The holiday season is coming to a close, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop! Get started on your best year yet with these East Cobb-area activities. For even more things to do, click onto our online calendar HERE.

ONGOING EVENTS

Free Mulch. Cobb EMC offers free mulch from the clearance maintenance of Cobb EMC power lines. It is available throughout the year and can be delivered when crews are in your area. More info: 678-355-3413.

THROUGH DECEMBER 31

Lights of Life. Millions of holiday lights throughout the campus There will also be pony rides ($5 per rider), train rides ($3 per rider), a petting zoo ($3 per person), and a concession stand offering seasonal drinks and snacks for purchase. Costs are $5 per car Monday–Thursday, $10 per car on the weekends and December 19-31 and $20 per bus at any time. The display opens at dark every night and runs until 9pm Sunday through Thursday and 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Life University, 1269 Barclay Circle, Marietta. More info:  678-331-4334  or www.life.edu.

THROUGH DECEMBER 31

Tournament of Champions Classic. The six-time state champion Wildcats will welcome 31 teams from eight different states. There will be 12 games played each of the four days. Times vary. Tickets: $10/person, 5 and under free. Wheeler High School, 30068. Times vary. Tickets: $10/person, 5 and under free. More info: www.tounamentofchampionsclassic.com.

THROUGH JANUARY 1

Holiday in the Park. Tis’ the season to be jolly with thrill rides, holiday festivities and more than one million LED lights shining bright as Six Flags Over Georgia brings you Holiday In The Park. The new holiday classic will include twinkling lights, festive shows, tasty culinary treats and of course, Santa Claus himself. Take a ride on the North Pole Express to visit Santa Claus at his merry workshop, and be sure to warm up around the fire for some delicious S’mores at S’mores Village. Each night, guests can gather around our 25-foot Christmas tree and witness the ceremonial lighting as our honorary military members light the tree and bring the entire park to life with holiday spirit!  More information and tickets can be found on our website www.sixflags.com/overgeorgia. Six Flags Over Georgia, 275 Riverside Parkway, SW, Austell. More info: 770-739-3400.

TUESDAY AND SATURDAY

Feeding Time at the Chattahoochee Nature Center. Join a naturalist for an in-depth look at one of their resident animals as they are being fed. 4pm. Admission: ) $10/Adult, $6/Child (3-12), $7/Senior 65+, $7/ Student (Ages 13 -18), Children 2 & under are free. Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell. More info: 770-992-2055 or www.chattnaturecenter.org.

EVERY SATURDAY

Marietta Square Farmers Market features products that are grown and produced in Georgia, including produce, plants, honey, breads, cheese and other items. Saturday 9am-12pm. Rain or shine. Now open all year. Glover Park-Marietta Square. More info: 770-499-9393 or mariettasquarefarmersmarket.net.

DECEMBER 30

The Gritters Knitters. Do you knit, crochet, or work with yarn in anyway? If you would like to get together to craft, get inspired, and make new friends, then this group is for you. All skill levels are welcome the only requirement is your enthusiasm! Just bring your yarn and yourself. Fridays: 11am-1pm. Gritters Library, 880 Shaw Park Road, Marietta. More info: 770-528-2524

DECEMBER 30

The Legacy of Roosevelt’s Tree Army. As part of Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park’s Every Kid in the Park program participants can come out and enjoy a multimedia presentation and guided hike highlighting the Civilian Conservation Corps and their legacy in the U.S. and the park. The program is open to all ages, but the subject matter is targeted at fourth graders and follows Georgia Performance Standards. The hike will be approximately 2 miles. 11:30am-12:30pm. Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, 900 Kennesaw Mountain Drive. Kennesaw . More info: 770-427-4686 ext. 0 or www.nps.gov/kemo.

DECEMBER 30

Menorah Lighting on Marietta Square. Congregation Ner Tamid will hold a ceremony on the Glover Park Stage at Marietta Square to light a Menorah as part of a Chanukah Celebration which will include holiday music and fun children’s games. All are welcome. Chanukah is celebrated this year from sundown on December 24 through sundown January 1. Congregation Ner Tamid, 1349 Old Highway 41, Suite 220, Marietta. More info: 678-264-8575 or www.mynertamid.org.

DECEMBER 31

Chick-fil-A Bowl Parade and FanFest. Watch the parade, complete with bands, cheerleaders, mascots and more starts at The parade will start at 9am at the intersection of Peachtree & Baker Street and proceed south on Peachtree and west on Andrew Young International Boulevard.  The parade ends at the Georgia World Congress Center (285 Andrew Young International Boulevard). FanFest will run from 10am – 2pm, Georgia World Congress Center, Building C, Halls C1-C3. FanFest tickets: $15. $10 (with game ticket).Tickets available for purchase at door or at www.chick-fil-apeachbowl.com. More info: 404-586-8500.

DECEMBER 31

New Year’s Eve at the Strand. A celebration of The Allman Brothers Band brings its faithful recreation of the timeless music of the Allman Brothers to the Earl Smith Strand Theatre on New Year’s Eve The show will begin at 8:30 and end at 11:30, giving everyone time to join in the countdown and festivities on the Square. This is an all ages show.  An opening band will perform from 7:45pm to 8:15pm. Tickets: $35. Earl Smith Strand Theatre, 117 North Park Square, Marietta.  770-293-0080 | earlsmithstrand.org.

How will you ring in 2017? Tell us about it below!

JANUARY 2-7

Toasty Theater Treats. Warm up and catch a new nature film each day in the Chattahoochee Nature Center theater.11am.General Admission:$10 Adults, $7 Seniors (Ages 65+) & Students (Ages 13 -18); $6 Children (Ages 3 -12); Children 2 & under are free. Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell.  More info:  770-992-2055or chattnaturecenter.org.

JANUARY 3

Baby and Me Story Time. Story time plays an important role in introducing children of all ages to books. Reading to children helps to improve their understanding of language, which prepares them to become lifelong learners and fosters a love for books. Babies and their caregivers will enjoy simple stories, lively songs, rhymes and fingerplays, all while interacting with other babies and families in the community. 11:05 am – 12:00 pm. Gritters Library, 880 Shaw Park Road, Marietta 30066. More info: 770-528-2524.

JANUARY 3

Wiggle Worms! Toddler Story Time. Come and enjoy Wiggle Worms-Toddler Storytime at Gritters Library! Storytime plays an important role in introducing children of all ages to books. Reading to children helps to improve their understanding of languages, which prepares them to become lifelong learners and fosters a love for books. Toddlers and their caregivers will enjoy simple yet engaging stories, lively songs and rhymes and interact with other toddlers in the community. 10:05 am – 11:00 am. Gritters Library, 880 Shaw Park Road Marietta. More info: 770-528-2524.

JANUARY 4

The Page Turners: Mountain View Book Discussion Group. The “Page Turners” book discussion group reads and discusses a variety of literature, including fiction, non-fiction, classics, recent releases and books which depict other cultures and time periods.  The group meets on the first Wednesday of the month from 10:15 am to noon. This month’s selection is,“The Rosie Project” by Graeme Simsion. Registration is requested.  Please contact the Adult Reference Desk or call 770-509-2725 to register. Mountain View Regional Library, 3320 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta/East Cobb.

THROUGH LATE FEBRUARY 2017
Winter Wonderland on the Marietta Square featuring an ice skating rink.There will be an extended ice skating  through late February.  Monday–Thursday: 10am-10pm. Friday–Saturday: 10am-11pm. Sunday: 12-8pm. $12 includes entrance and skate rental.Glover Park-Marietta Square. More info: www.winterwonderlandmarietta.com.