Holiday Event Planner

By Kathy Dean

Holiday merriment runs from November, through December and into January. Here are a few special events that celebrate the season.

Concerts and Shows

Christmas with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

Friday-Sunday, Dec. 6-8, 3 p.m. & 8 p.m. A holiday staple for Atlanta families, the orchestra and chorus perform beloved carols and hymns with special guests. Woodruff Arts Center, Atlanta Symphony Hall, 1280 Peachtree Street, Atlanta 30309; atlantasymphony.org.

A Christmas Tradition Runs Dec. 13-22. The holiday spirit is shared through sparkling song and dance.

Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theater, 117 North Park Square, Marietta 30060; earlsmithstrand. org

Christmas on Clairmont

Sunday, Dec. 15, 7 p.m. The holiday benefit concert features collaborations of world-class artists. First Baptist Church of Decatur, 308 Clairmont Avenue, Decatur 30030; christmasonclairemont.com.

Have Yourself a Jewish Little Christmas

Tuesday, Dec. 17, 4 p.m. The Chorale Guild of Atlanta performs holiday music written or composed by Jewish authors. Northside Drive Baptist Church, 3100 Northside Drive, Atlanta 30305; cgatl.org.

Atlanta Ballet Presents

The Nutcracker

Runs Dec. 7-24. This is the final year that Atlanta Ballet will present The Nutcracker at Fox Theatre; don’t miss the magic. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree Street, Atlanta 30308; atlantaballet.com.

Hot Cocoa & Spectacular Holiday Sounds

Sunday, Dec. 8, 4 p.m. The Atlanta Concert Band and Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church invites everyone to celebrate the holidays with sing-alongs, bell ringing, sleigh rides and hot cocoa. Free admission; presented with some support from the Fulton County Board of Commissioners. Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church, 471 Mount Vernon Highway, Atlanta 30328. More at atlantaconcertband.org.

Home Tours

Christmas with the Georgia Boy Choir

Friday & Saturday, Dec. 20 & 21, 7-9 p.m. All five levels of the Georgia Boy Choir perform carols, sacred classics and holiday favorites. Peachtree Road United Methodist Church, 3180 Peachtree Street, Atlanta 30305; georgiaboychoir.org.

Christmas Gala Concert

Saturday, Dec. 21, 7:30-10 p.m. A holiday hometown spectacular is presented by the Johns Creek Chorale. Johns Creek United Methodist Church, 11180 Medlock Bridge Road, Johns Creek 30097; johnscreeksymphony.org.

In several communities, tours are organized that invite visitors to tour beautifully decorated historic homes for the holidays.

Virginia Highland Tour of Homes

Saturday & Sunday, Dec. 7 & 8, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The two-day event includes beautiful architecture and interior design in one of Atlanta’s most charming neighborhoods. Tour begins at YWCA, 957 North Highland Avenue, Atlanta 30306; vahitourofhomes.org.

Marietta Pilgrimage

Saturday & Sunday, Dec. 7 & 8. Saturday hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. with candlelight homes open 7-9:30 p.m. Sunday hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. See restored, decorated homes as well as public buildings; mariettapilgrimage.com.