Johns Creek residents will have a new outdoor ice rink and a packed holiday calendar across two Town Center venues starting Nov. 27.

Medley, the mixed-use development at Johns Creek Parkway and McGinnis Ferry Road, opens its plaza ice rink that day as part of a launch event called Merry Medley. The rink stays open through Feb. 7, 2027, according to Medley's Skate the Plaza page.

One week later, the city holds its free Holly Jolly Block Party at The Boardwalk on Dec. 4.

Kristin Oswald, executive director of the Johns Creek Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), outlined the season in a holiday hosting guide published Nov. 2. The CVB called the first weekend of December the busiest stretch of the season.

Merry Medley and the ice rink: Nov. 27

The Merry Medley event runs from 4 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 27 along Medley Boulevard. The lineup includes a holiday concert, family activities, the ice rink's grand opening and a fireworks finale, according to Medley's event page.

Once the opening-night festivities end, the rink settles into regular hours. Monday through Thursday it runs 3 to 10 p.m., Friday 3 to 11 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. On school holidays, including Nov. 27 and Dec. 21 through Jan. 4, hours extend to 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.

Pricing had not been posted on Medley's event page as of Nov. 4.

Holly Jolly Block Party: Dec. 4

The city's own holiday anchor lands on Dec. 4 at The Boardwalk at Town Center, 11362 Lakefield Drive. The free event runs from 6 to 8 p.m. It features a visit from Santa, the lighting of the city's 40-foot Christmas tree, hot cocoa and local choirs, according to the city's event page.

Breakfast with Santa: Dec. 12

The city's Breakfast with Santa takes place Dec. 12 at Park Place at Newtown, 3125 Old Alabama Road. Breakfast seatings are at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Snacks with Santa sessions follow at 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m., and an Adaptive Recreation Lunch with Santa is set for noon.

Tickets cost $20 per resident child and $30 per nonresident child. Space is limited. Registration opened Nov. 1, and children must be accompanied by an adult.

Two venues, one trail

The two holiday hubs sit about a mile apart. According to the city, The Boardwalk trail connects Johns Creek Parkway north to McGinnis Ferry Road, where Medley sits. Both venues are part of the city's 192-acre Town Center plan.

Medley is located at 2140 Medley Boulevard. Self-parking is available in the north-side deck and surface lots, and valet costs $12 per car, according to a Stevens Residential blog post.

Holiday calendar

  • Nov. 27: Merry Medley, 4–8 p.m., Medley Boulevard; ice rink grand opening
  • Nov. 27–Feb. 7, 2027: Skate the Plaza, Medley
  • Dec. 4: Holly Jolly Block Party, 6–8 p.m., The Boardwalk (free)
  • Dec. 12: Breakfast with Santa, Park Place at Newtown ($20/$30 per child; registration required)
  • Dec. 21–Jan. 4: Rink school-holiday hours, 11 a.m.–11 p.m. daily (Nov. 27 also runs extended hours)
  • Feb. 7, 2027: Last day of Skate the Plaza