| Detric Fox-Quinlan |
It’s that time of year again. The time when carts are full and wallets are empty. It’s the holidays! But don’t fret, holidays in Atlanta offer many things, some of which are relatively inexpensive or better still, FREE!
If you are a traditional holiday celebrator, Atlanta offers the Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes and all their high kicking glory from November 7-23, 2013 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center. You can also catch the Nutcracker at the Fox, which runs from December 6-29, 2013.
If you enjoy a great light show, the Atlanta Botanical Gardens offers more than a million lights for your viewing pleasure starting November 16, 2013 and running through January 1, 2014. You may also wish to head over to Lenox Square for the lighting of the Great Tree on Thursday, November 28, 2013. Once you’ve seen the lights, grab the kids and head over to Macys for a ride on the Pink Pig train! The cost is $3 a ride. The pig and all of its magical glory will be available until January 5, 2014, so don’t worry if you don’t catch it on the 28th!
One can get whimsical in Atlantic Station, experiencing the Winter Wonderland Ice Skating Rink from November 15, 2013 through February 14, 2014. The fee is $13 for adults and $10 for kids and seniors. While you’re there you absolutely must take in the Atlantic Station lighting on November 23, 2013, while enjoying free concert and celebrations occurring throughout the entire day. The festivities begin at 12pm, with the fireworks and lighting starting promptly at sundown. We recommend that you bring a light jacket.
If you find yourself wanting to do something a little more geared towards the urban vibe this holiday season, we encourage you to take in the Urban Nutcracker at the Ferst Center for the Arts at Georgia Tech from November 21-24, 2013. Atlanta.net says, “Urban
Nutcracker is to the Nutcracker as what The Wiz is to the Wizard of Oz.” You may also wish to step completely out of the box and catch Cinderella’s Crunk Christmas on Friday, December 13-15, 2013 at the SW Arts Center. It features the usual characters in Cinderella’s life, but with an urban twist. For $15 you can take in the happenings in the world of our dear sweet Cinderella. You’ve never seen such a mean stepmother and sisters like this!
Other Atlanta events during the month of December include: Art in the Black, billed as “a dynamic night focusing and celebrating Black Arts in the ATL from every genre.” This event will be held on December 4, 2013 from 7:00pm to 10:00pm at the Southwest Arts Center Performance Theater.
For those wishing to give back while shopping, the Black Women in Jazz Holiday Shopping Expo Fundraiser takes place on Saturday, December 14, 2013 at 8:30am at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis. The event is free to shoppers and merchandise vendors can participate for $100.
The Southern Winter White Food and Beverage Show takes place at the Le Fais Do-Do from 3:00pm – 7:00pm on December 15, 2013. It’s a winter white food show, so attendees are encouraged to wear white. The price for the event is $25.00.
Once the gifts have been opened and everyone is ready to put the year to bed, head over to Underground Atlanta for the 25th anniversary of the Atlanta Peach Drop! There will be lots of activities leading up to the countdown to ring in 2014, so try to arrive early.
Additional information pertaining to these events and many more can be found at Zvents.com and Atlanta.net.