Those who find themselves on campus during the last couple weeks of each calendar year know the quiet that sweeps across the Institute post-final exams. However, not everyone goes home for the holidays, and those who remain may be looking for ways to fill these vacant days in their otherwise-hectic schedules.

For those remaining in town, there are plenty of holiday events to enjoy around Atlanta, even on a student budget.

A few ideas:

• Stroll through this month's Castleberry Hill Art Stroll (Dec. 14, 7 p.m., Free).
• Ice skate and see lights at Centennial Olympic Park ($7 admission for students Mondays and Tuesdays, $10 all others; includes skate rental). (Other ice skating options.)
• Get a picture with Santa at Atlantic Station.
• Visit the Woodruff Arts Center (where your visits can be free with the Georgia Tech Student Pass).
• See A Christmas Carol at the 14th Street Playhouse or Alliance Theatre ($25+).   
• Hear the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s A Very Merry Holiday Pops concert ($25+).
• For a family-friendly show, visit the Horizon Theatre for Madeline’s Christmas ($15). For an evening of “adult humor,” see the Santaland Diaries ($25). (Potential ticket discounts.)
• Enjoy Dad’s Garage Theatre’s twist on a classic with Invasion: Christmas Carol (Half off on Thursdays with student ID makes it $7.50 online, $8.50 by phone/at door).
• Ride the Pink Pig ($3). An Atlanta tradition that dates back to the 1960s, the Pink Pig is now located at Lenox Square Mall. 
• Attend Larry, Carols and Mo!, a holiday sing-a-long at the Fox Theatre, on Monday, Dec. 17 ($2.50).
• See the Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker, a classic Christmas tradition, at the Fox ($15+).
• Visit the Festival of Trees (free). Another Atlanta pastime displaying elaborately-decorated Christmas trees to raise funds for charity.
• Eat a waffle in Tech Square (free).

As always, be aware of your surroundings both on and off campus to ensure a safe and enjoyable winter holiday. Help Georgia Tech police by remembering what to do in the case of suspicious activity or incidents: if you see something, say something. GTPD can always be reached at 404-894-2500.

The Institute is closed from Monday, Dec. 24, through Friday, Dec. 28, as well as Tuesday, Jan. 1. Classes resume the following Monday, Jan. 7. All administrative offices are closed, with a few notable exceptions; Georgia Tech Police remain on a 24-hour operation schedule, and the Office of the Dean of Students and Counseling Center (404.894.2575) remain accessible 24 hours a day with staff on call.

Other changes:

• Campus Recreation Center: 
• Dec. 16–20: Closing at 10 p.m.
• Dec. 21: Open 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Dec. 22–30: Closed
• Dec. 31: Open 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Jan 1: Closed
• Jan. 2–6: Closing at 10 p.m.
• Normal hours of operation resume Monday, Jan. 7.