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As we come closer to a couple of the biggest holidays of the year, you’ll soon have a ton to think about.
For the most part, everyone is going to be making plans to do something special with their friends and family. Of course, traveling will always be an idea during the holiday season.
That’s what you want to start thinking about.
The holiday season brings plenty of excitement and enchantment around every corner in Alpharetta, Ga.
From Santa sightings, holiday shopping and dining, tree lightings, and life-sized Nutcrackers, Alpharetta should definitely be on your list of destinations.
To squeeze in all the glee leading up to the holidays, it takes a bit of planning.
Below you’ll find all of the information you need to help you plan the perfect holiday trip this year.
Awesome Alpharetta Holiday Events
1. Avalon On Ice (Nov. 21 – Jan. 17)
Location: Avalon, 400 Avalon Blvd., Alpharetta, GA 30009
Ice skate on Avalon’s Rockefeller Center-inspired ice-skating rink in The Plaza. Watch for theme nights and enjoy warm tasty treats rink side. Hours vary by day of the week and school holidays. Ticket admission required.
2. The Lighting of Avalon, (Nov. 21: 1 – 8 p.m.)
Location: Avalon, 400 Avalon Blvd., Alpharetta, GA 30009
Get in the holiday spirit during the annual Lighting of Avalon.
Featuring holiday performances and entertainment, activities, the opening of the ice-skating rink, and the magical arrival of Santa, this unforgettable evening has something for everyone. Free admission.
3. Black Friday & Small Business Saturday, (Nov. 26 – 27)
Location: Throughout Alpharetta, GA
Experience the two largest shopping days of the year for the holiday season at Alpharetta’s 250+ shops and boutiques in the three distinct shopping districts of Avalon, North Point, and Downtown Alpharetta.
4. Winter Wonderland Displays at North Point Mall, (Nov. 26 – Dec. 24)
Location: North Point Mall, 1000 North Point Circle, Alpharetta, GA 30022
North Point Mall will feature several holiday-themed window displays throughout the center for families to enjoy, sprinkled throughout the mall on all levels. Free admission.
5. Publix Aprons Cooking School Gingerbread House Classes, (Nov. 26-28, Dec. 4-5, 12, 18-19)
Location: Publix Aprons Cooking School, 4305 State Bridge Road, Alpharetta, GA 30005
Forgo the mess at home and bring the family to Publix Aprons Cooking School to decorate a gingerbread house this
year! Publix Aprons Cooking School provides the materials – attendees bring their creativity and holiday spirit!
Class registration is required. $75 for one adult and up to three children per registration.
6. Season of Celebration, (Dec. 3, 10 & 17 (First three Fridays In Dec.): 5 – 9 p.m.)
Location: Downtown Alpharetta, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta, GA 30009
The city of Alpharetta will be hosting the Season of Celebration the first three Fridays in December, with the annual tree lighting taking place on Dec. 3 at 6:30 p.m.
Activities will vary each week and may include falling snow, photos with Santa, caroling, and various family photo opportunities with the life-sized Alpharetta Nutcrackers which will be located around downtown. Free admission.
7. Arts Alpharetta Artists Holiday Market, (Dec. 3-4: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
Location: Alpharetta Arts Center, 238 Canton Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009
Arts Alpharetta is hosting its second annual Holiday Artists Market again inside the Alpharetta Arts Center! Give the gift of art this holiday season. Free admission.
8. “White Christmas: The Musical”, (Dec. 3-5, 10-12, 17-19: Fri/Sat: 8 p.m.; Sun: 2 p.m.)
Location: ACT1 Theatre, 180 Academy Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009
Based on the beloved, timeless film, this heartwarming musical adaptation features seventeen Irving Berlin songs including well-known standards and the perennial favorite, White Christmas.
Ticket admission is required.
9. Jolly Jingle Jam, (Dec. 10: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.)
Location: Alpharetta Community Center, 175 Roswell Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009
Get in the holiday spirit with the kiddos as you make amazing holiday crafts, play games, enjoy light refreshments and take a photo with Santa.
Register early as this event fill up fast! This event is for parents and children. Pre-registration is required.
10. Grinchmas Party, (Dec. 11: 5 – 8 p.m.)
Location: Alpharetta Community Center, 175 Roswell Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009
We got an idea, an awful idea, a wonderful, awful idea! We are having a very Grinchy Party. ‘Tis no better reason to celebrate the season than to decorate it red, white, and Grinch.
We will have good eats and make things that are neat. Come celebrate Grinchmas at the Alpharetta Community Center! Ticket admission is required.
11. Noon Year’s Eve, (Dec. 31: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
Location: The Hotel at Avalon & Alpharetta Conference Center, 9000 Avalon Blvd., Alpharetta, GA 30009
Kick-off your New Year’s celebration early and come out to Avalon’s Noon Year’s Eve Party at The Hotel at Avalon!
This family-friendly event invites partygoers of all ages to ring in the new year with live music, face painting, crafts, and a countdown to Noon with a balloon drop to welcome in the New Year! Ticket admission is required.
Additional holiday events are being added to Awesome Alpharetta’s Calendar of Events daily.
Please visit https://www.awesomealpharetta.com/calendar/ for the most up-to-date list of Alpharetta events.
Awesome Alpharetta Santa Sightings
1. Santa At Avalon, (Nov. 22 – Dec. 24)
Location: Palmer Plaza at Avalon, 950 3rd Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009
Upon the rooftop click, click, click! Visit Jolly Old Saint Nick at his cozy North Pole-inspired cottage and make sure you’re on the nice list.
Santa will be at Avalon throughout the season spreading holiday magic and taking photos with families to cherish for a lifetime.
Please check the Avalon website for dates and times. To guarantee your special time with Santa, please book an appointment.
2. North Pole Outpost at North Point Mall, (Nov. 26 – Dec. 24)
Location: North Point Mall, 1000 North Point Circle, Alpharetta, GA 30022
Come to the North Pole Outpost inside North Point Mall to experience a personalized Santa visit specifically curated for children through wishlist technology.
The outpost will also feature Instagrammable selfie opportunities, local pop-up vendors, and a special holiday cookie café. Reservations are strongly recommended.
Santa Tuck-Ins At Alpharetta Hotels
1. Tuck-ins with Santa at The Hotel at Avalon, (Nov. 5 – Dec. 23: 7:30 – 10 p.m.)
Location: The Hotel at Avalon, 9000 Avalon Blvd., Alpharetta, GA 30009
The magic begins with a knock-knock-knock on the door, a smile spreads from ear to ear as the sound of reindeer bells fill the room and Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive. Imagine young ones excitedly sharing their hopes, dreams, and a bedtime snack with the jolly man in red.
Tickets start at $125 and participants must be registered hotel guests at the time of appointment.
2. Santa Tuck-Ins at Hilton Alpharetta Atlanta, (Nov. 26-28, Dec. 3-5, 10-12)
Location: 5775 Windward Pkwy, Alpharetta, GA 30005
Make new Christmas memories with a Santa Tuck-In package from the jolly man himself that includes a bedtime story, milk and cookies, a keepsake teddy bear, and breakfast for two.
Tickets are $85 for the first child and $25 for each additional child up to a total of 5 children per visit, per room. Participants must be registered hotel guests at time of appointment.
Finish the year on a merry and bright note by shopping and celebrating in Alpharetta, GA!
Visitors will find a whopping 30 modern and upscale hotels to choose from throughout the city.
Travelers can visit www.awesomealpharetta.com to help plan and book their holiday getaway to Alpharetta, GA.