Last Days of 2025 & Your Winter Break Guide

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Hey neighbors,

If you’re reading this on Thursday, Merry Christmas!

We're now in that weird, wonderful stretch between Christmas and New Year's where nobody knows what day it is and the fridge is full of leftovers.

If your house is anything like ours right now, it's half holiday magic and half "why is there wrapping paper everywhere?"

This week's issue is built for both moods—easy outings if you're up for getting out, and low-key wins if you just need fresh air and someone else to make dinner.

Lights of Life at Life University is the classic "pile in the car with hot cocoa" move if you want one more holiday lights experience. City Green at City Springs is perfect if you just need the kids to run around somewhere that isn't your living room.

And when you hit that "I cannot cook one more meal" moment (we're already there), La Strada is your answer—cozy Italian, no reservations required, and someone else does the dishes.

Quick tip: If you're doing Lights of Life, go right at sunset and stash snacks and PJs in the car for the little ones.

Planner's below. Here's to surviving the last week of 2025.

— Andrew

Merchants Walk Cinemas (GTC)
1301 Johnson Ferry Rd, Marietta, GA 30068
Thursday, Dec 25, 2025
All day (showtimes vary) • Ticketed
Details & tickets: Merchants Walk showtimes
Phone: (678) 560-3280

Since almost everything is closed on Thursday, this is the most reliable local “get out of the house” play on Christmas Day.

When the toys are opened and the cabin fever starts creeping in, the movie theater is the classic East Cobb escape: warm, easy, and it buys you a couple hours where someone else handles the entertainment.

What’s playing on Christmas Day (lineup varies by showtime):

Pro tip: Reserve seats early. Christmas Day crowds are real, and reserved seating makes the whole experience way less stressful.

Nearby: Most restaurants will be closed, but Waffle House and a few Chinese restaurants on Roswell Rd often stay open. Call ahead before you promise anyone a post-movie meal.

If you’re officially in the “I cannot cook one more meal” chapter of Winter Break, La Strada is the kind of neighborhood Italian spot that saves the day: cozy, familiar, and nice enough to feel like a real outing.

Without requiring reservations three weeks ago or a group text to plan.

It’s dinner-only, which makes it perfect for that early dinner → home in pajamas rhythm.

The menu is classic Italian comfort food with plenty of “safe picks” for kids and picky eaters, but also enough chef-y specials and seafood options to keep adults happy.

One underrated perk: if someone in your crew needs a tweak, they offer whole wheat and gluten-free pasta substitutions (just ask when you order).

What to order (easy wins):

Why it works for Winter Break:
No one has to dress up. No one has to overthink. And if the day has been 87% toys, mess, and “I’m bored,” La Strada feels like a small reset. Warm dining room, real plates, and someone else doing the dishes.

Pro tip: If you’re going with younger kids, aim for the earlier side. This spot has that local-regular vibe and can feel lively as the night goes on.

Details & menu:

Hours: Sun–Thu 5–9 PM • Fri–Sat 5–10 PM
Phone: (770) 640-7008

The Little Gym of East Cobb is one of those “save the day” spots when kids have extra energy and the weather isn’t cooperating.

They offer parent-child classes for babies and toddlers.

They also offer preschool and grade-school gymnastics, plus dance.

Everything is built around confidence, coordination, and “Serious Fun.”

Families can pick a weekly class that fits around school and activities.

Then you can layer in extras like camps and “Parent Survival Night” drop-off events when they pop up.

Birthday parties are a big draw too.

The staff handles the games, set-up, and clean-up so you can just show up with a cake and a camera.

For the quiet days between Christmas and New Year’s, it’s an easy way to get little bodies moving.

You can still be home in time for an early bedtime.

Browse/learn more: Business website

Pope’s girls flag football team added another trophy to the East Cobb brag shelf. Winning the GHSA Division 5 championship 14–13 over McEachern at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The Greyhounds were down 13–0 late, then scored two touchdowns in the final minutes to flip the game. The finish came down to an extra-point try at the horn. Exactly the kind of heart-rate finish that makes “we should leave early to beat traffic” families stay glued to the screen.

If you want a local-feels-good story for Winter Break (and a reminder that East Cobb sports culture is real), this is the one.

Source: Cobb County School District

Cobb’s waterSmart program announced the winners of its 2025–26 waterArt calendar contest, built around the prompt: “How is water important to me?”

The East Cobb headline: the cover winner is Penelope S. from Mabry Middle School, revealed at a reception earlier this month. Winners are featured in a countywide calendar and shown in a virtual gallery.

This is a sweet one for families who love seeing local kids’ work celebrated outside the usual sports/academics lanes.

Source: Cobb County Government

The Cobb Chamber’s East Cobb Area Council selected Michael Paris (President & CEO, Council for Quality Growth) as the 2025 East Cobb Citizen of the Year, presented at an East Cobb Area Council breakfast at Indian Hills Country Club.

The piece highlights his long-running involvement across civic and nonprofit efforts. Especially work connected to Cobb’s YMCA growth and support for community organizations like The Extension.

It’s a very “quiet leadership, long track record” kind of recognition. Exactly the sort of local honor that tends to get missed in the holiday haze.

Source: CobbChamber.org

Daisy is a beautiful torbie girl with a gentle, easygoing personality and a heart that’s very ready to belong to a family.

At two years old and about 12 pounds, she’s settled into that sweet adult-cat groove.

Daisy feels like the kind of cat who quietly chooses “her people” and then follows them from room to room, happy just to be nearby.

Adopting from Cobb County Animal Services includes her spay surgery, age-appropriate vaccines, combo testing, and a microchip.

Available at: Cobb County Animal Services, 1060 Al Bishop Dr, Marietta, GA 30008
Note: Ask for Animal ID 7342 in Kennel 602
Hours: Tue–Sun 10:30 AM–4:30 PM (Closed Dec 25)
Phone: (770) 499-4136
Profile: Cobb County adoption listing

🎬 Christmas Day Movies — Merchants Walk Cinemas (East Cobb) | Showtimes vary | Ticketed | More: Event info
The classic Christmas Day escape: pick a showtime, grab popcorn, and let someone else entertain the whole crew for a couple hours.

💚 Holiday Grinch Pop-Up — Otter’s Chicken, 3625 Dallas Hwy | 11:00 AM–10:00 PM (restaurant hours) | Pay for food only | More: Event info
Whoville-style decor + photo ops makes this an “easy win” dinner that still feels like an outing for little kids.

🛍️ Glory Haus Warehaus Sale — Glory Haus, 1045 Cobb Pkwy N, Marietta | 10:00 AM–4:00 PM | Free admission (shopping extra) | More: Event info
A North Pole–level warehouse of ornaments, mugs, signs, and gifts—stroller-friendly, and a fun “let each kid pick one thing” outing if you’re still in decorating mode.

🚗 Lights of Life — Life University, 1269 Barclay Cir, Marietta | Sunset (~5:30 PM)–~9:00/10:00 PM | Pay at gate (per vehicle) | More: Event info
A classic “pile in the car + hot cocoa” lights loop that’s close to East Cobb and easy for kids who won’t last long in the cold.

🚙 World of Illumination: Candy Rush — Six Flags White Water, Marietta | Timed entry (evenings) | Ticketed (per vehicle) | More: Event info
A big, bright drive-through light show synced to music—perfect when you want holiday magic without unloading the car.

🥕 Marietta Square Farmers Market — 41 Mill St, Marietta | 9:00 AM–12:00 PM | Free admission | More: Event info
Hit the Square for produce, bread, honey, and treats—an easy morning reset after the holiday chaos.

🏀 Lemon Street Classic (High School Basketball) — Marietta High School | Games throughout the day | Ticketed | More: Event info
Top boys’ and girls’ teams + a real tournament atmosphere—ideal for sports-loving tweens and teens.

🚙 World of Illumination: Candy Rush — Six Flags White Water, Marietta | Timed entry (evenings) | Ticketed (per vehicle) | More: Event info
A great “Saturday night plan” that doesn’t require a sitter, reservations, or a long walk in the cold.

🛍️ Marietta Square Artisan Market — Marietta Square (Mill St), Marietta | 9:00 AM–1:00 PM | Free admission (shopping extra) | More: Event info
An easy “stroll + browse” stop next to the Farmers Market—great for spending gift money on local art, jewelry, and handmade finds.

🧚 Enchanted Woodland Trail — Chattahoochee Nature Center, Roswell | During regular hours | General admission | More: Event info
Walk the trails and hunt for fairy houses + gnome homes built from natural materials—one of the best “get outside before school starts back” outings.

🎤 Comedy at The Strand: Jon Rudnitsky — Earl & Rachel Smith Strand Theatre, Marietta Square | 8:00 PM | Ticketed | More: Event info
A full stand-up set in a gorgeous historic theater—perfect for a real date night once the sitter is locked in.

🎺 Homegrown Winter Jam: Funk Cake & Davis & The Love — Strand Theatre, Marietta Square | 8:00 PM | Ticketed | More: Event info
High-energy local bands (brass + rock + volume) in a historic venue—best for grown-ups or older teens.

🏙️ Holidays on the Roof — The Roof at Ponce City Market, Atlanta | Entry times vary | Ticketed | More: Event info
Skating, igloos, skyline views, and festive drinks—an easy “Atlanta night out” if you want something beyond Marietta.

🍿 Holiday Movies at The Strand: When Harry Met Sally (R) — Strand Theatre, Marietta Square | 3:00–5:00 PM | ~$15.44 | More: Event info
A cozy afternoon screening with the organ pre-show—perfect for a parents’ reset before Monday hits.

If you need a true free “get everyone out of the house” plan this week, do a quick walk, scooter, or bike ride on the Noonday Creek Trail—then turn it into a mini game so it feels like an activity instead of just “we’re going for a walk.”

Best easy starting spot: Bells Ferry Trailhead (3001 Bells Ferry Rd NE, Marietta, GA 30066) — it’s a solid “family logistics” trailhead with parking + restrooms + fountains (and it connects right into the paved greenway).

How to do it (45–90 minutes, zero prep):

Winter Break Bingo ideas (easy East Cobb/Cobb sightings):

Want to extend it later in break? The broader trail network around Marietta is growing, and the Mountain to River (M2R) Trail is another good “walk a stretch, turn around, reward with hot chocolate” option.

Check out Noonday Creek Trail on AllTrails.com

That weird week between Christmas and New Year’s is perfect for a quick walk-around so January doesn’t surprise you.

Want to outsource it? Here are 3 hyperlocal East Cobb pros:

Note: These are simply local options readers use—always confirm availability, pricing, and fit for your situation.

Local parents can jump into flexible roles like sorting donations, assembling care packages, updating resource lists, or helping with behind-the-scenes admin to support families in crisis across Cobb.

Many opportunities are remote or kid-friendly.

You can model giving back even during a busy school year.

Learn more: Volunteer with Cobb Moms Helping Cobb

Volunteer as part of a hosting team, help provide meals, assist with day center needs, or lend professional skills as families work toward stable housing.

This is a great fit if your family or small group wants something more relational than a one-time event.

Learn more: Family Promise Cobb volunteers

If you have experience with resumes, interviewing, or career paths, you can volunteer as a workshop presenter, youth mentor, or one-on-one tutor for teens and adults looking for their next step.

It’s a good match for readers who want to plug in their professional skills for a few hours a month.

Learn more: Volunteer with WorkSource Cobb