🕎 Hanukkah fun, Jingle Bell Run & Weekend Events

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I'm staring at my calendar trying to remember how we got to mid-December already.

Our crew is planning to split the weekend between some outside time at Brook Run, a lap around High Street's holiday scene, and at least one late-night hot chocolate.

If your kids are into crafts and hands-on activities, Glow Strong: A Family Hanukkah Celebration at MJCCA on Sunday looks like a perfect way to spend an afternoon.

It's free, and everything is built around interactive stations and games.

When everyone's hungry, Village Burger in Dunwoody Village stays an easy win: burgers, hot dogs, frozen custard, and a super-casual, kid-friendly setup.

Quick pro tip: if you're heading to Brook Run or anything at High Street, build in a few extra minutes for parking and walking; lots of folks are out soaking up the nice weather and lights.

And for the Jingle Bell Run crowd, layers and a change of dry socks in the car can be the difference between "fun memory" and "never again."

Scroll on for the full Local Events lineup, now split into Family Fun and Adult Events, to map out your game plan.

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Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta (MJCCA), Dunwoody
Sunday, Dec 14, 2025
12:00–4:00 pm
Free
Details: Event info

Families are invited to MJCCA for a high-energy Hanukkah celebration built around play, crafts, and hands-on stations that explore resilience and light.

Expect activity areas for a range of ages, from little ones to tweens, along with classic holiday traditions. Organizers describe it as a "community-wide" event, so you don't need to be a member to attend.

The vibe is meant to be drop-in and interactive rather than sit-and-watch. Parking is on-site at the Tilly Mill Road campus, but it can get busy.

Arriving closer to noon will make parking and stroller unloading easier. Because it's indoors and activity-based, this is a great pick even if the weather turns chilly or damp.

Vintage Pizzeria in Dunwoody is a family friendly spot known for its thin crust, New Jersey influenced pies and cozy, neighborhood feel.

The menu goes well beyond pizza with baked pastas, chicken parmesan, eggplant parm, stromboli, wings, and big antipasto and Greek salads, all easy to share around the table.

There is a kids’ menu, high chairs, and a dedicated family dining area, plus a separate adults only side with its own covered patio if you manage a date night.

Outdoor seating, a full bar with beer and wine, and plenty of TVs for game days make it just as good for group outings as for a quick weeknight dinner.

Reservations are smart on weekend evenings, but takeout and delivery are also solid backups when you are juggling bedtime.

View the menu at Vintage Pizzeria

Over at the new High Street development, Puttshack brings a very extra version of mini golf to the Perimeter.

Think indoor, neon-lit courses where the balls track your score automatically.

It's a fun option for older kids, tweens, and date nights, with 9-hole courses, a full food menu, and cocktails for the adults.

Weeknights are generally calmer and easier to book, while weekend evenings feel more like a nightlife spot.

Families might like earlier time slots on Saturdays and Sundays, when energy is still high but not wild.

Free parking in the High Street decks and online reservations make it easy to plan around bedtime.

Browse/learn more: Puttshack Atlanta – Dunwoody

The City of Dunwoody just earned national recognition from the Center for Digital Government as a Top-10 winner in its 2025 Digital Cities Survey, highlighting how the city uses technology to improve transparency, cybersecurity, and online services for residents.

Local officials say the award reflects ongoing work to make everything from public records to service requests easier to access online.

For families, that means more city business can be handled from your phone between carpools.

Source: Center for Dunwoody

Dunwoody High School’s long-planned on-campus stadium is getting an official name: Seacrest Stadium, honoring alum and major donor Ryan Seacrest.

For the first time in school history, the Wildcats are moving toward hosting Friday night football at home instead of sharing a field with another school, which has meant juggling early and late kickoffs.

The project is part of a larger “Bring It Home” campaign to turn the campus into a true community gathering spot for games, graduations, and pep rallies.

Parents and students are hopeful this will become a new centerpiece for Dunwoody school spirit.

Source: 11Alive

DeKalb County school leaders voted this week to renovate, rather than replace, historic Druid Hills High School, which has faced years of complaints about aging facilities.

The board backed a remodeling plan that could cost up to $185 million, preserving the building’s history while addressing leaks, overcrowding, and other safety concerns.

For local families watching broader school capital plans, the decision is a signal that DeKalb is willing to invest heavily in older campuses instead of starting from scratch.

Construction and permitting are expected to take several years, so changes will roll out gradually.

Source: WSB-TV

Chico is an adult mixed-breed boy currently in a foster home with LifeLine Animal Project in Atlanta.

His fan club describes him as a happy, playful goofball with an infectious, tail-waggy joy.

He can be a little shy when he meets new people, but once he warms up he's all charm.

The kind of dog who might peek out from behind you like a shy toddler and then wiggle in for cuddles.

Foster notes say he's house-trained, calm inside the home, and loves to sunbathe near windows.

He enjoys walks, has done well meeting other dogs, and is more of a "quiet shadow and evening snuggler" than a nonstop jumper, which makes him a great fit for families who want a sweet companion with good manners.

Where to meet him:

LifeLine Animal Project, Community Animal Center
3180 Presidential Dr, Atlanta, GA 30340
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (404) 292-8800
lifelineanimal.org

Chico's profile:
Chico (in foster) on Petfinder

⛸️ High Street Skate: Free Skate Day | High Street Skate on The Green, Dunwoody | 12:00–5:00 PM | Free | More
Complimentary ice time. Easy in-and-out for younger kids before dinner.

🎭 PLAYhouse: Alice in Wonderland Jr | Orbit Arts Academy, Sandy Springs | 7:00 PM | Tickets required | More
A one-act musical with local young performers. Just the right length for elementary and middle schoolers.

🛍️ Holiday Art Fair shopping | Spruill Gallery, Dunwoody | 10:00 AM–6:00 PM | Free entry; items for sale | More
Browse handmade ornaments, jewelry, and gifts while kids help pick out teacher presents and stocking stuffers.

🎄 2025 Jingle Bell Run – Atlanta | Brook Run Park, Dunwoody | 8:00 AM | Fundraising run; registration required | More
A festive charity run/walk with costumes and jingle bells. Strollers welcome and you're done before lunch.

⛸️ High Street Skate (regular hours) | High Street Skate on The Green, Dunwoody | Times/prices vary | More
If you missed Free Skate Day, weekend sessions under the lights are great for tweens, teens, and visiting cousins.

📖 Storytime with Santa + Mrs. Claus | Indoor event space at High Street, Dunwoody | Morning (see site) | Free with RSVP | More
Low-pressure Santa visits with stories and a quick photo. Perfect for little ones who don't love big mall lines.

🔯 Glow Strong: A Family Hanukkah Celebration | MJCCA, Dunwoody | 12:00–4:00 PM | Free | More
Hands-on stations, crafts, and games that let kids move, play, and learn about Hanukkah together.

🐶 Pet Day at Spruill Gallery (Holiday Art Fair) | Spruill Gallery, Dunwoody | 1:00–4:00 PM | Free entry | More
Bring leashed pups for treats, paw-print art, and a pet portrait station while you browse the art fair.

🎶 Christmas Caroling with Kingswood Church | Kingswood Church, Dunwoody | 4:00-7:00 PM | Free | More
Join neighbors for classic carols, cocoa, and a simple, family-friendly way to wind down the weekend.

🎨 Merry & Make at High Street (ornament workshop, 21+) | Jewelbox space at High Street, Dunwoody | 7:00–9:00 PM | Paid workshop | More
A craft-and-cocktails ornament workshop that pairs perfectly with dinner at High Street once the kids are home.

Address: 8800 Roberts Dr, Sandy Springs, GA 30350

If you’re craving a real “mountain river” feel without committing to a long drive, Island Ford at the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area is an easy win.

About a 15–20 minute hop from the Perimeter Mall area, this Sandy Springs unit strings together roughly three miles of shaded riverside and forest trails, cave-like rock overhangs, and the historic Hewlett Lodge tucked just above the water.

Locals love it for its calm Chattahoochee views, kid-friendly paths, and reliable wildlife sightings, making it an easy half-day escape where you can let kids scramble on rocks, watch trout and herons, and still be home in time for dinner.

Morning strategy (8–10 AM):

Start at the main Island Ford entrance and walk down toward the river from the visitor center. Keep your first loop short and flat by following the wide riverside trail so kids can toss pebbles, watch for ducks and herons, and climb on the big rocks near the water. Morning is usually cooler and quieter, which makes it easier to keep an eye on little ones along the riverbank.

Afternoon plan (2–5 PM):

Come back with snacks and let older kids tackle a slightly longer loop that adds in some of the hillier forest trails. Break it up with a stop at a picnic area or one of the benches overlooking the water. On mild days, you can easily spend a couple of hours mixing short hikes with sit-and-watch time by the river while everyone unwinds.

Hidden features:

Look for rock overhangs and small “caves” just off the main path, which feel like mini adventure spots for kids. There are also plenty of side paths down to the water for better views, skipping stones, and spotting trout or tiny fish in the shallows. If you have history buffs, point out that Island Ford is one of the older river crossing sites and home to the historic stone lodge that now serves as park headquarters.

Parking & bathrooms:

There is a pay-to-park lot near the visitor center at the end of Island Ford Parkway. Expect a small national park day-use fee (or use an annual pass if you have one), so bring a card for the pay station. Restrooms are available near the visitor center building, which makes it a good starting and ending point for your walk.

Visit the Official Website for more info

Map: Google Maps

December around the Perimeter means a lot more after-dark time on 285, 400, and the surface streets that feed into them, from Ashford Dunwoody and Hammond to Roswell Road and Peachtree Parkway. Between school concerts, last-minute Target runs, and light displays, you’re probably doing more night driving in a month than you usually do in three.

Before the next rainy commute or teen-driver Starbucks run, take ten minutes for a quick winter check:

A tiny bit of prep now can save you an hour on the shoulder of 285 later — especially on a cold, wet night when everyone just wants to be home.

PeachLine Mobile Detailing (Sandy Springs & Dunwoody)
Premium mobile detailing that comes to your driveway or office, with interior glass cleaning, exterior wash, and protection packages that are great for improving nighttime visibility before winter road trips.
(404) 856-3626
www.peachlinemobiledetailing.com

McCullough Auto Care & Towing (Sandy Springs)
Family-owned shop off Roswell Road that’s been keeping Sandy Springs and Dunwoody cars road-ready since 1969, handling brakes, tires, alignments, and general winter safety checks.
(404) 252-3014
napacarcare.com

Peachtree Corners Automotive (Peachtree Corners) – Longtime neighborhood mechanic on S Old Peachtree Road offering full-service repairs, maintenance, and tire services — a solid option for a pre-holiday trip inspection or post-pothole check.
(770) 925-7660
peachtreecornersautomotive.com