Community Events

In recognition of the vital importance of increased visibility and diverse representation of LGBTQ+ communities and issues, particularly in our rural areas, the Steffen Thomas Museum of Art is honored to present Queer Perspectives, a juried exhibition in Fall 2024.

A beloved Christmas tradition shines even brighter!

This holiday season, discover the brand-new Tree of Traditions, a 40-foot Pixel Pine Tree, lighting up festive winter nights in Callaway Christmas Village. Step out of your car and into a real-life Winter Wonderland of twinkling lights, oversized ornaments and a forest of perfectly decorated trees. Then climb aboard the Jolly Trolley for a dazzling journey along the classic seven-mile Fantasy In Lights drive-through experience, illuminated with 10 million twinkling lights and 17 dazzling Christmas scenes! Discover 2,500 acres of Christmas cheer with your family only during Fantasy in Lights presented by Georgia Power.

Join us every weekend at the Callaway Discovery Center for our Woodland Workshops Series! Woodland Workshops is a hands on workshop for children of all ages.

• Sept. 21-22 - Animal Track Molds
• Sept. 28-29 - Bee/Bug Hotels
   
• Oct. 5-6 - “Pebbles” the Stone Snake
• Oct. 12-13 - Make a Garden Stone
• Oct. 19-20 - Monster Pumpkins
• Oct. 26-27 - Monster Pumpkins
   
• Nov. 2-3 - Pinecone Bird Feeder
• Nov. 9-10 - Leaf Pounding
• Nov. 16-17 - Animal Track Molds
• Nov. 23-24 - Gourd Birdhouses
• Nov. 30-Dec. 1 - Dried Leaf Art
   
• Dec. 7-8 - Wood Ornaments
• Dec. 14-15 - Wood Ornaments
• Dec. 21-22 - Make a Winter Wreath
• Dec. 28-29 - Make a Garden Stone

"Sanders Family Christmas" is the sequel to Connie Ray and Alan Bailey’s wildly successful bluegrass gospel musical "Smoke on the Mountain."

It’s December 24, 1941, and America is going to war. So is Dennis Sanders, of the Sanders Family Singers. Join Pastor Mervin Oglethorpe and the rest of the Sanders family as they send Dennis off with hilarious and touching stories and 25 Southern Gospel Christmas favorites.

"Sanders Family Christmas" live performance is approximately 2 hours long, including an intermission.

Do you have a group of 10+?

Call the Box Office at (770) 293-0080  for a group discount!

The Madison Artists Guild & Gallery's 6th Annual Holiday Market is filled with one of a kind gifts ready to purchase for the holidays – wreaths, ornaments, pottery, jewelry, glass art, paintings and more.

The market will be open Oct. 18-Dec. 31, during regular MAGallery hours: Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., with extended hours of 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Shop Sip ‘N Stroll Saturdays in November, during Madison’s Fifth Fridays (open until 7 p.m.), Holiday Tour of Homes and Candlelight Shopping (open until 7 p.m.).

With more than 30 artists providing a variety of handmade items, shoppers will find something for everyone this holiday season.

Come early to find the best selections.

IllumiNights: A Lantern Festival presented by Georgia Power
Luminary Sponsor Kaiser Permanente and Spark Sponsor SouthState Bank

Event Dates: Nov. 14-Jan. 19
5:30-9:30 p.m.

Experience the magic of Atlanta holiday lights!

Atlanta’s cherished holiday tradition is back, showcasing vistas of brilliantly illuminated wildlife and captivating sights that celebrate the wonders of nature. This year, we’re introducing new lanterns and experiences, transforming the Zoo into a nighttime wonderland.

Looking for things to do in Atlanta this holiday season? This holiday lights event is your answer. Whether you’re making memories with family, looking to impress on a date night or enjoying a night out with friends, your holidays glow in the splendors of nature. Enjoy a mile-long stroll of stunning contemplation of the wildlife of our planet, with lanterns around every corner of the Zoo this holiday season.

Warm up with hot cocoa (signature holiday spirits available for ages 21 and up!). Make merry with a marshmallow roast by the fire. And around every corner, find photo ops sure to sparkle on your social.

The lanterns are the wildlife at IllumiNights! Most of the real animals go indoors before dark. To enjoy our living wildlife, visit us during the day for a different experience.

This winter, the Byron L. Dobbs Exhibit Gallery is set to host a heartwarming temporary exhibit, A Century of Toys: 100 Years of Play, just in time for the holiday season. Curated by Chuck Douglas, the collection spans three generations of his family’s cherished toys, alongside contributions from other families and History Cherokee’s archives.

Expect to see a blend of modern-day favorites and beloved vintage treasures, ensuring there’s something to stir nostalgia in every visitor. From classic toys that defined childhoods to recent creations, this exhibition promises a captivating experience for children and adults alike.

Admission: Free for History Cherokee members, included with general admission for non-members

Location: Cherokee County History Center, 221 E. Marietta St. Canton, GA 30114

Dates: Nov. 13, 2024, through February 2025

Public Ice Skating

Experience the joy of gliding across the ice under twinkling lights at our fully-covered ice rink. Perfect for family outings, date nights or just a fun day with friends. No cold weather needed!

Open Nov. 14 till Jan. 18, 2025. 

Weekends $13 Weekends/ Prime Days $17 Seasonal Pass $140 

Check the website for dates and times.

Bring your family for a wonderful holiday tradition.

The Lights Of The South will be open Nov. 22 until Dec. 30. They will be closed Christmas day. Enjoy a hayride or stroll thought acres of beautiful Christmas lights. Kid-friendly food is available on site.

See the world's largest vertical American Flag make out of Christmas Lights.

Experience the legendary tale of the Titanic like never before with Titanic: An Immersive Voyage.

Featuring over 300 artifacts, life-sized reconstructed rooms, 3D views, video animations and state-of-the-art technology, this immersive experience offers a riveting and emotional journey through one of history’s most iconic tragedies. From the ship’s grand construction to its fatal collision with the iceberg, you’ll get to fully immerse yourself in the Titanic's captivating story.

Wander through its lavish halls, watch the iceberg appear and relive the ship’s dramatic final moments in an immersive gallery. Plus, with a virtual reality exploration of the Titanic’s wreck site more than 2.5 miles deep into the ocean, it promises to be a retelling of the Titanic story like no other.

Get your tickets now for Titanic: An Immersive Voyage in Atlanta!

Find tickets at the link below.

All are invited to skate under the stars Nov. 15 -Jan. 20 at Atlanta’s largest outdoor skating rink!\

View the exciting lineup of theme nights here. General Admission tickets ($17) and Season Passes ($90) must be purchased online in advance. Skate the Station hours are Monday through Friday, 4-10 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m., and Sunday, 12-8 p.m.

Celebration at the Station kicks off on Saturday, Nov. 23. Enjoy this interactive experience with a festive video featuring holiday lights set to the music of some of our holiday favorites and swirls of snow.

During the holiday season, check out this fantastic display at the top of every hour, from 5-9 p.m., through Wednesday, Dec. 25.

Warm your heart during Chattanooga’s most enchanted holiday celebration.

Experience Rock City Gardens as a nighttime winter wonderland. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the season amidst the unparalleled natural beauty of this enchanted place. This uniquely festive light experience has become a beloved holiday tradition and is not to be missed during this anniversary event.

Journey down the all-new Christmas tree walk to visit Santa at Carter Cliffs, the original home of Rock City’s founders. Decorate your own GingerGnome cookie and experience the enchantment of a winter celebration like no other – all after dark.

Don’t miss creating holiday memories with your family and friends as we celebrate 30 years of magic, moments and memories during Rock City Gardens Enchanted Garden of Lights!

Join Thompson Atlanta-Buckhead in spreading kindness and making a difference at It’s Givin’ Brunch!

Dine at Tesserae on Sunday, Nov. 24, anytime from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and support local organizations with donations, all while enjoying a delicious modern American brunch with live music and breathtaking rooftop views.

This November, 10% of all sales will be donated to Children Helping Children, helping to educate and empower youth philanthropists in Atlanta.

Visit TesseraeAtlanta.com to make a reservation and include “It's Givin Brunch” in the reservation notes.  

Age Range: 5-11

When school is out, Camp is in!

We are here to engage and excite your young learners ages 5-11 during Fall Break and Thanksgiving Break.

Safari Camp is a great opportunity to engage young explorers in learning about the wild world around them and beginning their journey of conservation stewardship. Through Zoo explorations, up-close animal encounters, STEAM-based projects, hands-on science activities, environmental games and more, campers learn about attainable strategies and goals to combat environmental issues and are charged with finding simple ways that they can make a difference.

Fall Camp Dates:
October 14-18
November 25-27

Time: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.  

Extended care available for $15/day from 8-8:30 a.m. and 4:30-5 p.m. Must be purchased for whole camp session; cannot be purchased for individual days.

THEMES: Each week campers embark on a different Zoo expedition, exploring wildlife and wild places. Young explorers will be immersed in hands-on, minds-on learning while having fun! 

Oct. 14-18 - Diversity Design: Celebrate the diversity of animals on Earth through this week-long investigation of Zoo Atlanta’s animal ambassadors and the conservation issues that their wild counterparts face. Specifically, participants will take on the role of designers and engineers as they learn about animal habitats, adaptations and conservation issues; then use their creative minds to design a game or interactive experience that represents them. This program culminates in a Zoo Atlanta Animal Conservation Festival, where student-designed and built games and interactive experiences will be presented in a fun, festival-like environment.

Nov. 25-27 - Conservation Connections: As human populations rise and native habitats decline, instances of confrontation between humans and animals have increased. Join us as we explore the complexities of balancing animal welfare with human well-being on the African savanna. Campers will learn about the animals of the African savanna, getting to know the species and the individuals in our care. Throughout the week, campers will place themselves in the shoes of various characters and stakeholders as they investigate the difficulties, advantages, and possibilities in promoting conservation initiatives for all. 

Non-Member Cost:

• Oct. 14-18 (5-day pricing): $400/week
• Nov. 25-27 (3-day pricing): $240/week

Member Cost:

• Oct. 14-18 (5-day pricing): $320/week
• Nov. 25-27 (3-day pricing): $192/week

The Festival of Trees is a holiday highlight!  Take a walk through a collection of beautifully decorated Christmas trees throughout the Museum of Aviation Rotunda and on the second and third floors. The view from above is amazing!

The Festival of Trees is open to the public and admission is free. This community-wide affair will put you in the holiday spirit.

Plus, this is a chance to wear your ugly Christmas sweater and take photos by your favorite tree. Don’t forget to post those pics on Facebook!

Kick off the holiday season with Georgia's largest holiday event, the Georgia Festival of Trees! A family tradition perfect for all ages, the festival features a forest of fully-decorated Christmas trees available for auction, live music and entertainment, visits with Santa, boutique gift shops, sugar cookie decorating, a Christmas Gingerbread Competition and more. Plus, Penny the Pink Pig will make her debut this year during the festival! 

All proceeds from the event will benefit Street Grace and Atlanta Redemption Ink, local nonprofit organizations working to support survivors of human trafficking and end human trafficking. 

Tickets to the Georgia Festival of Trees (excluding fees) start at $13.95 for seniors ages 62+, and adult tickets are $18.95. Children’s tickets for ages 3-12 are $18.95 and include access to the Reindeer Games area. The Pink Pig, cookie decorating, Santa’s Workshop (a shopping experience for children) and photos with Santa are an additional cost.

Nov. 23-Dec. 1 (The festival will be closed Nov. 27 and 28 for Thanksgiving)

Join us for a fun-filled evening of wine and trivia at Cork & Glass on these upcoming dates:

• October 14
• October 28
• November 11
• November 25

Time: 6-7:30 p.m.

Test your wine knowledge with trivia hosted by The Trivia Zone while savoring a tasting of four exceptional wines. Plus, enjoy exclusive offers throughout the event!

Special Offers:

• 10% off wine bottles during trivia
• 20% off when you purchase all four tasting wines
• 5% off your dinner at Casa Nuova (dine-in or to-go)
• 50% off your first month when you join our Wine Club on trivia day

Don’t miss out on these fantastic evenings of great wine, great company, and friendly competition!

Location:

Cork & Glass
5670 Atlanta Hwy Suite A2, Alpharetta, GA 30004

Tag your trivia team, and let’s raise a glass to wine-filled fun! Cheers!

Starting in November through Christmas Eve, grab a Santa Shuffle card from a participating business! Once you spend $100 downtown you are entered to win unbelievable prizes. Ask participating businesses for a card!

In recognition of the vital importance of increased visibility and diverse representation of LGBTQ+ communities and issues, particularly in our rural areas, the Steffen Thomas Museum of Art is honored to present Queer Perspectives, a juried exhibition in Fall 2024.