The dazzling Glow Light Show offers a leisurely drive through illuminated installations for all ages. Photo courtesy of the event
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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
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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
Enjoy the sparkle of the season at the Glow Light Show in Lawrenceville. Photo courtesy of the event
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Lights of Joy in Kennesaw uses 60 miles(!) of Christmas lights to create the ultimate holiday display.
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Take a festive ride on the Holiday Express for a memorable train ride experience. Photo courtesy of the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
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One of the most popular takes on The Nutcracker comes from Atlanta Ballet, performed at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Photo by Kim Kenney
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Overtime Elite games are exciting for all ages! City Reapers and RWE faced off in the OTE Finals in March 2024 at Atlanta's Overtime arena. Photo courtesy Overtime Elite
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Test your physical and mental prowess at Activate Atlanta, a gaming facility perfect for big kids, teens, and adults!
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Historic Fourth Ward Skate Park was designed with input from the local skateboard community and received funding from Tony Hawk's foundation. Photo by Bill Leffler
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All Rowan piercings are performed by licensed nurses, using hypoallergenic jewelry. Photo courtesy Rowan
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SkyView Atlanta offers an amazing experience for Atlanta visitors and tourists alike! Photo courtesy SkyView Atlanta
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Amore e Amore welcomes muggles and wizards alike during its Harry Potter themed events. Photo by author
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See Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch, Elmo, and other Sesame Street characters at the Center for Puppetry Arts. Photo by the author
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Stone Mountain Park is one of the most visited attractions in Atlanta for a reason -- it's fun! Photo by author
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Kidmoto car service addresses the all-too-common challenge of getting families with young kids to the airport safely.
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Kids can hone their skills by taking pickleball classes at the Sharon Lester Tennis Center at Piedmont Park. Photo courtesy of the center
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Kids will stay entertained, and parents can relax with a pint at Scofflaw Brewing. Photo by author
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Kids get up close to gentle farm animals at Zoo Atlanta's petting zoo, Outback Station.
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Root, root, root for the home team when you're in Atlanta...especially since the Atlanta Braves are, of course, the 2021 World Series champs! Photo by Bill Lefler
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Take a photo at Tiny Doors ATL's door #6, featured in a custom bench by artist Ira Hill, located on the Beltline Eastside trail. Photo courtesy of Tiny Doors ATL
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After a day at the Center for Puppetry Arts, check out the Tiny Door ATL installation (Door #11) at the attraction! Photo by Melanie Preis
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See wonderful live puppet performances, like Pete the Cat, at the Center for Puppetry Arts. Photo by Chris Hunt
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Winterfest is bringing the holiday spirit (even with the Grinch's arrival) to Virginia Highland this weekend! Photo courtesy Virginia Highland
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Garden Lights, Holiday Nights returns to Atlanta Botanical Garden for an amazing Christmas lights event. Photo courtesy of Atlanta Botanical Garden
Garden Lights, Holiday Nights returns to Atlanta Botanical Garden for an amazing Christmas lights event. Photo courtesy of Atlanta Botanical Garden
11/8/24 - By Melanie Preis

'Tis the season for holiday events around Atlanta! Families looking for wholesome merriment have plenty of options this holiday season, including Illuminights at Zoo Atlanta and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at Center for Puppetry Arts. You can't go wrong with one of Atlanta's biggest holiday mainstays and Christmas events, Stone Mountain Park Christmas; or try something new like Cirque du Soleil's Twas the Night Before at the Fox Theatre. Feeling nostalgic for Atlanta holiday traditions? The Pink Pig returns this year at Georgia Festival of Trees!

For more holiday fun, check out our list of Polar Express and Holiday Train Rides Near Atlanta, and discover even more merry activities and ideas in our Atlanta Christmas Activities & Holiday Guide. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to stay in the (s)know!

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Cirque du Soleil reimagines a Christmas classic in 'Twas The Night Before..., an acrobatic show about the magic of the holiday season. Photo by Michael Last
Cirque du Soleil reimagines a Christmas classic in 'Twas The Night Before..., an acrobatic show about the magic of the holiday season. Photo by Michael Last

Best Holiday and Christmas Things To Do in Atlanta - Inside the Perimeter

A Christmas Carol at Alliance Theatre

Midtown
Select days, November 9 - December 24, 2024
This year's production of the holiday classic A Christmas Carol returns to Alliance Theatre's Coca-Cola Stage.  READ MORE

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Puppet Show

Midtown
Select days, November 13 - December 29, 2024
Children delight in seeing this classic tale played out in puppet form at the Center for Puppetry Arts this holiday season.  READ MORE

IllumiNights at Zoo Atlanta

Grant Park
Select days, November 14, 2024 - January 19, 2025
IllumiNights: A Lantern Festival is back at Zoo Atlanta! The lanterns create a wonderland for zoo visitors to enjoy.  READ MORE

Skate the Station at Atlantic Station

West Midtown
November 15, 2024 - January 20, 2025
Atlantic Station welcomes families to skate under the stars at Skate the Station. Open everyday, even on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  READ MORE

Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at Atlanta Botanical Garden

Midtown
November 16, 2024- January 12, 2025
One of Atlanta’s favorite holiday light displays returns to the Atlanta Botanical Garden for Garden Lights, Holiday Nights. Expect new music and choreography with more vertical lights than ever.  READ MORE

Atlanta Christkindl Market

Buckhead - FREE!
Select nights, November 22 - 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

Light the Station at Atlantic Station

West Midtown - FREE!
Saturday, November 23, 2024
Atlantic Station's annual tree lighting ceremony is back with a British Invasion theme. Enjoy the fab Parade of Lights beginning at 6:30pm including floats from quintessential gingerbread to posh pink telephone booths to mod fireplace, Royal guard stilt walkers, and more! All concluding with Santa on the Atlantic Station Express! READ MORE

Winter Wonderland at Fernbank

Atlanta
November 23, 2024 - January 12, 2025
During the holidays at Fernbank, museum visitors enjoy winter traditions from across the globe READ MORE

Atlanta Christkindl Market - Galleria

NW Atlanta - FREE!
November 29 - 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

Atlanta Ballet's The Nutcracker

NW Atlanta
Select days, December 7 - 26, 2024
Atlanta Ballet brings The Nutcracker to life at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Yuri Possokhov's production uses striking costumes, immersive video projections, and bold sets to provide a magical night of this holiday classic. READ MORE

Cirque du Soleil's "'Twas the Night Before" at The Fox

Midtown
December 9 - 15, 2024
Cirque du Soleil reimagines a Christmas classic in ‘Twas The Night Before..., a family show perfect for the holiday season! READ MORE

Chabad Intown's Menorah Lightings

FREE!
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

The Hip Hop Nutcracker

Midtown
Thursday, December 26, 2024
This touring show comes to the Fox Theatre for one night only and features the same traditional Nutcracker story with a hip hop flair. Families will enjoy this vibrant take on the beloved tale through upbeat dance, a DJ, and a violinist.  READ MORE

Best Holiday and Christmas Events in Atlanta - Outside the Perimeter

Winter Lantern Festival Atlanta

Lawrenceville
Select days, November 8, 2024 - January 5, 2025
Gwinnett County Fairgrounds transforms into a dazzling world of light with over 1,000 Chinese lanterns portraying Chinese myths, legends, and zodiacs; Attendees will be amazed as they traverse through dazzling displays of colorful, festive lights and lanterns, including an animal kingdom, a sea world, and a theme park. READ MORE

Stone Mountain Christmas

Stone Mountain
Select days, November 9, 2024 - January 5, 2025
Stone Mountain Park celebrates the magic of Christmas with music, lights, live shows, and visits from familiar holiday-season friends.  READ MORE

Holiday Art Fair at Spruill Gallery

Dunwoody
November 15 - 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

Cosmic Sleigh Ride by World of Illumination

Marietta
November 15 - December 29, 2024
Take a trip through a cosmic sleighride in this holiday lights extravaganza. World of Illumination welcomes families in their own cars to ride through Six Flags White Water as it is transformed into a land filled with out-of-this-world magic.  READ MORE

Glow Light Show

Lawrenceville
November 15 - December 29, 2024
Glow Light Show returns this holiday season at Coolray Field beginning Nov. 15 and running through Dec. 29. Don’t miss the Atlanta area’s most popular, budget-friendly light show the whole family can enjoy!  READ MORE

Callaway Gardens Fantasy in Lights

Pine Mountain
November 15, 2024 - January 4, 2025
Callaway Gardens Fantasy in Lights is an annual Christmas lights display that spans the size of two football fields. Visitors can experience it in a car, on a trolley or on foot.  READ MORE

License to Chill Snow Island at Margaritaville at Lake Lanier Islands

Buford
Select days, November 16, 2024 - February 23, 2025
License to Chill Snow Island is a seasonal amusement park at Lake Lanier Islands that features one of the fastest snow tubing hills in North America. It includes winter-themed carnival rides, an ice skating rink, fire pit with s’mores, and specialty winter drinks and snacks. READ MORE

Skate City Springs

Sandy Springs
November 20, 2024- February 20, 2025
The heart of Sandy Springs turns into a winter wonderland once again as Skate City Springs returns to City Green. They even offer free "Skater Helpers," the walker-style props for kids learning to ice skate.  READ MORE

Noel Magic Light Show at Atlanta Motor Speedway

Hampton
November 22, 2024 - January 1, 2025
Drive through this huge holiday light show at Atlanta Motor Speedway, synchronized to Christmas music for all ages. READ MORE

Georgia Festival of Trees

Duluth - New location!
November 23 - December 1, 2024
The Georgia Festival of Trees is back in a new location (Gas South Convention Center in Duluth) and with a special guest - The Pink Pig! Celebrate the holiday season with beautiful trees, live entertainment, children's games and crafts, and of course, Santa!  READ MORE

Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Over Georgia

Austell
Select days, November 23, 2024 - January 5, 2025
Starting the weekend before Thanksgiving and going through January 5, 2025, Six Flags Over Georgia gets into the holiday spirit. Families enjoy photos with Santa, hot chocolate, beautiful light displays, and of course, all of the thrilling Six Flags rides.  READ MORE

The Lighting of Avalon

Alpharetta -FREE!
Sunday, November 24, 2024
Families head to Avalon, the Sunday before Thanksgiving, for a day full of holiday activities. The festival kicks off at 2pm with an ice-skating performance followed by the opening of the rink to the public.  READ MORE

Lights of LIFE at Life University

Marietta
Select nights, November 28 - December 31, 2024
A drive-through holiday light showcase awaits at Life University. In addition to the magical display, a petting zoo, train rides, and pony rides are available for children. READ MORE

Holiday Express at Blue Ridge Scenic Railway

Blue Ridge
Select days, November 29 - December 24, 2024
Families head north to the mountains for this one-hour holiday train ride on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, featuring the story, The Night Before Christmas. Riders are also treated to holiday music, an activity packet, a candy cane, and a jingle bell. Parents can purchase snacks and hot chocolate while on board. READ MORE

The Battery Tree Lighting Ceremony

Northwest Atlanta- FREE!
Saturday, November 30, 2024
Families come to The Battery the Saturday after Thanksgiving for the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony Presented by Wellstar, complete with entertainment from The Free. Mark Owens and Atlanta Braves’ mascot BLOOPER will watch the skies to help track Santa as he nears closer to The Battery Atlanta.  READ MORE

Christmas on the Farm at Southern Belle Farm

McDonough
Select days, November 30 - December 15, 2024
Southern Belle Farms invites families to celebrate Christmas in the country at the farm. Visitors can enjoy the outdoor activities and take free pictures with Santa on the weekends.  READ MORE

Roswell Winter Puppet Series

Roswell
December 4-6 & 19-21, 2024
Kids love the Roswell Winter Puppet Series because of the funny characters, colorful puppets, and entertaining stories.  READ MORE

Hanukkah Family Fun Day at the MJCCA

Dunwoody - FREE!
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

Places featured in this article:

Fernbank Museum of Natural History
Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
Margaritaville at Lanier Islands
Gas South Convention Center
Roswell Cultural Arts Center