Atlanta holiday guide

Your go-to guide for all things Holiday in Atlanta!

Updated: 12/11/2024

classic atlanta holiday:

holiday markets:

Spruill Arts Holiday Art Fair
The Atlanta Christkindl Market is open daily through Sunday. The market brings German holiday traditions including culinary delights and handcrafted treasures.
Holiday Artists Market + FREE Pics with Santa at the Peachtree Road Farmers Market 8:30 am to 12:00 pm | FREE | The Cathedral of St. Philip (Buckhead) Learn more here
Christkindl Market at Galleria on the Park November 29 – December 22 Details here.
Deck the Hall, Duluth Holiday Market December 7, 2:00 PM – 8:00 Visit Duluth
Virginia Highland Winterfest Holiday Market December 14, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM Details here
Atlantic Station hosts Creator’s Market from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. Saturdays and noon until 7 p.m. Sundays, every weekend through December.

trees & Menorahs!

- Menorah Lighting at Ponce City Market: Celebrate Hanukkah with music and refreshments. Details
- Annual Winter Fest and Tree Lighting in Summerhill – Dec 14th
- Annual Menorah Lighting at Marietta Square – Join Marietta and Congregation Ner Tamid at this ceremony. Dec. 28 – Marietta Square
- Chanukah Menorah Lighting at Town Green Stage (Alpharetta)
- Join Chabad and the City of Alpharetta at this annual lighting.
- Dec. 25 – City of Alpharetta
- GLT Hanukkah Party at Congregation Gesher L’Torah Celebrate with a 1970s-themed skate party, menorah lighting, singing prayers and more.
- Dec. 25 Congregation Gesher L’Torah
- Nightly Tree Shows at Colony Square: Hourly light shows with festive music. Details
- Miracle on Peachtree (12/11-12/14) is back for the fifth year with family-friendly events and activities. On Friday, Santa and his elves take over the Buc shuttle. Livable Buckhead plans Hot Chocolate Crawls on Saturday from 4 until 7 p.m. The official tree lighting is set for Saturday as well with festivities beginning at 6:50 p.m. in Charlie Loudermilk Park.
- Christmas Tree Lighting & Santa on the Square: Enjoy the tree lighting, Santa photos, and hot cocoa in Marietta. Details

festivals & events:

Winter Wonderland in Avondale – December 14th
Annual Winter Fest in Summerhill – Dec 14th
Nativity Petting Zoo at Glenn Memorial United Methodist Sunday the 15th from 12-1:30pm
Avondale Estates Christmas Tour of Homes & Holiday Market – Sunday 3-8PM
Holiday Plaza Party: Carolers, hot cocoa, and prizes outside North Avenue MARTA Station. Details – Dec 12th
Thursday, December 19 • The Grinch Movie at 6 pm
Downtown Decatur Square, FREE!
Bonfire & Marshmallow Roast: Free marshmallows and cozy vibes in Decatur Square. Details – Dec 12th
Hanukkah at The Museum at The Breman Museum – Blend fun and learning as you explore the magic of Hanukkah with a puppet show, storytime, crafts and more. Dec. 15 – The Breman Museum
During Holidays at Georgia Aquarium you’ll find a completely transformed atrium with festive music, winter-inspired projections and a 40-foot live tree. There will be photos with Santa, daily lighting of the tree and holiday-themed dolphin presentations. All the swimmers at the aquarium cannot wait to sea you. Festivities continue through Jan. 2, 2025
Starting Saturday and running through Dec. 29, the Pemberton Place Holiday Express invites you to wander the park around Pemberton Place, which will be decorated for the holidays. Catch a ride on the Coca-Cola Holiday Express train, which will whisk you from the North Pole to the South Pole and back.
Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year at LEGO Discovery Center Atlanta during our Holiday Bricktacular, November 24 – December 24, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (hours may vary – please check the website for all hours).
Festive Flicks at The Forum: Watch holiday movie classics in Peachtree Corners. Details
Celebrate Chanukah with Chabad Intown – Enjoy music, live entertainment, Chanukah treats, menorah lightings and more as part of these celebrations. Dec. 25-26 and 29-30 – Chabad Intown

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holiday pop ups & bars:

Check out one of the many Holiday pop up bars around the city. All Holiday Bar Pop Up’s Instagrams linked below! Be sure to designate a driver, grab a ride share or take Marta to your favorite destination!

West Midtown Santa Bar Crawl – December 14th
Holidays on the ROOF at Ponce – through Jan 5th
@westside_motor_lounge – Westside Sleighride
@biltongbar Blitzen Room
@miraclebaratlanta
@sostikibar Tiki Christmas
@theblindpigparlourbar The Blind Elf
@livebatteryatl Tinsel Tavern
@virtuerooftop Holiday Bar @5churchatlanta
@rangerstationatl Apres Ski
@chattahoocheefoodworks Jingle Bar
@littlespiritatl Little Christmas Spirit
@caperestaurant Cape Christmas
@mercantilesocial Grinchmas
@theselectatl Christmas bar
@mingleandjinglebar at Best End Brewing
@dadsatl Christmas at Dad’s
@hampandharrys Grinch pop-up
Christmas Vacation Trivia at Atlanta Hard Cider: Holiday-themed trivia fun in Marietta. Details
Tacky Sweater Party: Pink Floyd acoustic music and holiday vibes at From the Earth Brewing. Details

Santa sightings:

Santa Con: Dece,ber 14th – Visit Decatur Georgia
Zoo Atlanta: December 7–8; $25–$30; includes photo and cookie kit.
Phipps Plaza: November 1–December 23; pre-registration required; photo packages vary.
The Battery: November 24–December 24; free DIY photos and letter drop-off.
Stone Mountain Park: November 9–January 5; $35+; photos at Santa’s North Pole office.
Bass Pro Shops: November 18–December 24; free 4×6 photo; advanced registration required.
Atlanta Botanical Gardens: November 16–January 12 (Saturdays); free with admission.
Avalon: November 25–December 24; $40 photos; Santa Tuck-Ins available (extra cost).
Georgia Festival of Trees: November 22–December 1; $15–$21; photos and festive activities.
Rhodes Hall: November 16–December 15 (weekends); $50 with photo; reservation required.
Georgia Aquarium: November 25–December 24 (select dates); admission + photo package.
Marietta Square: November 24–December 24; TBD cost; Santa’s workshop and carousel rides.
Roswell Christkindl Market: November 22–December 22; free; pet-friendly holiday market.
Southern Belle Farm: November 24–December 17; $16; rustic Santa experience and farm activities.

skating & snow:

Through Jan 2nd, check out Snow Days at Children’s Museum of Atlanta.
Skate the Station at Atlantic Station.
Park Tavern’s ice skating rink is a nice-sized rink with good amenities and spectacular views.
The Roof at Ponce City Market invites guests to Skate the Sky.
Tis’ the season to lace up your skates and glide into the holiday spirit at Avalon on Ice!
Take a spin on Frosty’s Ice Rink at Lake Lanier! – Not only can you ice skate at Lake Lanier, but you can also enjoy the “snow” at Margaritaville at Lanier Islands.
Olde Town Conyers Pavilion ice skating.
Center Ice Arena (Sandy Springs). Learn to skate, play hockey, or just enjoy gliding across the ice during one of their public skating dates.
Snow Day at Alpharetta City Center: Snow, treats, and family activities. Details

shows & art:

“Madeline’s Christmas” returns to Horizon Theatre for its 14th season Dec. 7 – 31.
Georgia Boy Choir Concert: Choral holiday music at a stunning venue. Details.
The Alliance Theatre’s annual production of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” runs through Dec. 24.
See Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” at Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse starting Saturday. and running through Dec. 23.
“A Christmas Story” is on stage at Theatrical Outfit through Dec. 24.
Callanwolde Fine Arts Center Winter House 2024.
Regions Bank Broadway in Atlanta brings Cirque du Soleil to the Fox Theatre, where the company will perform “‘Twas the Nigh Before” on stage. See it through Dec. 15.
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol at Shakespeare Tavern. Dec. 3-23.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at Center for Puppetry Arts. Through Dec. 31.
CHILL Winter Pops Concert: Orchestra music and a coat drive at St. Bartholomew’s Church. Details

holiday lights:

Grant Park Candlelit Tour of Homes: Candlelit tour of Atlanta’s finest decorated homes. Details – Dec 14 and 15th
Lights of Life at Life University
Botanical Garden Lights
IllumiNights at the Zoo: A Chinese Lantern Festival opens to the public at Zoo Atlanta in November 2023.
Trek over land, sea and air to hear the jingle of the jungle at Enchanted Safari produced by World of Illumination at Six Flags White Water in Marietta.
Lake Lanier Lights Spectacular
At the Winterfest Tour of Lights, you will get a map of homes with the most extravagant decorations. Some homes will be offering treats and beverages, and a few will even be showing off their backyards for participants.
Light Up Brookhaven: Tree lighting, Santa’s helicopter arrival, and food trucks. Details
The city of Dunwoody has you covered with this event at Brook Run Park. It’s apres-ski-centric with Adirondack chairs, a faux snow factory, a huge snow globe and more. The display comprises 85,000 lights that will glow throughout the park until Dec. 31. dunwoodyga.gov
The Graves House Christmas Lights – 2464 Fontaine Circle in Decatur
SMOOT FAMILY CHRISTMAS LIGHT SHOW –3699 Autumn View Dr NW, Acworth, GA 30101; Nov 23rd – Jan 1st
HROCKIN HRANICKY CHRISTMAS LIGHT SHOW 3848 Rivers Run Trace NW, Acworth, GA 30101
The Largest Residential Christmas Light Display in Georgia. Over 1.2 Million Lights. – 1510 Ben King Road NW – Kennesaw, GA 30144
Best Neighborhood Lights Around Atlanta
Light up Hapeville