This week

Reading with TJ the Dog, Flowery Branch. Call if you plan to attend. 10 a.m. today, Mulberry Creek Community Center, 4491 JM Turk Road, Flowery Branch. 770-965-7140.

Festival of Trees, Helen. Bid on trees and wreaths decorated by residents and business owners. Through Friday, Unicoi State Park, 1788 Ga. 356, Helen. Free. 800-573-9659, ext. 305.

Toy drive and open house, Gainesville. Bring an unwrapped toy for a child between birth and 18 years. Benefits the Court Appointed Special Advocate Program. Noon to 3 p.m. Friday, The Little House, 603 Washington St., Gainesville.

  Christmas Tree Lighting, Blairsville. Santa Claus, hot chocolate, cider and cookies; hayrides, bonfires and the lighting of a live 30-foot blue spruce. Bring a blanket and chair. 4-6:45 p.m. Saturday, Vogel State Park, 405 Vogel State Park Road, Blairsville. Admission is one unwrapped gift for a child age 0-12. No toy guns, knives or dangerous items. Benefits the Give-A-Gift toy drive of the Union County Sherrif's Department. 706-745-2628.

Nacoochee Village Christmas, Helen. Live music, hot chocolate, snacks and photos with Santa. Prize drawing. Noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nacoochee Village, 7272 S. Main St., Helen. Free. 706-878-1234.

Breakfast with Santa, Cumming. Santa will arrive by helicopter. Photo and goody bag. 8 and 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 3740 Holtzclaw Road, Cumming. $6 adults, $4 kids, $1 age 1 and younger. 770-887-9861, ext. 21.

Pancakes with Santa, Gainesville. Eat breakfast, make a craft and get your photo taken with Santa. 10 a.m. Saturday, East Hall Community Center, 3911 P. Davison Road, Gainesville. $6. Preregistration required. 770-535-8280.

Family Day, Gainesville. Photos with Santa, music by Enota Multiple Intelligences Academy Choir and Gainesville High School Crimson Chorus, Christmas crafts and food. 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Northeast Georgia History Center, 322 Academy St. NE, Gainesville. 770-297-5900 or jcarson@brenau.edu.

Upcoming

Active Generation holiday get-together, Flowery Branch. Bring a side dish to share and a $5 wrapped gift for Bingo. For ages 55 and older. Reservations required. 11:30 a.m. Dec. 16, Mulberry Creek Community Center, 4491 JM Turk Road, Flowery Branch. 770-965-7140.

Pancakes with Santa, Flowery Branch. Make crafts, get photos with Santa. 10 a.m. Dec. 18. Reservations due by Friday. Mulberry Creek Community Center, 4491 JM Turk Road, Flowery Branch. $6 per child. 770-535-8280.

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. Hours and prices vary. Nordstrom Court, Mall of Georgia, 3333 Buford Drive, Buford. 678-482-8788.