Christmas Holiday Season 2011

The Tate House: December 9th, 10th and 11th for a Christmas Open House.  Admission is $10 per person and children under 12 are free.  Time slots are available starting at 10 am to 6 pm each day.  Call 770.735.3122 or email tatemansion@earthlink.netto to make a reservation.  Light refreshments will be available.  www.tatehouse.com

Studio 1: December 18th at 2 pm.  The Nutcracker Ballet and Christmas Spectacular, annual dance show by Studio 1 Performing Arts School.  Fannin County Performing Arts Center located on the Fannin High School Campus.

Ball Ground Christmas Parade: December 2 at 6:30 pm.  Help kick-off the Christmas Season with bands, floats, marching units, beauty queens, public officials, antique cars, fire trucks, and Santa and Mrs. Claus will also be making their first official appearance in the city.  More information see Nancy Butterworth at ncbutterworth@bellsouth.net or call 770.924.2176.

5th Annual Night of Lights Christmas Celebration:  Parade and Vendor booth application available at www.jaspermerchantsassocation.com.  Visit with Santa from 3 to 5 PM, roaming street entertainment, kids area, including jumping house and games.  Food and craft vendors.  Events will be happening on Main Street from 3 to 9 PM, parade will be at 6 PM.

BRMAA Holiday Show & Sale:  It's beginning to look a lot like...holiday shopping at the Art Center!  Our annual Holiday Show & Sale starts November 19th at the Blue Ridge Mountain Art Center.  For more information: 706.632.2144 or visit www.blueridgearts.net

Christmas at the Vann House:  Today Chief Vann House State Park remembers North Georgia's first Christmas with one of the most popular December events in the North Georgia Mountains - A Moravian Christmas at the Vann House.  For more information: 706.695.2598 or visit http://gastateparks.org/ChiefVannHouse

Christmas Rewind: Come watch one of your holiday favorites "It's A Wonderful Life" on the big screen at East Towne Cinemas, on Saturday, December 10th at 1 PM.  Tickets are $4 per person.  For more information: www.easttownecinemas.com

Santa Train:  Blue Ridge Scenic Railroad, ride the train with Santa! Running various dates starting the day after Thanksgiving and running through Dec. 24th, the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway celebrates the holidays on The 1 hour Santa Express with daytime, fun-filled train rides. On board, your family will hear a Christmas story, sing Christmas carols, and visit with the North Pole’s jolliest elf himself, Santa, as he walks through each train car visiting and posing with the kids for photos. Each passenger also receives the traditional Blue Ridge Scenic Railway Christmas Memento. Seats are limited: Advance reservation are required. These trips take approximately 1 hour round trip. Ticket prices are $34 for those 13 and above, and $18 for those 2 through 12. Children under 2 not occupying a seat will receive a free ticket. (There is no stop or layover during this trip) Bring your camera! For more information:  http://brscenic.com/unique-train-packages/

State Botanical Garden of Georgia Holiday Open House:  It's time for the Annual Holiday Open House, a chance to listen to live music, enjoy this year's holiday decor created by our Horticulture staff and watch one of our very popular shows in the Children's classroom.  Professional photographer Mark Parsons will take photos as Santa and Mrs. Claus listen to children's wishes.  Come early to browse the many unique gift ideas in our gift shop or enjoy holiday drinks and treats available for sale at our coffee shop.  This is a special time for us, when we invite the community to share holiday cheer at this free open house, so please drop by to share this delightful afternoon with us.  2:15 - 3: Georgia Children's Chorus; 3:15 - 3:50: Solstice Sisters; 4 - 5: Classic City Band; 2:30 & 3:30 & 4:30: Puppet Shows in the Children's Classroom. For more information contact connicot@uga.edu or http://www.uga.edu/botgarden/