North Point Community Church Entertains at Christmas Tree Lighting

Alpharetta's 35th annual Christmas Tree Lighting celebration is less than a week away, but check your calendars – this year's event will be held on Friday instead of the schedule over the past few years.

The Alpharetta Downtown Historic District will light up on Friday, Nov. 30, at 5pm.  The annual celebration will now fill the downtown streets with musical performances, Santa, Christmas Farmer’s Market, food trucks and more, according to Special Events Manager Kim Dodson.

Yes, the usual stretch of Milton Avenue from Main Street to the Roswell/Canton Street intersection will be closed.

The lighting of the town will occur at dusk then Alpharetta’s Christmas tree, a 45 foot live blue spruce, will come aglow along with more than 10,000 twinkling lights.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will land in downtown when the community is filled with enough Christmas Cheer, Dodson said. 

The city's largest church is getting involved with the local celebration as well.

"To help us achieve this soaring spirit, North Point Community Church will present their 'Christmas Cheer' program on a large performance stage," Dodson said.

Mayor David Belle Isle and his wife, Candice, will take their first turn in the Alphareetta mayor's traditional reading of the children’s classic book, ’Twas the Night Before Christmas.  This follows a program full of music with the North Point Band, exciting dramas and lots of fun for the whole family, Dodson promises.

"We especially thank our 'Miracle' Sponsors, North Point Community Church and Jackson Healthcare, and our 'Jolly' Sponsor, Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau, for their valued support on this cherished community event," she said.

What's a Christmas celebration without presents? But it's your turn to bring them, and they need to be canned goods for the North Fulton Community Charities food pantry. The organization continues to see more than 100 local families every day who need food and shelter.  Their greatest needs are canned meats, pasta sauce, breakfast cereal, peanut butter, jelly and meals in a can. They will be collecting these items at Alpharetta’s Christmas Tree Lighting.

Think 5 pm is too early for this celebration? Well, that's only true if you forget that you can get your dinner at the event. Dodson said one of our downtown favorites, , will be joined by visiting food trucks from Happy Belly, Mighty Meatballs and Yum Yum Cupcakes.  They will all have warm winter foods and drinks for your family to enjoy.

Christmas festivities do not end with the tree lighting. Shop with Downtown Merchants and on the streets at the Alpharetta Christmas Farmers Market.  Participating Alpharetta merchants will allow Elfaretta and his friends to hide in their stores, now through Dec. 20.  Customers will attempt to find the mischievous little sprites to qualify to win one of five exciting prizes to be drawn on Dec. 21.   For more information, visit the Alpharetta Business Association's website.

The 35th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting is free to the public. Location is across from Alpharetta City Hall.  Parking is available at City Hall and Milton Center. More information is available online or by calling 678-297-6078.