Gwinnett Daily Post

With the gifting season in full swing, cities around Gwinnett are preparing for the holidays with festivals, parades, pet adoptions and even a parachuting elf. Find your favorite events and mark them on the calendar because here is a lot to choose from this year.

FRIDAY

Norcross lights its Christmas tree while listening to choirs, and enjoying a visit from Santa and downtown carriage rides

-- When: 5:45 p.m.

-- Where: Thrasher Park, 93 Park Drive, Norcross

-- Cost: Free

-- For more information: www.norcrossga.net

Suwanee welcomes Santa and his elves with music, hot chocolate and s'mores, live music and wish lists

-- When: 6:30 p.m.

-- Where: Main Street in Old Town, Suwanee

-- Cost: Free

-- For more information: www.suwanee.com

SATURDAY

The city of Lilburn rings in the holidays with a parade -- complete with a parachuting elf

-- When: 10 a.m. to noon

-- Where: Parade route begins at First Baptist Church and follows Main Street to City Park

-- Cost: Free

-- For more information: www.cityoflilburn.com

Duluth celebrates the season with a tree lighting, craft activities, games, food and singing presented by B.B. Harris Elementary and Duluth High schools

-- When: 5 p.m.

-- Where: Duluth Town Green, 3142 Hill St., Duluth

-- Cost: Free

-- For more information: www.duluthga.net

Over in Loganville, the city presents its annual Christmas parade with a display of lights

-- When: 5:30 p.m.

-- Where: 4385 Pecan St., Loganville

-- Cost: Free

-- For more information: www.loganville-ga.gov

Sugar Hill's festivities include caroling, pictures with Santa Claus, horse carriage rides and its tree lighting

-- When: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

-- Where: Community Center and Town Green, 1166 Church St., Sugar Hill

-- Cost: Free

-- For more information: www.cityofsugarhill.com

Tribble Mill Park is hosting a Jingle Bell Run and Walk to benefit the Arthritis Foundation

-- When: 8 a.m.

-- Where: Tribble Mill Park, 2125 Tribble Mill Parkway, Lawrenceville

-- Cost: $10 to $30

-- For more information: Contact Pam McAdams at 678-237-4458 or pmcadams@arthritis.org

The city of Buford invites the public to join its holiday festival and parade with the tree lighting and live performances

-- When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.-- Where: Downtown Buford, corner of Main and South Hill streets, Buford

-- Cost: Free

-- For more information: www.visitbuford.com

The Georgia Piedmont Arts Center and the Pup & Cat Co., a pet rescue, host a "Holiday Extravaganza" with a silent auction, photos with Santa and rescued animals available for adoption

-- When: 3 to 7 p.m.

-- Where: Georgia Piedmont Arts Center, 1396 3rd Ave., Auburn

-- Cost: Free

-- For more information: www.cityofauburn-ga.org

SUNDAY

Delmar Gardens of Gwinnett is holding its Holiday Tour of Trees -- the decorated trees are up for bids benefitting local charities

-- When: 2 p.m.

-- Where: Delmar Gardens of Gwinnett, 3100 Club Drive, Lawrenceville

-- Cost: Free

-- For more information: www.fogcss.com

DEC. 7

Shadowbrook Baptist Church brings back its annual Christmas in the Park with 11 Christmas buildings that offer children's activities

-- When: 5:30 to 8 p.m. Dec. 7 and 8

-- Where: Suwanee Town Center Green, 350 Town Center Ave., Suwanee

-- Cost: Free

-- For more information: Call 770-945-1524DEC. 9For Chanukah, Rabbi Yerman lights a menorah to celebrate Festival of Lights with traditional Jewish songs and foods

-- When: 6 to 8 p.m.

-- Where: Thrasher Park, 93 Park Drive, Norcross

-- Cost: Free

-- For more information: www.norcrossga.net