Tree Lightings, Parades, Festivals Welcome the Holidays

It's beginning to look, feel and sound like Christmas in the area. And, judging by the number of holiday-oriented events scheduled, there's plenty of chances to get in the mood this weekend.

Check out of the events scheduled this weekend in the area, and find even more 

Here’s a quick sampling, according to Explore Gwinnett (Gwinnett Visitor's and Convention Bureau), and find even more ideas on the Gwinnett Weekends pdf attached to this article.

Holiday Extravaganza

• Dec. 7:  Georgia Piedmont Center near Auburn hosts an event to help support the arts and animals in need. Stop by and enjoy a Holiday Gift Shop, chance to bid on hand decorated trees, wreaths and baskets, pet adoptions and children and pets can visit Santa and pose for pictures. (11am-3pm)

Buford Holiday Festival and Parade

• Dec. 7: Historic Buford will feel the spirit of the season with its Holiday Festival and Parade. Includes stage performances, vendors, shopping, giveaways, holiday treats and an exciting parade. (Parade 11am, Festival 12:30pm-5pm, Free, 678-677-3858)

The Nutcracker

• Dec. 6-8:  Ring in the holidays with the Gwinnett Ballet Theatre - “The Nutcracker” and the Gwinnett Performing Arts Center near Duluth. Shows also scheduled Dec. 13-15 and 20-22. (Fri 7:30pm, Sat 2:30pm & 7:30pm, Sun 2:30pm, $8-$16, 888-9AXS-TIX)

A Christmas Carol

• Dec. 5-8: (Additional shows Dec. 12-15 and 19-22). One of many holiday shows at the Aurora Theatre in Lawrenceville. Let Anthony Rodriguez guide you through the traditional tale of Mr. Scrooge and the troop of Dickens’ characters in a one-man presentation of A Christmas Carol with a twist. (Thurs 8pm, Fri-Sat 7:30pm, Sun 2:30pm, $15, 678-226-6222)

Lilburn Christmas Parade

• Dec. 7: The parade winds down Main Street to Lilburn City Park. Winners of the holiday coloring contest will ride in the parade. Following the parade, parents are welcome to take pictures of their children visiting with both Santa and Mrs. Claus in Lilburn City Park. (10 am, Free, 770-921-2210)

Loganville Christmas Parade

• Dec. 7: On Main Street in Loganville. (5:30 pm, 770-466-1165)

Santa Comes to Norcross

• Dec. 6:  At Thrasher Park in Norcross, enjoy live choral concert, the annual Community Tree Lighting, hot chocolate and cookies. Then at 7pm, Santa arrives! Photos with the jolly dude are free this evening & so is postage on letters to the North Pole. Kids can watch the Christmas comedy "Elf" while you visit with friends in line for photos with Santa. (6 p.m., Free)

Snow Mountain

• Dec. 7-8: (Also, Dec. 14-15, 21-14, 26-31). Stone Mountain Park is turned into a winter wonderland. Five football fields of frosty joy, including 20 lanes of tubing. Reservations recommended. ($28.90-53.25, plus $10 vehicle entry fee, 770-498-5690)

Celebrate in Sugar Hill

• Dec. 7: The Sugar Hill Holiday Celebration and Tree Lighting offers caroling, pictures with Santa, tree lighting and horse carriage rides. (5:30pm-8:30pm, Free, 770-945-6716)

Caboose Lighting

• Dec. 6: Suwanee’s Historic Old Town hosts the city's Caboose Lighting & Holiday Festival with Santa, music, crafts and s’mores. (6:30 pm, Free, 770-945-8996)