Community Corner
Kennesaw Christmas Heritage Open House, Santa Day, Polar Express Adventure
This weekend get out to Santa's arrival and the annual tree lighting on Marietta Square, Kennesaw's Christmas Heritage Open House, the Georgia Symphony Orchestra's holiday spectacular, "The Nutcracker" at Cobb Civic Center and Santa Day in Kennesaw.
Open House Showcases Kennesaw Heritage
Kennesaw’s history and heritage will be the focus of a holiday Christmas Heritage Open House on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 6 and 7. The event, an initiative of the city’s Recreation and Culture Commission, will be held in the historic Community House at 2838 Big Shanty Road adjacent to the Southern Museum.
The hours of operation are Friday, 6-9 p.m. and Saturday, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Kennesaw Santa Day: Parade, Snow Tubing, Tree Lighting, Crafts, Petting Zoo
The City of Kennesaw will celebrate the start of the Christmas holiday season with a parade, entertainment and tree lighting in downtown at Depot Park, 2828 Cherokee Street, on Saturday, Dec. 7.
The festivities begin at noon with a parade on Main Street featuring costumed characters, designer floats, marching bands and live reindeer pulling Santa’s sleigh.
The entertainment will continue with live music and dance performances, a seasonal variety of food vendors, crafts, gift and general merchandise.
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Polar Express Adventure
The Polar Express Adventure embarks at the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 6 to 10 p.m. following the City of Kennesaw’s Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Depot Park.
Upon entering the Museum, attendees will meet a train conductor and a hobo, have the opportunity to create holiday crafts, and watch elves make toys in their holiday shop in the Glover Machine Works exhibit. They will also be invited to write a letter to Santa and meet the jolly fellow himself during the evening. A holiday-themed model train layout will be on display during the event.
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Santa Arrives on Marietta Square, Tree Lighting
Join Santa Claus on Thursday, Dec. 5, in Glover Park on Marietta Square to kick off the holiday season. Festivities begin at 5 p.m. with performances by local school choruses.
Santa will make his grand entrance at 5:20 p.m. and light the Christmas tree at 6 p.m. More entertainment will follow while Santa visits with children in the gazebo until 8 p.m.
Holiday Pops with the Georgia Symphony Orchestra
Join the Georgia Symphony Orchestra for their annual holiday spectacular. This year’s program will include Rutter’s stunning Magnificat, Many Moods of Christmas Suite, excerpts from the Nutcracker Suite, Sleigh Ride, and more. The event takes place Dec. 7 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. at Murray Arts Center in Kennesaw.A Christmas Tradition at the Strand Theatre
During the first three weekends of December, The Strand will produce its biggest and most elaborate show yet, A Christmas Tradition.
Songs spotlighted include Christmas and holiday classics like White Christmas, Santa Baby and All I Want for Christmas Is You, as well as funky favorites like Leroy the Redneck Reindeer, Feliz Navidad and Run, Rudolph Run.
A Christmas Tradition will feature a pre-show holiday sing along with Ron Carter on the Mighty Allen Theatre Organ. The organ pre-show will begin half an hour before showtime.
Friday, Dec. 6 at 8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7 at 8 p.m., Sunday Dec. 8 at 3 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 12 at 8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 13 at 8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 14 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 15 at 3 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 19 at 8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 20 at 8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 21 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 22 at 3 p.m.
The Nutcracker at the Cobb Civic Center
The Georgia Ballet’s all-new production of “The Nutcracker” choreographed by Alexandre Proia runs Dec. 6 through Dec. 8 at the Jennie T. Anderson Theatre at Cobb Civic Center and tickets are on sale now. The Celebrity Nutcracker performance will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 8. To purchase tickets or for more information, call The Georgia Ballet box office at 770.528.0881 or visit georgiaballet.org.
27th Annual Marietta Pilgrimage Christmas Home Tour, Dec. 6, 7 and 8
The Marietta Pilgrimage Christmas Home Tour features six private historic homes in the Northwest Marietta/Kennesaw Avenue Historic District filled with antique collections and decorated for the season. Along the route, many of Marietta’s historic public buildings are decorated and open for touring.
The activities begin on Friday, Dec. 6 with “The Marietta Pilgrimage Gala,” a black-tie party at the Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art. The home tours kick-off on Saturday, Dec. 7 with the Day Tour offered from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.and a Candlelight Tour featuring three of the tour homes from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday evening.
The Day Tour will resume on Sunday, Dec. 8 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The day tours offer shuttle service staffed with informative step-on guides. Along the tour, guests can warm up and enjoy refreshments or a light lunch at The Bistro. The Marietta Educational Garden Center will feature The Bistro this year.
St. Catherine of Siena Handbell Choir
St. Catherine of Siena Roman Catholic Church in Kennesaw will have their Handbell Choir performance in Glover Park on Marietta Square on Dec. 8 and Dec. 22, 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Visit with Santa on Marietta Square
Santa will be on Marietta Square Dec. 7 and 8, 14 and 15, and 19-24.
- Saturday, December 7: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- Sunday, December 8: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
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