It’s the most wonderful time of the year in Alpharetta as the community gathers to share in the holiday spirit at the
Season of Celebration events. The festivities will be held on December 2, 9 & 16 from 5:00 to 9:00 PM in Downtown Alpharetta. The Annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony begins at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, December 2, and will illuminate the Town Green with thousands of twinkling lights.
Creating special memories for families for over 45 years, the celebration began in 1977 with about 100 people gathered around a six-foot live blue spruce tree. Today, the Christmas tree lighting ceremony, includes a 50’ artificial tree which was generously donated to the City of Alpharetta by Evans General Contractors in 2021. Alpharetta’s annual Season of Celebration events have grown to three Fridays in December when approximately 3,000 residents gather each week to celebrate the season with a variety of events.
“The Christmas Tree Lighting has brought the Alpharetta community together for years,” said Alpharetta Mayor Jim Gilvin. “It is a perfect time to enjoy the simple traditions of the holiday season. Community celebrations like this showcase the vibrancy of our city, strengthen connections between our residents, and create an opportunity for families to create memories together.”
“The holidays are extra merry and bright in Alpharetta,” said Janet Rodgers, President and CEO of the Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We are so thrilled to invite visitors to our community and welcome them with open arms during three incredibly festive Friday nights in Alpharetta. For those that want to keep the jolly good times rolling, we hope they stay the night in Alpharetta to enjoy more of the shopping, dining and fun that our great city offers!”
In addition to the tree lighting ceremony on December 2, other activities will include flurries of snow, sing-alongs with Santa, a hot chocolate party with characters from Metropolitan Ballet Theater’s cast of The Nutcracker and a couple live scenes from their upcoming performance. The first event of this three-part series also marks the launch of the Holiday Food Drive collection for North Fulton Charities Communities. Attendees at this event are invited to bring donations to help those in need in exchange for a jingle bell bracelet for Santa sing-alongs.
The festivities will continue Friday, December 9 with free photos with Santa located at The Hamilton Hotel and Community Karaoke with Bach to Rock. During this second event, the Downtown Alpharetta District will be hosting
Sips of the Season, a holiday beverage guide for participating downtown businesses within the Season of Celebration event footprint.
Alpharetta's Season of Celebration concludes Friday, December 16, in a finale of fun with movies on the Town Green. Seasonal favorites, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman, will be looped for all to enjoy with hot cocoa available for purchase.
The City of Alpharetta continues its tradition of hosting a Holiday Food Drive for North Fulton Community Charities food pantry. From December 2 to December 16, non-perishable donations can be dropped off at all three Season of Celebration events and eleven other convenient locations.
“The families we serve are really feeling the impact of higher prices at grocery stores, along with cost increases for rent, clothing, and other essentials. As the prices go up, the need for donations is even greater,” said Director of Food Pantry Services Mel Fortin. “We are so grateful for the outpour of support from our community to those in need.”
The City of Alpharetta recognizes and thanks Alpharetta First Baptist Church and the Avalon Concierge, both of which are drop off locations for donations. Additionally, the Wills Park Recreation Center, Alpharetta Adult Activity Center at North Park, Alpharetta City Hall, Preston Ridge Community Center, and the Alpharetta Community Center are all collection sites, as well as four outdoor collection trees at Alpharetta City Hall, Town Green, Teasley Fountain, and the corner of Milton Ave & Canton St.
Alpharetta’s Season of Celebration is free to the public. Parking is available in decks at 2 Park Plaza and 92 Milton Ave.
The event owes its success, in part, to the partnership and support received from Publix at Alpharetta and the Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau.