East Cobb Lights the Avenue & Gem Show Weekend

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We’re officially in that weird in-between week where the Halloween pumpkins are gone, the Christmas bins are out, and the turkey is still thawing in the back of your mind.

At our house, we’re using this weekend to test a side dish or two, walk off some pre-pie at Mabry Park, and sneak in a low-key date night before relatives descend.

If you’re in the mood for twinkle lights, The Avenue’s tree lighting on Friday is the unofficial “start” of the holidays in East Cobb, and the Gem & Mineral Show at the Civic Center is a surprisingly great kid outing (and an easy place to grab quirky stocking stuffers).

We also spotlight Tin Lizzy’s on the Avenue for tacos and margaritas, Learning Express Toys for kid wish-lists, and a few East Cobb listings if “new house for the new year” is on your vision board.

Scroll down for the Weekend Planner, a free park idea, a seasonal tip provided by Peachy Insurance on kitchen + travel safety, and an adoptable pup who’d love to curl up on the couch during the Thanksgiving games.

Send tips & events: [email protected] (or just reply to this email)

Avenue East Cobb
4475 Roswell Road
Marietta, GA 30062
Friday, Nov 21
5:00–8:00 p.m.
Free
Details here

The Avenue’s annual tree lighting flips the switch on the holidays with Santa’s arrival, live music, kids’ activities, and “snow” on the green. 

Expect photo ops, strolling entertainment, and plenty of time to wander between shops and grab dinner or hot chocolate on the patio. The viewing area for music is attached to a brewery with awesome German-style beers.

Plan to arrive a little early to snag parking near the back lots and bring layers—the temperature usually drops fast once the sun goes down.

Tin Lizzy’s is one of the easiest choices on the Avenue when you need something fun but not fussy—think skillet queso, street tacos, fajita skillets, and a solid margarita lineup. 

The covered patio works almost year-round, and big screens inside keep the game on while kids work through a basket of chips. 

It’s a great pre- or post-tree-lighting stop if you’re already at the Avenue this weekend. 

Details & menu

Learning Express is the kind of toy store that makes kids’ eyes go wide—wall-to-wall hands-on displays, crafts, puzzles, fidgets, and STEM sets you won’t always see in the big boxes. 

Staff will help you build a birthday or holiday wish list, steer you toward age-appropriate “quiet toys” for travel, and wrap gifts on the spot. 

This is a perfect weekend to let kids browse and for grown-ups to quietly note what actually holds their attention. 

Browse/learn more

If you’re worried about groceries or bills, Cobb County has pulled a ton of help into one hub at FindHelp.cobbcounty.gov. You can search for food, housing, childcare, legal aid, transportation, and more in one place.

Whether you’re the one who needs a food box or the one who can stock the shelves, there are clear ways to plug in across Cobb right now.

Source: Cobb County

The Cobb County School District has officially released the Class of 2026 commencement schedule, and all district-hosted ceremonies will be at the KSU Convocation Center from Monday, May 18 through Sunday, May 24, 2026.

Here’s the lineup for East Cobb high schools:

As graduation season gets closer, the district will post parking details, livestream links, and how to order video recordings—so for now, senior families can go ahead and grab those May 18–24 dates on the calendar and start planning the celebrations. 🎉

Source: East Cobb News

Adult, Hound & Pit Bull Terrier Mix Scarlet is a sweet, medium-sized hound mix whose family could no longer care for her, so she’s now waiting (a little confused) for a new person to love.

She’s described as affectionate, friendly, and loyal, walks nicely on leash, is house-trained, and does well with children and other dogs—basically the recipe for a great family companion.

She’s already spayed, vaccinated, microchipped, and heartworm-negative, so she’s ready to head home as soon as you are. 

Available via Friends of Shelter Animals for Cobb County at Cobb County Animal Services — 1060 Al Bishop Dr, Marietta, GA 30008 Hours: Tues–Sun 10:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. • Phone: (770) 499-4136 

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🎄 Lighting of Avenue East Cobb — Avenue East Cobb | 5–8 p.m. | Free | More
Kick off the holidays with Santa, live music, and the big tree lighting plus plenty of kid-friendly activities.

🪨 Cobb County Gem & Mineral Show — Cobb Civic Center | 10 a.m.–6 p.m. | Free admission | More

Crystals, fossils, demos, and rockhounds from across the region make this an easy educational outing.

🎨 Marietta Artist Guild Holiday Open House & Sale — Artisan Resource Center at 585 Cobb Parkway S | 6–10 p.m. | Free | More

Walk the Square, meet local artists, and let kids help pick out small prints or ornaments for teacher gifts.

🎅 Santa Photos at Avenue East Cobb — Avenue East Cobb | Times vary | Packages available | More

Beat the December rush and snag your Santa photos while the lines are still reasonable.

🪨 Cobb County Gem & Mineral Show — Cobb Civic Center | 10 a.m.–6 p.m. | Free | More

Make it a science-meets-shopping day with kid digs, vendor booths, and plenty of “What kind of rock is THAT?” moments.

🎨 Marietta Artist Guild Holiday Open House & Sale — Artisan Resource Center at 585 Cobb Parkway S | 11 a.m.–6 p.m. | Free | More

Walk the Square, meet local artists, and let kids help pick out small prints or ornaments for teacher gifts.

🪨 Cobb County Gem & Mineral Show (Final Day) — Cobb Civic Center | 10 a.m.–5 p.m. | Free | More

Last chance to grab stocking-stuffer geodes and dinosaur souvenirs before the show wraps.

🎨 Marietta Artist Guild Holiday Open House — Artisan Resource Center at 585 Cobb Parkway S | Noon–5 p.m. | Free | More

Pair a lazy brunch on the Square with a lap through the gallery to discover new local artists.

🛍️ The Holiday Bazaar: Popup Market — Marietta Square Market | 3–7 p.m. | $0-$24.57 | More
Shop small and local businesses, artisans, and makers for gifts as unique as the season itself.

🎭 Anjelah Johnson-Reyes: The Family Reunion Tour — Cobb Energy Centre | doors open: 6:30 p.m.; show starts: 8 p.m. | $60.10-$82 | More

Enjoy a night of comedy from a prolific modern comedic actress and stand-up comedian.

🍷 DIY Date Night on the Square — Marietta Square | Evening | $$ | More
Make your own progressive dinner with drinks on the Square, a stroll through the holiday lights, and dessert from a local bakery.

Our tips for your DIY date night:

Drinks:

Glover Park Brewery — local taproom steps from the Square; big beer garden. 65 Atlanta St SE. 

Dinner:

Stockyard Burgers & Bones — solid burgers, ribs, salads; easy price point. 26 Mill St. 

Dessert:

Sarah Jean’s Ice Cream — classic scoops right on the Square; evening hours most nights. 109 N Park Square NE.

🎤 Erykah Badu: The Return of Automatic Slim Tour eryKah Badu Mama's Gun '25 — Cobb Energy Centre | doors open: 6:30 p.m. | tickets left $143-$637+ | More

Award-winning singer, songwriter, producer, and cultural icon Erykah Badu announces a spectacular celebration of the 25th anniversary of her revolutionary second studio album, "Mama's Gun."

Mabry Park (Roswell) — 4466 Wesley Chapel Rd, Marietta, GA 30062

Adventure guide layout:

Morning strategy (8–10 AM): Start with a loop around the pond on the wide, stroller-friendly paths and let toddlers explore the farm-themed playground (tractor, barn, and climbing structures) before it gets crowded.

Afternoon plan (2–5 PM): Bring kites or a soccer ball for the open fields, then wander the boardwalks and short wooded trails for leaf-peeping and squirrel watching.

Hidden features: Shady benches by the pond, photo-ready wooden fences, and plenty of “nature treasure” spots for kids who like collecting interesting leaves and rocks.

Parking tips: The main lot usually has space, but it can fill on sunny weekend afternoons—there’s overflow along the entrance road, and bathrooms are near the playground, not the back fields.

Google Maps

Before you dive into the marathon cooking day, give your kitchen and travel plans a quick safety tune-up. 

Test smoke alarms and replace any sketchy power strips or extra-long extension cords running to countertop appliances. 

If you’re frying a turkey, set up outside on level ground, keep kids and pets back, and never leave hot oil unattended. 

For road-trippers, check tire pressure, wiper fluid, and your spare before you load the car, and snap a photo of your insurance ID cards so they’re handy if you need them. 

A 10-minute check now can save you hours of stress later.

There are a ton of ways to give back right around East Cobb and Marietta—whether you want something kid-friendly, outdoorsy, or behind the scenes. Here are local options you can jump into this season (and beyond).

Center for Family Resources – “Thanks for Giving” & Pantry Help
Pack and move donated food, assemble Thanksgiving meal boxes, or help at the CFR Encore Pantry so Cobb families have full holiday meals and staples for the week schools are closed. Most shifts are at their Franklin Gateway location in Marietta, and they welcome individuals, families, and corporate groups. Sign up.

Simple Needs GA – Birthdays, Furniture & School Supplies
Marietta-based Simple Needs GA “fills in the cracks” by throwing birthday parties in a bag for kids in need, delivering donated furniture, and collecting uniforms and school supplies for local students. Saturday furniture crews especially need volunteers with trucks; there are also lighter-lift options like sorting donations or buying items from wish lists. Volunteer info.

Good Mews Animal Foundation (East Cobb)
Good Mews on Robinson Road is a cage-free, no-kill shelter that leans heavily on volunteers to clean, feed, socialize, and advocate for homeless cats. They offer bi-weekly 3–4 hour shifts and host a monthly “Volunteer 101” orientation so you can learn the roles and meet the kitties before you commit. Minimum age is 8 with a parent for many roles, which makes this a solid family option. Start here.

Cobb Moms Helping Cobb
This mom-driven nonprofit organizes everything from emergency meal trains and grocery runs to behind-the-scenes admin work, and many roles are remote or kid-friendly. It’s a great choice if you want to plug in around nap schedules, carpool, or work hours. See options.

“The Connection” – Cobb Community Foundation Volunteer Hub
If none of the above is quite your thing, Cobb Community Foundation’s “The Connection” site is a searchable hub for volunteer needs from dozens of local nonprofits—filter by cause, schedule, or neighborhood and see what fits. Browse opportunities.