The annual Season of Celebration returns to downtown Alpharetta this year, launching with the Alpharetta Tree Lighting on Saturday, November 23, from 5 to 9 p.m.
Marking its 46th year, the popular holiday kickoff event invites families and residents to celebrate the season with festive music, holiday treats, and the lighting of a 50-foot Christmas tree, donated by Evans General Contractors, on the Town Green at 6:30 p.m.
This year’s celebration includes family-friendly activities like marshmallow roasting, a holiday storytime hosted by the Metropolitan Ballet Theatre, and warm beverages available for purchase from local favorites like The Ginger Room and Kilwin’s.
Visitors are encouraged to bring portable chairs and settle in for a live jazz performance by the Alpharetta City Band, alongside snow flurries and character meet-and-greets for memorable photo opportunities.
“The tree lighting is one of Alpharetta’s most cherished traditions,” said Mayor Jim Gilvin. “It brings me great joy to see our community come together, sharing the spirit of peace, hope, and love at the heart of the holiday season.”
In addition to the festivities, Alpharetta will host its annual Holiday Food Drive benefiting North Fulton Community Charities from November 23 through December 15. Guests are encouraged to bring non-perishable food donations to the tree lighting event, where they’ll receive a festive jingle bell bracelet as a token of gratitude. Food donation bins will also be available at seven locations across Alpharetta, with 24/7 outdoor tree shelves set up downtown for convenient drop-offs. High-need items include peanut butter, pasta, canned soups, and toiletries, and monetary donations can also be made online at the North Fulton Community Charities website.
The Alpharetta Tree Lighting Ceremony is free and open to all, with parking available in decks at 2 Park Plaza and 92 Milton Avenue. For a complete schedule of Alpharetta’s holiday events and activities, visit the official city website or follow the City of Alpharetta on social media.
B.T. Clark
B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.
