Community Events

Ring in the holiday season by joining History Cherokee’s Holiday Tour of Homes!

This event offers a unique opportunity to explore beautifully decorated and inspiring homes and businesses in historic downtown Woodstock. Tour stops will be dressed in their holiday best, creating a magical setting to inspire your own seasonal celebrations.

The tour happens Friday, Dec. 5, from 5:30-9 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Purchase your tickets early and save! Tickets are just $30 per person if purchased by Dec. 3. After that, tickets are $35 and can be purchased at the event (at The Circuit, 1 Innovation Way, Woodstock).

Cookies with Santa at Zoo Atlanta

2025 Dates: December 6 & 7
Limited timed reservations are available from 8:30 a.m. – 7:10 p.m.

Be here when Santa makes his first stop – and get Santa Photos at Zoo Atlanta!

Bring the family for a personal visit with Santa and a professional Santa photo to remember the moment.

Gather the whole family for a magical meet-and-greet with Santa himself, complete with a professional digital photo to capture the memory. While you’re here, snack on festive cookies, get crafty with seasonal activities, and snap holly jolly photos at every turn. It’s a winter wonderland you won’t want to miss!

All Sessions Include:

- A Professional Photo: Remember the moment with a professional family photo with Santa! Photos will be available for free download.

- Holiday Nibbles: No visit with Santa’s elves is complete without a cookie and juice!

- Festive Sights and Sounds: Immerse yourself in the holiday magic with cheerful photo spots and jingle-bell jams!

- Cheerful Crafts: Get creative with hands-on holiday crafts.

Book soon as this event has sold out in the past!

Tickets

Zoo Atlanta Member Pre-Sale
Age 3 and over: $20
Age 2 and under: Free

Zoo Atlanta Member
Age 3 and over: $25
Age 2 and under: Free

Non-Member
Age 3 and over: $35
Age 2 and under: Free

New for 2025:

- Less waiting, more Christmas spirit! We’ve added extra sessions with fewer guests per session, giving your family more options to enjoy the magic.

- Dashing Through! Each session lasts 30 minutes, which is plenty of time to meet the Big Guy in Red, enjoy the activities, and then dash out to the Zoo so you don’t miss a minute of outside fun.

- The North Pole goes digital! Want a better way to drop your image into the family holiday card or share on social media? We’ve got you covered. All photos will be digital and available for download only

Daily Special: The Art of John Miller serves up a visual feast of American food favorites, all set within an environment that evokes classic diners and other eateries of the 1950s and 1960s.

Miller hand blows and molds his exuberant, oversized glass sculptures of hamburgers, French fries, frosty soft drinks and decadent donuts that pop off the plate and into the gallery. His work pays homage to post-war popular design and draws inspiration from pop art, particularly the soft sculptures of Claes Oldenburg.

Miller grew up going to diners with his parents in his hometown of New Haven, Connecticut where his father had a motorcycle shop. He began working with glass as an undergraduate at Southern Connecticut University and went on to earn an M.F.A. in sculpture from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. He worked at Pilchuck Glass School in Stanwood, WA, beginning in 1993.

Miller is an associate professor of glass at Illinois State University and has exhibited nationally at museums and art institutes. His work is in numerous museum collections, including the Corning Museum of Glass, the Chrysler Museum of Art, the Museum of Arts and Design in New York City, the Museum of Glass, Tacoma, and the Cafesjian Museum of Art, Armenia.

The Helen Chamber of Commerce is holding the 18th Annual Helen’s Christmas Market on Nov. 29-30 and Dec. 6-7.

Helen’s Christmas Market offers unique handmade Christmas gifts and decorations along with an assortment of sweets and treats. Savory foods are available at our fine restaurants in town.

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.

Imagine running a show when all of your stars are birds!

Become a Trainer for a Day at the World of Wild Theater presented by Georgia Natural Gas, and see firsthand how training is used to care for and connect guests to the birds while participating in the Fantastic Flights presentation!

Work alongside the Ambassador Animals Team to experience how these feathered friends showcase their unique adaptations in these presentations, and learn about the positive reinforcement training that ensures that all of the birds are participating voluntarily. This behind-the-scenes look at Fantastic Flights and its amazing participants will give you a greater appreciation for the term “bird brain” and the important relationships between the birds and their care team.

Before registering, please understand that during this program:

• Participants will perform similar tasks as members of the Ambassador Animals 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.

2025 Dates:

Sunday, Sept. 21
Sunday, Oct. 5
Sunday, Nov. 23
Sunday, Dec. 7

Time(s): 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Member Cost: $300
Non-Member Cost: $335

Age Range: 16 and up

The Toccoa Symphony Orchestra Christmas concert and Art Show is open to CAG members.

The concert typically attracts around 1,000 people making this a wonderful opportunity to show and sell your artwork in time for the holiday season. 

There are 12 slots available for CAG members. 

Participating artists are welcome to stay and enjoy the concert featuring uplifting Christmas music (No ticket needed).

Join us as we take you on a journey into the colorful and fantastical world of "Luzia," set in a make-believe Mexico, where you will be treated to stunning visual surprises and breathtaking acrobatic performances.

"Luzia" deftly guides you through the locations, people and sounds of both classical and contemporary Mexico, taking you from urban locations like an old movie set and a smoke-filled dance hall to the beach and barren desert.

See online schedule for show times.

Learn more.

Macon Little Theatre presents the modern animated classic movie turned musical: "Shrek!"

Thursday, Friday and Saturday shows at 8 p.m.

Sunday shows at 2:30 p.m.

Step into the magic of the season at the Museum of Aviation’s Festival of Trees!

Wander through beautifully decorated trees and wreaths created by local businesses, organizations and individuals—each one a reflection of community spirit and holiday cheer.

Join us for one of Middle Georgia’s most cherished traditions, where the wonder of Christmas meets the mission of preserving history and inspiring the future.

The Festival of Trees runs Nov. 19-Dec. 28 inside the Eagle Building. Admission is free, and donations are welcomed to support the Museum of Aviation Foundation.

Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

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.

The most wonderful time of the year is almost here and Santa is making his grand arrival at Tanger Outlets-Commerce.

Bring your family and friends to capture unforgettable holiday memories with Santa from Nov. 28 through Dec. 24.

Holiday Hours Overview:

Regular Hours:

• Mon–Fri: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. (Dec. 15–23)
• Sat: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Sun: 12-6 p.m.

 Afternoon Hours: Dec. 2-4, 9-11: 3-7 p.m. 

Christmas Eve (Dec. 24): 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Christmas and Dec. 26: Closed

Santa will wear his classic red suit most days, with fun themed looks on special event days!

Walk-ups are welcome, or guests can reserve their visit online for a convenient and festive experience.

For questions, email contact@souvenirphotograph.com or call (833) 268-8743.

Santa visits are free! Guests can choose from a variety of photography packages starting at $39.99.

Find that perfect holiday gift at The 1823 Artisan Guild's Handmade for the Holidays artisan bazaar exhibit!

This event will run from No. 17, 2025-Jan. 3, 2026 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Discover unique, handmade gifts crafted by local artisans: pottery, jewelry, textiles, fine art, ornaments and more! Enjoy gallery vibes, holiday music and treasures that make your season truly special.

Eisenhower Lakes invites all Youth On Course golfers to play their course!

Youth On Course provides young people with access to life-changing opportunities through golf. Youth On Course is a PGA of America initiative to break down the high cost barrier for junior golfers while giving them access to play the game at an affordable rate.

Staff at Eisenhower Lakes will verify the juniors YOC membership through the PGA/Georgia Section.

Juniors, between 6-18 years of age, have access to Eisenhower Lakes Golf Club facilities Monday through Saturday after 12 p.m.

For questions or to book a tee time, please call (706)791-2433.

The Greens Fee cost is $5.

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.

Join The Madison Artists Guild Gallery for the 7th Annual Holiday Market, a treasure trove of unique handcrafted gifts. This juried show features the works of multiple local talented artists, offering one-of-a-kind items perfect for the holiday season.

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

Step into the magic of the season at the Museum of Aviation’s Festival of Trees!

Wander through beautifully decorated trees and wreaths created by local businesses, organizations and individuals—each one a reflection of community spirit and holiday cheer.

Join us for one of Middle Georgia’s most cherished traditions, where the wonder of Christmas meets the mission of preserving history and inspiring the future.

The Festival of Trees runs Nov. 19-Dec. 28 inside the Eagle Building. Admission is free, and donations are welcomed to support the Museum of Aviation Foundation.

Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

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.