This week
Christmas celebration, Lula. Caroling and live nativity. 6-8 p.m. today, Veterans Park, downtown Lula.
Breakfast with Santa, Gainesville. 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Belmont Baptist Church, 3635 Belmont Highway, Gainesville. $10; additional cost for photos with Santa. 678-943-7092.
Christmas in the Village, Helen. Photos with Santa, touch a truck with local fire and police vehicles and tree lighting. Bring an unwrapped toy or cash donation to benefits White Christmas, a White County Department of Family and Children Services program. 1-6 p.m. Saturday, Nacoochee Village, Ga. 75, Helen. 706-878-1234.
Christmas Tree Lighting, Blairsville. Toy drive, tree lighting, caroling, hayrides, Santa visit and bonfire . Saturday, Vogel State Park, 405 Vogel State Park Road, Blairsville. 706-745-2628.
Mingle with Kringle, Gainesville. Saturday and Dec. 19, Main Street Market, downtown Gainesville square. 770-297-1141.
2009 Festival of Trees, Helen. View and bid in a silent auction on trees decorated by local businesses and organizations. Through Saturday, Unicoi State Park & Lodge, 1788 Ga. 356, Helen. $5 parking. 800-573-9659, ext. 305.
Breakfast with Santa, Stone Mountain. Breakfast, silent auction, crafts, prizes and photo. Benefits the Stone Mountain Cooperative Ecumenical Ministry. 7-10 a.m. Saturday, Stone Mountain First United Methodist Church, 5312 W. Mountain St., Stone Mountain. $5 donation. 770-498-7022.
Winter in the Woods Holiday Celebration, Gainesville. Cookie decorating, candy cane hunt, natural seasonal crafts and hikes. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Elachee Nature Science Center, 2125 Elachee Drive, Gainesville. $5 adults, $3 ages 2-12, free for kids age 1 and younger and members. 770-535-1976.
Christmas Then and Now, Gainesville. Family Sunday with past and present Christmas customs and photos with Santa. 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Northeast Georgia History Center, 322 Academy St. NE, Gainesville. Free for members, $3 nonmembers. 770-297-5900 or jcarson@brenau.edu.
Upcoming
Celebration of the Season on the Square, Gainesville. Choral and dramatic ensembles, carriage rides and Santa. 5-8 p.m. Dec. 19, downtown Gainesville square. 770-297-1141.
New Year's Eve Celebration, Gainesville. Activities and crafts. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 31, Interactive Neighborhood for Kids, 999 Chestnut St., Gainesville. 770-536-1900.
Ongoing
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.
Southern Tree Plantation, Blairsville. Christmas trees, train ride, marshmallow roast, hay ride, maze, slide and pony rides. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-6 p.m. Sunday through Dec. 23, Southern Tree Plantation, 2581 Owltown Road, Blairsville. 706-745-0601.
Photos with Santa, Buford. Through Dec. 24, Mall of Georgia, 3333 Buford Drive, Buford. 678-482-8788.
"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.