Perimeter Pre-Thanksgiving ✨ Lanterns & Live Music

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This is that funny in-between weekend where the turkey is still thawing, the guest room is half made, and everyone’s quietly negotiating who’s in charge of pie. 

At our house, we’re using it as a “pre-game” weekend: a little kitchen deep clean, a date night in Dunwoody Village, and some outside time at Dunwoody Nature Center before the real chaos hits.

If you need a lift, the Dunwoody Village Holiday Celebration & Lantern Parade on Sunday is the big one to circle — it’s basically Dunwoody’s official “switch on the holidays” moment, with kids marching through the Village at dusk and the tree lighting to cap it off. 

In between, you’ve got the City Springs ice rink open for family skates and date nights, plus concerts ranging from Los Lonely Boys to a full Beatles Christmas tribute.

Grab what fits your bandwidth this weekend — even if it’s just a lantern kit, an early pizza and gelato at Novo Cucina, and a slow walk through the lights. 

Your future, more-frazzled Thanksgiving self will thank you.

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Dunwoody Village area, Dunwoody
Sunday, Nov 23, 2025
3:00–7:00 PM
Free admission; pay-as-you-go food, treats & lantern kits
More Details

Dunwoody’s biggest holiday kick-off takes over the Village on Sunday afternoon with live performances, kids’ crafts, mini farm animals, Santa photos, and a community lantern parade that winds through the shops at dusk. 

Expect lines for the most popular activities, but the event is spread across the Village, Plaza and Shops of Dunwoody this year to help keep things moving. 

Pro tip: arrive closer to 3:00 PM to snag parking and time for lantern decorating before lineup; bring layers since you’ll be outside through sunset and the tree/snowflake lighting.

Novo Cucina is an easy “everyone’s happy” pick in Dunwoody Village, with house-made pastas, thin-crust pizzas, and a gleaming gelato bar that pretty much guarantees kids will rally. 

The dining room works for multi-generational groups, and there’s a relaxed bar area if you manage a grown-ups-only night. 

Go earlier in the evening this weekend if you’re pairing it with the lantern parade, or aim for a later reservation after the crowds thin for a quieter date-night feel.

Details & menu

Tucked inside the historic Cheek-Spruill House at the corner of Chamblee Dunwoody and Mt. Vernon, Under the Pecan Tree is the kind of cozy gift shop that makes holiday shopping feel fun instead of frantic. 

You’ll find everything from candles and jewelry to books, baby gifts and Southern-ish home décor — perfect for host gifts, teacher thank-yous, or that one relative who “doesn’t need anything.”

It’s local-pickup only (no shipping), so it’s very much a “swing by while you’re already in the Village” kind of stop.

Browse/learn more

Dunwoody’s “Holiday HQ” campaign is officially live, tying together events like Light Up Dunwoody, the Village Holiday Celebration, ice skating at High Street and light displays at Brook Run into one season-long calendar. The idea is to help residents (and visitors) see Dunwoody as a one-stop holiday destination instead of piecing together events from separate sites. Expect more signage, banners and social posts pointing people to the Holiday HQ hub over the next few weeks.

Source: Discover Dunwoody / Holiday HQ pages

Dunwoody Nature Center has finished major improvements to its wetland area, including a new ADA-friendly boardwalk and refreshed trail connections near Wildcat Creek. Beyond making the park more accessible for strollers and wheelchairs, the updates also protect the wetlands from erosion and heavy foot traffic. For families, it basically means an easier loop with more “wow” moments (think creek overlooks and photo-worthy bridge views).

Source: Dunwoody Nature Center

Aphrodite is one of those dogs who looks a little serious in photos but melts the minute you’re actually in the kennel with her. 

She’s a medium-energy pup who loves people time and would thrive with a family that mixes couch cuddles with regular walks or yard play. 

Staff and volunteers describe her as affectionate and eager to please; she’d likely do best with sturdy kids and a home that’s ready to keep working on basic manners and enrichment.

Available via LifeLine Animal Project at DeKalb County Animal Services — 3280 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd, Chamblee, GA 30341

Hours: Check website for current adoption hours
Phone: (404) 294-2165

See Her Full Profile

🧊 City Green Ice Rink Opening Weekend — City Springs, Sandy Springs | 2:00–10:00 PM | $18 adults / $15 kids (includes skate rental) | More
Outdoor rink skating under the lights with music, rentals included and easy parking in the deck; great for burning off school energy without committing to a full-day outing.

🧊 City Green Ice Rink — City Springs, Sandy Springs | 2:00–10:00 PM | $18 adults / $15 kids | More
Easy after-school or after-work outing; reserve ahead if you want a prime evening time slot.

🍐 Sandy Springs Farmers Market —  City Springs, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs | 8:30 AM–12:00 PM | Free entry | More
Shop fruits, vegetables, and more from local artisans and farmers, rain or shine.

🌳 Dunwoody Nature Center Play Day — Dunwoody Nature Center | 9:00 AM–dusk | Free (donations welcome) | More
Low-key Saturday option: playground, boardwalk, creeks and trails. Pack snacks or a picnic and let kids scramble on the rocks while you sneak in a little fresh air before guests arrive next week.

🧊 City Green Ice Rink — City Springs, Sandy Springs | 10:00 AM–10:00 PM | $18 adults / $15 kids | More
More daytime skating windows if Friday was too packed; pair with lunch at one of the City Springs restaurants for a full outing.

🎄 Dunwoody Village Holiday Celebration & Lantern Parade — Dunwoody Village area | 3:00–7:00 PM | Free admission | More
Expect performances, crafts, Santa photos and the community lantern parade at dusk; arrive early to decorate lanterns and build in time for parking and bathroom breaks.

🎸 Los Lonely Boys — Byers Theatre at City Springs, Sandy Springs | 8:00 PM | Tickets from ~$55+ | More
Texican rock at Byers Theatre makes for a solid Thursday date night; grab dinner at City Springs beforehand and know you’ll be back home well before midnight.

🎤 Funny Fridays with Joel Byars — Studio Theatre at City Springs | 7:00 PM | Around $35–$40 | More
Local-leaning stand-up in the smaller Studio Theatre space — close enough for easy rideshares and early enough to still grab a drink or dessert after the show.

🍸 Date-Night Skate at City Green Ice Rink — City Springs | Evening sessions between 6:00–10:00 PM | $18 per person | More
If you like the idea of a Hallmark-movie moment without driving to the mountains, an evening skate plus a nightcap nearby is an easy win.

🎶 Jessica Vosk: SLEIGH — Byers Theatre at City Springs | 8:00 PM | Tickets roughly $57–$90 | More
Broadway star Jessica Vosk brings a holiday concert that feels festive without being too saccharine; great option if you want a “grown-up” night that still feels seasonal.

🎵 RAIN: A Beatles Christmas Tribute — Byers Theatre at City Springs | 7:00 PM | Tickets from ~$50+ | More
Beatles classics with a holiday tilt to close out the weekend; think multi-generational crowd, lots of sing-along moments, and a nice reset before the Thanksgiving week sprint.

Dunwoody Nature Center — 5343 Roberts Dr, Dunwoody, GA 30338

Morning strategy (8–10 AM): Hit the playground and new boardwalk early while it’s still quiet; the loop around the wetland area is now stroller-friendly and great for littles who like to “explore” but don’t need a full hike. Look for birds and turtles around Wildcat Creek and use the bridges as natural “photo spots” if you’re overdue for a family picture.

Afternoon plan (2–5 PM): Bring a blanket for the meadow and let kids bounce between the playground, creek edges and open field games. If you’ve got bigger kids, take one of the longer wooded loops while the others hang at the play area — it’s easy to regroup at the main pavilion.

Hidden features: Nature-themed play elements, a small pollinator garden, quiet benches along the creek, the new elevated boardwalk sections, and plenty of “nature treasures” (pinecones, leaves, rocks) for toddlers to collect.

Parking tips: The main lot off Roberts Drive can fill on pretty fall weekends; there’s overflow grass parking for bigger events, but for a normal day you’re usually fine if you come before mid-afternoon. Bathrooms are in the main building near the playground, and there are water fountains by the pavilion, so you can travel light.

Google Maps

Before you throw a 20-pound bird and six casseroles into heavy rotation, it’s worth giving your kitchen a quick once-over. Check that your oven is heating evenly (a simple oven thermometer can tell you if you’re running hot or cold), make sure nothing flammable is stored on or above the stove, and test your smoke detectors if it’s been a while. If you’ve had any “that’s probably fine” moments with an outlet, burner or breaker tripping when multiple appliances are on, this is the week to deal with it — not mid-meal. And if you’re deep-frying a turkey, do it outdoors, away from the house, on level ground with a fire extinguisher nearby.