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Cirque du Soleil reimagines a Christmas classic in 'Twas The Night Before..., an acrobatic show about the magic of the holiday season. Photo by Michael Last
Cirque du Soleil reimagines a Christmas classic in 'Twas The Night Before..., an acrobatic show about the magic of the holiday season. Photo by Michael Last
11/26/24 - 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 list for this weekend! 

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 Dunwoody's Holiday Lights Opening Night, Lighting of the Great Tree in Lawrenceville, and The Battery Atlanta Tree Lighting. Thanksgiving weekend kicks off with exhaustingly fun turkey trots, including awesome runs in Alpharetta and Marietta. After your jog and Thanksgiving feast, enjoy the many holiday events in Atlanta, including amazing Christmas light shows like Marietta's Lights of LIFE and Woodstock's Holiday Lights event. 

Happy Thanksgiving from everyone at Mommy Poppins!

More Things to Do in Atlanta This Week with Kids: 

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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

Georgia Festival of Trees

Duluth
Final weekend! Through Sunday, December 1, 2024
The Georgia Festival of Trees is back in a new location (Gas South Convention Center in Duluth) and with a special guest - The Pink Pig! Celebrate the holiday season with beautiful trees, live entertainment, children's games and crafts, and of course, Santa!  READ MORE

Margaritaville Lakeside Lights Spectacular

Buford
Opening week! Select dates, November 27, 2024 - January 20, 2025
Families walk through this spectacular light show with festive seasonal music all by Lake Lanier.  READ MORE

MUST Ministries Gobble Jog

Marietta
Thursday, November 28, 2024
On Thanksgiving morning, more than 10,000 runners will come to the Marietta Square to participate in the 22nd Annual Gobble Jog, benefiting MUST Ministries. The Gobble Jog offers options for all skill levels. Timed 10K and 5K runs, as well as an untimed 5K, 1K and Tot Trot are all available. READ MORE

Thanksgiving Gobble Wobble 5K/10K/Fun Run

Alpharetta
Thursday, November 28, 2024
Get those muscles wobbling before you start gobbling your Thanksgiving feast! This Alpharetta race includes a 5K, 10K, and Fun Run for kids and those who prefer to take their time. Register early as spots fill up! READ MORE

Ten Days of Holiday Happenings in the DTL

Lawrenceville - FREE!
Opening night! November 28 - December 7, 2024
Lawrenceville hosts ten fun-filled days to ring in the holidays. Each day offers a different event starting with The Lighting of the Great Tree on the lawn of the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse on Thursday, November 28.  READ MORE

Lights of LIFE at Life University

Marietta
Opening weekend! November 28 - December 31, 2024
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

Georgia Metropolitan Dance Theatre presents The Nutcracker

Marietta
November 29 - December 1, 2024
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 29 - December 1, 2024
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 and Tolbert Yilmaz School of Dance Present The Nutcracker

Sandy Springs
Select days, November 29 - December 8, 2024
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

Cirque du Soleil's "'Twas the Night Before" at The Fox

Midtown
November 29 - December 15, 2024
Cirque du Soleil reimagines a Christmas classic in ‘Twas The Night Before..., a family show perfect for the holiday season! READ MORE

Winter House at Callanwolde

Atlanta
Select dates, November 29 - December 15, 2024
The Winter House features items for sale by Callanwolde artists, as well as live performances, s’mores by the outdoor firepit, and board games inside the 27,000-square-foot mansion. Children receive a craft bag that includes a scavenger hunt and coloring pages. Although free to attend, tickets are required. READ MORE

Atlanta Christkindl Market - Galleria

Northwest Atlanta
Select days, November 29 - December 22, 2024
Atlanta parents and kids get to visit this authentic German marketplace at its second location at Galleria on the Park. The Atlanta Christkindl Market features holiday items, as well as German food, treats, drinks, and more. Santa will be there for photos!  READ MORE

Christmas Canteen 2024

Lawrenceville
Select dates, November 29 - December 22, 2024
Audiences love Christmas Canteen because its Gwinnett’s longest-running theatrical holiday tradition. The revue includes Christmas magic, songs and comic sketches and is perfect for all ages.  READ MORE

Holiday Express at Blue Ridge Scenic Railway

Blue Ridge
Opening weekend! Select dates, November 29 - December 24, 2024
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

Holiday Lights of Woodstock

Woodstock
November 29 - December 30, 2024
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

Skate the Sky on The Roof at Ponce City Market

Midtown
Opening weekend! November 29, 2024 - January 5, 2025
Skate among the stars on The Roof at Ponce City Market! "Skate the Sky" features a 3,500-square-foot ice skating rink overlooking the City of Atlanta atop PCM's rooftop terrace.  READ MORE

The Battery Tree Lighting Ceremony

Atlanta - FREE!
Saturday, November 30, 2024
Families come to The Battery the Saturday after Thanksgiving for the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony Presented by Wellstar, complete with entertainment from The Free. Mark Owens and Atlanta Braves’ mascot BLOOPER will watch the skies to help track Santa as he nears closer to The Battery Atlanta.  READ MORE

Snellville Christmas Tree Lighting and Parade

Snellville - FREE!
Saturday, November 30, 2024
It's the 43rd 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

Santa on the Decatur Square

Decatur - FREE!
Saturday, November 30, 2024
Kick off the season at this annual event (featuring milk and cookies!), where you can take pictures of your children with Santa. Little ones will enjoy making ornaments, mailing wishlists at the Santa mail station, and shopping at the Decatur Youth Entrepreneurial Market. READ MORE

Loganville Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting

Loganville - FREE!
Saturday, November 30, 2024
The Christmas parade in Loganville is one of the longest standing traditions in the city. After the parade folks gather at the Town Green for the lighting of the Christmas tree.  READ MORE

Piedmont Park Holiday Gift Market

Midtown - FREE!
November 30 & December 1, 2024
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

Christmas on the Farm at Warbington Farms

Cumming
November 30 & December 7, 2024
Warbington Farms in Cumming hosts a fun Christmas on the Farm day with visits with Santa, hayrides, farm animals, access to their fun park and a candy cane hunt.  READ MORE

Christmas on the Farm at Southern Belle Farm

McDonough
Select dates, November 30 - December 15, 2024
Southern Belle Farms invites families to celebrate Christmas in the country at the farm. Visitors can enjoy the outdoor activities and take free pictures with Santa on the weekends.  READ MORE

Holiday Lights at Brook Run Park - Opening Night

Dunwoody - FREE!
Sunday, December 1, 2024
The City of Dunwoody kicks off its new holiday light show, Arctic Safari at Brook Run Park, with a special evening including FREE hot cocoa and popcorn carts. Guests walk through a self-guided display of 100,000 lights.  READ MORE

The Rink at Park Tavern

Midtown
Opening day! December 1, 2024 - February 17, 2025
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

More Fun for Atlanta Families

Stone Mountain Christmas Creates Lasting Memories for Atlanta Families

Stone Mountain Christmas is a fun holiday event, with Santa, carolers, and DINOS! READ MORE

51 Places to Take Pictures with Santa in Atlanta & Picture-Perfect Breakfast with Santa

Eat breakfast & take pictures with Santa at these Atlanta spots! READ MORE

Best Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays and Holiday Lights in Atlanta

These Christmas lights are so bright, you may need holiday shades! READ MORE

Best Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks Near Atlanta

What's cooler than being cool? Ice cold skating rinks in Atlanta! READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Gas South Convention Center
Margaritaville at Lanier Islands
Callanwalde Fine Arts Center
Holiday Lights in Cumming