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Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2023 in Atlanta: Holiday Lights, Festivals, and More Things To Do

Gwinnett County Fairgrounds transforms into a dazzling world of light with over 1,000 Chinese lanterns at the Atlanta Winter Lantern Festival. Photo courtesy of Fever
Gwinnett County Fairgrounds transforms into a dazzling world of light with over 1,000 Chinese lanterns at the Atlanta Winter Lantern Festival. Photo courtesy of Fever
11/21/23 - By Elsa Simcik

Looking for the best things to do in Atlanta this Thanksgiving Day weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your weekend list! 

Atlanta families have lots to be thankful for this year, including so many fun events this Thanksgiving Day weekend. Check out Thanksgiving weekend events like the Lighting of the Great Tree in Lawrenceville and The Battery Atlanta Tree Lighting. Thanksgiving weekend kicks off many holiday events in Atlanta, including amazing holiday lights and Christmas light shows like Marietta's Lights of LIFE and Woodstock's Holiday Lights event. 

Now's the time that The Polar Express and Atlanta Christmas Trains chug along, including the Holiday Express Train on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway that opens Thanksgiving weekend. Speaking of classic holiday fun, Atlanta also has lots of options for The Nutcracker Ballet and Atlanta Holiday Shows this season. Happy Thanksgiving from everyone at Mommy Poppins!

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Head to The Battery Atlanta for the annual tree lighting ceremony on Saturday! Photo courtesy The Battery Atlanta
Head to The Battery Atlanta for the annual tree lighting ceremony on Saturday! Photo courtesy The Battery Atlanta

Things to Do Thanksgiving Weekend in Atlanta with Kids

Winter Lantern Festival Atlanta

Lawrenceville - Select nights through January 2, 2024
Gwinnett County Fairgrounds transforms into a dazzling world of light with over 1,000 Chinese lanterns portraying Chinese myths, legends, and zodiacs; Attendees will be amazed as they traverse through dazzling displays of colorful, festive lights and lanterns, including an animal kingdom, a sea world, and a theme park. READ MORE

Georgia Festival of Trees

Downtown - Final weekend! Through Sunday, November 26, 2023
Celebrate the happy holiday season with beautiful trees, live entertainment, children's games and crafts, and of course, Santa! Attendees enjoy delicious local food and fun shopping for Christmas. READ MORE

Holiday Lights of Ellijay

Ellijay - Through December 23, 2023
Visitors enjoy this walk-thru light show in quaint downtown Ellijay.  READ MORE

IllumiNights at Zoo Atlanta

Grant Park - Select nights through January 14, 2023
IllumiNights: A Chinese Lantern Festival is back at Zoo Atlanta! The lanterns—hand-crafted by Chinese artisans—create a wonderland for zoo visitors to enjoy.  READ MORE

Margaritaville Lakeside Lights Spectacular

Buford - Opening week! Select dates, November 22, 2023 -January 15, 2024
Families walk through this spectacular light show with festive seasonal music all by Lake Lanier.  READ MORE

Lighting of the Great Tree in Lawrenceville

Lawrenceville- Thursday, November 23, 2023
Families head to the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse on Thanksgiving night to enjoy the 36-year-old tradition of the lighting of the Great Tree. The event includes s'mores, cocoa, crafts and a visit from Santa.    READ MORE

Lights of LIFE at Life University

Marietta - Opening weekend! November 23-December 31, 2023
A drive-through holiday light showcase awaits at Life University. In addition to the magical display, a petting zoo, train rides, and pony rides are available for children. READ MORE

American Girl Live!

Midtown - Friday, November 24, 2023
American Girl LIVE! In Concert brings American Girl characters to life in a brand-new pop concert experience. Featuring American Girl fan favorites performed by a live cast, this show is filled with music, high-energy dancing, and lots of surprises as the American Girls learn about the power of friendship. READ MORE

Georgia Metropolitan Dance Theatre presents The Nutcracker

Marietta - November 24-26, 2023
Right after Thanksgiving families can get into the holiday spirit with Georgia Metro Dance Theatre's rendition of The Nutcracker in Marietta. GMDT promises colorful sets, costumes and special effects that wow the audience.    READ MORE

The Nutcracker Presented by Northeast Atlanta Ballet

Duluth - November 24-26, 2023
The Northeast Atlanta Ballet performs the classic version of The Nutcracker with the traditional Tchaikovsky score at Gas South District.  READ MORE

Roswell Dance Theatre Presents The Nutcracker

Sandy Springs - November 24-26 & December 1-3, 2023
Audience members are treated to a classic performance of The Nutcracker by both professional dancers and students from Roswell Dance Theatre and Tolbert Yilmaz School of Dance at the Byers Theatre in Sandy Springs.  READ MORE

Christmas on the Farm at Southern Belle Farm

McDonough - Opening weekend! Select days, November 24-December 17, 2023
Southern Belle Farms invites families to celebrate Christmas in the country at the farm. Visitors can enjoy the outdoor activities with a cup of hot apple cider and homemade treats, and a visit with Santa.  READ MORE

Roswell Christkindlmarket

Roswell - Opening weekend! November 24-December 24, 2023
For the first time ever, Roswell is hosting an authentic Christkindl Market during the holiday season. From Black Friday through Christmas Eve, families shop, eat and take pictures with Santa at Roswell's historical Bulloch Hall.  READ MORE

Holiday Lights of Woodstock

Woodstock - Opening weekend! November 24-December 30, 2023
One of the largest walk-through Christmas lights events in Georgia, featuring a light display with more than 2 million lights, a lighted maze, shop concessions and vendors, craft making, and a visit with Santa. Proceeds benefit the Anna Crawford Children’s Center. READ MORE

Holiday Express at Blue Ridge Scenic Railway

Blue Ridge - Opening weekend! Select dates, November 24 - December 24, 2023
Families head north to the mountains for this one-hour holiday train ride on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, featuring the story, The Night Before Christmas. Riders are also treated to holiday music, an activity packet, a candy cane, and a jingle bell. Parents can purchase snacks and hot chocolate while on board. READ MORE

The Rink at Park Tavern

Midtown - Opening weekend! November 24, 2023-January 16, 2024
Park Tavern brings back its ice skating rink in the heart of Piedmont Park. Daytime skating is for ice skating lessons only. The rink opens to all ages 4:30-8pm on weekdays and 11:30am-8pm on weekends (after 8:30pm, skaters must be over age 16).  READ MORE

The Battery Atlanta Tree Lighting

Atlanta - Saturday, November 25, 2023
Families come to The Battery the Saturday after Thanksgiving for the seventh annual tree lighting ceremony complete with a performance by A-Town A-List and a showing of the movie Abominable. READ MORE

Snellville Christmas Tree Lighting and Parade

Snellville - Saturday, November 25, 2023
It's the 42nd Annual Christmas Tree Lighting in Snellville and everyone is invited! Prior to the lighting, a parade with lighted floats, tractors, trucks, and Santa start at Wisteria Plaza and end at the Towne Green. After the lighting, families enjoy a fun evening with s'mores, cookie decorating, and other activities.  READ MORE

Piedmont Park Holiday Gift Market

Midtown - November 25 & 26, 2023
The weekend after Thanksgiving, shoppers descend on Piedmont Park for a Holiday Gift Market. The event will feature up to 175 handcrafters centered around the holiday spirit of gift giving, which will include painters, photographers, sculptors, leather and metalwork, glass blowers, jewelers, and crafters.    READ MORE
Snap a photo in front of the iconic Jurassic Park gates at Jurassic World Atlanta. Photo by Melanie Preis
Snap a photo in front of the iconic Jurassic Park gates at Jurassic World Atlanta. Photo by Melanie Preis

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