This week

Downtown Parade of Lights, Athens. 7 p.m. today, downtown Athens. 706-613-3589 or markmccoy@co.clarke.ga.us.

A Flowery Branch Christmas, Flowery Branch. Christmas parade, Santa and children's activities. 1-4 p.m. Saturday. Free. 770-967-6371.

Banks County Christmas Festival, Homer. Christmas parade, carols and Christmas tree lighting. 3 to 6 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Banks County Chamber of Commerce, 106 Homer Road, Homer. Free. 706-677-2108 or bankscountychamber@windstream.net.

Christkindlmarket, Helen. Market of Christmas gifts, Santa Claus, food, music and entertainment. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 14; Santa will be at the market noon to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Downtown Helen. Free. 706-878-1619.

Christmas open house, Dawsonville. Choir performances, gingerbread houses, Santa and hayride. Saturday, Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge, Dawsonville. $3 parking. 706-265-1969.

Old-Fashioned Christmas, Dahlonega. Parade and tree lighting. 5 p.m. Saturday, downtown Dahlonega square. Free. 800-231-5543.

Holiday bazaar, Gainesville. Face painting, games, food and holiday gifts; Toys for Tots collection box on site collecting new, unwrapped toys for all ages. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Cornerstone of Faith Missionary Church, 2920 Florence Drive, Gainesville. Free. 770-965-3599 or cornerstoneoffaith@gmail.com.

Christmas at the Creek, Cleveland. Meaders pottery sale, pictures with Santa, silent auction and other vendors. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Mossy Creek Elementary School, 128 Horace Fitzpatrick Drive, Cleveland. $50 booth fee for vendors. Free to attend. 706-865-5000.

Christmas bazaar, Demorest. Crafts, yard sale booths, photos with Santa and food; benefits the ninth-grade alternative spring break trip to New York City. 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Habersham Ninth Grade Academy, 3115 Demorest-Mount Airy Highway, Demorest. $10 booth fee for vendors. 706-968-1590.

A walk through Bethlehem, Dahlonega. Live nativity scene. 6 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Mount Olive Baptist Church, 220 Mount Olive Baptist Church Road, Dahlonega. 770-983-3419.

Christmas in the Mountains, Cleveland. Santa, Christmas music performed by the White County Intermediate School Choir and the White County High School Band, food vendors, face painting, rock wall and games for kids, arts and crafts booths. 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday, with parade at 7 p.m. Santa will be at Nix Hardware from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Downtown Cleveland square. 706-969-3336.

Holiday parade, Buford. John Oxendine will be the grand marshal. Parade at 2:30 p.m., tree lighting at 5:30 p.m. Saturday; downtown Buford.

Holiday on the Square, Blairsville. Tree lighting, caroling and parade. Saturday, with parade at 4 p.m., downtown Blairsville square.

Santa Claus Day, Gainesville. Have your picture taken with Santa. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Interactive Neighborhood for Kids, 999 Chestnut St., Gainesville. $8 admission. 770-536-1900.

Deck the Halls of Unicoi, Helen. Holiday crafts, hayride and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Saturday, Unicoi State Park and Lodge, 1788 Ga. 356, Helen. $3 parking. 800-573-9659, ext. 305.

Breakfast with Santa, Buford. Simon Kidgits Club. Crafts, breakfast and time with Santa. 8 to 9:30 a.m. Saturday, food court, Mall of Georgia, 3333 Buford Drive, Buford. Breakfast for club members free, $5 for nonmembers includes breakfast and club membership. 678-482-8788.

Old Town Holiday Festival and Caboose Lighting, Suwanee. Carriage rides, holiday crafts, food and live music. Take photos with Santa (bring your own camera). 5 p.m. Saturday, downtown Suwanee. All activities free except carriage rides, $4 per person or $15 family of six or less. 770-945-8996.

Mingle with Kringle, Gainesville. Saturday, Dec. 13 and 20, Main Street Market, downtown Gainesville square. Main Street Gainesville, 770-297-1141.

"The North Pole Fa-la-la-la Follies," Lawrenceville. Featuring That Puppet Guy, Lee Bryan. 10 and 11 a.m. Saturday, Aurora Theatre, 128 Pike St., Lawrenceville. $7. 678-226-6222.

Christmas on Green Street, Gainesville. Carriage ride, miniature train ride, face painting and carolers. 5 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Green Street and downtown Gainesville square. 770-503-1319. Story

Pet photos with Santa, Buford. Bring pets through the doors closest to Nordstrom on Woodward Crossing. 6:15 to 8:15 p.m. Sunday, Mall of Georgia, 3333 Buford Drive, Buford. 678-482-8788.

Upcoming

Christmas at the College, Blairsville. Hall of Trees decorated by local businesses, train ride for children, photos with Santa, live choir music and other children's activities. 3 to 7 p.m. Dec. 11, North Georgia Technical College, 434 Meeks Ave., Blairsville. 706-439-6300.

Live nativity drama, Baldwin. 7 p.m. Dec. 12 and 13 and 6 p.m. Dec. 14, Mountain View Baptist Church, 269 Mountain View Road, Baldwin. Free. 706-776-9530.

"The Candy Cane Magic Show," Lawrenceville. Featuring Bosco the Magician. 10 and 11 a.m. Dec. 13, Aurora Theatre, 128 Pike St., Lawrenceville. $7. 678-226-6222.

Christmas parade, Clermont. 1 p.m. Dec. 13, downtown Clermont. 770-983-7568.

Elachee's Winter in the Woods Holiday Celebration, Gainesville. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 13, Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Drive, Gainesville. $5 adults, $3 children ages 2-12, free for age 1 and younger and members. 770-535-1976.

Christmas tree lighting, Blairsville. Tree lighting, caroling, hayrides, Santa Claus and bonfire. 4:45 p.m. Dec. 13, Vogel State Park, 7485 Vogel State Park Road, Blairsville. Bring an unwrapped gift for the Give a Gift Toy Drive for kids age 12 and younger; no toy guns or knives. 706-745-2628.

Breakfast with Santa, Athens. Breakfast, photos with Santa and crafts for kids. All ages. 8 , 9 and 10 a.m. seatings Dec. 13, Sandy Creek Nature Center, 205 Old Commerce Road, Athens. $5 for Athens-Clarke County residents, $7 nonresidents. 706-613-3615.

Breakfast with the Grinch, Athens. Hot breakfast, crafts and activities, photos with the Grinch. For ages toddlers-10. 9 a.m. Dec. 13, Rocksprings Park, 105 Columbus Ave., Athens. $2 for photo. 706-613-3603.

Holiday Family Float-in Movie, Clarkesville. Watch "Elf" from a heated pool. 1:30 p.m. Dec. 13, Ruby Fulbright Aquatic Center, 120 Paul Franklin Road, Clarkesville. $3, $2 seniors. cusry@habershamga.com.

Winter Craft Daze, Athens. 3 to 4 p.m. Dec. 13, Jan. 10 and Feb. 14. Sandy Creek Park, 400 Bob Holman Road, Athens. For ages 5 to 12. Preregistration required. $4 for Athens-Clarke County residents, $6 nonresidents. 706-613-3631.

Family Sunday: Christmas Then and Now, Gainesville. Make ornaments and gifts, listen to Christmas stories and take photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 14, Northeast Georgia History Center, 322 Academy St., Gainesville. Free for members, $5 per family for nonmembers. 770-297-5900.

"Playhouse Disney Live!," Atlanta. Noon, 3 and 6 p.m. Dec. 14, Philips Arena, 1 Philips Drive, Atlanta. $15-$55. 404-249-6400 or Ticketmaster.

Peppermint Stick Dip, Dahlonega. Children age 10 and younger can dip a peppermint stick in chocolate. 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 14, Paul Thomas Chocolates, just off the downtown Dahlonega square. 706-864-3711.

Parents' Night Out, Gainesville. Kids can play games, make crafts and eat pizza while you shop. Register by Dec. 17. 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 19, Hall County Parks and Leisure Services, 1086 Rainey St., Gainesville. $8 per child. 770-535-8280

"'Twas the Night Before Christmas," Lawrenceville. Picadilly Puppets. 10 and 11 a.m. Dec. 20, Aurora Theatre, 128 Pike St., Lawrenceville. $7. 678-226-6222 or www.auroratheatre.com.

Winter wonderland workshop, Gainesville. Make a snow globe. Dec. 29-Jan. 4, Interactive Neighborhood for Kids, 999 Chestnut St., Gainesville. $8 per person for admission and $1 for materials. 770-536-1900 or www.inkfun.org.

New Year's Eve activities, Gainesville. Magic with Jeff McClure. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 31, Interactive Neighborhood for Kids, 999 Chestnut St., Gainesville. $8 per person for admission. 770-536-1900.

Lawrenceville Rings, Lawrenceville. Live bands, magic shows, face painting, rock climbing wall and fireworks. 7 p.m. to midnight Dec. 31, downtown Lawrenceville. 678-226-2639.

Snow Mountain, Stone Mountain. Snow amusement park on the "laser lawn." Snow tubing, snowball and snow angel making zone, play area for younger kids and bonfires for roasting marshmallows. Dec. 31-March 1, Stone Mountain Park, U.S. 78, Stone Mountain. $25 adults and children ages 3-11. Reservations recommended.

Ongoing

Stone Mountain Christmas, Stone Mountain. Nightly parade, snow and fireworks, musical revues and "The Polar Express 4D Experience" movie. Weekends through Dec. 14, nightly Dec. 19-30; closed Dec. 24 and 25. Stone Mountain Park, Exit 8 U.S. 78, Stone Mountain. $20 adults, $17 children ages 3-11.

Photos with Santa, Buford. Through Dec. 24, Mall of Georgia, 3333 Buford Drive, Buford. Various costs. 678-482-8788.

Christmas activities, Gainesville. Christmas crafts such as making a snowflake or hand painting a Christmas card. Through Dec. 24, Interactive Neighborhood for Kids, 999 Chestnut St., Gainesville. $8 admission, fee for some items. 770-536-1900.

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 5 p.m. Monday-Saturdays, Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Drive, Gainesville. $3 adults, $2 children ages 2-12, age 1 and younger and members free. 770-535-1976.

Magical Nights of Lights, Buford. Animated light display, Christmas gift and decoration market and bonfire with marshmallows. 5 to 10 p.m. through Dec. 30, Lake Lanier Islands, 7000 Holiday Road, Buford. $30 per car Monday-Thursday and $40 per car Friday-Sunday and holidays. 770-945-8787. Story

"Ends of the Earth: From Polar Bears to Penguins," Atlanta. With "Antarctica" IMAX movie. Through Jan. 2, Fernbank Museum of Natural History, 767 Clifton Road, Atlanta. IMAX tickets $13 adults, $12 students and seniors, $11 children ages 3-12 and free for children younger than 2. 404-929-6400.

Gingerbread Party, Atlanta. Children and adults can build a gingerbread house. Through Jan. 4, Underground Atlanta, $45-$55 per child.

"The Light Before Christmas," Atlanta. IMAX movie. Through Jan. 4, Fernbank Museum of Natural History, 767 Clifton Road, Atlanta. $13 adults, $12 students and seniors, $11 children ages 12 and younger, $8 museum members. 404-929-6400.

Bob the Builder-Project: Build It, Atlanta. Use play versions of machines and tools to explore Bob the Builder's world. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Fridays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Jan. 4. Imagine It! The Children's Museum of Atlanta, 275 Centennial Olympic Park Drive NW, Atlanta. $11 adults, free for children age 1 and younger. 404-659-5437.

Jim Henson's Fantastic World, Atlanta. Puppet shows, workshops and tours of the exhibit. Exhibit through Jan. 18, Atlanta History Center, 130 W. Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta. 404-814-4000.