The Smyrna, Georgia area offers several special holiday celebrations to enjoy. Located just ten miles northwest of downtown Atlanta, Smyrna is an integral part of the metro area. The Village Green, its attractive community gathering space, is surrounded by parks and green space. This is the setting for the kickoff of Smyrna’s holiday festivities, “Coming Home for the Holidays”. Bring the family out on Tuesday, November 30 from 6-9pm for the Christmas tree lighting and holiday celebration. Special musical performances will be provided by local school choirs and orchestras. Santa will light the tree on the Village Green at 7pm. Following the festivities, plan to shop for holiday gifts in the specialty shops in Smyrna’s downtown Market Village, which will be decked out for the holidays.
Children should get their Christmas lists ready because Santa Claus is coming to town! Santa may be visited in the Santa House at the Smyrna Welcome Center (Aunt Fanny’s Cabin). The Jolly Old Elf will be there on Fridays and Saturdays from 6-8pm and Sundays from 1-3pm and 6-8pm, from December 3-20. He will be in town one last time on Wednesday, December 22 from 6-8pm.
The nearby city of Marietta, just north of Smyrna, will present the Marietta Pilgrimage: A Christmas Home Tour on December 4 and 5. This is the 24th year for the tour, which has become a favorite holiday tradition in the area. Six private homes and a number of public buildings will be included on this year’s tour. Each one will be beautifully decorated for the holiday season. The homes are located in the historic area surrounding the Marietta Square. The Archibald Howell House, one of the most impressive antebellum structures in Marietta, is on the tour this year. Built in 1843 in a classic Greek Revival style, the home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Other homes on the tour date from the early to mid 20th century. The four churches on the tour date from the 19th century. The First Presbyterian Church (1854) was used as a hospital during the Civil War. Also featured this year are Brumby Hall and Gardens (1851). There are day tours on Saturday and Sunday and a candlelight tour on Saturday evening.
The Atlanta area has many events and activities going on during the holiday season, but some of the best ones take place in the towns that surround the city. Historic towns such as Smyrna offer a variety of family-friendly festivities that are more reminiscent of small town celebrations than large city events. Towns like Smyrna encourage us to slow down our pace and really enjoy the holidays.
