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Atlanta Offers Holiday Events, Performances during Winter Break

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With a full four weeks of winter break this year, students will have time to enjoy their hard-earned breather and relax during the holidays.

For those staying on campus or in town during the break, here are a few holiday exhibits and celebrations to check out:

Free Things to Do:
  • Visit the High Museum of Art. The Habsburg Splendor is a popular exhibition fitting for the winter holidays. With artifacts coming from Vienna, Austria, this exhibit portrays the life of one of Europe’s well-known royal families. The High offers free admission on the first Saturday of every month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for Fulton County residents and students. Also, the High offers free admission for everyone on the second Sunday of the month from 1 to 4 p.m.
  • Take in a holiday concert. There are several free holiday concerts throughout the Atlanta area, such as Welcome Christmas on Monday, Dec. 14.
  • Stroll down to Centennial Olympic Park. The annual Holiday in Lights display transforms the park into a sparkling winter wonderland every night, now through Jan. 16.
  • Watch the Peach Drop on New Year’s Eve. As the countdown to 2016 begins, the 800-pound peach will descend from its 138-foot tower while dazzling fireworks light the sky.
  • See Santa at Ponce City Market. Santa will be there for free photos on weekends from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Atlanta Attractions:
  • Holiday in the Park at Six Flags: Through Jan. 3, rides, entertainment, and concessions will all have some holiday flair, decked out with lights and Christmas trees. For the best discount, purchase tickets online instead of at the gates.
  • Stone Mountain: Stone Mountain turns into Snow Mountain for the holidays and creates a 400-foot tubing hill. The park is also open and has many holiday-themed events such as performances, family photo opportunities, and train rides.
  • Holiday Performances: Favorite holiday classics will be shown throughout the season at many venues around Atlanta. On the theme of Christmas favorites, the Shakespeare Tavern is performing Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, and the Fox Theatre is hosting the Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker.
Outside the city:

For those looking to travel a little outside of the city to enjoy the holidays, weekend trips to the coast, such as Savannah, or mountains, such as Blue Ridge or Helen, might prove to be relaxing getaways with holiday traditions of their own.

South of the city, Pine Mountain, Georgia, is home to one of the area’s most popular light shows, Fantasy in Lights at Callaway Gardens. This is a popular spot for kids and adults alike, and it was named one of the “Top 10 Places to See Holiday Lights” by National Geographic Traveler.

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  • Workflow Status:Published
  • Created By:Rachel Isaac
  • Created:12/14/2015
  • Modified By:Fletcher Moore
  • Modified:10/07/2016