This week

Third annual lighting of the Christmas tree, Flowery Branch. Live music. 5:45 p.m. today, downtown Flowery Branch. 770-967-6371.

The Lighting of the Macy's Great Tree, Atlanta. Josh Turner, Mandisa and SoReal Cru will perform. Tree lighting and fireworks show. 7 p.m. today, Macy's parking lot, Lenox Square Mall, 3393 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta. Free.

Lighting of Historic Downtown Dahlonega, Dahlonega. Friday, downtown Dahlonega square. 706-864-3513.

Oakwood First Baptist Church Tree Lighting and Musical Light Show, Oakwood. 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oakwood First Baptist Church, 3701 Main Street, Oakwood. 770-534-4193.

Holiday Celebration Under the Stars, Cleveland. Live nativity, petting zoo, bonfire and marshmallow roast. 5-9 p.m. Saturday, North Georgia Zoo, 2912 Paradise Valley Road, Cleveland. $25 starlight tour; $5 live nativity. Bring a new unwrapped toy and get $1 off  admission. Benefits Community Helping Place White Christmas. 706-348-7279.

Santa Claus visits the square, Dahlonega. 1-6 p.m. Saturdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 20, Visitor's Center, downtown Dahlonega square. 706-864-3513.

Upcoming

Downtown by Candlelight, Gainesville. Dec. 3, 10 and 17, downtown Gainesville square. 770-297-1141.  

Habersham County Christmas Parade, Clarkesville. 5 p.m. Dec. 5, downtown Clarkesville. 706-754-2220.

A Flowery Branch Christmas, Flowery Branch. Christmas parade and Santa's arrival, plus children's activities and vendors. 1 p.m., with parade at 4 p.m. Dec. 5, downtown Flowery Branch. 770-967-6371.

Mingle with Kringle, Gainesville. Dec. 5, 12 and 19, Main Street Market, downtown Gainesville square. 770-297-1141.

Christmas on Green Street, Gainesville. Ornament-making party, live Christmas music, face painting, magicican, miniature train ride and carriage rides, 5-7:30 p.m. Dec. 6, with a classic car parade at 5 p.m. and the lighting of the Rotary Christmas Tree at 7 p.m. Green Street, Gainesville. Many activities free; charge for carriage rides. 770-503-1319.

Christmas celebration, Lula. Caroling and live nativity. 6-8 p.m. Dec. 10, Veterans Park, downtown Lula.

Ongoing

"Tools for Living," Sautee. Exhibit of tools used to sustain early valley inhabitants. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Sautee Nacoochee Community Association History Museum, 283 Ga. 255 N, Sautee. 706-878-3300. 

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. $3 adults, $2 children ages 2-12, age 1 and younger and members free. 770-535-1976.