A quick check of Atlanta weather puts us in the 70s this weekend, but you can still get your holidays on with several events. In fact, it just means you can get your holiday on with your shorts on. Or some cases, your Speedo.
Friday-Sunday, Dec. 7-9, 9 a.m. till dark
3565 Highway 155 North, Stockbridge
770-954-9356
Want to get outside the city and cut down your own tree? Try the Yule Farm where, um, yule love it. It's about a 30-minute drive from the center of Atlanta, closer for those east and south of the city. They offer seven different types of trees and offer saws and carts to help you out. (They also offer pre-chopped trees.) Complimentary hot cider is served, and there's plenty to do for the kids, including a Fun Zone, which costs $3. Trees run in the $40 range.
Friday-Saturday, Dec. 7-8, 6 p.m.-11 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 9, 6 p.m.-10 p.m.
1269 Barclay Circle, Marietta
678-331-4334
Life University in Marietta hosts what's billed as "the most affordable holiday light show in the Southeast." The event runs every night rain or shine through December 31. Cost is $5 per car, $10 per passenger van, and $20 per bus. In addition to the lights, there is a high school jazz band, petting zoo, train rides, pony rides, and Santa Claus.
The Atlanta Ballet's Nutcracker
Friday, Dec. 7, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 8, 2 p.m., 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 9, 2 p.m., 7 p.m.
Fox Theatre
660 Peachtree St., Atlanta
The Atlanta Ballet's Nutcracker returns to the beautiful Fox Theatre this weekend for its holiday run. This year, the Atlanta Ballet is working with illusionist Drew Thomas to bring an extra magical touch to this season's production. Run time is about two hours and includes a half-hour intermission. Choreographed by John McFall with music by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Tickets start at $20.
Saturday, Dec. 8, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
1345 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta
404-876-5859
More than 200 dogs are expected to be part of this fun parade at the Botanical Garden in Piedmont Park. Organizers say the parade itself starts at about 11:15 a.m. and should last an hour. Dogs arrive as early as 10 a.m., though. There are prizes in several categories for costumed dogs. If you haven't registered by now, you can still bring a dog with a walk-up fee of $18 and enter in one of the categories. Among the features: Get your dog's photo with St. Nick.
Saturday, Dec. 8, 2 p.m.
Begins and ends at Hudson Grille Midtown
942 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta
If you haven't signed up for this interesting charity run, the least you can do is come gawk at it. The fourth annual Atlanta Santa Speedo Run takes place Saturday at 2 p.m. and benefits charity. Last year's event raised $128,000 for Bert's Big Adventure, and this year's goal is $150,000 for CURE Childhood Cancer. Station yourself on Peachtree Street or West Peachtree to witness the many men and women tackle the 1.5-mile loop in Speedos.
Saturday, Dec. 8, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 9, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd., Stone Mountain
770-498-5690
The famous Atlanta-area landmark saves some real estate each year for snow, and through February 18, you can get in on the tubing action. And don't worry about this balmy weather -- Snow Mountain has "temperature-independent" snow. The website touts 20 lanes of snow-packed mountainside on an area the size of five football fields. $27 to enjoy the snow with a $10 car fee to get into the park.
Mike Benzie has been a reporter and editor for major online media organizations and several newspapers across the Southeast, including the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.