There’s so much going on in Atlanta for the holidays!
It doesn’t matter if you’re searching for holiday lights to brighten up your festive season, ice-skating rinks, or a boozy pop-up to get into the spirit of things, we’ve got the perfect events for you! ‘Tis the season, so treat yourself to a few festive outings throughout the next few weeks, or gift a loved one to an unforgettable day out.
Here are 20 fabulously festive things to do over the holidays in Atlanta this year.
1. Have a luminous night at the Atlanta Botanical Garden
One of the many spectacular light shows that has completely transformed Atlanta into a dazzling holiday spectacle is the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s Garden Lights, Holiday Nights.
This unmissable celebration of light annually takes over the enchanting gardens, with several beloved installations returning this year, as well as new lights for the new season!
2. Set sail on an emotional journey on Titanic: An Immersive Voyage
If you’re looking for the perfect holiday experience for your history buff friend, S.O., or family member, this is just the event for you! You’ve gotta check out Titanic: An Immersive Voyage. This emotional experience will teach you all about the tragic event from the early 1900s. You’ll see incredible artifacts from the actual ship, the iconic movie with Leo DiCaprio, and tons of recreations and VR experiences!
Get all the details here!3. Enjoy a magical candlelit concert of holiday classics
The Candlelight concert series has taken Atlanta by storm, and they’re have a festive selection of holiday concerts. Enjoy those classic carols, Christmas pop hits, and more at the beloved concerts that are completely bathed in flickering candlelight.
Or check out all the candlelight concerts happening in the ATL this season here!
4. Enjoy winter sports and festivities at Snow Island: License to Chill!
Snow Island is the perfect destination for all of your snow needs! Let’s face it… we don’t get snow in Atlanta, and when we do, it’s not the kind you can play in. But at Snow Island, you can snow tube, ice skate, have a snowball fight and so many other snow activities, right here in Georgia!
Oh, and not to mention the delicious holiday-themed food you can eat too!
For all the details, check out Snow Island License to Chill!
5. Get Into The Holiday Spirit With The Return Of Atlanta’s Adored Festival Of Trees
When: November 18 – November 26, 2023
Where: the Georgia World Congress Center, located in Building A, Exhibit Hall A3.
The Festival of Trees is a special nine-day event that’s jam-packed with Christmas spirit!
Guests can get excited to walk through a forest of beautifully decorated Christmas trees, which are available for auction!
There will also be live music and entertainment, kids’ activities and games, gift shops from local artisans, food and so much more! This event is fun for the whole family!
6. Walk through the largest residential lights display in Georgia
Where: 1510 Ben King Road NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144
Lights of Joy is the largest residential holiday lights display in Georgia, and it’s completely free of charge to view. Over 200 trees and several installations boast over 1 million luminous lights, making it the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit.
This holiday gem is not to be missed! It’s free to walk through, but donations are appreciated!
For all the details, check out the Lights of Joy website!
7. Experience Georgia’s authentic German Alpine village
Helen is Georgia’s unique Alpine village with old-school German architecture and enchanting storybook vibes. The area annually gets an awesome holiday makeover with gorgeous decorations, as well as a Christmas Parade set to take over the town! Check out all the info and plan your trip!.
8. It’s the perfect time to go ice skating!
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner on skates, the holidays are the perfect time to grab some delicious treats, your friends, and hit the ice! Atlanta is teeming with skating opportunities, which you can check out in our skating roundup!
Go get out on that ice!
9. Get everyone on your list a gift from a festive Holiday Market
If there’s one thing Atlanta has no shortage of, it’s creative people! There are tons of pop up holiday markets happening all over town, and you don’t want to miss out!
Whether you’re looking for the perfect unique piece of art for that hard-to-shop-for friend or a little special treat for yourself, you can’t go wrong with a craft artisan market full of local wares and fares!
Get all your holiday gifts in one spot at these merry markets!
10. See the beloved Christmas classic, A Christmas Carol live at the Alliance Theatre
All season long, the Alliance Theatre is showing their annual classic, A Christmas Carol on the Coca-Cola Stage!
This year, theatre-goers can get excited for a completely reimagined set design and stunning new costumes!
Get ready to be transported to the streets of London to revisit the timeless story of Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey to redemption, told with beautiful live music and an all-star cast.
Check out the Alliance Theatre’s website for more information!
11. Step straight into a painting at Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience
Ever wanted to step straight into a painting by the great Van Gogh? Now’s your chance! All throughout the holiday season and beyond, you’ll be able to get up-close and personal with all of the artist’s incredible works. Explore his life, his work, and his secrets as never before through cutting-edge 360-degree digital projections, a one-of-a-kind VR experience, and a uniquely atmospheric light and sound show. This unique experience brought to you by Exhibition Hub has already thrilled millions of visitors in the USA.
Don’t miss out on this awe-inspiring experience in Atlanta! Check out Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience to grab tickets!
12. Have a fabulously festive night on Ponce City Market’s Roof Top
From private heated igloos for drinking and dining to Ponce City Market’s rooftop rink for ice-skating the night away, the roof at PCM is the place to be this holiday season.
You can enjoy delicious food and super fun activities all season on The Roof! And don’t miss out on Friday Night Ice events, a 21+ skating experience!
For more details, check out all the happenings on The Roof!
13. Get into the holiday spirit at this beloved pop-up bar in Buckhead
The Blind Pig Parlour in Buckhead has become renowned for their fabulously festive pop-ups.
If you can’t wait for all of the festive feasts and drinks that come with the holidays, The Blind Elf is for you!
With dazzling decorations and scrumptious treats, grab your friends or special date and head over to The Blind Elf!
14. Check out the Tinsel Tavern, an amazing holiday pop-up bar at the Battery!
If holiday pop up bars are your thing, Atlanta has so many amazing ones to offer!
The super festive Tinsel Tavern will be open for the whole holiday season, ready to serve delicious treats and eats and mouthwatering cocktails!
For all the dates and rates, read more about Tinsel Tavern!
15. Laugh your head off at Christmas Invasion at Dad’s Garage
For the month of December, improv central for Atlanta, Dad’s Garage, puts on an absolutely hilarious version of the classic Christmas story, A Christmas Carol. But this performance is anything but classic!
Basically, the cast rehearses a (relatively) faithful performance of the traditional show. But then, every night, the show is “invaded” by a random character, which is a surprise to the cast and audience alike! Then, the cast must do their best to continue telling the classic story, all while incorporating a chaotic guest.
In the past, invaders to the show have been Ursula the sea witch, Thanos, Jack Skellington and Ted Lasso. You’ll be falling out of your seat laughing, trust me! And there’s also a special performance for Hanukah!
Get all the details, themed nights, and how to grab tickets here!16. Explore the dazzling lights of the forest at Fernbank
If you love nature and twinkling lights, this exhibit at Fernbank is perfect for you! When the sun goes down, the lights come on in the 10-acre forest right behind the museum! This immersive blend of the beauty from the real on-site environment, combined with glowing displays is meant to make you use all of your senses to marvel at the splendors of nature.
WildWoods: AGLOW uses a blend of the real environment contemplative music and glowing displays, uniquely curated to highlight the native flora and fauna within WildWoods.
The walk-thru light extravaganza uses state-of-the-art technology, like captivating illumination, immersive projections and all original musical composition. Combine these elements together and you have a special evening out for the whole family, with friends, or even with a date.
For all the details, check out WildWoods: AGLOW!
17. Fasten your seatbelts & set off on a drive-through holiday light show like no other
Hop in the car and immerse yourself in a world of wonder at the Glow Light Show – a dazzling display like no other. From November 15th to December 29th, experience the magic of over 1 million Christmas lights.
It’s the kind of holiday joy that’s better enjoyed with your loved ones, in Christmas pajamas and a cup of hot chocolate from your car. Priced per car, not per person, starting at $39.99, this much-anticipated show is sure to sell out so snag your tickets now before they’re gone!
18. Go out for delicious hot cocoa or hot coffee!
If you’re looking for the perfect place to grab a hot chocolate or steaming cup of Joe, we’ve got just the list for you! Enjoy the perfectly frothy drink, or warm chocolate with whipped cream right here in the ATL!
And you can’t leave without grabbing a pastry or cookie too! See the full list here!
19. Get a glimpse into celebrations & traditions from all around the world at Fernbank’s annual Winter Wonderland
For the holiday season, Atlanta’s iconic museum of natural history, Fernbank, will transform into a winter wonderland!
Museum-goers can expect the halls of the museum to be full with arts, crafts, symbols and ornaments to celebrate, well, how we celebrate!
The beautiful atmosphere will definitely put you into the jolly holiday spirit! The museum will represent a variety of secular and nonsecular holidays from all over the world, including some you might never have heard of!
Expect breathtaking, educational, and fun displays celebrating traditions from Sweden, Norway, Mexico, Argentina, India, Costa Rica, Latvia, Kenya, Philippines, Peru, Trinidad & Tobago, Japan and many others!
For all the details, read more about Fernbank’s Winter Wonderland!
20. Celebrate the holidays at the High Museum of Art
When: December 7th, 2024 from 5–9 p.m.
Where: The High Museum of Art
If you need the perfect place to kickstart your holiday celebration season, The High is the perfect spot for you! Attendees of Holidays at the High will enjoy art making, live music, sweet treats, and so much more! This event is family friendly!
From 5 to 7 p.m., enjoy activities meant for the whole family, including festive art making and a book nook. And then from 7 to 9 p.m., enjoy music, seasonal cocktails, and winter merriment inspired by the High’s collection and special exhibitions.
For more information, check out their website here!21. Meet a real-life reindeer, enjoy holiday events and more at Virginia Highland’s Winterfest!
If you’re looking for a super cool community-based holiday activity, then you’ve gotta head to Virginia Highland’s Winterfest! With an amazing artist market, fun activities, food and drink, an adorable jingle jog, and even the chance to meet a real live reindeer, you can’t miss out on this amazing weekend of fun! Learn all about this cool event here!
22. Go to the largest Christmas drone & light show in the world at Stone Mountain
Stone Mountain is definitely known for their amazing holiday celebrations–from the Great Pumpkin festival in October to their spring and summer festivities and beyond… there’s always something to do at Stone Mountain! And their winter holiday celebrations are no exception! With tons of activities for the whole family all day and night, you’ll have plenty to do! Check out a dazzling frosted forest, take a ride on Santa’s sleigh all the way to the North Pole, listen to Christmas carolers, and so much more!
Learn all bout this amazing holiday activity here!23. Take a trip to the 90s at this Mariah Carey-themed holiday jam session
If singing along to holiday music is your favorite part of the winter season, then you’ve definitely got to check out this amazing 90s party! Get a blast from the past with Mariah’s truly iconic Christmas songs, sung by Atlanta legends and local bands! And expect tons of other 90s holiday classics too!
Get all the details for this retro Christmas jam session here!