Tis the season of holiday activities, lights, parades, and festivities! Atlanta has so many options for you and your family to choose from. Here is a list of some great ones in the Area.
Atlanta Holiday Guide:: Holiday Activities + Events
November 27 – March 23
Lake Lanier
License to Chill Snow Island at Margaritaville at Lanier Islands features Blizzard Mountain, which is one of North America’s longest snow rides coming in at 575 feet long and eight stories tall. Here, guests can board tubes and slide down the mountain at high speeds in the area’s only snow. Snow Island also provides guests opportunities to ice skate, participate in snowball fights and ride their favorite carnival amusement rides such as bumper cars and the Ferris wheel. Snow Island also offers special dining options for guests, including themed meals, drinks and snacks at the Glacier Café, Tipsy Snowman and Jack Frost’s Shark Shack. Menu items include typical park offerings, such as cheeseburgers and chicken fingers, as well as specialty offerings to entice guests for the season, like hot cocoa, signature cocktails and s’mores kits guests can use at the firepits.
Later in the season, Margaritaville at Lanier Islands hosts its Lakeside Lights Spectacular. This is an opportunity to stroll through a range of traditional holiday displays, high-tech images and Margaritaville-themed scenes. To provide refreshments, Margaritaville sets up the Tipsy Elf in the middle of the light show, offering guests a refill station for cocktails, hot cocoa and sweet treats.
Winter Wonderland at Fernbank Museum
November 23 – January 12
Atlanta
Celebrate the holiday season with the joy and wonder of Fernbank Museum. Winter Wonderland: Celebrations & Traditions Around the World features culturally decorated trees and other displays to recognize celebrations, events and traditions from around the world. The exhibit highlights festivities and traditions that tell unique stories selected by cultural partners through arts, crafts, symbols and ornamental displays.
Impress your guests by treating them to an unforgettable experience at Fernbank, where adventure awaits both inside and out. Discover permanent and special exhibits, giant screen films, and family-friendly events all year round. Don’t miss Fernbank After Dark, an adults-only night of science, snacks, and cocktails, held on the second Friday of each month.
Surprise friends and family of all ages with a present that keeps on giving, a Fernbank Membership. Give the gift of adventure, discovery, and togetherness this holiday season!
Stone Mountain Christmas
November 9 – January 5
Stone Mountain Park
Each day during Stone Mountain Christmas, you can enjoy park attractions including Summit Skyride, Scenic Railroad, and more! Then, become immersed in holiday magic with evenings full of festive music, millions of dazzling lights, spectacular shows, and visits from some of your favorite holiday characters!
March of the Toys Parade
December 6, 7 pm
Downtown Ball Ground
One of the largest Christmas parades in North Georgia that benefits Toys for Tots! Attendees to the parade are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy for the Toys for Tots campaign.
Past parades have featured such participants as the Griswold Truckster that appeared in the 2015 movie “Vacation”, the Oscar Myer Weinermobile, Christian Fine Arts of Forsyth Marching Band, the Creekview High School Marching Band, a replica of the 1966 Batmobile, Scooby Do’s Mystery Machine, Atlanta Falcon Cheerleaders, the Georgia Tech Goldrush Dancers, the Georgia State Pantherettes, dance groups, floats, tractors, antique cars and much more.
Rudolph at the Center for Puppetry Arts
November 12 – December 29
Midtown Atlanta
He’s back! Rudolph soars back into town for this faithful adaptation that speaks to the misfit in all of us. This is absolutely one of my family’s favorite traditions. It is such a great show with a great message and the kids look forward to it year after year. Most years they even have a craft for the kids after the show!
Roswell Winter Puppet Series
December 19 – 21
Roswell
The Roswell Cultural Arts Center presents two puppet shows by Lee Bryan, “That Puppet’s Guy” that you do not want to miss. This year they will be showing ‘Trouble in Toyland’. Tickets are $10 per person.
A Farmstead Christmas at Southern Belle Farm
November 29 – December 15
McDonough
Head to the farm to enjoy Christmas in the Country! Take your family on over to Southern Belle Farm to experience all the activities, including pedal karts, hayrides, animal barn and so much more. There are also plenty of tasty treats at their Country Market, so stop in and fill your bellies!
Snow Days at Children’s Museum of Atlanta
December 3 – January 2
Downtown Atlanta
Every day in December we’ll explore the winter season with hands-on activities. It’s sure to be “snow” much fun at the Museum!
Snow Days Kick-Off weekend! Celebrate Winter Solstice with Full Radius Dance Company, join a kid-friendly snowball fight on stage, and enjoy afternoon hot cocoa at Jane’s Innovation Station before hitting CMA’s sock-friendly “ice” rink, Sockerfeller Plaza.
Keep the holiday spirit going with the Celebrate Winter Holidays throughout December and ring in the New Year with our annual Bubble Bash on Sunday, December 31.
Atlanta Christkindl Market
November 22 – December 24
Buckhead Village
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 modern energy of this bustling city.
Season of Celebration in Alpharetta
November 23 – December 15
Alpharetta
December 7 – Holiday shopping just got easier! Join us in Alpharetta for a Holiday Hop & Shop. Take advantage of the FREE hop-on, hop-off shuttle, running from 9:30 – 4:00 p.m. as you browse for handcrafted items for everyone on your list. You’ll have the chance to visit four unique markets offering a variety of crafts, food, décor, jewelry, sweet treats, and much more! Plus, there are plenty of fun activities for the kids including free pictures with Santa, holiday character meet & greets, and live music. Don’t forget to keep receipts to get up to three gifts wrapped for free! Make it a fun day of holiday shopping while supporting your community.
November 23 – December 15 – The season of giving is here, and it’s the perfect opportunity to spread some cheer by helping those in need. Residents and businesses are invited to participate in Alpharetta’s Annual Holiday Food Drive by donating non-perishable goods to the North Fulton Community Charities (NFCC) Food Pantry. Between November 23rd – December 15 we ask you to drop off items at 7 Alpharetta locations during business hours or place anytime on 4 of the wooden trees placed in downtown.
Together, we can make a difference in our community.
Acworth Holiday Events
December 6 – December 18
Downtown Acworth
Acworth Community Center has plenty of events this holiday season including its annual Menorah Lighting Ceremony, writing letters to Santa, a visit from the big guy to a special breakfast with the Grinch! Check out all the events they have to offer.
Holiday Spirit at Oakland Cemetery
December 7 & 8
Downtown Atlanta
Indulge in the seasonal spirit at Oakland Cemetery! Join us on December 7 and 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for Holiday Spirit, a unique seasonal open house and market that features holiday activities for the whole family! No tickets are required for this family-friendly FREE event.
Gwinnett County Winter Lantern Festival
November 8 – January 5
Gwinnett County Fairgrounds
Starting on November 10, you will have an opportunity to step into a dazzling world of light that features over 1000 lanterns inspired by Chinese myths, legends, and the zodiac. All lanterns are handmade by artisans with decades of experience in their trade bringing magical folklorical creatures to life. It is a whimsical light display with special activities for kids, couples, and the whole family.
Did we miss any holiday activities in your community? Let us know in the comments! Posts and holiday activities are updated periodically.
Be sure to check out Atlanta Mom’s other holiday guides:
Christkindl Market at Historic Bullock Hall Roswell…Enjoy holiday vendors, authentic food and drinks, a biergarten, crafts, activities, a children’s train, Santa 4-7 on Fri, Sat, Sun and beautiful European-style holiday decorations—shuttles on weekends