This week
Pet Photos with Santa Claws, Gainesville. Benefits the Humane Society of Northeast Georgia. Photo sittings include six poses and can include pets or people. Appointments required. 1-5 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Humane Society of Northeast Georgia, 845 W. Ridge Road, Gainesville. $30. Photo disk available for an additional $5. 770-532-6617.
Appalachian Christmas at Babyland, Cleveland. Arts and crafts, breakfast with Santa, simulated snow flurries, tree lighting, and prize giveaways. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Babyland, 300 NOK Drive, Cleveland. Admission free. $7 for Breakfast with Santa. 706-865-2171.
Christmas Shop, Gainesville. Christmas gifts, ornaments, decorations and barbecue on sale. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Antioch United Methodist Church, 2922 Antioch Church Road, Gainesville. 770-536-7351.
North Georgia Corn Maze, Cleveland. Corn maze, hay rides, movies at dusk; haunted house. Maze open now through Sunday: 4-10 p.m. Thursdays, 4-11:30 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, North Georgia Corn Maze, 559 Tom Bell Road, Cleveland. $10 adults, $9 kids age 4-10 and seniors age 60 and older, free for kids age 3 and younger. Haunted house priced separately. Combination and group pricing available. Call to schedule group visit. 800-959-1874.
The Capitol Christmas Tree, Dahlonega. The tree that will be on the front lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., will travel through Dahlonega. Concerts, Christmas and tree-related activities. Concerts and tree arrival, 1-5 p.m. Wednesday; tree banner signings, downtown shops open 1-5 p.m. Nov. 25, tree departure Nov. 26, downtown Dahlonega square. Activities free.
Upcoming
"Small Gift" Sanrio's 50th Anniversary Mobile Pop-up Tour, Atlanta. Games, prizes, Sanrio costumed characters and giveaways to the first 50 guests. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 26-28, Atlantic Station, 171 17th St. NW, Atlanta.
Live nativity and Holiday Celebration, Cleveland. Marshmallow roast, caroling, live animals and hay rides. 5-9 p.m. Nov. 27, North Georgia Zoo, 2912 Paradise Valley Road, Cleveland. Starry Night guided zoo tours, $20 before Nov. 25; $25 Nov. 26 and 27. Reservations recommended. $5 donation for other activities. Concessions available for purchase. 706-348-7279 or info@wildlifewonders.org.
Downtown Christmas Parade of Lights, Athens. More than 60 floats, bands and other groups. Tree lighting ceremony at end of parade route. 7 p.m. Dec. 2, begins at the corner of Dougherty and Pulaski Streets and ends in front of City Hall, downtown Athens.
Banks County Christmas Festival, Homer. Handmade crafts, gifts and food. Dec. 3-4, 106 Yonah Homer Road, Homer. 706-677-2108 or bankscountychamber@windstream.net.
Christmas on Green Street, Gainesville. Hall County Historical Society. Docents in period costumes tell the history of each Green St. home, some of which are open. Christmas carolers, including some from area schools and churches, will perform on porches. Storyteller, magician, face painter, balloon artist, miniature train ride and carriage ride. Parade led by Santa Claus, 5 p.m., and Rotary Christmas Tree lighting at 7 p.m. Event begins at 5 and continues until 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 5, Green St. from Rotary Christmas Tree to First Baptist Church, Gainesville. $2 per person for carriage ride, or no more than $10 per family. All other events are free. 770-503-1319.
Ongoing
Story times, Hall County. Children can listen to stories, sometimes read by special guests. Various days and times at libraries in the Hall County Library System. Free.
"Waters of Time: The Chicopee Woods Story," Gainesville. Learn about previous eras and inhabitants of Chicopee Woods. 10 a.m. to p.m. Monday-Saturdays. Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Drive, Gainesville. $5 adults, $3 children age 2-12; age 1 and younger and members free. 770-535-1976.
Photos with Santa, Buford. Through Dec. 24. Santa available daily, with the exception of Nov. 25. Hours and prices vary. Nordstrom Court, Mall of Georgia, 3333 Buford Drive, Buford. 678-482-8788.