Top -Christmas Carol, Photo credit: Greg Mooney / Bottom - Gospel Christmas, Photo credit: Jeff Roffman

Whether for a date, group night out or a family activity, here are a few of the best holiday performances Atlanta has to offer:

A Christmas Carol at Alliance Theatre (now thru Dec 24)

The classic Dickens’ story of Scooge and redemption, this high-quality production has the added bonus of classic Christmas carols woven thought out the performance.

The Nutcracker at The Fox (Dec 11-27)

Tchaikovsky’s fairytale ballet featuring elaborate sets and 19th century Russian costumes returns to the Fabulous Fox Theater, which is one of the best venues for a Christmas event.

Handel’s Messiah (Dec 3 & 5)

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Chorus perform Handel’s most famous work that has become a Christmas tradition. The performance at Atlanta Symphony Hall also includes Bach’s “Christmas Oratorio”.

Gospel Christmas (Dec 5 & 6)

One of the most soulful Christmas experiences, the ASO Gospel Choir brings a powerful vocal performance to Atlanta Symphony Hall.

Christmas with the ASO (Dec 11 & 12)

More than 400 musicians and singers perform the Christmas story in four parts and weave in both traditional favorites and some lesser known holiday treasures.

It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play at ART Station Theater (Now thru Dec 23)

A spin on the classic holiday film, actors perform as if in front of a live radio studio audience in the 1940s.

Atlanta Celtic Christmas Concert – Schwartz Center at Emory (Dec 11-13)

This performance explores the Christmas traditions of Celtic music, dance, poetry, and story telling that influenced much of our Southern culture.

For a more melodic Christmas show, visit Eddie’s Dec. 6 at 5:30pm to hear Atlanta-based Irish ensemble Music in the Glen present An Irish Christmas. Individual tickets to both Attic shows are $15, while tables of four are $75.

Finally, if you’re more traditional, check out one of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s many Christmas shows. From Gospel to Pop, to Handel’s Messiah, the ASO produces some of the finest holiday performances in the South. Visit the symphony’s website for details on dates and times.