Holiday cheer: History Center nights, concerts by Atlanta Boy Choir, Ga. Festival Chorus, more

The halls and spiral staircase at the Swan House at the Atlanta History Center are decked for Christmas.

Credit: hpousner

Credit: hpousner

The halls and spiral staircase at the Swan House at the Atlanta History Center are decked for Christmas.

EVENTS

History center visits Christmas past

On two Thursdays in December, the Atlanta History Center will host candle-lit strolls through scenes of Christmas past. Characters from Georgia's history will revive traditions from pioneer days, the Civil War era and the 1930s, and visitors can enjoy music, refreshments, candle-dipping, blacksmithing and open-hearth cooking, among other activities: 6-10 p.m. Thursday and 6-10 p.m. Dec. 18; tickets: $10 members; $15 nonmembers; $8 children; 404-814-4000, AtlantaHistoryCenter.com/family. BO EMERSON

Doll adoption for the holidays

North Georgia artist Emily Birdsong passed away this fall, leaving a grouping of her Birdsong Dolls in need of adoption. Sycamore Place Gallery & Studios, run by Birdsong's long-time friend Sylvia Cross, will be seeking to place these babies with new families (for $25 each, adoption certificate included) at its Holiday Art Show, 5-8 p.m. Dec. 6. Also for sale: paintings, jewelry and ceramics. Flutists Carol and Alan Horne will perform. Hot chocolate will be served. Free. 120 Sycamore Place, Decatur. 404-660-9967, www.decaturartclasses.com. HOWARD POUSNER

CONCERT

Boy Choir presents songs of the season

In its 57th season, the Atlanta Boy Choir is well seasoned in putting on holiday concerts.

Directed by founder Fletcher Wolfe, it kicks off its multi-concert season with its ​Holiday Spectacular at 7:30 pm Dec. 5 at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Featuring 65 boys, 40 men and a chamber orchestra, the concert will feature Christmas carols, Hanukkah songs and selections from masterworks by Vivaldi, Mendelssohn and Saint-Saëns. Tickets, $20. 435 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta.

Another season highlight comes ​7:30 p.m. Dec. 14 when the choir presents a Holiday Extravaganza concert at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 636 W. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur. Tickets: $20.

Full holiday schedule: 404-378-0064, www.atlantaboychoir.org.​ HOWARD POUSNER

Georgia Festival Chorus director Frank Boggs.

Credit: hpousner

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Credit: hpousner

Carols in Marietta by candlelight

The 110-voice Georgia Festival Chorus will present its 24nd annual "Carols by Candlelight" Christmas concert at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church. Frank Boggs conducts the chorus and guest artists tenor Bryan Watt, an "American Idol" finalist, and pianist David Carnes. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. Free. 950 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta. 404-234-3581, www.tgafc.org. HOWARD POUSNER

Haddon Sunblom's depictions of Santa Claus for the Coca-Cola Company are on view during Christmas at Callanwolde at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center.

Credit: hpousner

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Credit: hpousner

For many more holiday events, visit the AJC's holiday guide pages at www.ajc.com/holiday.