UPDATE: We have no info yet as to whether this event is happening in 2022. We’ll update when we have details.
The charming town of Chamblee is pulling out all the stops this holiday season with the return of Holiday Hoopla! If you remember, the event launched in 2019 but was canceled in 2020. Here’s what you need to need to know about the 2021 event.
The Holiday Hoopla Celebration takes place on Sunday, December 5th, 2021 from 2 to 7 p.m.
The Hoopla celebration combines Christmas and Hanukkah traditions. The festival takes place in the downtown Chamblee business district and is FREE to attend. Most activities are also free, there’s a fee for photos with Santa.
Chamblee merchants Lenox Cupcakes and Frosty Caboose will be open and serving up sweet treats. You can also get treats from a food truck on site.
Although the Hoopla web page doesn’t mention a a tree lighting or menorah lighting, the city calendar page says they are happening — most likely at 6 p.m., after dark and when the main festival ends.
There will not be an outdoor holiday movie this year.
Details about all the activities are just below!
You may also be interested in:
- Lights of Life drive-thru holiday attraction in Marietta
- Discounts for Fantasy in Lights at Callaway Gardens
- Discounts for Stone Mountain Christmas
- Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at the Atlanta Botanical Garden
Holiday Hoopla activities
Pictures with Santa & Mrs. Claus
Happening from 2 to 6 p.m. at Chamblee City Hall (5468 Peachtree Rd. Chamblee, GA 30341).
Price: $15 for two 5X7 photos, and you must pay on site.
You can register in advance for a 5-minute time slot at the Holiday Hoopla website.
Walk-ups are accepted too, as time allows.
Note that your children will NOT be sitting in Santa’s lap. According to a Facebook post, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be sitting in their sleigh, and kids can pose next to it from a safe distance.
Snow play area
It’s amazing how popular man-made snow is becoming in Atlanta! Come play in the snow for FREE at the Holiday Hoopla. The snow area is open from 2 to 6 p.m.
Our impression from 2019 was that the white stuff seemed more like shaved ice than snow. But the kids seemed to be having a ball! Don’t forget to pack their mittens.
Letters to Santa station
Kids can sit down at a special table to write out their holiday wishes and drop their letters in the special mailbox. Open from 2 to 6 p.m.
Holiday crafts station
Kids can stop by the craft table to make a holiday knick-knack. It is completely FREE, but you’re limited to one craft per child. The craft station is open from 2 to 6 p.m.
Hoopla Small Business Market
The holiday marketplace is open from 2 to 6 p.m. — come shop for that special something for yourself or to give as a gift.
Music
The sounds of the holidays will fill the air in downtown Chamblee!
You’ll be able to enjoy performances by local schools and musicians throughout the day.
Dreidl games
Stop by to play the Dreidl game and take a dreidl home with you.
FREE while supplies last.
2 to 6 p.m.
Holiday Storytime
Stories told by a holiday elf! The storytimes start at 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. and are FREE to attend.
Just head to Lenox Cupcakes in downtown Chamblee for a story and a sweet treat.
Getting there and parking
Downtown Chamblee is embracing transit-oriented development — and the business district is an easy walk from the Chamblee MARTA Station.
If you live anywhere on the Gold Line, MARTA is a no-brainer.
Get off at Chamblee Station, then follow the signs pointing to the buses (not to Chamblee Tucker Rd) to exit the platform.
In the middle of the station, one level below, you’ll find a short covered walkway that is marked Peachtree Rd. This is the shortest walk to the festival.
There is plenty of parking at the Interactive College of Technology (5303 New Peachtree Road, Chamblee, GA 30341). It is a 15-minute walk to the concert venue from the college parking lot. We don’t have any info about a shuttle yet, but often Chamblee runs a free shuttle from the college parking lot to the downtown festival area.