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MLK Weekend 2024 in Atlanta: 18 Best Things To Do With Kids

Join The Atlanta History Center on Monday, Jan. 15 for a free event to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Photo courtesy of Kenan Research Center at the Atlanta History Center.
Join The Atlanta History Center on Monday, Jan. 15 for a free event to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Photo courtesy of Kenan Research Center at the Atlanta History Center.
1/10/24 - By Elsa Simcik

Looking for the best things to do in Atlanta this Martin Luther King Jr. weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend! 

Atlanta families can enjoy MLK weekend with lots of options for quality time and fun. MLK Day celebrations in Atlanta are abundant since our city is the birthplace of Dr. King! Families can honor his legacy by volunteering as part of the MLK National Day of Service and attending MLK parades and events at the Atlanta History Center, The King Center, and in Lawrenceville. If your kids haven't had the pleasure of ice skating this season (or want to do it again), this is the final weekend at many of our fave rinks like Atlantic Station, Park Tavern, and Avalon. 

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Gather a group of friends for a day of ice skating at Avalon on Ice this final weekend. Photo by Claire Robinson
Gather a group of friends for a day of ice skating at Avalon on Ice this final weekend. Photo by Claire Robinson

Best Things To Do this Weekend in Atlanta with Kids

Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at Atlanta Botanical Garden

Midtown - Final weekend!
Through Sunday, January 14
One of Atlanta’s favorite holiday light displays returns to the Atlanta Botanical Garden for Garden Lights, Holiday Nights. Expect new music and choreography with more vertical lights than ever.  READ MORE

IllumiNights at Zoo Atlanta

Atlanta - Final weekend!
Through Sunday, January 14
IllumiNights: A Lantern Festival is back at Zoo Atlanta! The lanterns create a wonderland for zoo visitors to enjoy.  READ MORE

Disney's Aladdin at The Fox

Midtown
Through Sunday, January 14
The hit Broadway musical comes to the Fox Theatre in Atlanta in a theatrical event where one lamp and three wishes make the possibilities infinite.  READ MORE

Skate the Station at Atlantic Station

Atlanta - Final weekend!
Through Monday, January 15
Atlantic Station welcomes families to skate under the stars at Skate the Station. Open everyday, even on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  READ MORE

Avalon on Ice

Alpharetta - Final weekend!
Through Monday, January 15
The greenspace at Avalon is transformed into an ice skating rink from November to January. Skaters are encouraged to book reservations online in advance to ensure spots. Admission includes skate rental.  READ MORE

Margaritaville Lakeside Lights Spectacular

Buford - Final weekend!
Through Monday, January 15
Families walk through this spectacular light show with festive seasonal music all by Lake Lanier.  READ MORE

King Holiday Observance at The King Center

Old Fourth Ward - FREE
Through Monday, January 15
The weeklong event includes a global community youth summit, a youth book-reading, and beloved community awards. On MLK Day, Monday January 15, the King Center hosts a community service project.  READ MORE

Mario the Maker Magician

Roswell
Saturday, January 13
Mario “the Maker Magician” Marchese is known for his unique brand of Robot Magic. Audiences love how he infuses DIY electronics and robotics into his work and uses magic to inspire kids and families to make and create without limitation. READ MORE

Winter Family Night Hike

Roswell
Saturday, January 13
The Chattahoochee Nature Center welcomes families to explore nature at night with winter family night hikes.  READ MORE

UPS Second Sunday at the High

Midtown - Free
Sunday, January 14
On the second Sunday of each month, families head to the High Museum of Art for FREE admission for all visitors and special family-friendly programming. Kids art-making activities, performances, and the High’s permanent collection and special exhibitions.   READ MORE

MLK Day Kids Club at Halcyon

Alpharetta - Free
Monday, January 15
On MLK Day everyone is invited to a very special Kids Club to participte in activities set up on the green and give back to the community. Kids get to meet and groom farm animals, have their faces painted, and make winter crafts.  READ MORE

Acworth MLK Celebration and Day of Service

Acworth - Free
Monday, January 15
On MLK Day everyone is invited to a day full of events in Acworth including a welcome breakfast, unity walk, program honoring Dr. King and a service project.  READ MORE

MLK Day at the Atlanta History Center

Buckhead - FREE
Monday, January 15
The Atlanta History Center is offering a free event to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Families will appreciate the crafts, sensory space and nursing room. Visitors will have access to the museum as well.  READ MORE

MLK Day Parade and Program Celebration

Lawrenceville - FREE
Monday, January 15
The United Ebony Society invites everyone to attend their annual MLK Day parade, followed by an indoor celebration at Central Gwinnett High School. 2024's theme is "It Starts with Me." The parade begins at The Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center and ends at CG High School.  READ MORE

MLK National Day of Service

Multiple Locations - FREE
Monday, January 15
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day each year, all Americans are encouraged to step up to make communities more equitable and take action to create the Beloved Community of Dr. King’s dream. Examples include cleaning up a public space, mentoring a young person, or helping those who are food insecure. READ MORE

MLK: Young Family Day of Service

Multiple Locations - Free
Monday, January 15
Preschool-age children and their families are invited for a morning of social action, song, movement and a chance to make a difference in the community.  READ MORE

Free Entrance Day in the National Parks: Atlanta

Kennesaw & Roswell - FREE
Monday, January 15
Atlanta area residents can experience nearby national parks for FREE on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, including those that normally charge entrance fees: READ MORE

The Rink at Park Tavern

Midtown - Final weekend!
Through Tuesday, January 16
Park Tavern brings back its ice skating rink with its stunning backdrop featuring Piedmont Park and the Midtown skyline. Skaters (and spectators) enjoy the heated garden tent, an awesome sound system, and of course a huge rink!  READ MORE
Kids eat free Monday-Thursday evenings at Osteria 832 with a free Karma Club membership. Photo courtesy of Virginia Highland District
Kids eat free Monday-Thursday evenings at Osteria 832 with a free Karma Club membership. Photo courtesy of Virginia Highland District

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Places featured in this article: