Christmas Weekend Happenings Around Atlanta | 2024
Looking for a fun and festive way to keep friends and families entertained over Christmas weekend? While many local spots will be closing for the holiday, there are still plenty of fun-filled events for kids from 1 to 92 all weekend long!
From twinkling lights for the perfect selfie opportunity to kid-friendly performances and a bit of Christmas magic, Atlanta is bustling all weekend long with holiday cheer. Whether you are looking to spot Santa before his big day, enjoy a night out with the kids, or find fun for the whole family, we have you covered with 12 Christmas Weekend Happenings Around Atlanta.
Happy holidays from our families to yours!
Buckhead Village Christkindl Market
Through December 24th
It’s the most wonderful time of year, and Buckhead Village is transforming into a winter wonderland this holiday season! The dazzling celebration continues with festive activities, including cozy beverages and treats, music and entertainment, traditional German fare, holiday shopping, live performances, and so much more. Cozy up with a fireside hot chocolate on The Veranda all season long, warm up with freshly mulled mine and cider, and step into a world of merriment as you shop among ornament shops, wooden toys, jewelry, clay and hardwood pipes, German handcrafts, bath and body items, and other unique holiday gifts. 
Holiday Happenings at Atlanta Botanical Garden
All Season Long!
It’s the most magical time of year, and the Atlanta Botanical Garden is filled with holiday wonder all season long! In addition to the beloved Garden Lights, Holiday Nights spectacular display, there are plenty of ways to festive through the end of the year, all in one place! Come get your jolly on with the 2024 Holiday Happenings at Atlanta Botanical Garden: This weekend, take a journey around the holiday model train garden, or even hop on the Ride-Along Train throughout the Garden.
Holidays in Decatur
Through December
Knock out your holiday shopping with special in-store events, discounts, and treats at local shops, restaurants, and services. Participating shops will also stay open late, offering a variety of festive fun! With twinkling lights, cheery music, festive window displays, and family-friendly events — Decatur is your family-friendly destination throughout the holiday season. This weekend features Candlelight Concerts, giant light displays throughout Oakhurst, and plenty of delicious fare from your favorite local spots.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Through December 29th
This holiday season, don’t miss the magical tale of unlikely friendship and acceptance! Along the trip, audiences will experience Santa’s Workshop, the North Pole, and the Island of Misfit Toys – all while enjoying live performances of all the festive songs of the season from the 1964 original. All-Inclusive Performance tickets include the show, admission to the Worlds of Puppetry Museum, and the Create-A-Puppet Workshop™ where visitors can create a Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Shadow Puppet.
Holidays at Georgia Aquarium
Through January 2nd
The atrium will be filled with the sights and sounds of the holiday season, complete with holiday music and a live 40-foot tree! With some new surprises and old favorite (like pictures with Santa himself!), the Georgia Aquarium invites you and your family to take in all the magic of the holidays.
Winter Wonderland at Fernbank Museum
Through January 12th
Showcasing celebrations from around the globe, the seasonal exhibit fills Fernbank Museum with over two floors of twinkling, beautifully decorated trees throughout the holiday season! The variety of trees will be adorned with twinkling with lights, glimmer with color, and shine with a variety of cultural objects. The displays throughout the museum recognize the diversity of celebrations, holidays, traditions, and events from around the world.
WildWoodsL AGLOW!
Through February 23rd
Fernbank Museum’s new outdoor, nighttime experience is unlike anything else in Atlanta, taking guests of all ages on a multi-sensory journey through glowing displays blended with the natural woodlands. Inspired by the native flora and fauna that thrive in the 10 acres of featured woodlands, this multi-sensory experience reveals the wonder of nature and wildlife through an immersive blend of the real environment and glowing displays. The experience is truly unlike anything else in Atlanta, with towering trees emerging from magical roots and interactive lights emanating oversized seeds. You won’t want to miss it!
Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at Atlanta Botanical Garden
Through January 12th
The Atlanta Botanical Garden will be shimmering and sparkling with every color of the rainbow, giving the Garden’s 30 acres a spectacular light show with over 1 million energy-efficient lights! Cozy up with a warm beverage while taking in the holiday glow glittering throughout the gardens – and be sure to commemorate the occasion with a stop at the Garden Gift Shop! Tour favorites such as Skylights Lounge in the Skyline Garden, the Ice Goddess, Tunnel of Light, Orchestral Orbs on the Great Lawn, Radiant Rainforest, Model Trains, and more!
Snap a Photo with Santa
Through December 24th
He’s making a list, and he’s checking it twice – Santa Claus is coming to town! We’ve put together a list where you can be sure to spot Jolly Ol’ Saint Nick in 2023 and snap a picture with your family while finding some festive fun along the way. The holidays may rush by, but we’ve put our elves to work to help you find Santa no matter where you are in the city. So don’t miss out on seeing The Big Man in Red as he makes all his stops through Christmas Eve!
Holiday Happenings at Ponce City Market
All Season Long!
Ponce City Market is transforming into your one-stop-shop through December to make your holiday season merry and bright! With ice skating, fireside treats, and more, these Holiday Happenings are sure to bring that bit of extra joy we all seem to need this time of year. This weekend, consider reserving an Igloo as your Skate the Sky and cozy up with a festive cocktail off the ice!
Zoo Atlanta Illuminights
Through January 19th
Experience the magic of Atlanta holiday lights with a mile-long stroll of luminous animals and lanterns around every corner! Whether you are looking to impress that special someone, enjoy a festive night out with the whole family, or simply a night out, Atlanta Zoo is your one-stop holiday tradition. The Zoo will feature vistas of illuminated wildlife, including new lanterns and experiences all season long! From luminous leopard to a towering fiery phoenix, you’ll discover these wonders of nature and enjoy some merry photo-ops along the way.
Taste Your Way Through Inman Park
What better way to experience Atlanta than to delve into its hub of flavor? With over 70 incredible bars and restaurants within walking distance, Inman Park is home to Atlanta’s best flavors and dining experiences. We’ve compiled a list to help you get the most out of your dining experience with our favorite stops along the way!