"Candlelight Nights. " Christmas at the Atlanta History Center

The Atlanta History Center invites guests to step back in time and experience Christmases past during Candlelight Nights on two very special Friday evenings, December 13 and 20. During these family-friendly events visitors can stroll wooded trails illuminated by the sweet glow of candlelight, connecting to the spirit of simpler holiday pleasures.

Guests will be welcomed inside Atlanta History Museum by Santa Claus and a lively Holiday Market filled with local and international crafts and artist creations. Then they can visit each of the three historic houses to experience Southern holiday traditions during the Civil War era (Smith Family Farm), 1930s (Atlanta’s beloved mansion, the Swan House), and pioneer days (Wood Family Cabin). Live, timeless holiday music will fill the air, and enthusiastic interpreters will bring characters from the pages of history to life at these historic abodes, each handsomely dressed in period holiday decorations and featuring spellbinding activities of the season. Priceless memories will be made.

WHAT: Candlelight Nights, Atlanta History Center’s annual holiday tradition.

WHEN: Friday, December 13, 2019, 5:30 – 9:30pm

Friday, December 20, 2019, 5:30 – 9:30pm

WHERE: Atlanta History Center; 130 West Paces Ferry Road; Atlanta, GA

ADMISSION: This special holiday program is $20 for public; $10 for children; $15 for members. Purchase advance tickets at AtlantaHistoryCenter.com.

INFORMATION: 404.814.4000; AtlantaHistoryCenter.com/Family.

Not done with your holiday shopping yet? Purchase special one-of-a-kind gifts from local artists and craftspeople.

Featured Artists and Craft Masters For December 20:

1. Olivia Thomason – folk art paintings and fine art prints by Atlanta’s award-winning artist
2. Johari Africa – jewelry and other artsy items made by Clarkston refugee women and African female artists

3. Sunavworld – home goods, art items imported from Nepal

4. Mingei World Arts – Vintage treasures and fine craft from artisans and markets of the world

5. Ivy Abena – imported African baskets and pillows from African fabrics

6. Rachel Campbell and Mimi Bradberry – paintings and stained glass

7. Gina Renay – crochet décor and clothing

8. Kristin Replogle – art with spiritual bent

9. Celena Schoen – folk pottery

10. Tortured Pine Pottery – pottery bowls and platters

11. Gina Kirlew – artist-created stickers

12. Gina Nolte – handmade baskets

13. Mary Boyle – jewelry

14. Polly Sherrill – pottery

15. Jimella’s Bakery – cookies

Visit with Santa Claus

Garden Overlook

6:30-9:30pm

Ho-ho-ho! Grab your camera and get ready to photograph the family while your crew visits with Old Saint Nick.

Mama Koku’s Holiday Stories

Exhibition Hall

5:45pm, 6:45pm, 7:45pm

An Atlanta History Center favorite, the storyteller helps us celebrate a diverse December with stories that highlight the traditions of Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa mixed in with a few winter tales that will leave you feeling warm inside.

All Aboard!

Texas locomotive, Rollins Gallery

6:30pm, 7:30pm, 8:30pm

Enjoy a special holiday story at our newly restored Texas locomotive and become immersed in the spirit of the holidays as you get ready to board a train to the North Pole!

Octave

Exhibition Hall

6:15pm, 7:15pm, 8:15pm

Enjoy Atlanta’s favorite female a cappella singing group performing holiday favorites. Octave was founded in 1996 and has grown and changed its membership, each new addition adding something amazing to the group. Members are teachers, writers, executives, pharmacists, athletes, dancers, grammar geeks, attorneys, and moms—all brought together for great music, great friendships, and great fun.

Reindeer Games with Aurora Theatre

Kennedy Theatre

8:00pm

Aurora Theatre produces more than 800 events each year for guests of all ages and tastes. With the Lawrenceville troupe’s Reindeer Games, talented performers engage guests in amusing, interactive improv comedy and sing joyful holiday tunes.

Smith Family Farm

Travel to Christmastime during the Civil War and be welcomed into the holiday traditions on Smith Farm. Encounter characters from 1861 and participate in traditional crafts and activities as you help them decorate for a very special Christmas.

1861 Christmas tree lighting

Front yard

6:00pm, 7:00pm, 8:00pm, 9:00pm

The sounds of caroling greet you as you gather round to light the candles on the Christmas tree.

Behind the Scenes: A Christmas Feast

Smith Family Farm kitchen

6:00pm, 7:00pm, 8:15pm, 9:15pm

Learn about the special Christmas dinner being cooked for the Smith family and see open hearth demonstrations of traditional Civil War-era delicacies.

The Yule Log

Enslaved People’s Cabin

6:15pm, 7:15pm, 8:15pm, 9:00pm

Listen to stories and songs by the fire as the enslaved community celebrates Christmas and hopes for the end of slavery. Afterward, visit with interpreters as they discuss resistance and the history of holidays for the enslaved.

Stephen, Meet the Past Museum Theatre Performance

Smith Farmhouse front porch

6:30pm, 7:30pm

Meet Stephen, an enslaved woodworker who must face a crucial decision regarding his future and that of his family during the holiday season. This decision will impact the lives of those closest to him, for better or worse.

Ongoing Activities

· Popcorn and garland making

· Create salt-dough ornament

· Candle-dipping

· Blacksmithing

· Open-hearth cooking

Swan House

Revel in the holiday season of 1930 as you are transported to a Jazz Age Christmas party at the lavishly decorated Swan House while the Inman family and its staff celebrates Christmas.

1930s-style The Laura Coyle Trio

Grand Foyer

6:30pm, 7:30pm, 8:30pm

Step back in time with the Laura Coyle trio as it performs holiday standards. One of the most sought-after singers on the Atlanta jazz scene, Laura Coyle brings a timeless voice and masterful sense of swing to her performances. She collaborates with many of the best musicians in the city and sings with a genuine love for the lyrics, and the traditions of jazz music

Ongoing Activities

· Create your own 1930s-style holiday postcards to send to your family and friends.

· Get ready for the Inman family holiday party by making a fun headband—either for yourself or as a gift!

Wood Family Cabin

Stop at our bonfire and enjoy some cider and s’mores!

Atlanta Sacred Harp Singers

7:00pm & 8:00pm

The Atlanta Sacred Harp Singers are a group that performs historic a cappella shape note hymns from The Sacred Harp, a collection of hymns first published in Georgia in 1844. Its performances entertain and inspire listeners through the active tradition of community sacred singing, which originated in early 19th century Georgia.

Food and Drink

Lovies BBQ will be vending its delicious barbecue and sides.

Cash bars are located throughout the campus for some holiday cheer!

ABOUT ATLANTA HISTORY CENTER

Founded in 1926, the Atlanta History Center is an all-inclusive, 33-acre destination featuring the Atlanta History Museum, one of the nation’s largest history museums, including the new Cyclorama: The Big Picture experience; three historic houses—the 1920s Swan House, the 1860s Smith Family Farm, and the 1830s Wood Family Cabin; Goizueta Gardens; Kenan Research Center; the Grand Overlook event space; a museum shop; Souper Jenny café; and BRASH coffee shop. In addition, the Atlanta History Center welcomes visitors to the Margaret Mitchell House at Atlanta History Center Midtown.

404.814.4000 or visit AtlantaHistoryCenter.com.

"The best family-friendly Christmas event in the Southeast." Doc Lawrence, journalist, author, broadcaster.