Sharing Marietta’s traditional Holiday celebrations in a not so traditional way! Santa is coming, the Tour is on, Home for the Holidays is online and the Nutcracker is a Drive-in Experience!
2020 Santa Blitz
In lieu of the Annual Tree Lighting event, the City of Marietta will officially open the holiday season with a Santa Blitz! During December 3rd through 5th, Santa Claus himself will be “Blitzen” his way through City of Marietta neighborhoods spreading some cheer and smiles. Residents along the routes will be able to catch a glimpse of Santa from outside their homes as he rides on a Marietta fire truck escorted by Marietta police. While he will not be stopping as he travels slowly on the route, be sure to step outside your door or along your sidewalk to waive and hear a jolly “Ho-ho-ho”. To help you with timing to see Santa pass by, we recommend following the City of Marietta’s Facebook page for live tracking and being ready 15-20 minutes prior to the estimated times listed on the directions. Santa’s schedules and maps are listed below. Information to visit with Santa on the Marietta Square during the month of December is also below. *Santa has many streets to visit and limited time before heading back to the North Pole. Please understand Santa will not be able to visit every street in the City, but wishes everyone joy, laughter and peace this holiday season.
Santa Blitz Schedule: • Thursday, December 3rd, 2020 6:30 p.m.; • Friday, December 4th, 2020 6:30 p.m.; • Saturday, December 5th, 2020 8:30 a.m.
Marietta Pilgrimage Transitions to Self-Guided Walking Tour
In light of the current conditions concerning COVID-19, the Marietta Visitors Bureau and Cobb Landmarks & Historical Society, organizers of the Marietta Pilgrimage Christmas Home Tour, have decided to transition this year’s tour to a self-guided walking tour featuring historic homes located in the Church-Cherokee Historic District.
The Marietta Pilgrimage is an annual home tour typically attended by 2,500-3,000 people over a two-day period each December. The tour usually features six private homes and a variety of local historic sites and museums. Money raised from the tour, which has been held each year since 1987, helps fund the Marietta Visitors Bureau and Cobb Landmarks & Historical Society.
Those wishing to enjoy the walking tour will need to purchase an official Marietta Pilgrimage Walking Tour booklet, which will be available for $25 at the Marietta Welcome Center or the William Root House. Each booklet will include a walking tour map, photos and information about the participating homes, and a scavenger hunt for younger tour-goers. The booklet will also include discounts and coupons from local Marietta restaurants and merchants.
Proceeds from sales of the booklet will benefit the Marietta Visitors Bureau and Cobb Landmarks.
Homes included in the walking tour are in the Church-Cherokee Historic District, Marietta and will be eligible to win one of three prizes. Tour-goers can cast their votes for the homes they feel have the “Best Traditional Decor,” “Most Over-The-Top Decor,” and “Best Light Display.” Tour homes should be enjoyed from the sidewalk. No homes will be open to the public. The self-guided tour can be enjoyed anytime in December, but houses will be decorated December 4-18 for the public to cast their votes.
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS 2020
Streamed performance – Tickets $25 (currently on sale) Cobb County’s biggest holiday event is returning for its 15th anniversary. Through the magic of film making, editing, and social-distancing, we’re excited to bring you a brand new live show while also taking a look back at our favorite performances from the past 14 years.
When you register, you are purchasing your ticket in advance. With this ticket purchase, you’ll be treated to two holiday specials: the streamed version of our new ‘Home for the Holidays’ production with the Atlanta Lyric Theatre and a compilatioA link to the virtual performance will be emailed to you on Dec. 11, the first day the streaming performance is available to patrons. The performance will remain accessible until 11 p.m., Dec. 13.
Thank you for supporting the arts! For tickets, see https://www.andersontheatre.org/upcoming-shows or call the box office at 770-528-8490.
“The Nutcracker” A Drive-In Experience
This year The Georgia Ballet’s annual production of the traditional Nutcracker will look a little different as it pivots its way on the big screen instead of the stage for a new Drive-In Experience.
Guest can enjoy “The Nutcracker” A Drive-In Experience for three different shows, December 11th – 13th at The Aviation History and Technology Center. A radio frequency channel will be given once ticket holders arrive and after parked in their designated space guests will have an option to stay inside of their vehicle or bring lawn chairs if they desire to view the performance outside of the vehicle. The Georgia Ballet also plans to host a Christmas merchandise store for holiday shopping and tasty concessions on site for guests to partake in before the showing begins. Lastly, a Q&A with select cast members will kick off the evening each night of the drive-in.
“The traditional ballet, ‘The Nutcracker’ comes to life every year through music, colors, and dance. This ballet has become one of the great classics and a Christmas tradition. Our production presents a new aspect every year for both the dancers and the audience”. Daet Rodriguez Artistic Director The Georgia Ballet
The Georgia Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” Drive-In Experience will take place at The Aviation History and Technology Center in Marietta, December 11th – 13th this holiday season. Each show will begin at 7:00 pm and guests are asked to arrive by 6:00 pm to secure their parking space and visit the GAB Christmas Shop and concessions. To purchase tickets and receive more detailed information about The Georgia Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” Drive-In Experience please visit www.georgiaballet.org/drive-in-experience or call 770-528-0881.