It’s no secret at all: Atlanta is one of the best places to celebrate the winter holidays in the whole country! With tons of amazing light displays, holiday pop-up bars, festive events, and more, there’s something for everyone to enjoy during the holidays in Atlanta!
So whether you’re looking for some kid-friendly holiday fun, the perfect place to snag those last-minute holiday gifts, or some dazzling lights… we’ve got ya covered, Atlanta! Keep scrolling for all our festive holiday recommendations.
If you’re looking for a truly dazzling experience this winter, you’ve got to check out the holiday lights at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Our favorite city garden will be lit up with vibrant colors, shapes and lights! You’ll truly feel like you’ve stepped right into a winter wonderland at the Botanical Garden’s Garden Lights, Holiday Nights event.
Infuse some holiday cheer into the end of your November by checking out the iconic Georgia Festival of Trees! This massive celebration of all-things holiday fun is the perfect place for the whole family! You can expect: photos with Santa, holiday crafts, cookie decorating, a holiday gift shop and boutique vendors, the nostalgic Pink Pig Train… and of course, TONS of beautifully decorated trees!
AND the festival is for a good cause!
If you’re looking for some cozy fun this holiday season, search no further than one of Atlanta’s iconic Candlelight Concerts. Whether you’re looking for holiday and Christmas classics to get you feeling holly jolly and bright or some of your all-time favorite bands on strings… there’s something for everyone to enjoy! Here are a few of our recommendations to check out:
- Christmas classics at Collier Hall
- Christmas classics at Four Seasons Hotel
- Christmas classics at Chapel on Sycamore
Kick off the holidays with a free lantern parade and tree-lighting at Piedmont Park. Piedmont Park Conservancy’s annual Light Up the Season starts the festive fun on Sunday, November 22 with a lantern-making workshop at 3:30 PM, a lantern parade at 5:00 PM, and the lighting of the Great Tree, Menorah and Kinara in the Meadow.
Shop local at Jubilee’s first-ever free Holiday Market on Dec 12 from 1–4 p.m. For a festive afternoon of holiday shopping, head to Vinings Jubilee’s first-ever Holiday Market on Saturday, December 12 from 1–4 p.m., featuring local makers, live jazz, festive refreshments and visits with Santa. Admission is free at the Vinings Jubilee Clocktower area (4300 Paces Ferry Road, Vinings, GA 30339).
With over 1.2 million lights, Lights of Joy is the largest residential light display in all of Georgia. And it’s a beautiful sight to behold indeed! You and your loved ones can wander through the gorgeous trees, bushes, and displays, which are all twinkling with millions of lights!
Their mission is to spread a little joy to everyone they meet… and they do a dang good job of it!
Experience a sparkling underwater winter wonderland — included with general admission! For a festive twist on a classic Atlanta attraction, check out WinterTide at the Georgia Aquarium (Nov 13, 2026–Jan 2, 2027), a holiday takeover included with general admission, featuring dazzling lights, seasonal food and drinks, Santa’s North Pole Village, festive performances, and special animal presentations.
If you’re looking for the perfect escape from the city this holiday season, you’ve definitely gotta check out Helen, Georgia! Filled with fun holiday happenings and over the top decor, Helen looks like it’s straight out of a Christmas storybook this time of year… and you don’t wanna miss out.
Whether you’re a seasoned skating pro or you just like the aesthetic on the ice, there’s something super magical about ice skating around the holidays!
So put on your favorite warm jacket and hat, and get ready to skate until you’re heart’s content at one of Atlanta’s amazing Atlanta ice skating rinks!
All those special someones in your life deserve a unique, thoughtful gift… and the best place to snag ’em is at one of Atlanta’s amazing artisan holiday markets!
Local vendors will have tons of amazing goods for you to shop through, from home decor to jewelry to puzzles to treats and beyond! That perfect gift is hiding at one of these amazing markets!
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! Join Ebenezer Scrooge and the whole host of British favorites as they learn what the true meaning of Christmas is!
Learn more about the show & snag your ticket on the Alliance’s website, here!
All winter long, the Ponce City Roof is the perfect winter wonderland! Whether you’re looking to ice skate above the city, you want to dine in a warm, cozy igloo, or you’re looking for a festive holiday pop-up bar, there’s something for everyone to enjoy up on the Roof!
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!
Add this festive stop to your holiday list: Get ready for the Atlanta Christkindl Market 2026, located in Downtown Lawrenceville! This beloved German holiday market promises an abundance of festive cheer with delicious treats, unique gifts, and ample FREE parking.
Visitors can enjoy the market’s expanded space and vibrant atmosphere through Christmas Eve on December 24th. Don’t miss this traditional celebration destined to be better than ever!
And this year, the Atlanta Christkindl Market is opening a SECOND location: in Senoia, Georgia!
Is it even the holiday season if you don’t grab a delicious holiday treat!? Atlanta is full of amazing local coffee shops offering up delicious holiday coffees, cocoas and treats. We recommend checking out:
- Brash Coffee
- FiNCA to FiLTER
- Banjo Coffee
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!
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 more on their website, here.
Meet the women behind North Pole magic in an immersive holiday experience full of photo ops, treats, and festive cocktails. One of the season’s can’t-miss holiday pop-ups in Atlanta, this immersive experience at Atlantic Station features eight interactive rooms, festive photo moments, and a full holiday bar. It runs from November 18, 2026 to January 31, 2027, with sessions lasting about 60 minutes.
Don’t miss out on all the holiday fun, Atlanta! And when you post your holiday pics, make sure to tag us @secret_atlanta on Instagram! Happy holidays!