As the weather gets colder, holiday lights sparkle and the spirit of the holidays is in the air. Families gather on Canton Street in Roswell for another year of holiday cheer and celebrating with food, family and friends. Every year, the City of Roswell creates a winter wonderland with a series of annual occasions that bring together one sparkle at a time. From Breakfast with Santa at Roswell Area Park, to The Nutcracker at Roswell Cultural Arts Center and the Annual Lighting of the Christmas Tree at Heart of Roswell Park, each of these events are annual traditions that’s guests return to every year.
Why Holiday Traditions Matter to Roswell
The City of Roswell has grown exponentially over the years and now is home to over 90,000 residents. The community of Roswell filled with both residents and visitors is what keeps the holiday spirit alive. Annual holiday traditions help grow community, foster belonging and strengthen Roswell’s City pride. By stewarding family-friendly celebrations, prioritizing accessibility and creating culture and shared traditions, Roswell is one step closer to becoming #1 Family Community in America.
Signature Holiday Events
Here’s a sample of Roswell’s signature holiday traditions that help keep the magic alive!
Breakfast With Santa
Breakfast with Santa is the signature occasion that Roswell families look forward to year after year. This special holiday tradition takes place at the Bill Johnson Community Activity Building, located in Roswell Area Park. Breakfast with Santa features a homemade pancake and topping bar, exciting holiday activities, and the main event, an opportunity to meet and greet Santa Claus. This warm, festive environment makes this a memorable tradition for families and kids of all ages.
The experience includes a DJ playing holiday favorites, a craft, and fun interactive activities. Throughout Breakfast, Santa is seated in front of a beautifully decorated holiday backdrop, and families have the opportunity to spend time and take personal photos.
Behind the scenes, the preparation for Breakfast with Santa is no small feat! Roswell’s Recreation staff and volunteer breakfast chefs prepare large batches of pancake batter and spend the day transforming the venue into a lovely holiday haven. The attention to detail ensures that guests are met with fresh, hot pancakes and a jolly experience as soon as they walk through the door. Every year, the Santa makes his appearance, which creates a memory that kids look forward to every season.
My favorite part of Breakfast with Santa is seeing the same families come back year after year – it really shows how special the tradition has become. It’s always fun to see how much the kids have grown and to hear their newest wish lists [for Santa].”
Abigail Marsh, Recreation Coordinator
Breakfast with Santa is sold-out this year, but the wait-list is still open! To learn more about this Roswell tradition, visit Roswell365.com.
Atlanta Vocal Project Ringin’ In the Holidays
Ring in the Holidays with Atlanta Vocal Project, is a must-see musical experience starring the award-winning acapella ensemble. Atlanta Vocal Project has become a returning Roswell holiday act, bringing cheer through their beautiful arrangements of traditional Christmas carols. The ensemble consists of 75-100 male singers whose voices fill the entire theatre at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center. With perfect-pitch and an unforgettable sound, Atlanta Vocal Project captivates the audience with musical magic one carol at a time.
Atlanta Vocal Project is an award-winning barbershop-style ensemble that has competed in acapella competitions around the world. The group is made up of local Metro Atlanta volunteers, who love to serve the community of Roswell and bring the gift of sound to the City every year. Their voices have been heard around the world, and it is a pleasure to have them perform two shows in Roswell this year.
Audiences can feel that every note comes straight from the heart. We hope people walk away wrapped in that feeling: the warmth, the peace, the sense of togetherness that only music can bring. It’s truly the purest offering of holiday cheer.”
Al Stilo, Cultural Arts Coordinator
Receive the gift of song this year and hear the phenomenal voices of Atlanta Vocal Project at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center. Visit roswell365.com to purchase tickets!
Annual Lighting of the Christmas Tree
The Annual Lighting of the Christmas Tree is a Roswell tradition that marks the beginning of the holiday season. This hallmark event, features a stunning 40-foot Christmas tree, live music by local choirs, a visit from Santa Claus, and a variety of activities and treats for the whole family.
Preparation for the Lighting begins in the late spring and summer. The Special Events team keeps in contact with the North Pole, while the Parks team ensures the lighting and tree installation is prepared in time for the holiday season. Each year, the planning team incorporates special interactive moments, festive treats, and joyful surprises to create a memorable experience for attendees.
The Lighting of the Christmas Tree specifically provides a moment of childlike wonder for all ages. It brings back the joy of the simple things, it allows us to embrace the novelty of holiday memories, and when the tree is finally lit, full awe.“
Andie Gambrel, Special Events Coordinator
Last year, there was a surprise forecast of snow and this year an even bigger surprise is in store! This year’s experience will be filled with magic that can only be felt in person. To learn more about the Lighting of the Christmas Tree, visit Roswell365.com.
Atlanta Dance Theatre’s The Nutcracker
Every December for the last decade, the City of Roswell has welcomed Atlanta Dance Theatre (ADT) to the Roswell Cultural Arts Center stage to perform their production of The Nutcracker. Year after year, the community welcomes this show with open arms and embraces it as an annual Roswell tradition.
ADT’s The Nutcracker provides a powerful and deeply personal family-centered production that appeals to all ages. The show features a talented cast and gives an opportunity for young performers to share the big stage with seasoned, professional dancers.
Although many have seen and heard the story of music Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, this production features unexpected wonders and surprises that can only be experienced in Roswell. Each year, Fox 5’s own Paul Milliken and Joanne Feldman not only cover the event but also star as characters in the show! From amazing stage effects to twinkling lights and sparkling costumes, this show physically displays the spirit of the holidays.
The Roswell Cultural Arts Center sets the stage for the season with The Nutcracker performance, hosting four shows. As guests enter the building, they’ll be met with warm smiles, festive décor and a beautiful display of local artwork from the Roswell Photographic Society.
Our team looks forward to this time of year every year. Our guests arrive in their holiday best, spirits are high, and the joy is absolutely infectious,” shared Al Stilo, Coordinator of the Roswell Cultural Arts Center.“
Al Stilo, Cultural Arts Coordinator
Visit roswell365.com to purchase tickets to The Nutcracker or call the Roswell Cultural Arts Center Box Office at 770-594-6232.
Deck The Square
Deck the Square, Roswell’s newest tradition, is a beautiful display of community-decorated trees at Roswell Historic Town Square. This display features 50 individual trees, all uniquely decorated by Roswell residents, families, community organizations, businesses and visitors.
Deck the Square not only brings the community together but also connects holiday lighting and décor in Roswell’s Historic District from the Square to Barrington and Bulloch Hall.
In early December, Roswell’s Parks team installs 50 trees and runs the electricity needed to power all of the trees at once. Families and organizations come together to decorate their tree, creating fun memories and a tradition that will last well beyond the life of the tree. Each tree is creatively decorated with different themes, ornaments and colors making each year a distinct affair.
The lights of the trees are lit simultaneously with the lights for the Roswell’s Annual Lighting of the Christmas Tree. Guests can stroll through the Square to admire the beautifully displayed trees following the Lighting of the Christmas Tree.
“[Deck the Square] allows residents to build traditions that enable them to cherish Roswell as their home. It brings community groups in front of the public to display what they have accomplished over the year and inform the public of what they are working towards for the next year.”
Andie Gambrell, Special Events Coordinator
To learn more about Deck the Square and to view the trees, please visit Roswell365.com.
Dance Starz Presents Annual Holiday Show “Clara’s Land of Sweets”
Since 2019, Roswell Dance Starz has curated an annual holiday production at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center. With sold out shows, whimsical costumes and storytelling choreography, this show has become a beloved holiday tradition for both the dancers and the audience. This year’s production is called “Clara’s Land of Sweets” and will feature a cast of 60+ performers, aged 7-18. This end-of-the-year show serves as a celebration commemorating the hard work and brilliant talent of the Roswell Dance Starz performers.
Clara’s Land of Sweets is a family-friendly hour-long production, featuring vivid costumes, engaging storytelling and choreography. Planning for this show begins all the way in May and is artfully designed to engage audience members of all ages. The show highlights creativity and artistry amongst young, talented performers. The routine is high energy and audience members are guaranteed to feel the magic flowing from the stage. Audience members can look forward to the entire production, which will end with all 67 dancers of the cast performing together in the finale.
“My hope is that our production will put smiles on audience members of all ages. We hope to inspire young audience members to be excited about the arts and the holiday season! It is important for our community to support young local artists.”
Katie Mulnix, Dance Starz Supervisor & Artistic Director
Roswell Dance Starz is the resident dance company of the City of Roswell Recreation, Parks, Historic and Cultural Affairs Department. This company gives talented dancers dance technique training and performance opportunities. As the cast continues to grow, the dancers continue to dedicate the gift of live performance to the community of Roswell.
Visit roswell365.com to purchase tickets to Clara’s Land of Sweets and visit here to learn more about Roswell Dance Starz.
The Community Behind the Magic
Roswell is no stranger to tradition, community and magical moments and the holidays are a great time to bring everyone together to create lasting memories. Through Roswell’s high quality holiday events, traditions can be shared by families in the community. Roswell’s identity relies on the community that lives and visits here and the City will continue to provide opportunities for families to grow, gather and continue traditions that will last through generations.