►Out & about

6,13 and 19 at 11 a.m. Heartfelt Southern humor is scattered, smothered and covered in a spicy holiday sauce. The charming characters from the sell-out show “Waffle Palace” are back in a long-awaited sequel. The show is full of fun, laughter and Christmas cheer. Tickets start at $30 for Wednesday-Fridays, and $35 on weekends. Horizon Theatre, 1083 Austin Avenue, Atlanta 30307. Get tickets and additional info at horizontheatre.com.

A Christmas Carol

Runs Dec. 7 through 23. Bulloch Hall and Kudzu Playhouse present Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” The classic Christmas tale follows Ebenezer Scrooge’s visitation from three ghosts who teach him the meaning of Christmas. The show is sure to sell out quickly, so get your tickets early. Tickets are $18. Bulloch Hall Osage Terrace Hall, 180 Bulloch Avenue, Roswell 30075. For tickets, call 770-992-1731 or visit bullochhall.org.

Free Christmas Concert

Saturday, Dec. 8, 3-4 p.m. Celebrate the holiday season with Cobb New Horizons Concert Band, directed by Dr. Charles Jackson. Members of the band range in age from their 50s to 90s, all dedicated to proving that making beautiful music can last a lifetime. McEachern High School Concert Hall, 2400 New MacLand Road, Powder Springs 30127.

Enchanted Woodland Wonders

Saturday, Dec. 9, 2-6 p.m. CNC’s most popular Family Fun Day is presented by Northside Hospital. This holiday highlight brings you and your family live reindeer, performances, winter crafts, face painting and more. Cost is included with general admission: $7 for seniors 65+ and students ages 13-18; $10 for adults; $6 for children 3-12; and free to CNC members and children 2 and under. Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell 30075. Find details and more events at chattnaturecenter.org.

Saint Nicholas

Tuesday, Dec. 11, 7:30 p.m. Celebrate the holidays with a concert performance of Benjamin Britten’s “Saint Nicholas,” a choral drama retelling the story of this renowned seasonal namesake. Admission is $12 for seniors and students, $12 for adults. Northside Drive Baptist Church, 3100 Northside Drive, Atlanta 30305. Visit cgatl.org for tickets and information.

Christmas Gala Holiday Pops

Saturday, Dec. 15. Doors open at 6:45, and young ticket holders may visit with Santa from 6:45 to 7:30 p.m., when the concert begins. The Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra celebrates the Most Wonderful Time of the Year with a variety of seasonal and sacred favorites at their annual Christmas Gala Holiday Pops concert. JCSO Music Director J. Wayne Baughman conducts, and guest artists include soprano Caitlin Hammon Moore, Johns Creek Chorale and Tapestry Women’s Ensemble. Tickets are: seniors, $27; adults, $32; students & children, $16. Johns Creek United Methodist Church, 11180 Medlock Bridge Road, Johns Creek 30097. Call 678-748-5802 or visit johnscreeksymphony.org for more info.

Christmas on Clairemont

Sunday, Dec. 16, 7 p.m. Christmas on Clairemont is a collaborative holiday spectacular hosted and produced by Daniel Solberg at First Baptist of Decatur with full orchestra, a symphonic organ solo and a festival chorus of a hundred local voices. Guest performers include Kamryn Loy, the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus and the Atlanta Young Singers. An offering taken during the concert will benefit Decatur Cooperative Ministry. First Baptist Church Decatur, 308 Clairemont Avenue, Decatur 30030. Get details at christmasonclairemont.com.

Classic Nashville Christmas ►

Saturday, Dec. 22, 8 p.m. Jason Petty and Katie Deal bring you the greatest collection of country Christmas songs and the stories behind them. With hits like “Hard Candy Christmas,” bluegrass favorites and holiday gospel traditions, this show honors artists such as Grandpa Jones, Alan Jackson, Brenda Lee, Elvis Presley, Kenny Rogers and many more. Celebrate the season with this familyfriendly show. Tickets are $25 for seniors, students and military, $30 for adults. Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest Street, Roswell 30075. Call 770-594-6232 or visit RoswellCAC.com for details.

New Year’s Eve Royalty Show: A Tribute to Prince & Queen

Monday, Dec. 31, 9 p.m.-12 a.m. This New Year’s Eve concert is a tribute to the music of Prince and Queen, performed by the Georgia Player’s Guild. The guild will honor the incredible musical legacy of Prince and rock supergroup Queen in a concert that’s guaranteed to ring in the new year right. Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 starting on December 25; this show has assigned seating. Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre, 117 North Park Square, Marietta 30060. To purchase tickets, get more info and learn about more shows, go to earlsmithstrand.org.

Holiday Home Tours

Grant Park Candlelight Tour of Homes

Saturday, Dec. 8 and Sunday, Dec. 9, 6-10 p.m. One of the season’s most anticipated events, the 38th Grant Park Candlelight Tour of Homes has become a fundraiser for three community organizations: St. Paul United Methodist Church, Grant Park Cooperative Preschool and Grant Park’s Parents Network. In addition to the home tour, there are other events, including an Artists’ Market, 4-9 p.m. on Saturday and 6-8 p.m. on Sunday at St. Paul UMC. Tour tickets are $20 in until Dec. 7 and $25 on tour weekend. St. Paul United Methodist Church, 501 Grant Street, Atlanta 30312. Get info and tickets at CandelightTourofHomes. com.

Christmas in Avondale Estates

Sunday, Dec. 9. Holiday Market & Cafe 12-6 p.m.; tour 3-8 p.m. The 26th annual Tour of Homes adds to everyone’s holiday cheer. Be sure to check out the Holiday Market & Cafe, which offers great foods and unique gifts. Along with the featured homes, points of interest include the Avondale Baptist Church and Avondale Community Club. Advance tickets are $15 and are available at Avondale Estates City Hall. On the day of the tour, tickets can be purchased for $20 at Avondale Community Club, 52 Lakeshore Dr., Avondale Estates 30002. Additional info is at avondaletourofhomes.com.

Learn Something

Bird Walk

Saturday, Dec. 9, 8-10 a.m. Join the Atlanta Audubon Society at Chattahoochee Nature Center to look for summer resident birds of the river and forest, including warblers, sparrows, woodpeckers, raptors, waterfowl and waders. Admission is included with general admission, $10 for adults; $7 for seniors 65+ and students ages 13-18; $16 for children 3-12; and free to CNC members and children 2 and under. Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell 30075. Go to chattnaturecenter.org to find out more.

Veterans Roundtable

Wednesday, Dec. 12, 1 p.m. The veterans group meets the second Wednesday of every month and is presented by Gwinnett County Public Library in partnership with Goodwill Industries of North Georgia. You can meet with experts on veterans’ resources and discuss your needs. Get real help on filing VA claims, medical care, housing and job resources. Newly discharged or senior retirees are welcome. Gwinnett County Public Library Buford Branch, 2100 Buford Highway, Buford 30518. For more information, email cwalker@ging.org. Visit gwinnettpl.org or call 770-978-5154 to find out about more GCPL activities.

Tips for Making the Holidays Healthier

Wednesday, Dec. 19, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Nutrition is important no matter what time of the year it is, but the flavors of our traditional holiday foods are just as important to us. Learn tips and tricks on how to add nutrients and reduce the calories in your favorite holiday treats without losing the flavor. Free; registration is required. North Cobb Senior Center, 3900 S. Main St., Acworth 30101. Call 770-975-7740 or visit cobbcounty.org to find out more.