to educate and inspire you about these special individuals, help you learn more about the rigorous requirements of professional elephant care, and gain an understanding of the ways Zoo Atlanta is working to protect wild populations. Participants can expect to meet members of the Animal Care Team, meet an animal, learn about our positive reinforcement training and enrichment programs, and walk away with knowledge of how to save species. All participation in Keeper for a Day programs is voluntary for the animals.

Before registering, please understand that during this program: 

• Participants will perform similar tasks as members of the Elephant Care Team, which may include raking, sweeping, hosing, scrubbing, and shoveling, and should expect to do some hard work and be comfortable getting dirty. 
• Participants will be expected to participate in all weather conditions, lift up to 30 pounds, and be on their feet for up to four hours. 
• Participants must have the physical ability to bend, lift, stoop, kneel, and stand for extended periods of time. 
• Participants may be exposed to potential allergens such as insects, hay, animal waste, and other potential allergens. Please reach out in advance if you have any questions or concerns. 

Upcoming 2026 Dates:
Saturday, January 10
Thursday, January 22
Saturday, February 7
Thursday, February 19
Thursday, March 5
Saturday, March 28
Saturday, April 18
Thursday, April 30
Saturday, May 16
Thursday, May 28

Times: 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Member cost: $325
Non-member cost: $360

Age range: 16 and up

How many chickens do you weigh?

How tall are you in apples or inches or pennies? Can you use your foot as a ruler?

Explore these and other questions in this new interactive exhibit in the Discovery Garden!

It may be common to measure using standard tools such as measuring tapes and cups, but Measurement Rules explores non-standard tools such as balancing scales, odometers, calipers, 3-D imaging and counting “Mississippis.” Explore this exhibit and become confident in the language of measurement through length, weight, volume and time.

The museum is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

We’ve all imagined what it’s like to live and work in space, but only a select few have done it. Opening on Oct. 10, those who have lived in space will share their experiences with visitors in our newest traveling exhibition, Journey to Space.

Using hands-on and large-scale interactive exhibits and multimedia components, Journey to Space gives visitors a glimpse at the extraordinary conditions of human space travel, as well as the unique challenges and rewards of life on board the International Space Station.

Gainesville Theatre Alliance presents "The Play That Goes Wrong," by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields, Feb. 13-21 at Brenau University's Hosch Theatre, inside the John S. Burd Center for the Performing Arts.

An opening night reception, catered by Nothing Bundt Cakes, follows the Feb. 13 performance.

It’s opening night at the Cornley Drama Society, and everything that could possibly go wrong—does! The set’s collapsing, the actors are forgetting lines (or repeating them), and the corpse won’t stay still. This madcap comedy is a love letter to the chaos of live theatre, where disaster becomes delight and failure is fabulously funny. Expect pratfalls, missed cues and non-stop laughs in this Olivier Award-winning global sensation. Fun for the whole family!

Gainesville Theatre Alliance is an inter-collegiate theatre collaboration between Brenau University and the University of North Georgia.

For tickets or more information, visit GainesvilleTheatreAlliance.org or call the GTA Box Office at (678) 717-3624.

Discover the rich stories woven into every quilt, tales of heritage, community, journey and roots.

Visit Stitching Our Story: A Celebration of Black History Quilt Show, a vibrant celebration of these powerful narratives brought to life through the artistry of quilting. Celebrate creativity and culture in this inspiring, free event open to everyone, proudly presented by See Clayton County.

1945–1979 Quilts explores changing trends in American quilting from the end of World War II through the resurgence of the craft in the late 1970s. The exhibit highlights the evolution of styles, colors, and fabrics over three transformative decades.

Early quilts reflect patriotic themes and palettes inspired by the postwar period, while quilts from the 1950s introduce new patterns and fresh color combinations. By the 1960s and 1970s, quilters pushed creative boundaries, experimenting with bold colors, unconventional fabrics and expressive designs.

Winter Break Camp at History Cherokee

Feb. 16–20 | Ages 8-12 (Grades 3-5)

Looking for something fun, educational and engaging for your kids during Winter Break? Winter Break Camp at History Cherokee offers five exciting days of STEAM-based exploration inspired by the history, science and stories found at the Cherokee County History Center.

Each day, campers will enjoy a mix of interactive talks, hands-on activities, time exploring the galleries and creative learning experiences designed to spark curiosity and imagination. Campers may register for individual days or the full week, making it easy to fit your family’s schedule.

Camp Hours: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Flexible Pick-Up: Any time between 2-3 p.m.

Lunch: Campers must bring their own lunch and water bottle

Cost: $30 per day or $120 for the full week

Daily Camp Themes

Monday: Textiles & Traditions

Kick off the week with a hands-on look at textile arts alongside the Appalachian Weaver’s Guild. Campers will explore how weaving and textiles have played an important role in everyday life and cultural traditions, while learning about materials, patterns, and techniques through interactive activities.

Tuesday: Picture This! Photography

Campers will dive into the world of photography, discovering how images capture moments in time and help tell stories about the past. Through creative exercises and gallery exploration, campers will learn how photography connects art, science and history.

Wednesday: Cherokee People & Culture

This meaningful day focuses on the history and living culture of the Cherokee people, led by members of the Cherokee Nation Heritage Center. Campers will learn about traditions, perspectives and stories that are an essential part of the region’s history through age-appropriate discussion and activities.

Thursday: Critters & Conservation

Meet some amazing animal ambassadors during this exciting day with guests from the Chattahoochee Nature Center. Campers will learn about mammals, habitats and the relationship between people and wildlife, connecting natural science to local and regional history.

Friday: Mad Kitchen Science

End the week with hands-on experimentation and big reactions! Campers will explore fun, safe science experiments using everyday materials—including elephant toothpaste, lava lamps, bubbles and non-Newtonian fluids—bringing curiosity and creativity together in a high-energy finale.

Land and Sea Georgia, an exhibition by renowned metal and jewelry artist Barbara Mann, will be on view Jan. 30 through March 7 at the Madison Artists Guild Gallery. 

Mann’s work references flora and fauna ranging from pokeweed and pine trees to sea algae, oysters, sea turtles and microscopic marine life. The exhibition celebrates the interconnectedness of these environments and reflects a deep respect for the natural world.

The Madison Artists Guild Gallery is open Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Elephant Wild Encounter at Zoo Atlanta

No creature looms larger over the savanna than the African elephant, and you’ll agree when you come face-to-trunk with one at Zoo Atlanta! Meet Tara or Kelly while learning why they are such important ambassadors for their species.

During this Wild Encounter experience, you will learn about elephants with a Zoo Educator before heading behind the scenes to meet up with members of the Elephant Care Team and find out more about elephant care at the Zoo. Of course, no Elephant Wild Encounter would be complete without the opportunity to hand-feed one of the “girls” an afternoon snack.

• Meet at the Zambezi Elephant Center 15 minutes before the Wild Encounter. 
• Availability is limited for all Wild Encounters. Advance registration is recommended.
• Encounter spots may be available on the day of the program. Please meet the Wild Encounter Guide at the check-in location 15 minutes before the program begins to inquire about availability and to purchase tickets.

Days Available: Sunday, Monday, Friday and Saturday at 2 p.m. 

Member Cost: $117

Non-Member Cost: $130 + Zoo admission

Age Range: 4 and up

Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum—an acclaimed museum dedicated to celebrating and preserving America’s maritime legacy—is delighted to present “Beyond the Plate: Sea and Sky,” an exciting new solo exhibition featuring nautical-inspired, mixed-media art by Rob Strati, from September 25, 2025, through April 12, 2026. 

“Beyond the Plate” will showcase new work by one of America’s hottest contemporary artists. Strati has recently enjoyed sold-out exhibits at Duane Reed Gallery in St. Louis and FREMIN Gallery in New York and has sold work to top international art collectors in New York, London, Hong Kong, Dubai and beyond.

Strati’s art incorporates broken porcelain plates that have been embellished and adorned with creative details. The exhibition features the artist’s latest bold, kinetic mixed-media works and limited-edition prints as well as an ambitious site-specific installation that will be suspended from the ceiling of the Ships of the Sea atrium.

All of the art in “Beyond the Plate” will be available for purchase, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum.

MLT Family presents the modern-classic dance movie turned Broadway musical - "Footloose"

Friday @ 7:30 p.m.

Saturday @ 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Sunday @ 2:30 p.m.

How many chickens do you weigh?

How tall are you in apples or inches or pennies? Can you use your foot as a ruler?

Explore these and other questions in this new interactive exhibit in the Discovery Garden!

It may be common to measure using standard tools such as measuring tapes and cups, but Measurement Rules explores non-standard tools such as balancing scales, odometers, calipers, 3-D imaging and counting “Mississippis.” Explore this exhibit and become confident in the language of measurement through length, weight, volume and time.

The museum is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

We’ve all imagined what it’s like to live and work in space, but only a select few have done it. Opening on Oct. 10, those who have lived in space will share their experiences with visitors in our newest traveling exhibition, Journey to Space.

Using hands-on and large-scale interactive exhibits and multimedia components, Journey to Space gives visitors a glimpse at the extraordinary conditions of human space travel, as well as the unique challenges and rewards of life on board the International Space Station.

Gainesville Theatre Alliance presents "The Play That Goes Wrong," by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields, Feb. 13-21 at Brenau University's Hosch Theatre, inside the John S. Burd Center for the Performing Arts.

An opening night reception, catered by Nothing Bundt Cakes, follows the Feb. 13 performance.

It’s opening night at the Cornley Drama Society, and everything that could possibly go wrong—does! The set’s collapsing, the actors are forgetting lines (or repeating them), and the corpse won’t stay still. This madcap comedy is a love letter to the chaos of live theatre, where disaster becomes delight and failure is fabulously funny. Expect pratfalls, missed cues and non-stop laughs in this Olivier Award-winning global sensation. Fun for the whole family!

Gainesville Theatre Alliance is an inter-collegiate theatre collaboration between Brenau University and the University of North Georgia.

For tickets or more information, visit GainesvilleTheatreAlliance.org or call the GTA Box Office at (678) 717-3624.

Discover the rich stories woven into every quilt, tales of heritage, community, journey and roots.

Visit Stitching Our Story: A Celebration of Black History Quilt Show, a vibrant celebration of these powerful narratives brought to life through the artistry of quilting. Celebrate creativity and culture in this inspiring, free event open to everyone, proudly presented by See Clayton County.

1945–1979 Quilts explores changing trends in American quilting from the end of World War II through the resurgence of the craft in the late 1970s. The exhibit highlights the evolution of styles, colors, and fabrics over three transformative decades.

Early quilts reflect patriotic themes and palettes inspired by the postwar period, while quilts from the 1950s introduce new patterns and fresh color combinations. By the 1960s and 1970s, quilters pushed creative boundaries, experimenting with bold colors, unconventional fabrics and expressive designs.

Winter Break Camp at History Cherokee

Feb. 16–20 | Ages 8-12 (Grades 3-5)

Looking for something fun, educational and engaging for your kids during Winter Break? Winter Break Camp at History Cherokee offers five exciting days of STEAM-based exploration inspired by the history, science and stories found at the Cherokee County History Center.

Each day, campers will enjoy a mix of interactive talks, hands-on activities, time exploring the galleries and creative learning experiences designed to spark curiosity and imagination. Campers may register for individual days or the full week, making it easy to fit your family’s schedule.

Camp Hours: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Flexible Pick-Up: Any time between 2-3 p.m.

Lunch: Campers must bring their own lunch and water bottle

Cost: $30 per day or $120 for the full week

Daily Camp Themes

Monday: Textiles & Traditions

Kick off the week with a hands-on look at textile arts alongside the Appalachian Weaver’s Guild. Campers will explore how weaving and textiles have played an important role in everyday life and cultural traditions, while learning about materials, patterns, and techniques through interactive activities.

Tuesday: Picture This! Photography

Campers will dive into the world of photography, discovering how images capture moments in time and help tell stories about the past. Through creative exercises and gallery exploration, campers will learn how photography connects art, science and history.

Wednesday: Cherokee People & Culture

This meaningful day focuses on the history and living culture of the Cherokee people, led by members of the Cherokee Nation Heritage Center. Campers will learn about traditions, perspectives and stories that are an essential part of the region’s history through age-appropriate discussion and activities.

Thursday: Critters & Conservation

Meet some amazing animal ambassadors during this exciting day with guests from the Chattahoochee Nature Center. Campers will learn about mammals, habitats and the relationship between people and wildlife, connecting natural science to local and regional history.

Friday: Mad Kitchen Science

End the week with hands-on experimentation and big reactions! Campers will explore fun, safe science experiments using everyday materials—including elephant toothpaste, lava lamps, bubbles and non-Newtonian fluids—bringing curiosity and creativity together in a high-energy finale.

The Ringgold Playhouse presents "Boeing Boeing," a comedy by Marc Camoletti, directed by Adam Cook. The show starts Feb 14, with additional performances Feb. 20-22 and Feb. 27-28.

Senior/Student tickets are $12 and General Admission tickets are $15. Tickets are available at the door or online at the link below. All Playhouse performances this year will be held at their brand new location at 7847 Nashville Street in downtown Ringgold.

Friday and Saturday Shows: 7:30-10 p.m.

Sunday Shows: 2-4:30 p.m.

Synopsis:

This 1960s French farce adapted for the English-speaking stage features self-styled Parisian lothario Bernard, who has Italian, German and American fiancées, each a beautiful airline hostess with frequent “layovers.” He keeps “one up, one down and one pending” – until unexpected schedule changes bring all three to Paris, and Bernard’s apartment, at the same time.

More Info | nothinlikeringold.com

Tickets | https://www.onthestage.tickets/show/city-of-ringgold-dda/696113034580853bbc81e89e

Land and Sea Georgia, an exhibition by renowned metal and jewelry artist Barbara Mann, will be on view Jan. 30 through March 7 at the Madison Artists Guild Gallery. 

Mann’s work references flora and fauna ranging from pokeweed and pine trees to sea algae, oysters, sea turtles and microscopic marine life. The exhibition celebrates the interconnectedness of these environments and reflects a deep respect for the natural world.

The Madison Artists Guild Gallery is open Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Petting Zoo Painters

Join the Animal Care Team and one of our talented animal artists, meeting either the Zoo’s “VanGoat” or “Baaahlo,” and take home a unique work of art in this unforgettable experience.

Learn about the positive reinforcement training process of becoming an animal artist. See firsthand the ways this enrichment activity fits into high standards of care for animals at the Zoo when you meet a goat or sheep and see their art creation in action. Please note that we cannot guarantee a specific animal for your program.

• Meet at the Petting Zoo area of Outback Station 15 minutes before the Wild Encounter start time. 
• Availability is limited for all Wild Encounters. Advance registration is recommended.
• Encounter spots may be available on the day of the program. Please meet the Wild Encounter Guide at the check-in location 15 minutes before the program begins to inquire about availability and to purchase tickets.
• Includes one (1) take-home canvas per registered group.

Days Available: Saturdays at 3:15 p.m.

Member Cost: $67.50  |  Includes one painting per group of four people.

Non-Member Cost: $75 per group of up to four people, + individual Zoo Admission  |   Includes one painting per group of four people.

Age Range: All ages