Garden Lights, Holiday Nights returns is a must-see Atlanta holiday event. Photo courtesy of the Atlanta Botanical Gardens
GUIDE
Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for Atlanta Kids
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Sandy Springs City Springs puts on a free parade and beautiful display of lit, miniature homes on December 8. Photo courtesy City of Sandy Springs
Sandy Springs City Springs puts on a free parade and beautiful display of lit, miniature homes on December 8. Photo courtesy City of Sandy Springs
12/1/24 - By Elsa Simcik

We've gathered the best free Christmas events and holiday activities in Atlanta happening! Let's face it —the holiday season in Atlanta is magical but creating family memories isn't always cheap (like holiday shows, photo keepsakes with Santa, and more). Mommy Poppins to the rescue! There are lots of great FREE holiday events in Atlanta. Our list has lightings (both menorahs and Christmas trees), festivals, Christmas parades, and holiday markets. We even found free places to pose with Santa and drive-thru light shows!

For more seasonal highlights, be sure to check out our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for Atlanta Kids, and of course, our always-up-to-date Family Activity Calendar.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Free Holiday Activities & Christmas Events in Atlanta

Winter House at Callanwolde

Virginia-Highland
Select days through December 15, 2024
The Winter House features items for sale by Callanwolde artists, as well as live performances, s’mores by the outdoor firepit, and board games inside the 27,000-square-foot mansion. Children receive a craft bag that includes a scavenger hunt and coloring pages. Although free to attend, tickets are required. READ MORE

Atlanta Christkindl Market - Galleria

NW Atlanta
Through December 22, 2024
Atlanta parents and kids get to visit this authentic German marketplace at its second location at Galleria on the Park. The Atlanta Christkindl Market features holiday items, as well as German food, treats, drinks, and more. Santa will be there for photos!  READ MORE

Roswell Christkindlmarket

Roswell
Through December 22, 2024
The Roswell Christkindl Market is back during the holiday season. From Nov. 22 - Dec. 22 families shop, eat and take pictures with Santa at Roswell's historical Bulloch Hall.  READ MORE

Holiday Art Fair at Spruill Gallery

Dunwoody
Through December 23, 2024
Spruill Gallery hosts its annual Holiday Art Fair, offering unique decor and gifts from local artists. Shoppers can choose from one-of-a-kind items this holiday season.  READ MORE

Atlanta Christkindl Market

Buckhead
Through December 24, 2024
Atlanta parents and kids get to visit this authentic German marketplace in Buckhead Village all season long. The Atlanta Christkindl Market features holiday items, as well as German food, treats, drinks, and more. Santa will be there for photos!  READ MORE

Holiday Lights at Brook Run Park

Dunwoody
Nightly Through December 31, 2024
Families love this free event at Brook Run Park. This year's theme is Arctic Safari, featuring grand pillars of lights and lighted snowflakes along the entrance near N. Peachtree Road, a safari-style vehicle and train, the Mega Tree, illuminated faux igloo geo-domes, Arctic animal ice shapes, and more for a total of 100,000 lights! READ MORE

Christmasville Tinseltown in McDonough

McDonough
Nightly through Monday, January 6, 2025
The City of McDonough offers this free, walkable light show all throughout the holiday season at Alexander Park West.  READ MORE

Coming Home for the Holidays and Tree Lighting in Smyrna

Smyrna
Tuesday, December 3, 2024
Smyrna always throws a grand kickoff to the holiday season with their tree lighting ceremony. The event includes holiday festivities plus a visit from Santa (who actually lights the giant tree). READ MORE

Light Up Brookhaven

Brookhaven
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
This festive holiday event is back with Santa, arriving on a helicopter! Visitors will see the lighting of a giant Christmas tree plus the lighting of the city's menorah.  READ MORE

Snow Day Movie Matinee in Sandy Springs

Sandy Springs
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
Celebrate the start of winter with a Snow Day at City Springs. Enjoy an afternoon pajama party and movie matinee featuring, Frozen. Meet the characters, enjoy our hot chocolate and snack bar, and take home a goody bag. This is an inclusive event designed to create an opportunity for people with disabilities and their families to connect within the community. READ MORE

Selfies with Santa at The Avenue West Cobb

Marietta
December 4, 11, 13, & 18, 2024
Bring your camera to take a free picture with Santa at Avenue West Cobb. No reservations are required. Optional professional pictures can be purchased for a fee.  READ MORE

Christmas Tree Lighting & Santa on the Marietta Square

Marietta
Thursday, December 5, 2024
The City of Marietta's Annual Christmas Tree Lighting returns with Santa's arrival to the square. The fun begins at 4PM with performances by local school and church choirs, then Santa makes his Grand Entrance to help the Mayor and the City of Marietta light the tree.  READ MORE

Decatur Christmas Tree Lighting

Decatur
Thursday, December 5, 2024
The City of Decatur is hosting its Christmas Tree Lighting in downtown Decatur. Guests enjoy carols, cookies, hot cocoa, and "snow" on Decatur Square. Santa will turn on the tree at 7pm.  READ MORE

Vinings Jubilee Christmas Tree Lighting

Vinings
Thursday, December 5, 2024
Santa heads into the Vinings Jubilee shopping center for photo ops and the lighting of the Vinings Christmas tree. READ MORE

Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting - Powder Springs

Powder Springs
Friday, December 6, 2024
Pose for a free photo with Santa following the Christmas parade and tree lighting in Thurman Springs Park. Complimentary cookies and hot cocoa, in addition to live entertainment, provided. READ MORE

Roswell Christmas Tree Lighting

Roswell
Friday, December 6, 2024
The City of Roswell launches the holiday season with their annual Lighting of the Christmas Tree at Heart of Roswell Park on Canton Street, between Norcross Street and Magnolia Street. The free event includes choral performances, hot chocolate, fire pits and s’mores, a visit from Santa Claus, and of course, the tree lighting.  READ MORE

Santa's Arrival in Acworth

Acworth
Friday, December 6, 2024
At this annual Acworth celebration, families wait for Santa to arrive and enjoy live performances, the festival of trees, and a reading of The Night Before Christmas by Acworth's mayor. Stay for the lighting of the tree and photos with Santa. (Parents take their own photos for free!) READ MORE

Jolly Holly Days & Market in Suwanee

Suwanee
December 6 & 7, 2024
Families will want to bring their little ones to this annual event at Town Center Park in Suwanee. On Friday evening from 5-9pm, Santa arrives to greet children, pose for photos, and collect wishlists. Several school choirs will provide musical entertainment, and Santa will light the holiday tree.  READ MORE

Christmas in Acworth

Acworth
Saturday, December 7, 2024
Bring your camera to take pictures with Santa in Depot Park from 1–5pm. FREE READ MORE

Christmas in Crabapple

Milton
Saturday, December 7, 2024
The City of Milton hosts this quaint holiday event in historic downtown Crabapple at the Broadwell Pavilion. There will be face painting, Christmas tunes spun by an on-site DJ, a balloon artist, and a chance to decorate cookies and ornaments.  READ MORE

A Day with Santa in Kennesaw

Kennesaw
Saturday, December 7, 2024
A Day with Santa kicks off with a parade in downtown Kennesaw at 2pm. From 3-7pm, Santa will be onsite for photos at City Hall. A professional photographer will offer free digital downloads the week after the event with an option to purchase additional photos. READ MORE

Deck the Hall in Duluth

Duluth
Saturday, December 7, 2024
This annual event has grown from a tree-lighting ceremony to an all-day extravaganza. Visitors to the Duluth Town Green enjoy music, winter activities, and carolers.  READ MORE

Holiday Celebration at Buckhead Village

Buckhead
Saturday, December 7, 2024
Celebrate the holidays at Buckhead Village with a day full of fun, including a holiday market, wreath decorating, kids' activities and more.  READ MORE

Holiday Hop and Shop

Alpharetta
Saturday, December 7, 2024
This Alpharetta event makes holiday shopping easy. A free shuttle takes guests to various holiday markets. Your kids can pose for a complimentary photo with Santa between 10 am-noon in front of the Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau. The event also features live music and character visits.   READ MORE

Saturdays with Santa at Ponce City Market

Midtown
December 7, 14, & 21, 2024
Kids get to visit with Santa Adrian on Saturday afternoons during the holidays on the second floor by Bar Vegan, where a festive photo backdrop will be set up. From 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM.  READ MORE

Holiday Lights at East Cobb Park

Marietta
Sunday, December 8, 2024
Parents and kids enjoy the magic of this free event at East Cobb Park which includes live music, games, a tree lighting and of course, a visit from Santa!  READ MORE

Holiday Chastain

Buckhead
Sunday, December 8, 2024
​Bring the family to the playground for an afternoon filled with joy and excitement, including photos with Santa, a cookie decorating station, face painting, airbrush tattoos, and plenty of hot chocolate for the kids (and coffee for parents to keep warm).  READ MORE

Sparkle Sandy Springs

Sandy Springs
Sunday, December 8, 2024
Visitors to Sandy Springs City Springs on Sunday, December 8, enjoy a parade and a beautiful display of lit, miniature homes (around all month long). Following the parade, families are treated to both menorah and tree lightings.  READ MORE

Woodstock Christmas Jubilee and Parade

Woodstock
Sunday, December 8, 2024
The City of Woodstock kicks off the holiday season with their Christmas Jubilee & Parade of Lights. The parade starts at Woodstock Elementary School on Rope Mill Rd. and travels down Main St. to Sam’s Club at Highway 92. After the parade, folks walk over to The Park at City Center to visit with Santa, see the tree lighting, enjoy kids' activities, decorate cupcakes, and more.  READ MORE

Lawrenceville Lights

Lawrenceville
December 12-14 and 19-21, 2024
Lawrenceville Lights (or LV Lights) is a popular free drive-thru light display, wowing visitors at the campground of Lawrenceville First United Methodist Church (just outside of downtown Lawrenceville). This year it runs for two weekends!  READ MORE

Virginia Highland Winterfest

Virginia-Highland
December 13 & 14, 2024
Winterfest in Va-Hi kicks off with a ticketed Tour of Lights on Friday night. Families stroll around the historic neighborhood and receive beverages and treats at participating homes. On Saturday morning Winterfest starts with a Jingle Jog followed by a parade and a huge holiday market. READ MORE

Holiday Artisan Market at Cobb County Civic Center

Marietta
December 13-15, 2024
This festival will feature retailers and artists and will showcase handmade goods, fine arts, musical performances, visits from Santa, free kids crafts, and more.  READ MORE

Snow Day at Alpharetta City Center

Alpharetta
Saturday, December 14, 2024
Families descend on the Town Green to experience a winter wonderland  with snow flurries plus family-friendly activities, a photo booth, and holiday-themed treats.  READ MORE

Pancake Breakfast with Santa in Milton

Milton
Saturday, December 14, 2024
Families enjoy delicious breakfast foods, including pancakes, served by Milton firefighters at this festive event at Station 44's bay. Other activities include balloon animals created by one of Santa's elves, a raffle, and even a visit by the Grinch (after its heart grew)!  READ MORE

Merry Mighty Mo and More at The Fox

Midtown
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
The annual, free holiday event Merry Mighty Mo and More at the Fox is a night of holiday cheer featuring free photos with Santa Claus, sing-alongs with the Fox Theatre's famed organ, "Mighty Mo," a performance by a cappella quartet Like The Dickens, a viewing of the holiday classic movie ELF, and more.  READ MORE

Hanukkah Family Fun Day at the MJCCA

Dunwoody
Wednesday, December 25, 2024
Everyone is invited to Family Fun Day at the MJCCA for open play in their gyms, iarts and crafts, and games, all in the spirit of Hanukkah. READ MORE

Grand Chanukah Festival in Dunwoody

Dunwoody
Wednesday, December 25, 2024
Join for a fun-filled and exciting Chanukah experience. Program includes a grand gelt drop with the Dunwoody Fire Department, face painting, live fire show, songs with Rabbi G, photo booths, falafel stand, and more! READ MORE

Chabad Intown's Menorah Lightings

Virginia-Highland - December 25, 2024
Ponce City Market - December 26, 2024
Decatur - December 29, 2024
Atlantic Station - December 30, 2024
Celebrate Hanukkah with Menorah lightings around the city, taking place from December 25 - 30.  READ MORE

New Year's Eve Bash at The Battery

NW Atlanta
Sunday, December 31, 2024
The Battery hosts a New Year's Eve celebration that has something for everyone. The Early Innings party, geared towards families, starts at 6pm and wraps up at 8pm with an inflatable balloon drop.  READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Callanwalde Fine Arts Center
Acworth Community Center
Alpharetta Convention and Visitor's Bureau
LV First United Methodist Church Campground
Intersection of Virginia Ave & North Highland
Milton Fire Station 44