Holiday celebrations abound this month in Atlanta! From twinkling lights and ice skating to local markets and seasonal performances, here’s a look at what’s happening around the city this month.
December Family Friendly Events In and Around Atlanta
Now – December 24 – Atlanta Christkindl Market, Lawrenceville Lawn. Experience the magic of the holiday season with the Atlanta Christkindl Market, a unique fusion of traditional German festivities and the vibrant spirit of Atlanta. From delicious culinary delights to handcrafted treasures, immerse yourself in an enchanting world where old-world charm intertwines with the vibrance of Atlanta culture.
Now – December 28 – Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Center for Puppetry Arts. Rudolph soars back into town with this faithful adaptation of the 1964 stop-motion animated special. Recommended for ages 4+.
Now – January 2 – Holidays at Georgia Aquarium. During this time, Georgia Aquarium transforms into a shimmering winter wonderland filled with twinkling lights, festive music, and ocean magic.
Now – January 4 – Stone Mountain Christmas, select dates. Enjoy over two million dazzling lights, festive music, and spectacular holiday shows, all adding the Christmas spirit to family-friendly park attractions, like the Scenic Railroad.
Now – January 11 – Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Back for its 15th year, Garden Lights, Holiday Nights presented by Invesco QQQ shines with new music and choreography for “Nature’s Wonders,” the world’s largest curtain of synchronized light and sound.
Now – January 11 – Winter Wonderland: Celebrations and Traditions Around the World at Fernbank. Celebrate cultures and traditions from around the world in this seasonal exhibit that features decorated trees and other displays. Winter Wonderland will highlight cultural stories, including those from the countries of Japan, Scotland, Kenya, Turkey, Ukraine, Argentina, Guatemala, Canada, the Philippines, and many more.
Now – January 18 – IllumiNights at the Zoo. Experience hundreds of brilliantly illuminated wildlife lanterns and captivating displays that celebrate the beauty and magic of nature after dark.
Now – January 19 – Avalon on Ice. Enjoy outdoor ice skating in the center of Avalon in Alpharetta. Reservations recommended.
Now – February – License to Chill Snow Island, Lanier Islands. License to Chill Snow Island, operated by our partner Margaritaville, creates a magical winter playground filled with snow tubing, ice skating, carnival rides, and snow play for the whole family.
December 4 – Grinch on The Green: A Cozy Holiday Takeover at Phipps Plaza, 5-7 pm. The Green transforms into an outdoor movie night with a big screen showing of The Grinch. Families can snuggle up with blankets while enjoying seasonal bites and festive drinks from the Food Hall. Free professional photos with the Grinch make it extra special.
December 4-30 – Snow Days at Children’s Museum of Atlanta. Every day in December offers the opportunity to explore the winter season with hands-on activities. It’s sure to be “snow” much fun at the Museum!
December 5 – March of the Toys Parade, Ball Ground, 7 pm. Attendees to the parade are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy for the Toys for Tots campaign.
December 5 – Art Walk, Marietta Square, 5-9 pm. Experience the local art scene and dine at the restaurant you have been wanting to try. Good for a date night or a way to casually introduce your kids to local art and artists.
December 6 – The Atlanta Opera Holiday Performance at Lenox Square, 6 pm. For the first time, The Atlanta Opera will perform at Lenox Square, creating a magical evening of holiday tunes and stunning vocals in the elegant setting of Luxury Winter! This special performance is FREE and open to all.
December 6-27 – The Nutcracker, Atlanta Ballet, Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Tchaikovsky’s instantly familiar music will usher in the city’s iconic holiday performances as the Atlanta Ballet presents its signature production of The Nutcracker under the artistic direction of Gennadi Nedvigin.
December 9 – Tuesdays in the Field, Georgia Aquarium, 9 am-1 pm. The Education team is excited to offer an experience for K-12 homeschool students that provides the opportunity to engage in standards-based instruction at their own pace while exploring topics in marine biology, oceanography, ecology, and other science-related fields. December’s program is called Full STEAM Ahead.
December 14 – UPS Second Sunday, High Museum of Art, 12-5 pm. FREE admission for all visitors.
December 16-21 – Elf at the Fox Theatre. Elf The Musical, inspired by the hit film, is the hilarious and heartwarming tale of Buddy, a young orphan child whose life is changed forever when he mistakenly crawls into Santa’s sack of toys one Christmas Eve.
December 19 – Evening Sky Watch at the Tellus Observatory, 6-10 pm. Come visit our Observatory for a rare look through our telescope, where we will be showing some of our favorite celestial objects in the evening sky. Suitable for all ages, advanced registration required.
December 20 – Cereal Saturdays, Atlanta Center for Puppetry Arts, 10 am-12:30 pm. Revisit classic puppet TV shows from the past in a laid-back, living room-like environment, complete with a selection of cereals, milk, juice, and coffee available for purchase. Cereal Saturday is included with paid museum admission.
December 21 – Kids Holiday Market at the Battery Atlanta, 1-4 pm. Celebrate the season and support young entrepreneurs at The Battery Atlanta’s Kids Holiday Market — where the vendors are kids and the cheer is extra merry!
December 23-24 – NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet, Fox Theatre. Watch world-class dancers perform with towering puppets, breathtaking acrobatics, and dazzling costumes.
Support your local sports teams!
Atlanta Hawks Basketball
Atlanta Falcons Football
Atlanta Gladiators Hockey
Georgia Swarm Lacrosse
Did we miss any December family-friendly events in and around Atlanta? Let us know in the comments below!
