‘Tis the season for music and merriment! Just like the scene in the movie “Home Alone,” there is a place in all of us seeking the peace carried on the simple, melodious sounds of hearing a child sing, and too many of us have not heard a live choir singing in far too long. Check out these local opportunities for great, festive outings, both musical and otherwise. May your heart be lightened by the sights and sounds of the season!
CHURCH EVENTS
Ivy Creek Baptist Church — “The Carols of Christmas”
• 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, 6:30 p.m Saturday, Dec. 4, and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5
• 2500 Ivy Creek Road, Buford
• Free and open to the public
• For more information, visit ivycreekbaptist.org
Sugar Hill Church — “Blue Christmas Service”
• The holiday season can be hard for those who have experienced pain or loss over the years. This year, more than ever, Sugar Hill Church believes this contemplative service is an important one to offer the community.
• 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7
• 5091 Nelson Brogdon Boulevard, Sugar Hill
• Free and open to the public
• For more information, visit sugarhill.church
Johns Creek Baptist Church — “In All of His Glory”
• The JCBC Choir and Orchestra present “In All of His Glory” featuring Christian recording artist Babbie Mason.
• 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11 and Sunday, Dec. 12
• 6910 McGinnis Ferry Road, Alpharetta
• Free and open to the public
• For more information, visit jcbc.org
Buford Church of God — “Best News Ever”
• The BCOG Choir and Orchestra present “Best News Ever” with award-winning special guests and Gospel icons The Nelons.
• 9 and 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 12
• 4800 S. Lee St., Buford
• Free and open to the public
• For more information, visit bcog.me
Free Chapel — “Christmas Spectacular”
• 4 and 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12
• Free Chapel Gainesville campus, 3001 McEver Road, Gainesville
• Free and open to the public
• For more information, visit freechapel.org/gwinnett/events
First Baptist Church of Buford — 10th annual Live Nativity
• Featuring music, s’mores, hot chocolate and animals — complete with a camel!
• 6, 6:45 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 15 and Thursday, Dec. 16
• 4550 Hamilton Mill Road, Buford
• Free and open to the public
• For more information, visit fbcbuford.org
Buford First United Methodist Church — Lessons and Carols
• 9 and 11 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 19
• 285 E. Main St N.E., Buford
• Free and open to the public
• For more information, visit bufordfirstumc.org/christmas-2021
Sugar Hill Church — Candlelight Christmas Eve Service
• 3 and 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 24
• 5091 Nelson Brogdon Boulevard, Sugar Hill
• Free and open to the public
• For more information, visit sugarhill.church
First Baptist Church of Buford — Candlelight Christmas Eve Service
• 3 and 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 24
• 4550 Hamilton Mill Road, Buford
• Free and open to the public
• For more information, visit fbcbuford.org
Gwinnett Church — Christmas Eve Celebration: Christmas for Gwinnett
• 3, 5, and 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 24
• 300 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Sugar Hill
• Free and open to the public
• For more information, visit gwinnettchurch.org
Free Chapel — Christmas Eve Candlelight Services
• 4 and 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 24
• Free Chapel Gwinnett, Braselton and Gainesville campuses
• Free and open to the public
• For more information, visit freechapel.org/gwinnett/events
Buford First United Methodist Church — Christmas Eve Communion Service
• 5, 8, and 11 p.m. Friday, Dec. 24
• 285 E. Main St N.E., Buford
• Free and open to the public
• For more information, visit bufordfirstumc.org/christmas-2021
Buford Church of God — Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
• 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 24
• 4800 S. Lee St., Buford
• Free and open to the public
• For more information, visit bcog.me
SCHOOL EVENTS
Buford City Schools Community Holiday Concert
• 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 8
• Buford Arena, 2795 Sawnee Ave., Buford
• Free and open to the public
• For more information, visit bufordcityschools.org
Lanier High School Fine Arts Winter Spectacular
• The Lanier High School Fine Arts Department invites you to ring in the holiday season with performances by the Lanier High School band, chorus, orchestra and theater as well as art displayed before, during and after each performance.
• 5 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 11
• Lanier High School theater, 918 Buford Highway, Sugar Hill
• $5 advance purchase tickets only at LanierHS.booktix.com
North Gwinnett Middle School Guitar Ensembles
• The North Gwinnett Middle School Guitar Ensembles will present their sixth, seventh and eighth grade class concerts over two days.
• 6A: 5:15 p.m.; 7A: 6:15 p.m.; 8A: 7:15 p.m. Monday, Dec. 13
• 6B: 5:15 p.m.; 7B: 6:15 p.m.; 8B: 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 14
• NGMS cafeteria, 170 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Sugar Hill
• Free and open to the public
North Gwinnett High School Band Concert
• The North Gwinnett Symphonic Band and Symphonic Winds invite you to join them for an evening of wind band music with two of the premiere bands NGHS has to offer. You will be taken on a musical journey featuring holiday classics.
• 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 14
• NGHS auditorium, 20 Level Creek Road, Sugar Hill
• Free and open to the public
• For more information, visit northgwinnettbands.org
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Suwanee’s Jolly Holly Day
• This event will include performances by local schools, a tree lighting, photos with Santa, free crafts and more
• 6:30 to 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3
• Town Center Park, 220 Town Center Ave., Suwanee
• For more information, visit suwanee.com
Buford Community Center — Mike Farris Sings! The Soul of Christmas
• The Buford Community Center presents Mike Farris and his 13-piece band to share the “Soul of Christmas.”
• 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3
• 2200 Buford Highway, Buford
• Tickets are $35 to $45
• For more information, visit bufordcommunitycenter.com
Buford School of Ballet — “Star of Wonder”
• The Buford School of Ballet presents its 25th annual production of “Star of Wonder.”
• 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, and 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5
• Eagle Theatre at Sugar Hill, 5029 W. Broad St.
• $20 to $80
• For more information, visit eagleatsugarhill.com/event/star-of-wonder
Run, Run Rudolph 5K
• The race is USATF certified and electronically chip timed by Performance Race Services.
• 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 4
• Town Center Park, 220 Town Center Ave., Suwanee
• $30
• For more information, visit runsignup.com/Race/GA/Suwanee/HappyfeatsRunRunRudolph
Buford Business Alliance Holiday Festival and Parade
• 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4
• Main Street, historic downtown Buford
• Free and open to the public
• For more information, go to vistbuford.com/events
City of Sugar Hill’s Holiday Celebration Under the Stars
• Holiday Celebration Under the Stars at the Dawn P. Gober Community Plaza and The Bowl. Pose for free photos with Santa and shop at the holiday market. Ice skate on a rink as big as the one at Rockefeller Center and enjoy performances by the Broad St. Concert Band, All Stars and On The Stage Theatre Alliance.
• 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4
• Downtown Sugar Hill
• For more information, visit cityofsugarhill.com
Acting Up Theatre presents “Hark, Harold, The Angels Are Singing”
• A family Christmas play. The Christmas story, like you’ve never seen it before, is told from the perspective of the caravan of the Wise Men. Follow Bananas the monkey, Taxi the camel and Tarana as they seek the infant King foretold by the star. A fun romp for all ages, “Hark!” is sure to entertain this Christmas season!
• 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10
• Riverstone Church, 5012 Bristol Industrial Way, Buford
• This is a ticketed fundraiser for Riverstone Kids/Acting Up Theatre
• For more information, email Rachel Stephens at ivebeenactingup@gmail.com
Christmas with John Berry: The Silver Anniversary Tour
• Sugar Hill Live on Stage presents John Berry in concert.
• 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 17
• Eagle at Sugar Hill, 5029 W. Broad St.
• $50 to $70, and tickets are limited; ticket sales end Wednesday, Dec. 16
• For more information, visit eagleatsugarhill.com
Flowery Branch Christmas Market Block Party
• Flowery Branch is bringing back live downtown events with its Christmas Market Block Party. The event will include photos with Santa, holiday music, specialty food, gift vendors and family activities.
• 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18
• Flowery Branch Train Depot
• For more information, visit branchblockparty.com
Buford Community Center — John Driskell Hopkins Christmas
The Buford Community Center welcomes John Driskell Hopkins and a holiday orchestra to the Sylvia Beard Theatre stage.
8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18
2200 Buford Highway, Buford
$35 to $45
For more information, visit bufordcommunitycenter.com
Artisan Holiday Market and Small Works
• This art exhibition will feature artwork created by members of the Suwanee Art Center.
• Through Friday, Jan. 14
• 3930 Charleston Market St., Unit B6
• For more information, visit suwaneeartscenter.org/artisanholidaymarket
