Alpharetta Celebrates Holidays With Tree Lighting Ceremony

ALPHARETTA, GA — The city of Alpharetta will host two events designed to get you into the holiday spirit. The city's Season of Celebration will span two consecutive Saturdays, Dec. 1 and Dec. 8, and will infuse a festive atmosphere into the downtown area.

Light The Night, set for Saturday, Dec. 1, will feature Alpharetta's annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony. The fun starts at 4 p.m. with pre-event festivities, including free visits with Santa, falling snow, marshmallow roasting, free children’s crafts, face painting and balloon art. Festival goers can plan to have dinner or enjoy warm beverages from the downtown restaurants and food trucks.

Alpharetta community groups will present festive programs on the large stage which will be filled with great music, exciting performances and lots of fun for the whole family. At 6:15 p.m., everyone will gather around and cheer as the grand 45-foot live spruce tree is lit with 10,000 white lights.

Of course, the fun doesn't stop there. Football fans can hang out and watch this year's SEC Championship game that will be broadcast live on the big screen beginning at 4 p.m. on the Village Green.

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The following week on Saturday, Dec. 8 will see the return of the Magical Winter Village on the city's Village Green. This family-friendly event will include visits with Santa, strolling holiday characters, musical performances, snow, free children’s crafts, marshmallow roasting, and festive foods.The surrounding stores will stay open, so everyone can get some extra holiday shopping done, then get their gifts wrapped at the complimentary gift-wrapping station.

If you want to give back to the less fortunate in the community, North Fulton Community Charities will be accepting donations for its Holiday Food Drive. Bags for non-perishable food donations can be picked up at the Dec. 1 event and brought back on Dec. 8 for a booklet filled with holiday discounts to more than 50 local businesses.

"The lighting of the tree has been a long-standing tradition for downtown Alpharetta and it is so exciting to add an additional event to the holiday season," said Janet Rodgers, president and CEO of the Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau. "This year, residents and visitors have two weekends of holiday fun to look forward to enjoying. The downtown Alpharetta area will be magical with all the holiday activities, lights, snow, shopping and merriment."

Both events are free, and free parking is available on the street or at the Alpharetta City Hall Parking Deck at 2 Park Plaza. For more information, please visit: www.awesomealpharetta.com.

Image via Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau