Weekend Planner (Dec. 24-26)

Merry Christmas, Lilburn Patch readers! 

Aside from the big holiday on Saturday, we've still got some fun things to do around town. Check 'em out! 

1. Snow Mountain

Thursday, Dec. 23 and Sunday, Dec. 26, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. $17-$27. Stone Mountain Park, U.S. Highway 78 East, Exit 8, Stone Mountain. 770-498-5690, www.snowmountainpark.com. 

Is Christmas Day not coming fast enough? Or was Christmas Day not as exciting as you thought it would be? Snow Mountain at Stone Mountain will be open Thursday and Sunday this weekend. Slide down the family tube ride in Avalanche Alley or explore the tunnels and slides in Fort Snow, both new this season. After all the tubing and snow excitement, warm up in the park's many different hot zones, including a fire pit where guests can make S'mores. Tickets are $17 for Mountain Members and $27 regular price. Passes can be purchased online here. 

2. Lunch and Dinner at Messina's Mediterranean Cuisine

Thursday, Dec. 23, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. and Friday-Sunday, Dec. 24-26, 11:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Messina's Mediterranean Cuisine, 4075 Lawrenceville Highway. 770-935-9990, www.mymessinas.com. 

Lilburn's gyro and baklava hot-spot is open regular business hours this entire weekend, including Christmas Day. Stop in for a panini or a lamb wrap as a pre- or post-Christmas meal, or even opt for spending Christmas dinner here; there will always be turkey and mashed potatoes next year. 

3. AYOBA! and Soul Stretch 

Friday, Dec. 24, 9 a.m.-10 a.m. Free-$15. Aerobics, Yoga & More, 4051 Stone Mountain Highway. 678-749-7777, www.aymfitness.com. 

Before feasting on yam and apple pie, burn some calories at Aerobics, Yoga & More on Christmas Eve with two of their many classes. AYOBA! takes place at 9 a.m. with music and dance in South African exercise styles ranging from Zumba to AfroSalsa. Stick around at 9:30 a.m. to relax with some stretching afterward in Soul Stretch. The classes are free for pass card holders or $15 for dropping in.

4. Skate-A-Long USA Open Matinee and Hip-Hop Nights

Friday, Dec. 24, noon-5 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 25, 7 p.m.- 11p.m. $4-$7. Skate Along USA, 744 Beaver Ruin Road. 770-921-0800, www.recreationatl.com/sau/Skatealongusa_home. 

It may not be covered in ice, but Skate Along USA is open every day this weekend. Aside from Thursday's and Sunday's all day sessions (check their full schedule here), the rink will be have their open matinee session with iTunes-hits from noon to 5 p.m. Friday, and Christmas evening is their Hip Hop R&B Top 40 night from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Hip-hop night is $6 and the matinee is $4, along with a $1 for skate rentals.   

5. Candlelight and Communion at Trinity Lutheran Church

Dec. 24, 5 p.m., 7 p.m, 9 p.m and 11 p.m., and Dec. 25, 10:30 a.m. Free. Trinity Lutheran Church, 1826 Killian Hill Road. 770-972-4418, www.tlc-lilburn.org. 

Trinity Lutheran Church welcomes the everyone to their Christmas services on Christmas Eve and Day. Including candlelight and communion on Christmas Eve, the Children's Christmas service will be held at 5 p.m. with a contemporary service afterward at 7 p.m. For their traditional Christmas services, arrive either at 9 p.m. or 11 p.m. Head over to the church Christmas morning for an informal worship (you can wear your jammies), and children should bring their newly-opened presents for a blessing of the toys.