Soon 2012 will be here, so we offer you a look at some entertainment options for the coming holiday weekend. (And we don't mean football.) December 30-31 MAGICAL NIGHTS OF LIGHTSLAKE LANIER ISLANDSBufordMarvel at thousands of shining Christmas lights displayed along a seven-mile driving tour. Amusement rides, pony rides, pictures with Santa, shopping and holiday treats are available.5pm-10pmMon-Thurs $40 per car, Fri-Sun $60 per car1-800-840-LAKEwww.lakelanierislands.com December 30-31IN A LANDSCAPE ANEW: HUDGENS PRIZE WINNER GYUN HUR-SOLO EXHIBITHUDGENS CENTER FOR THE ARTSDuluthTues-Sat 10am…

On Saturday night, people all over Suwanee will gather to celebrate the ending of 2011 and the start of 2012. For those who don't want to watch the Peach Drop at home on TV, or college football, here are some options for New Year's Eve parties in the Suwanee area. Moondance Lounge will have live entertainment starting at 8 pm. While there are no more reservations available for tables, there will be standing room at the bar and dance area. Wild Wing Cafe will have live entertainment, champagne toast, and party favors. There is no cover charge. Information on their New Year's Bash can be found …

  Christmas Eve is here. If your children are looking forward to a visit from Santa Claus, then they are probably making plans to leave some cookies and milk out for the big guy. This year, why not skip the store-bought cookies and try one of these delicious homemade cookie recipes? Santa -- and everyone else in the family -- will thank you. If you are not sure which one to try, watch the video to see what Santa Claus recommends.   CHEWY BROWNIE COOKIES(Taken from Santa’s Favorite Cookies) 1 1/2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar2/3 Crisco stick or 2/3 cup Crisco all vegetable shortening1 …

Suwanee's City Hall is about more than gavels. For instance, this year it has hosted an arts function and business networking events. So it typically was alive during the Christmas season. The city staff hosted a Friends Of Suwanee luncheon and the Suwanee Business Alliance held its December event there. It was like a Who's Who of government, business and social leaders. Join the fun in these photos.

Ebenezer Scrooge was nowhere in sight in Suwanee last weekend. Plenty of other Christmas revelers were, though as Shadowbrook Baptist Church put on its annual holiday event, Christmas In The Park, on Friday and Saturday. As usual, Dickens-era costumes and displays were common, and there were attractions such as train rides, the Starry Night Theater (which featured a nativity event), and other activities. So Viewfinder recaptures the event, and it will be there for you to enjoy the rest of the holiday spirit. As Tiny Tim would say, " ... Bless us every one." Text and video by Steve Burns. …

The annual free community Christmas concert by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Church (Mormons) near Suwanee will be called "Keep the Light of Christmas" in 2011 The event will be Saturday and Sunday (Dec. 10-11) at the church, 4833 Suwanee Dam Road, Sugar Hill, near North Gwinnett High. Drawing attendees from all over metro Atlanta who have made the concert part of their holiday traditions, this year’s performance will feature a variety of music including traditional Christmas songs and some new ones that are guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser. “One of the purposes of our …

Suwanee's Christmas season kicks into full gear this weekend, as Shadowbrook Baptist Church will put on its annual Christmas In The Park event in Town Center Park. According to the church's website, live Christmas music and a "Christmas village" will be part of the event, which will be Friday and Saturday, 5-30-8 p.m. "Villagers" will be dressed in Dickensian fashion, and the whole event will be open for photographs with family members. Also, The Great Winter Race is where teens and adults compete for the best time. Gift cards will be awarded at the end of the evening. The attached video …

It wasn't just about Santa Claus and lighting the caboose Friday in Old Town Suwanee. Students from Level Creek, Suwanee, Roberts and Riverside elementary schools also serenaded chilly onlookers with Christmas songs. The attached video has samples of the performances, presented in the order listed above. Also, Sounds of Suwanee from Suwanee Academy Of The Arts is presented after Level Creek's performance. Enjoy, and tell us what you think in the comments.

The Christmas season began in Suwanee shortly after 7:30 p.m. Friday, when Santa Claus ordered the lights on the red caboose in Old Town turned on. Residents lined the end of Main Street for the annual event, which also included Christmas carols sung by students from several elementary schools. Suwanee Patch will have more coverage soon of the annual caboose lighting ceremony.

Here is a list of some holiday-related events in and around Suwanee: December 2-3, 5-10, 12-17, 19-24, 26-31 LIVING IN SPACE GWINNETT ENVIRONMENTAL & HERITAGE CENTER, Buford Exhibit highlighting the International Space Station (ISS) and allows visitors to experience a day in the life of an astronaut on ISS. Mon – Sat 9am-4pm, $3.50-$10.50. www.gwinnettehc.org December 2-3, 6-10, 13-17, 20-24, 27-31 ART FOR THE HOLIDAY TANNERY ROW ARTIST COLONY, Buford 12pm-5 pmFree www.tanneryrowartistcolony.com December 2-3, 6-10, 13-17, 20-24, 27-31 “STRANGE STORIES – THE ART OF LOSTDOGBOB” BY BOB DAVIS ART…

What better time than Thanksgiving Day to let people know what is coming in Suwanee as far as Christmas entertainment. There's quite a variety, so take a look: December 2 CABOOSE LIGHTING OLD TOWN Come see area elementary school students perform, and Santa will make his way in to light the red caboose on Main Street. Free, 6:30 pm. www.suwanee.com December 3 GINGERBREAD FESTIVAL AND NUTCRACKER TEA PARTY SUWANEE ACADEMY OF THE ARTS Come for a fun filled event. Nutcracker Tea 10:30 am, $25. Gingerbread Festival, 12:30 am-3 pm, admission: one canned good. www.suwaneeacademy.com December 9-10 …

There's always a dark side to holiday cheer: the present that didn't work, the meal that went bad, the trip that got messed up. Now, a Suwanee restaurant wants to have a little fun with it. Spiced Right BBQ on Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road wants people to submit their most nightmarish holiday cooking story, via its Facebook page, according to a news release. The first-place winner will receive a free smoked turkey or ham for Thanksgiving from Spiced Right, and two runners-up receive 50 percent off of the purchase of either. The entry form is available on a tab on its Facebook page (www.Facebook.…