This week

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. today, North Georgia Technical College, 434 Meeks Ave., Blairsville. 706-439-6300.

"Follow the Star," Gainesville. More than 400 nativity displays, live nativity scene, music and food. 6 to 9 p.m. today-Saturday, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1234 Riverside Drive, Gainesville. Free. 770-536-4391.

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

Mingle with Kringle, Gainesville. Each child will receive a gift; photos available for purchase. Saturday and Dec. 20, Main Street Market, downtown Gainesville square. 678-776-1346 or info@mainstreetmarketgainesville.com. 

Live nativity drama, Baldwin. 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 6 p.m. Sunday, 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. Saturday, Aurora Theatre, 128 Pike St., Lawrenceville. $7. 678-226-6222.

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

Elachee's Winter in the Woods Holiday Celebration, Gainesville. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, 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. 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Vogel State Park ball field, 7485 Vogel State Park Road, Blairsville. Bring an unwrapped gift for the Give-a-Gift toy drive for children 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 Saturday, Sandy Creek Nature Center, 205 Old Commerce Road, Athens. $5 for Athens-Clarke County residents, $7 nonresidents. Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services holiday events or 706-613-3615.

Breakfast with the Grinch, Athens. Hot breakfast, crafts and activities, photos with the Grinch. For ages toddlers-10. 9 a.m. Saturday, 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. Saturday, Ruby Fulbright Aquatic Center, 120 Paul Franklin Road, Clarkesville. $3. cusry@habershamga.com.

Winter Craft Daze, Athens. 3 to 4 p.m. Saturday, 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. Sunday, 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. Sunday, 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. Sunday, Paul Thomas Chocolates, just off the downtown Dahlonega square. 706-864-3711.

Gingerbread house building, Gainesville. 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Hall County Library Main Branch, 127 Main St. NW, Gainesville. Free; registration required. Hall County Library System or 770-532-3311, ext. 129.

Upcoming

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

An Old-Fashioned Christmas, Athens. Games, food and crafts. Learn how people celebrated Christmas in the past. 1 p.m. Dec. 20, Walker Hall, Sandy Creek Nature Center, 205 Old Commerce Road, Athens. $1 for Athens-Clarke County residents, $2.50 for nonresidents. Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services holiday events or 706-613-3615.

"'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.

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.

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. Today-Sunday, 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.