There's no shortage of holiday fun to be had in Athens. See this list of Christmas events.

The holiday season is here and Athens has plenty of events and performances to celebrate the season. Check out the array of offerings such as parades, concerts and light displays:

Holiday events

• Winter WonderLights - Running through Dec. 30. 2450 S. Milledge Ave., Athens. State Botanical Garden of Georgia. Participants can walk through an accessible half-mile pathway that runs through a thicket of lights. S'mores and hot chocolate stations are located throughout the path. Open 5:30-9 p.m. $15 per person, free for kids 3 years old or younger. There's 10% off for groups of 20 or more and members of Friends of the Garden. Go here for tickets: https://botgarden.uga.edu/wonderlights/wonderlightstickets/.

• Beechwood's Holiday Tree Lighting and Concert - Nov. 24, Dec. 1 and Dec. 8, 6-9 p.m. Get a photo with Santa, listen to live music in an array of holiday lights at the Beechwood Shopping Center. Expect food trucks, s'mores, hot chocolate and face painting. For more information go to: https://beechwoodathens.com/holiday-market-2023/.

• Taylor-Grady House Holiday Cocktail Party - 634 Prince Ave., Athens. Landmark Commons & Epting Events will host a cocktail party on Dec. 1 from 6-8 p.m. Tickets are $25. Go here for tickets: www.eventbrite.com/e/taylor-grady-house-holiday-cocktail-party-tickets-754565253987?aff=oddtdtcreator.

• “Deck the Hollow” Holiday Light Show at Bear Hollow Zoo - Dec. 1 to 3 and 8 to 10, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Activities include local artist vendors, animal encounters and photo opportunities in the zoo illuminated with holiday lights. Admission is $5 per person, free for kids 2 years old and under. For more information go to www.accgov.com/Calendar.aspx?EID=25668.

• The Athens Area Salvation Army Toy Ride 2023 - Dec. 2, 9:30 a.m. registration, ride starts at 11 a.m. Bring a new, unwrapped toy or $20 donation. The ride starts at Cycle World of Athens and ends at Blacks Creek Baptist Church in Commerce. Free coffee, donuts and chili will be provided. For more information go to www.facebook.com/events/892951528391764.

• Downtown Parade of Lights will return to Athens on Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. The parade's theme is "An Art Filled Holiday" and the 2023 Downtown Parade of Lights Parade marshall is renowned local artist Harold Rittenberry Jr., according to the Athens Clarke County website. The parade runs through downtown Athens with parade-themed floats, local marching bands and holiday choruses. Floats will be judged as they reach the stage near the community tree and City Hall, according to a press release. For more information on the parade route, go to www.accgov.com/parade.

• Christmas on the Farm - Dec. 9, 1-5 p.m. 145 W.H. Hayes Rd., Jefferson. Hays-McDonald Farm will host venders and offer boiled peanuts, photos with Santa and Mrs. Clause and more. For more information go to www.facebook.com/events/815930610012575.

• Kids' DIY-U Workshop: Delivery Truck - Dec. 16, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 3341 Lexington Rd., Athens. Lowe's Home Improvement. Hand-build delivery trucks that hold gift cards. For more information go to www.facebook.com/events/231599473257958.

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Holiday concerts and performances

• Irish Christmas: The Show - Nov. 27, 7 p.m. 373 North Church St., Winterville. The Marigold Auditorium. Irish musicians, singers and dancers will perform a Christmas show. Go here for tickets: www.eventbrite.com/e/irish-christmas-in-america-tickets-728815234987.

• Annual Holiday Concert - Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, 7:30 p.m. 250 River Rd., Athens. Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall. Tickets are $10 for kids/students and $25 for adults. Go here for tickets: pac.uga.edu/event/annual-holiday-concert-2/.

• That's Rad Presents: A Very Pop Punk XMas! - Dec. 2, 7-11:30 p.m. 285 W. Washington St., Athens. 40 Watt. Pop punk cover bands play music by Good Charlotte, Blink-182, Green Day and Paramore. Local businesses will giveaway items, plus they're be an ugly sweater contest. Tickets are $10. Go here for tickets: www.eventbrite.com/e/thats-rad-presents-a-very-pop-punk-xmas-tickets-735068729357.

• Christmas Ornaments: A Holiday Concert - Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m. 250 River Rd., Athens. Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall. The Athens Choral Society will perform familiar carols. Free admission.

• A Celtic Christmas with Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy - Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m. 250 River Rd., Athens. Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall. A blend of familiar Christmas music with Celtic songs, story and dance. Go here for tickets: www.facebook.com/events/6394637097298039.

• The Nutcracker: Clara's Christmas Dream Dec. 8 and 9, 7 p.m. 2661 Hog Mountain Rd., Watkinsville. Oconee County Civic Center. Alice DePass Studio of Dance performs a shortened version of "The Nutcracker." Tickets cost $12, free for kids 2 years old and younger. You can purchase tickets in advance at DePass Studio of Dance during class hours, or at the Oconee County Civic Center 45 minutes prior to each performance.

• A Burchfield Family Christmas - Dec. 10, 7-10 p.m. 237 Prince Ave., Athens. Live music at Hendershot's. Go here for tickets: www.samburchfield.com/burchtour.

• Handel's Messiah - Dec. 10, 7:30 p.m. 327 N. Lumpkin St., Athens. The Athens First United Methodist Church will offer a live performance of Handel's Messiah. Free admission.

• The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra: Handel's Messiah - Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m. 230 River Rd., Athens. Hodgson Concert Hall. The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chamber Chorus will perform Handel's Messiah. Tickets are $45 to $85. Go here for tickets: www.facebook.com/events/636481435126637.

• A Very Cowboy Christmas - Dec. 17, 5:30 p.m. to midnight. 351 N. Hull St., Athens. The World Famous. Music performances by Andy & Mandy’s Hard Candy Christmas, Dylan Earl, Little Gold, A.M. Rodriguez, Caleb Hunnicutt and more. No cover, all ages.

• An Afropop Christmas - Dec. 17, 7 p.m. 1065 Gaines School Rd., Athens, Covenant Presbyterian Church. Featuring music by David Aina, Bayo Bello, Quintina Carter-Enyi, Tosinger and Winnie Mburu. Free admission.

• Christmas with John Berry - Dec. 17, 7 p.m. 300 N. Thomas St., Athens. The Classic Center. Grammy-award winner John Berry will perform Christmas songs. Go here for tickets: classiccenter.com/1567/John-Berry.

• The Nutcracker - Dec. 22, 7 p.m. and Dec. 23, 2 p.m. The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine will perform "The Nutcracker." Tickets are $32 to $42 plus applicable fees. Go here for tickets: classiccenter.evenue.net/events/CONC.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Christmas events, lights and musical performances in Athens, Ga.