Get Festive: Your Guide to Holiday Cheer in Metro Atlanta

Metro Atlanta is brimming with holiday spirit, offering a spectacular array of activities to get you in a festive mood. From dazzling light displays and ice skating rinks to traditional markets and captivating performances, there’s no shortage of ways to celebrate the season right here in our city. Locals can dive into a dozen unique experiences designed to create lasting holiday memories.

Enchanting Light Displays & Outdoor Wonders

Atlanta truly glows during the holidays with several immersive light experiences. “Garden Lights, Holiday Nights” at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, celebrating its 15th year, transforms the grounds with 2 million lights, including the breathtaking “Nature’s Wonders” – a forest of music-synchronized lights. Meanwhile, Fernbank Museum offers “WildWoods: AGLOW,” a captivating walk-through experience with whimsical lights and soundscapes across its 10-acre woods, alongside “Winter Wonderland: Celebrations & Traditions Around the World” inside the museum, featuring globally inspired Christmas trees. For a unique drive-through experience, World of Illumination’s Candy Rush at Six Flags White Water guides visitors through a sweet-themed wonderland of synchronized lights, soundscapes, and projections, perfect for the whole family.

Zoo Atlanta also lights up the night with “IllumiNights: A Lantern Festival,” a mile-long trail adorned with colorful wildlife lanterns and displays. These events collectively offer a magical spectacle that extends well into January or even February for some attractions, allowing plenty of time to experience the wonder.

Festive Markets, Ice Skating & Community Traditions

Embrace classic holiday traditions with a local twist. The Atlanta Christkindl Market moves to Lawrenceville Lawn for 2025, bringing the authentic smells of hot mulled wine, raclette cheese, and grilled bratwurst, alongside artisan gifts and ornaments, reflecting traditional German holiday markets. This cherished tradition runs from late November through Christmas Eve. For a taste of historic Atlanta, the Grant Park Candlelight Tour of Homes invites participants to explore Victorian and modern homes, complemented by a family-focused Winter Wonderland, an artist market, and a candlelight concert.

For those seeking winter sports, Skate the Station, Atlantic Station’s outdoor holiday ice skating rink, is open through January 19th. Decorated in seasonal decor and playing holiday music, it’s a perfect spot to enjoy the crisp winter air. Additionally, Piedmont Park will host its inaugural Tree Lighting Ceremony, illuminating a 50-foot holiday tree, menorah, and kinara, with performances, giveaways, and opportunities for charity donations, kicking off the season and remaining on display through January 4th.

Family Fun & Theatrical Magic

Atlanta caters to all ages with a variety of engaging holiday activities. At the Center for Puppetry Arts, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” puppet show tells a heartwarming story about embracing uniqueness. Tickets include a create-a-puppet workshop and admission to their extensive puppet collections. Zoo Atlanta also offers “Cookies with Santa” for professional photos and festive snacks, alongside their “IllumiNights” lantern festival.

Children’s Museum of Atlanta welcomes Buddy the Elf for special meet-and-greets, hot cocoa, and storytelling, a perfect precursor to “Elf The Musical” at the Fox Theatre. Even the marine life gets festive at the Georgia Aquarium, where the lobby transforms into a winter wonderland, featuring daily tree lightings, Santa visits, and the unique sight of Scuba Claus swimming with manta rays in the Ocean Voyager exhibit.

Atlanta’s Premier Holiday Performances

The performing arts scene in Atlanta truly shines during the holidays, offering a rich tapestry of shows for every taste. From classic ballets to orchestral concerts and theatrical productions, locals can immerse themselves in the magic of live performances. Here’s a glimpse at some of the must-see shows:

These performances, ranging from traditional ballet and orchestral pieces to modern rock operas and Cirque du Soleil, ensure there’s a holiday show to captivate every audience member.

Frequently Asked Questions About Atlanta Holiday Events

• Are there free holiday events in Metro Atlanta?
  Yes! The Piedmont Park Tree Lighting Ceremony is free, and browsing at the Atlanta Christkindl Market on Lawrenceville Lawn is also free of charge.
• Which events feature impressive light displays?
  For stunning light displays, check out “Garden Lights, Holiday Nights” at Atlanta Botanical Garden, “WildWoods: AGLOW” at Fernbank Museum, World of Illumination’s Candy Rush, and “IllumiNights: A Lantern Festival” at Zoo Atlanta.
• What are the best options for families with young children?
  Families will love “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” at the Center for Puppetry Arts, “Cookies with Santa” at Zoo Atlanta, meeting Buddy the Elf at the Children’s Museum of Atlanta, and seeing Scuba Claus at the Georgia Aquarium.
• Where can I go ice skating in Atlanta?
  Skate the Station at Atlantic Station offers an outdoor ice skating rink available through January 19th.
• Are there cultural holiday celebrations in Atlanta?
  The Atlanta Christkindl Market offers a traditional German market experience, and Fernbank Museum’s “Winter Wonderland” showcases internationally inspired Christmas trees.

With so many diverse options, from spirited outdoor adventures to heartwarming indoor shows, Atlanta truly comes alive during the holidays. Plan your outings now and make the most of this magical season with friends and family.

Metro Atlanta Holiday Cheer Guide