🎄 Holiday Glow & Local Weekend Picks

_{Was this e-mail shared with you? Sign up here.}

We're officially in that "one foot in holiday mode, one foot still in carpool" season at our house.

This week we're eyeing the Holiday Glow at the Peachtree Corners Town Green so the kids can burn off energy under the lights while we sneak in a cocoa and a lap around the fountain.

I'm also lobbying for a pizza night at Fire & Stone so nobody has to cook or do dishes before the weekend really ramps up.

If you go to Holiday Glow, plan to park in the deck a little early or use rideshare. Town Center fills up quickly when the lights flip on.

And if crowds aren't your thing, a quiet walk at one of our parks or a quick playground stop can be a nice reset between events.

However you're spending this stretch of December, there's plenty close to home.

Scroll down for this week's poll, a few neighborhood favorites, and a Weekend Planner you can skim in under a minute.

Got a tip or event? Reply to this email!

Peachtree Corners Town Green, Peachtree Corners
Thursday, Dec 4, 2025
5:30–8:00 p.m.
Free to attend; food and drinks available for purchase
Details: Event info

Holiday Glow turns the Peachtree Corners Town Green into a full-on holiday postcard, with the big tree lighting, menorah, music, and festive activities spread around Town Center.

Expect food and drink options from the surrounding restaurants, plenty of photo ops, and room for kids to wiggle while grownups chat.

City events here typically include live entertainment and family activities, so you can make an evening of it without leaving the neighborhood.

Plan to park in the deck behind the shops or in the structured parking near the cinema; walking in from Peachtree Parkway is doable but not ideal with little kids.

Arriving 20–30 minutes before the main lighting keeps you out of the tightest crowd around the tree.

The Town Green is stroller-friendly, and the open layout makes it easy to step back if someone needs a sensory break. Just bring layers, since it gets breezy once the sun drops.

Fire & Stone does Neapolitan-style pies with a nice balance of "kid-pleasing" and "worth-it-for-the-grownups," right in the Peachtree Corners Town Center.

Think blistered crusts, classic margherita, and house specialties alongside pastas and big salads for sharing.

The vibe is casual but polished enough for date night if you time it later in the evening.

The patio is a win on milder nights and keeps things manageable with wiggly kids, especially when they can look out toward the Town Green.

Details & menu: Restaurant website

Village Threads is a Dunwoody boutique that leans into approachable, on-trend styles: soft sweaters, wearable denim, easy dresses, plus jewelry and accessories that make great last-minute gifts.

It's the kind of place you can pop into between errands and walk out with a teacher gift and something that feels like an upgrade from your usual leggings-and-tee.

Locals love the friendly staff who will actually help you build an outfit instead of just pointing at a rack.

Browse/learn more: Business website

Sandy Springs voters returned Mayor Rusty Paul to office for a fourth term in Tuesday's runoff election, with Paul defeating challenger Dontaye Carter by a margin of 10,298 to 4,568 votes.

Paul, the city's second-ever mayor who has served since 2013, fended off Carter for the second time after Carter also challenged him unsuccessfully in 2021.

In the District 4 council race, former Atlanta and Sandy Springs police officer Frank Roberts beat Michelle Sullivan with 1,063 votes to 830, flipping the dynamic from November's general election when Sullivan had led with 46 percent of the vote.

Roberts, who served in law enforcement for more than 30 years, fills the seat vacated by Jody Reichel, who ran for mayor this cycle.

Turnout was light throughout the advance voting period, continuing a trend seen across local municipal runoffs this fall.

Source: Rough Draft Atlanta

Dunwoody High School is raising $1.5 million to expand its home field and become the first school in DeKalb County to host varsity football games on its own campus.

The campaign has already topped $180,000, with an anonymous alumni donor pledging $1 million and the Dunwoody Police Foundation contributing $15,000 matched by local dentist Dr. David Goodchild.

The project would add 2,000 seats to the existing 1,000, plus a press box, restrooms, concessions, and improved fencing to meet Georgia High School Association standards.

Currently, all 19 DeKalb County football programs share just five district stadiums, meaning no school hosts true home games.

Steve Fortenberry, a Dunwoody alum and current teacher helping lead the effort, said this dream has been 25 years in the making and involves zero tax dollars.

If fundraising stays on track, construction could begin this spring with the Wildcats hosting their first real home game at Homecoming 2026.

Source: Rough Draft Atlanta / Bring it Home

The Peachtree Corners Business Association presented a $2,500 donation to Paint Gwinnett Pink during its November 13 Business After Hours Speaker Series event.

Paint Gwinnett Pink hosts Gwinnett County's largest breast cancer 5K walk/run each October, raising funds for breast cancer programs at Northside Hospital Gwinnett while celebrating local survivors.

Team PCBA participated in the annual walk this year, with PCBA President Lisa Proctor calling it part of the organization's commitment to engaging the community in meaningful ways.

The donation comes from PCBA's Community Outreach program, funded through membership dues, sponsorships, and the annual charity event.

Over the past 13 years, PCBA has awarded 20 scholarships and donated more than $180,500 to metro Atlanta organizations.

Source: Peachtree Corners Business Association

This handsome 66-pound boy with the classic black and bronze coat has already proven he's a great companion.

He just needs someone to give him a second chance.

Zuri knows sit, paw, stay, and down, and he's house trained (he takes care of business the moment he gets outside). He loves carrying toys around in his mouth, though he's still working on the "give it back" part of fetch.

During his time in foster, Zuri thrived with a yard to explore and showed his playful side during games of fetch. His low-to-medium energy makes him an easygoing buddy who's happy with a good walk and some backyard time.

Surrendered due to his previous owner's health issues after a year together, Zuri is ready to find his forever family. Will you be the one to give this sweet boy the soft place to land he deserves?

DeKalb County Animal Services (LifeLine Animal Project)
3280 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd, Chamblee, GA 30341
Hours: Mon–Fri 11:00 AM–7:00 PM; Sat–Sun 11:00 AM–6:00 PM
No appointment needed; out-of-state adopters welcome.

See Zuri’s Adoption Profile

🎄 Holiday Glow on the Town Green — Peachtree Corners Town Green | 5:30–8 p.m. | Free | More: Event info
Tree and menorah lighting, music, and activities on the Town Green. Plan to arrive closer to 5 p.m. for easier parking and a calmer window for photos.

✨ Holiday Lights at Brook Run ("Cosmic Wonderland") — Brook Run Park, Dunwoody | Dusk–10 p.m. | Free | More: City calendar
Walk or drive through the seasonal light displays at Brook Run; bundle up and bring cocoa in thermoses for an easy, repeatable weeknight outing.

🩰 Roswell Dance Theatre's The Nutcracker — Byers Theatre, City Springs | 7 p.m. | Ticketed | More: City Springs
Classic full-length Nutcracker with local dancers and big production values; good "first ballet" for kids old enough to sit through a show.

🎭 PLAYhouse Presents Alice in Wonderland Jr. (White Rabbit Cast) — Orbit Arts Academy, Sandy Springs | 7 p.m. | Ticketed | More: Event info
Kid-starring, kid-length musical in a small theatre. Perfect if you've got an elementary-schooler who loves performing or needs a theatre outing sized to their attention span.

⛸️ Skate City Springs — City Green at City Springs | Afternoon & evening sessions | Ticketed | More: Skate details
Outdoor ice rink with holiday music and hot cocoa; reserve your time slot online to avoid walk-up disappointment on a busy Friday night.

🍎 DHA Farmers Holiday Market — Brook Run Park, Dunwoody | 9 a.m.–12 p.m. | Free entry | More: City calendar
Stock up on produce, baked goods, and small gifts while the kids hit the playground. Easy way to support local vendors before the rest of your Saturday.

⛸️ Team Jersey Night at Skate City Springs — City Green at City Springs | 8–10 p.m. | Ticketed | More: Theme night info
Wear your favorite team's jersey and skate under the lights; fun pick for tweens/teens and sports-loving parents.

🎇 Sparkle Sandy Springs — City Springs District, Sandy Springs | 4–8 p.m. | Free | More: Sparkle details
Nighttime parade, tree and menorah lighting, "Sparkle Village" displays, and food/gift market; arrive early if you want a good parade viewing spot.

🎄 Kids Praise Christmas Production — Peachtree Corners Baptist Church | Evening (time on site) | Free | More: Event info
Local kids (Pre-K–5th) wrap up a season of rehearsals with a full production. Great way for extended family to see the kids on stage and keep Sunday night close to home.

🎶 "Come to the Manger" — Dunwoody United Methodist Church | 4 p.m. | Free | More: Event listing
Choirs and instrumental music in a classic sanctuary setting; an easy, reverent way to slow things down in the middle of a busy season.

🎶 Glory of Christmas Concert — Roswell Presbyterian Church (short drive) | 4 p.m. | Free | More: Patch event
Large combined-choir concert with full orchestra and kids/youth ensembles. Good pick if you want a "big" Christmas music moment without heading downtown.

🎶 Christmas Festival Concert at Peachtree Church — Peachtree Church, Atlanta | 5 p.m. | Free (offering taken) | More: Peachtree Church
Choir, handbells, orchestra, and carol singing; more of a destination event, but close enough for Perimeter families willing to hop over to Buckhead.

💙 Blue Christmas Service — Dunwoody United Methodist Church | 6:30 p.m. | Free | More: Event listing
A quieter, more reflective worship service for anyone carrying grief or stress into the holidays.

💚 Holiday Health, Wellness & Entertainment Fair — Hammond Glen, 335 Hammond Dr, Sandy Springs | 12:30–2 p.m. | Free entry | More: Event info
Health vendors, screenings, raffles, and light entertainment. Skews older adults and caregivers, but anyone interested in wellness resources is welcome.

🍸 Holiday Lights at City Springs — City Springs District | Evening | Free to walk, $$ for skating/food | More: Events at City Springs
Stroll the lights, grab a drink or dessert, and people-watch around the Green. Pair it with skating or just enjoy the atmosphere.

Head out early to let kids explore the playground and climb on the big, boat-themed structures while the riverfront is still quiet. Grab a bench or porch swing facing the Chattahoochee so you can sip coffee while they run back and forth between the play area and the open lawn. A short stroll on the paved path down toward the water is just enough "hike" for littles without committing to a full trail.

Pack snacks or a simple picnic and aim for a mid-afternoon window when the sun is lower but there's still plenty of light on the water. Bigger kids can toss a frisbee in the open field, explore the short wooded trail, or watch paddlers launch from the dock, while younger ones rotate between the playground and the porch swings. If you have access to kayaks or SUPs (or rent nearby in season), you can turn it into a longer river day, but it works just as well as a quick "get out of the house" break.

Look for the fire pit area and the cluster of porch swings with some of the best river views. Great spot for quiet conversations or a few minutes to yourself while kids play within sight. The short trail through the trees gives you a little nature fix and connects different parts of the park without ever being far from the car, which is handy with toddlers.

There's a dedicated parking lot right by the main entrance, with a short walk down to the playground, pavilion, and river overlook. Restrooms are in a permanent building near the core of the park, and there are plenty of picnic tables and pavilions that are first-come, first-served most weekdays.

Visit the park’s website

Before you haul those tangled strands out of the attic, a few minutes of prep can save you a trip to urgent care. Start by testing every string on the ground before climbing anywhere. Plug them in, check for frayed wires, cracked sockets, and burnt-out bulbs. Toss any strand that's damaged; replacement LEDs are cheap, and so is peace of mind.

When it's ladder time, the rule is simple: always have a spotter. Even better, use a stabilizer bar attachment ($25–40 at Lowe's or the Home Depot on Ashford Dunwoody) that keeps your ladder from sliding on gutters.

Set up on firm, level ground. Never on a deck, porch, or that sketchy patch of mulch by the downspout. And the three-point rule applies: always have two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand, in contact with the ladder at all times.

For roofline work, skip the staples and nails entirely. Plastic light clips ($8–15 per 100-pack) snap onto gutters and shingles without damaging your roof. They also make takedown way easier in January when your motivation is at an all-time low.

One more thing: outdoor lights need outdoor-rated extension cords (look for "W" on the jacket), and never daisy-chain more than three strands together. If you're plugging into an outdoor outlet, make sure it's GFCI-protected. Most newer homes have this, but if yours doesn't, an adapter costs about $20 and could prevent a serious shock.