Alpharetta, Milton Usher in Christmas With Holiday Events

Residents in Alpharetta and Milton can take to the streets on Friday and Saturday to ring in the holiday season.

Starting Friday, Dec. 5, Alpharetta will kick off its 37th annual Christmas Tree Lighting festivities at 5 p.m. at City Hall, located at 2 South Main Street.

Along with the tree lighting, residents and children alike can enjoy visits and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, shopping in the Alpharetta Christmas Farmers Market & Art in the Park, historic log cabin tours, community holiday performances, roasted marshmallows on Old Roswell Street, free children’s crafts and activities and a “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” read-along with Mayor David Belle Isle and his family.

Unfortunately for motorists, Alpharetta’s festivities will mean street closures in the downtown area.

Road closures will start at 6 a.m. Friday Dec. 5, with additional closures and detours being phased in throughout the day as the community prepares for and celebrates the event.

The following streets will be impacted:

• Milton Avenue closed to all traffic between S.R. 9/Main Street and Roswell/Canton streets: 6 a.m. Friday to 9 p.m Saturday
• Academy Street closed to all traffic between Haynes Bridge Road and S.R. 9/Main Street: 4 p.m. Friday to midnight Saturday
• Old Roswell Street closed to all traffic: 6 a.m. Friday to 9 p.m. Saturday
• Old Canton Street closed to all traffic: 6 a.m. Friday to 9 p.m. Saturday

Detours:

• Haynes Bridge Road northbound detour at Old Milton Parkway: motorists traveling to destinations north of Alpharetta will be encouraged to take westbound Old Milton Parkway to northbound S.R. 9
• Webb Bridge Road westbound detour at Westside Parkway: motorists traveling to destinations on the west side of Alpharetta and beyond will be encouraged to take Westside Parkway to Old Milton Parkway, Cumming Street, or Windward Parkway

Over in Milton, the fun will begin on Saturday with its seventh annual Christmas in Crabapple. The city and CCA host the event from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. in historic downtown Crabapple. Christmas in Crabapple will bring a festive atmosphere to Crabapple Crossroads.

At the Broadwell Cottage there will be Christmas, Hanukkah and holiday music favorites, Santa Claus with photography available from Blencoe and Co. Photographic Arts, face painting, hot chocolate, a bonfire and the return of the North Pole Passport program featuring local businesses.

Broadwell Cottage is at 765 Mid Broadwell Road.

If fire trucks, Santa and pancakes interest you, then you do not want to miss the first Pancake Breakfast with Santa Claus hosted by the Milton Fire Department.

The event will take place from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Dec. 13 at Fire Station 43. This free event will feature Santa, pancakes cooked and served by city of Milton firefighters and fire station tours. Unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots will be accepted.

Fire Station 43 is at 750 Hickory Flat Road in Milton.

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