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Hanukkah Begins, Virginia-Highland Winterfest, and More Things to Do this Weekend in Atlanta with Kids

Hanukkah kicks off on Sunday so spend the first night lighting the menorah at Halcyon in Alpharetta. Photo courtesy of Halcyon
Hanukkah kicks off on Sunday so spend the first night lighting the menorah at Halcyon in Alpharetta. Photo courtesy of Halcyon
12/1/25 - By Elsa Simcik

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

Get into the holiday spirit this weekend with Virginia-Highland Winterfest—a FREE festival in one of Atlanta's beloved neighborhoods, featuring a parade, holiday shopping, and kids' activities. The free fun continues during Snow Day at Alpharetta City Center, where kids can play in a winter wonderland filled with snow flurries and holiday-themed treats. Sunday is the first night of Hanukkah; find menorah lightings and celebrations all over Atlanta including Decatur, Alpharetta, and Dunwoody. Also on Sunday, Chattahoochee Nature Center's magical Enchanted Woodland Trail opens for the season! See below for even more things to do this weekend in Atlanta.

More Things To Do in Atlanta This Week With Kids

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Best Things to Do this Weekend in Atlanta With Kids

Lawrenceville Lights

Lawrenceville - FREE
December 11-13 & 18-20
Lawrenceville Lights (or LV Lights) is a popular free drive-thru light display, wowing visitors at the campground of Lawrenceville First United Methodist Church (just outside of downtown Lawrenceville). This year it runs for two weekends!  READ MORE

Christmas with the ASO

Midtown
December 11-14
Ring in the holidays with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra's Christmas concert. The chorus and musicians perform holiday carols, hymns, and more, as well as welcome additional ensembles and special guests. READ MORE

Gwinnett Ballet Theatre's The Nutcracker

Duluth
Select days, December 12-18
Gwinnett Ballet's rendition of The Nutcracker is an Atlanta tradition. With over 100 professional and student dancers, audiences will get the full Nutcracker experience when this company takes the stage at Gas South District.  READ MORE

Atlanta International Night Market: Passport to the Holidays

Norcross - FREE
December 12 & 13
Discover diverse holiday traditions from all over the world at this festival featuring multicultural performances, music, artists, and cuisine. READ MORE

Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan

Downtown - FREE
Saturday, December 13
Folks head to Pemberton Place to see the iconic Coca-Cola Caravan when it makes an appearance for a holiday celebration.   READ MORE

Holiday PJ Party & Festival of Trains at Tellus Science Museum

Cartersville
Saturday, December 13
Kids can wear their favorite pajamas and join the Tellus staff for a party. Enjoy hands-on activities, photos with Santa, and science demonstrations by the Tellus elves. READ MORE

Snow Day at Alpharetta City Center

Alpharetta - FREE
Saturday, December 13
Families descend on the Town Green to experience a winter wonderland  with snow flurries plus family-friendly activities, a photo booth, and holiday-themed treats.  READ MORE

Pancake Breakfast with Santa in Milton

Milton - FREE
Saturday, December 13
Families enjoy delicious breakfast foods, including pancakes, served by Milton firefighters at this festive event at Station 44's bay. Other activities include balloon animals created by one of Santa's elves, a raffle, and even a visit by the Grinch (after its heart grew)!  READ MORE

Santa’s Coming to Town

College Park - FREE
Saturday, December 13
Santa is doing a grand tour of College Park! Enjoy a day full of festive fun around College Park for Santa’s Coming to Town! Kids can share their holiday wishes, enjoy seasonal treats, and take photos with Santa while soaking in the spirit of the season.  READ MORE

Carter's D.I.Y. Days

Alpharetta & Buckhead - FREE
Saturday, December 13
Calling all mini mastercrafters (ages 3+)  Carter's in Buckhead and Alpharetta offers a FREE hands-on DIY workshop in partnership with KiwiCo the 2nd Saturday of every month from 10am – 12pm. READ MORE

Cookies & Cocoa at Spruill Gallery

Dunwoody - FREE
Saturday, December 13
The Holiday Art Fair gets a whole lot sweeter during the Cookies & Cocoa event! Enjoy complimentary cookies & cocoa while you shop handcrafted gifts. A card-making station and scavenger hunt game will be available to keep little ones entertained while adults shop. READ MORE

Miracle on Peachtree Hot Chocolate Crawl

Buckhead - FREE
Saturday, December 13
Sip delicious hot chocolate while you shop in Buckead during the holidays. The hot chocolate crawl includes festive music, twinkling lights, treats, and of course, hot chocolate. The event is free, but registration is required. READ MORE

Newnan Christmas Parade

Newnan - FREE
Saturday, December 13
The annual Newnan Christmas parade is a fun, family-friendly event for the holidays. The 2025 theme is A Nutcracker Christmas. Get a deeper look into Newnan with our city guide here! READ MORE

Virginia-Highland Winterfest

Virginia-Highland - FREE
Saturday, December 13
Winterfest starts with a Jingle Jog followed by a parade, a huge holiday market, and a kids' corner.  READ MORE

Winter Festival in Marietta

Marietta - FREE
Saturday, December 13
Celebrate the season at the annual Winter Festival, a full day of holiday cheer, creativity, and community fun.  READ MORE

Story Time with Santa and Mrs. Claus at High Street

Dunwoody
December 13 & 20
Join Santa & Mrs. Claus for an enchanting holiday story-time experience. Cozy up with steaming hot cocoa, dive into festive crafts, and treat your little ones to delightful holiday goodies. READ MORE

Chanukah at Halcyon

Alpharetta - FREE
Sunday, December 14
Celebrate Chanukah at Halcyon with the lighting of the Menorah, gelt (chocolate coins), latkes, games, giveaways and music on the Village Green.    READ MORE

Glow Strong: A Family Hanukkah Celebration

Dunwoody - FREE
Sunday, December 14
This community-wide event is open to the public. Families will gather for Hanukkah crafts, games, and traditions while learning about the power of resilience through interactive stations. READ MORE

Menorah Lighting at Avalon

Alpharetta - FREE
Sunday, December 14
Avalon and Chabad of North Fulton are teaming up for a traditional Menorah lighting ceremony, plus special goodies.  READ MORE

UPS Second Sunday at the High

Midtown - FREE
Sunday, December 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

Chabad Intown's Menorah Lightings

Various locations - FREE
December 14, 15, 18, & 21
Celebrate Hanukkah with Menorah lightings around the city, taking place from December 14 - 21.  READ MORE

Enchanted Woodland Trail: Gnome Homes and Fairy Houses

Roswell
Opening weekend! December 14 - February 28
As the air chills and the trees lose their leaves, fairies and gnomes make their journey south and begin preparations to build their whimsical winter homes along Kingfisher Pond Trail. Bundle up and head out to the trail at Chattahoochee Nature Center. READ MORE

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About the Author

Elsa Simcik
Elsa Simcik has been freelance writing for 20-something years, covering a hodgepodge of fields--health & fitness, human interest stories, and even dating. After becoming a mom she segued into writing for local magazines and websites, focusing on parenting, fun things to do with kids, and travel. The travel part is fun, but not as glamorous as it sounds, because it's traveling with kids. Still, she'll take it.
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