The holiday season is off to a jolly start with ice skating and truly kicks into gear with festivities, including the Hometown Holidays Parade and Tree Lighting ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 6.

Ice skating is already underway by Have An Ice Day Productions, LLC, the company operating the rink for the season until Feb. 8. The cost to skate is $8 with an additional $2 fee for skate rental. For more information, go to http://icedays.com.

While ice skating begins November 21, the official kick-off to Conyers' holiday season is the weekend of Dec. 5. 

On Friday, Dec. 5, the internationally known Covington-Conyers Choral Guild presents its annual Christmas music extravaganza in Conyers with "A Choral Guild Christmas: A Musicological Journey Through the Twelve Days of Christmas." The internationally known guild will give two local performances of "A Choral Guild Christmas." The first will be on Thursday, Dec. 4 at 8 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, on 1139 Usher St, Covington. The final performance will be on Friday, Dec. 5 at 8 p.m. at the Rockdale Auditorium on 903 Main St, Conyers.

Also on Friday, Dec. 5, the Olde Town Christmas Party returns from 5-8 p.m. featuring complimentary carriage and train rides, a Secret Santa Shop for children, visits and photos with Santa at the Depot and shopping and dining specials throughout Olde Town Conyers.

Then on Saturday, Dec. 6, comes the beloved annual parade and performances.

The parade starts at 4:30 p.m. and winds its way through Olde Town Conyers.

This year’s theme is “Christmas in Paradise.” “We’re leaving it up to each organization as to what paradise means to them,” said the City of Conyers Director of Public Relations and Tourism Jennifer Edwards.

There are already up to 70 entries for floats. Both Rockdale County High and Heritage High’s Marching Bands will bring their high stepping spirit.

After the parade, the tree lighting ceremony will be held at the Rockdale Auditorium, at 903 Main Street. Performances from community groups, troupes, schools and more will help Santa and Mrs. Claus with their tree lighting duties.

Also, the Rockdale County Fraternal Order of Firefighters will be on site outside the Auditorium selling hot snack items such hot dogs, nachos and hot chocolate. Proceeds will help the organization assist financially-struggling families with holiday needs.

Event supporters include Cowan Ace Hardware, Premier Platforms, Inc., Publix, Krogers – Hwy 138, and the Rockdale Career Academy.

For more information, contact Tonya Parker at 770-278-7056 or tonya.parker@rockdalecounty.org. Or go to  www.conyersga.com or call the Conyers Welcome Center at 770-602-2606.

On Sunday, Dec. 7, the Conyers Pilot Club Christmas Tour of Homes returns for its 17th season with five beautifully decorated, historic homes in Olde Town Conyers. The tour runs 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.  Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 day of and can be purchased from Pilot Club members or at the Olde Jail Museum, 967 Milstead Ave. The Olde Jail is also the starting point of the tour.

Be inspired with the Christmas spirit on this tour, learn about these historic homes and give back to the Conyers Pilot Club, which aids organizations involved in brain-related injuries and issues.

Homes on the tour are:

972 N. Main St, home of the Garner family; this distinctive, six bedroom, three and a half bath high-ceilinged home, built in 1905 by Joe Crumbley, has been an Olde Town fixture, located right next to the former Conyers public school and current school system central office. Piano lessons used to be taught in its parlor. Susie Garner purchased it in 2002 for her children Zach and Lindsay and renovated it in nine months to make it handicap accessible and energy efficient. A second floor, kitchen, den, rear porch and two-car garage were added.

1273 Shadowlawn Dr., home of Peggy Lawrence; built in 1985 by David and Mary Smith and purchased by Lawrence in 2011.

1116 Milstead Ave., home of Paige McCord; built in 1896, owned by Herbert Summers, Mr. & Mrs. W.A. Henson, Mr. & Mrs. Zack Almond, and purchased by McCord in 2000. Completely renovated.

984 N. Main St., home of Don and Samantha Swaney; built in 1880 by Mr. Frost, purchased by Roland Huff for his new bride Cora Hogan; willed to Cora’s sister Stella Hogan, who never lived in the house and died in 2006 at age of 100; purchased by the Swaneys in 2009.

991 N. Main St., home of the Currie family; built in 1935 by John Ogletree for Lawrence and Martha Veal; given to Lawrence Veal by his mother Sarah Beulah; Curry family residence since 2012.

Additional inspiring holiday performances include First Baptist of Conyers’ Living Christmas Tree performance, Dec. 12 7p.m. , Dec. 13 2 pm. And 6 p.m. The Atlanta Boys Choir returns Saturday, Dec. 13, 7 p.m., at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit, 2625 Ga. Highway 212, Conyers. Tickets for this 34-year Christmas tradition are $20 adults, $15 under 16, at www.trappist.net/events/christmas-concert-dec-13. For more, contact monastery@trappist.net, 678-964-2237