Celebrate with your neighbors at Thanksgiving, Christmas and Hanukkah happenings around Cobb.  We've listed some of the popular community celebrations here for you to enjoy with friends and family.

Dec. 17 - Introduction to Kwanzaa
Is this the year that you want to begin your own home tradition of observing Kwanzaa? Or are you simply curious what this holiday tradition is all about? Join us for a special program explaining the meaning and practice of Kwanzaa. This is an all-ages presentation, explaining the history and significance of all the holiday’s symbols. Register here. For more information call 770-509-2711.

Dec. 18 - Menorah Lighting at The Avenue East Cobb

Celebrate the first night of Chanukah with a traditional Menorah lighting ceremony and celebration on Dec. 18,  with Chabad of Cobb at The Avenue East Cobb,  4475 Roswell Road, Marietta. Meet at the front parking lot beginning at 5:30 p.m. for family-friendly activities, delicious Chanukah treats, and more. Plus, don’t miss out on the gelt drop, featuring friends at Cobb County Fire Department. Collect all the chocolate gelt you can as they rain down from the fire truck’s lift.

Dec. 18 - East Cobb Community Hanukkah Party and Menorah Lighting
Community Hanukkah Party and Menorah Lighting.  Menorah will be lit at East Cobb Park, 3322 Roswell Rd, Marietta at 5 p.m. after the party. Hosted by Congregation Etz Chaim, Temple Beth Tikvah, Temple Kehillat Chaim, and Temple Kol Emeth.

RSVP here: https://www.etzchaim.net/event/chanukah2022

Dec. 20 - Acworth Menorah Lighting Ceremony

The City of Acworth invites everyone to its 10th Annual Menorah Lighting Ceremony on Tuesday, Dec. 20, the third night of Chanukah, at 6 p.m. at Logan Farm Park, 4405 Cherokee Street, Acworth.  Rabbi Zalman Charytan from the Chabad Jewish Center will officiate the lighting with Mayor Tommy Allegood.

Dec. 20 - Smyrna Menorah Lighting, at 5:30 p.m. at Brawner Hall.

Dec. 21 - Kennesaw Menorah Lighting

Join the City of Kennesaw, in partnership with Chabad of Kennesaw, for the Menorah Lighting in Depot Park on Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 5:30 PM. There will be a ceremony, celebration, refreshments and more!

Dec. 23 - Menorah Lighting, at 6:30 p.m. at Marietta Square.

 

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PAST EVENTS THIS SEASON

 

Nov. 24 - Gobble Jog

On Thanksgiving morning, more than 10,000 runners will come to Marietta Square to participate in the 20th annual Gobble Jog, benefitting MUST Ministries. Choose between a 10K, 5K, 1K, Tot Trot (50 yards) or phantom runner.

Register here: https://must.enmotive.com/events/2022-gobble-jog

Nov. 24 - Dec. 31 - Lights of Life

This holiday light display at Life University will run every night, rain or shine, through New Year’s Eve, Saturday, Dec. 31.

LIFE introduced Lights of LIFE to the local community in 1989. It has become one of the most popular light shows attracting nearly half a million spectators. Cars, trucks, vans, and buses cruise through the spectacularly illuminated campus each year, often stopping along the 1.5-mile drive to enjoy an array of seasonal entertainments. 

Buses are $20. Cars and trucks are $10.

Nov. 25 - 27 - The Nutcracker

Kick off your holiday season with Georgia Metro Dance Theatre's performance of The Nutcracker on Nov. 25, 26 and 27 at Jennie T. Anderson Theatre, 548 South Marietta Parkway SE, Marietta.  Get ready for visions of sugar plums, waltzing flowers and dancing snowflakes. In its 65th season of dance, GMDT is proud to present its annual production of the captivating classic, The Nutcracker. The show will once again feature brilliant sets, costumes, and special effects that spark awe and wonder alongside Tchaikovsky's timeless music.

Tickets:  https://www.georgiametrodance.org/tickets/

Nov. 26 - Tree Lighting at The Battery Atlanta

Activities begin at 5:30 p.m. with A-Town A-List on the Georgia Power Pavilion Stage to entertain the crowd.  The festive fun will continue at 7 p.m. as Mark Owens and Blooper help us welcome Santa to The Battery Atlanta to light the tree.

Immediately following the celebration, guests are invited to stay and enjoy an outdoor showing of “The Grinch” as part of the Xfinity Movie Series on the Georgia Power Pavilion screen.

For more information on holiday programming at The Battery Atlanta, visit batteryatl.com/holidays-2022.

Nov. 30 - Dec. 11 - 12 Days of Christmas Holiday Markets at Cobb County arts centers.

Monday - Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sunday 1 - 5 p.m.

• Mable House Arts Center, 5239 Floyd Road, Mableton
   
• The Art Place at Mountain View, 3330 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta
   
• Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Arts Center, 2051 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta
   
• The Art Station - Big Shanty, 2050 Kennesaw Due West Road NW, Kennesaw
  Special hours in addition to those listed above:
  • Nov. 30: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
  • Dec. 2: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
  • Dec. 7: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
  • Dec. 9: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Dec. 1 - Marietta's Christmas Tree Lighting & Santa on the Square

See Santa’s arrival to the square, performances by local schools and churches, an ugly holiday sweater walking parade, and more at the City of Marietta's Annual Christmas Tree Lighting.

The fun begins at 4 p.m. with performances and Santa letter-writing stations throughout the night. The ugly sweater walking parade will begin at 4:45 p.m., followed by Santa’s arrival at 5:15 p.m.

The tree lighting ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. with a special Festival of Trees announcement right after.

Dec. 1 - Vinings Jubilee Christmas Tree Lighting

See the lighting of the tree 6 - 8 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 1. This year, guests will get a treat from performances of elves singing classes Christmas carols, the Whitefield Academy Jazz band and the Campbell Middle School Chorus perform, as well as train rides, ornament decorating, face painting and the lighting of the beautiful Christmas tree with a visit from Santa.
Vinings Jubilee at Tower Stage, 4300 Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta

Dec. 2 -  Acworth Santa Arrival and Tree Lighting

Santa arrives in Historic Downtown Acworth on Center Street on Friday, Dec. 2.  Festivities will begin at 5:30 p.m. and Santa is scheduled to arrive at 6:30 p.m.  There will be live performances and activities until 8:30 p.m. Bring the entire family to hear Mayor Tommy Allegood read The Night Before Christmas and watch the lighting of the tree on the Plaza behind Henry’s.  Pictures with Santa are free each year and begin at 6:45 p.m.  There will not be a photographer onsite, so bring your camera to capture the special moment.

Dec. 2 - 4 - The Nutcracker

Join the Georgia Ballet this holiday season for The Nutcracker. Performed to the timeless music of Tchaikovsky, The Nutcracker is a holiday classic and season favorite. This timeless story is perfect for the whole family to enjoy at the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre, 548 South Marietta Parkway SE, Marietta. 

There will be a sensory-friendly performance on Thursday, Dec. 1. The Georgia Ballet’s sensory-friendly performances are tailored to children and adults with different visual and auditory sensitivities. The show is shortened to one hour and allows those with sensitivities a chance to enjoy live performances without the potentially startling effects of loud music or harsh lighting.

Learn more and buy tickets at: www.georgiaballet.org/season

Dec. 2 - Powder Springs Parade and Tree Lighting

The Christmas Parade is back in Powder Springs this year after a break., at 6:30 p.m. from Marietta Street to downtown. The Tree Lighting is at  7:30 p.m. at Thurman Springs Park, 4485 Pineview Drive, Powder Springs, home of the Hardy Family Automotive Amphitheater. Enjoy complimentary cocoa, cookies and photos with Santa.

Dec. 3 - Mable House Complex Tree Lighting

Join us at the Mable House Complex at 6 p.m. for our annual tree-lighting celebration. Enjoy a holiday sing a long, drive-in movie, photos with Santa, a craft, hot cocoa and popcorn and more, all free. 5239 Floyd Road, Mableton.

You can also shop for unique hand-made gifts at our 12 Days of Christmas  Holiday Market while you're here for all of your holiday gifting needs.

Dec. 3 - Kennesaw Day with Santa

Kennesaw will bring Christmas to Main Street on Saturday, Dec. 3 for A Day with Santa starting with the parade at 2 p.m.  For more information visit www.adaywithsanta.com.

Dec. 4 - Holiday Lights at East Cobb Park 

Celebrate with neighbors at the annual Holiday Lights event  5 - 7:30 p.m. at East Cobb Park, 3322 Roswell Road, Marietta. Enjoy live music, outdoor fun, tree lighting and a visit from Santa. More information here.

Dec. 10 - Sleighbells on the Square 5K

Sleighbells on the Square 5k raises money for the Cobb Children's Emergency Fund.

This event for the whole family takes place on Marietta Square where the races will start and finish. Festive holiday attire is encouraged. Strollers and dogs are allowed.

The Children's Emergency Fund assists Cobb County School District and Marietta City Schools students and their families with emergency financial needs. 

The race is a Peachtree qualifying race, sponsored by the Cobb County Bar Association.