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Decatur Annual Holiday Ornament Unveiling
November 7 • 6 pm
Odd Bird, 149 Sycamore St., Decatur, GA
FREE!
Ready for some holiday magic? Decatur’s kicking off the holiday season with the big reveal of the 2024 City of Decatur holiday ornament! Join us for the unveiling and meet this year’s local artist at Odd Bird at 6 pm. The ornaments are A limited number of ornaments will be available for sale at local shops.
This is the first of six Terrific Thursdays in Decatur throughout the holiday season. Terrific Thursdays bring sleigh-loads of festive fun each week to the downtown Decatur Square and into our local shops November through December. Join us for fun events and Santa sightings. Shop merry and late at many local shops with snacks, sips, sales, and discounts. Keep scrolling for all the magic!
Where's Santa?
November 14 • 6
Downtown Decatur
FREE!
Santa’s taking a break from his North Pole duties for a night out in Decatur! Join the Terrific Thursday holiday fun and search for him as he pops into local shops to spread cheer and pick out presents.
From toys and handcrafted goods to cozy reads and winter wear, Santa knows he’ll find the perfect gifts for everyone on his list, and you will too! Shop merry and late at local stores, snagging snacks and sales. Snap a selfie with Santa if you spot him! (Tag @visitdecaturga!)
Santa Pictures With Pets
November 21 • 6-8 pm
Downtown Decatur Square, 101 East Court Sq.
FREE!
Bring your pets and snap a photo with Santa on the Square! Furry, feathery, or scaly – all are welcome! Remember to bring your camera or smartphone to capture the fun! All pets must be well-behaved, properly restrained, and up-to-date with vaccinations.
Decatur’s Taj Ma Hound will be selling puppy, holiday-themed treats.
This event is free; donations for LifeLine Animal Project will be accepted.
Santa on the Square
Saturday, November 30 • 10 am-2pm
Downtown Decatur Square, 101 East Court Sq.
FREE!
Santa is coming to town! 🎅 Join us on the square for a holiday season kickoff celebration where your little ones can bring their wish lists and take photos with Ol’ St. Nick—remember to bring that camera! Enjoy warm cookies and cold milk together 🥛🍪 while watching whimsical stilt walkers.
Kids can shop at the DeKalb Youth Entrepreneurial Market or create a special make and take ornament with the Decatur Makers. And the Santa Mail station will be set up where they can write their letters and send them straight to the North Pole!
While you’re here, make the most of Small Business Saturday. “Shop Small” around the city and then enjoy free gift wrapping for your city of Decatur purchases from 10 am to 2 pm. While you wait, enter the raffle for our splendiferous gift basket packed with Decatur-branded goods and local treats. It’s a wonderful day of holiday cheer and supporting local businesses!
Small Business Saturday
Saturday, November 25 • 10 am-4 pm
Downtown Decatur
Skip the algorithm, shop merry, and get your holiday shopping done early — all while supporting Decatur’s local businesses! There will be free gift wrapping on the Square for city of Decatur purchases, 10 am – 2 pm.
Keep your receipts! Check out the Shop Early Promo and earn a $20 gift card!
Tree Lighting
Thursday, December 5 • 6 pm
Downtown Decatur Square, 101 East Court Sq.
FREE!
🎄✨Light up the night with Decatur’s annual tree lighting in Downtown Decatur. The fun starts at 6 pm with holiay carols, hot cocoa, and gingerbread cookies by the tree. The F.AVE Chorus will perform.
<strong>Santa himself flips the switch to light the tree on the square at 7 p.m. sharp.</strong> Afterward, there’ll be “snow.”
Sponsored by the Little Shop of Stories. This event is FREE and family-friendly.
<h4>Trees for Toys</h4>
Come early, bring a toy and receive an evergreen seedling! Make the swap at the community bandstand 4-7 pm. All toys are donated to Toys for Tots.
Bonfire + Marshmallow Roast
Thursday, December 12 • 6 pm
Downtown Decatur Square, 101 East Court Sq.
FREE!
Once a year, the Decatur Fire Department supervises a roaring bonfire on the square! 🔥And yes, there are marshmallows for roasting!
The bonfire is lit at 6 pm. Marshmallow roasting begins at 7 pm.
The event is FREE; marshmallows, too. (Available while supplies last.) You can bring your own marshmallows as well.
SantaCon
Saturday, December 14 • 8 pm
Downtown Decatur Square, 101 East Court Sq.
Mix, mingle, jingle, and toast to the holidays with your friends and fellow Santas at SantaCon in Decatur! Grown-ups, this night of festive frolic is just for you. Dress in your jolliest attire (Santa suits, elf and reindeer ‘fits, or all out Grinch). There’s a contest! And get ready for karaoke, holiday-style. You’ll find plenty of pubs and restaurants steps away for cocktails, mocktails, savory bites and sweet treats to keep your spirits bright.
🍸Take your drink with you. Decatur has an open container zone in our downtown businesses district.
Screen on the Square: The Grinch
Thursday, December 19 • Movie at 6 pm
Downtown Decatur Square, 101 East Court Sq.
FREE!
Steal away to Whoville! Screen on the Square Movie Series presents a holiday classic: The Grinch.
Grumpy, green, and with one big scheme the Grinch that sets off an equally hilarious and heartwarming adventure in this 2018 animated film. Bring your blankets and cozy up under the stars on the Decatur Square—who knows, maybe your heart will grow a few sizes!
Arrive early to secure your spot and enjoy the pre-movie festivities, including a special appearance from Santa before the film starts! Plus, enjoy free popcorn on us (while supplies last). Everyone is welcome to this FREE community event, perfect for families.
Menorah Lighting
Sunday, December 29 • 4:30 pm
Downtown Decatur Square, 101 East Court Sq.
FREE!
🕎Join in the Chanukah celebration on the square. Enjoy hot drinks, latkes, music, photos with Mr. Dreidel, and the Chanukah gelt drop by the Decatur Fire Department.
Hosted by Chabad Intown, chabadintown.org.
Shop Early, Shop Local
Letters to Santa
🎅📝✨Have you written to Santa, yet? Send your letter straight to the North Pole! We will have a Santa Mail station on the square Nov. 30 during our Santa on the Square and Shop Small Saturday events. Plus, three special delivery drop-offs in Decatur starting Nov. 30:
📫 Decatur Visitors Center, 113 Clairemont Ave.
📫 Kelly’s Market, 308 E. Howard Ave.
📫 Oakhurst Market, 650 East Lake Dr.
✉️Psst: We hear Santa might write back this year. Parents, make sure your kids include a return address!
This Week In Decatur
But wait, there’s more! Our calendar is jam-packed with weekly community happenings. Catch a show at Eddie’s Attic, swing by a book signing, check out an exhibit, sign up for a workshop, or join in a walking tour. Find out what’s happening each and every week right here!