After this week’s decision by the Dunwoody City Council not to allow religious decorations this Christmas season outside City Hall, locals can enjoy festivities this Sunday and throughout the holiday just a few blocks away.
Light Up Dunwoody has grown year after year attracting close to 2,000 people for an event where a Christmas tree and menorah stand side by side in the triangle of Mount Vernon Road, Chamblee-Dunwoody Road, and Nandiana Lane.
“We’re so excited to kick off the holiday for the Dunwoody community,” says Nina Arnold, coordinator of the event for the Dunwoody Homeowners Association. “The tree and the menorah (will) remain in the triangle for the remainder of the holiday season for the citizens to enjoy.”
She tells WSB’s Sandra Parrish the busy intersection will close to traffic from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday so families can watch the lighting and enjoy festivities that will include Santa and his elves, live reindeer, music, and food trucks.
“It is fun; it is family-filled; and it’s just a great way to start the holiday season,” says Siobhan Finnegan who oversees sponsorships for the event.
She says the event, that also incorporates the historic Cheek-Spruill House, is better than any holiday decorations at City Hall.

The historic Cheek-Spruill House across the street is decorated for Light Up Dunwoody
Light Up Dunwoody could offer replacement for holiday decor at City Hall

“Most of us consider this to be town center. It’s where we spend the majority of our time to and from the grocery store or schools or churches,” says Finnegan.
The city council made its decision at Monday night’s meeting after a month-long debate prompted by the offering of a donated nativity scene.
According to its new decorative display policy, religious symbols are no longer appropriate in common areas of city buildings unless they are part of a display celebrating religious diversity, religious freedom, or similar subject.