The dazzling Glow Light Show offers a leisurely drive through illuminated installations for all ages. Photo courtesy of the event
Christmas Weekend 2024 in Atlanta Top Things To Do: Santa Visits, Holiday Lights, and More
Sandy Springs City Springs puts on a free parade and beautiful display of lit, miniature homes on December 8. Photo courtesy City of Sandy Springs
38 Free Holiday and Christmas Events in Atlanta for Kids
Garden Lights, Holiday Nights returns is a must-see Atlanta holiday event. Photo courtesy of the Atlanta Botanical Gardens
GUIDE
Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for Atlanta Kids
Enjoy the sparkle of the season at the Glow Light Show in Lawrenceville. Photo courtesy of the event
Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in Atlanta
Lights of Joy in Kennesaw uses 60 miles(!) of Christmas lights to create the ultimate holiday display.
Best Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays and Holiday Lights in Atlanta
Take a festive ride on the Holiday Express for a memorable train ride experience. Photo courtesy of the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
14 Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains Near Atlanta
One of the most popular takes on The Nutcracker comes from Atlanta Ballet, performed at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Photo by Kim Kenney
The Nutcracker Ballet and More Holiday Shows for Atlanta Families
Overtime Elite games are exciting for all ages! City Reapers and RWE faced off in the OTE Finals in March 2024 at Atlanta's Overtime arena. Photo courtesy Overtime Elite
Atlanta's Overtime Elite Opens the World of Basketball to Young Players & Young Fans
Test your physical and mental prowess at Activate Atlanta, a gaming facility perfect for big kids, teens, and adults!
Activate Atlanta: A Physical Gaming Experience for Big Kids and Teens
Historic Fourth Ward Skate Park was designed with input from the local skateboard community and received funding from Tony Hawk's foundation. Photo by Bill Leffler
16 Best Skate Parks in Atlanta for Kids
All Rowan piercings are performed by licensed nurses, using hypoallergenic jewelry. Photo courtesy Rowan
Best Places to Get Ear Piercings for Kids in Atlanta
SkyView Atlanta offers an amazing experience for Atlanta visitors and tourists alike! Photo courtesy SkyView Atlanta
SkyView Atlanta: A Panoramic Downtown Adventure
Amore e Amore welcomes muggles and wizards alike during its Harry Potter themed events. Photo by author
9 Themed Restaurants and Family-Friendly Dining Experiences in Atlanta
See Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch, Elmo, and other Sesame Street characters at the Center for Puppetry Arts. Photo by the author
Best Museums for Kids in Atlanta: Children’s Museums and Family-Friendly Museums in Atlanta
Stone Mountain Park is one of the most visited attractions in Atlanta for a reason -- it's fun! Photo by author
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Kidmoto car service addresses the all-too-common challenge of getting families with young kids to the airport safely.
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Kids can hone their skills by taking pickleball classes at the Sharon Lester Tennis Center at Piedmont Park. Photo courtesy of the center
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Kids will stay entertained, and parents can relax with a pint at Scofflaw Brewing. Photo by author
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Kids get up close to gentle farm animals at Zoo Atlanta's petting zoo, Outback Station.
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Root, root, root for the home team when you're in Atlanta...especially since the Atlanta Braves are, of course, the 2021 World Series champs! Photo by Bill Lefler
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Take a photo at Tiny Doors ATL's door #6, featured in a custom bench by artist Ira Hill, located on the Beltline Eastside trail. Photo courtesy of Tiny Doors ATL
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After a day at the Center for Puppetry Arts, check out the Tiny Door ATL installation (Door #11) at the attraction! Photo by Melanie Preis
Tiny Doors ATL: Big Fun Exploring Tiny Treasures
See wonderful live puppet performances, like Pete the Cat, at the Center for Puppetry Arts. Photo by Chris Hunt
Atlanta's Center for Puppetry Arts and The Jim Henson Collection
Winterfest is bringing the holiday spirit (even with the Grinch's arrival) to Virginia Highland this weekend! Photo courtesy Virginia Highland
Winterfest, PAW Patrol, and More Things to Do in Atlanta This Weekend with Kids

18 New Year's Eve Fireworks, Balloon Drops, Drone Shows, and Other Atlanta Celebrations for Kids

Kids and parents can party into 2025 at the daytime New Year's Bubble Bash at Children's Museum of Atlanta. Photo courtesy of the museum
Kids and parents can party into 2025 at the daytime New Year's Bubble Bash at Children's Museum of Atlanta. Photo courtesy of the museum
12/22/24 - By Elsa Simcik

Usher in the new year as a family with kid-friendly Atlanta New Year's Eve events! We've got the details on New Year’s Eve and Noon Year’s Eve activities in Atlanta—many of which end early since the kids usually can't last until midnight. Another fun way to celebrate the new year? Driving or walking through one of Atlanta's many holiday light shows! It's your last chance to catch some of our favorites like Noel Magic Light Show at Atlanta Motor Speedway and Holiday Lights at Brook Run Park. 

For more inspiration over New Year's weekend, read our Fun Things to Do Over the Christmas Vacation with Atlanta Kids, as well as our Winter Activities Guide in Atlanta. And don’t forget to subscribe to our free newsletters to stay in the know of all the 2025 kid-friendly events and activities in Atlanta!

Additional reporting by Rebecca Ruffin Leffler

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Party the year away at Noon Year's Eve at The Avenue Peachtree City. Photo courtesy of event
Party the year away at Noon Year's Eve at The Avenue Peachtree City. Photo courtesy of event

Atlanta New Year's Eve Events with Kids

Kids' Early New Year's Eve at Stone Mountain Park

Stone Mountain
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Stone Mountain Park counts down to 2025 at 9pm on New Year's Eve, so kids can get to bed at a good time. Families attend Stone Mountain Christmas with all of its activities and stay for the early New Year's Eve celebration.  READ MORE

New Year's Bubble Bash

Downtown
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Kids and parents can party into 2025 during the day at the Children's Museum of Atlanta. Visitors enjoy dancing, games, a DJ, and crafts (party hats and noisemakers!). Kids also make their own bubbles to ring in the new year!  READ MORE

Noon Year's Eve at Avalon - SOLD OUT

Alpharetta
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Celebrate NYE early at the Hotel at Avalon with a DJ, crafts and face painting. The event concludes with a giant balloon drop!  READ MORE

Noon Year's Eve at Skyline Park

Midtown
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Skyline Park welcomes families for a special Noon Year’s Eve celebration on the Roof at Ponce City Market. Tickets include admission, unlimited boardwalk games, mini-golf, slide, Heege tower, and all-you-can-drink hot chocolate.  READ MORE

Noon Year's Eve at The Avenue Peachtree City

Peachtree City - FREE!
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Families head to the Avenue Peachtree City on New Year's Eve morning for a celebration at Central Park. Beginning at 10am, kids enjoy cotton candy, a DJ, a photo booth, face painting, sparkling cider and more!  READ MORE

New Year's Eve Bash at The Battery

Northwest Atlanta - FREE
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
The Battery hosts a New Year's Eve celebration that has something for everyone. The Early Innings party, geared towards families, starts at 6pm and wraps up at 8pm with an inflatable balloon drop.  READ MORE

Tallapoosa Possum Drop

Tallapoosa - FREE
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Dress warm to watch "Spencer," the stuffed animal possum, drop from the sky in Tallapoosa, just an hour's drive west of Atlanta. The family-friendly New Year's Eve event features live bands, food trucks, and carnival rides.  READ MORE

New Year's Eve Family Par-tee at Fairway Social

Alpharetta - FREE
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Fairway Social Alpharetta with the family and free arcade games, back-9 play, hot cocoa & s’mores and a 9 PM countdown with a mini ball drop!  READ MORE

New Year's Eve Peach Drop Atlanta

Downtown Atlanta - FREE
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Count down to midnight with the entire City of Atlanta at the beloved Peach Drop! This free event at Underground Atlanta will begin at 6pm with musical performances by Big Boi, Neon Trees, and more. READ MORE

Noon Year Party at HippoHopp

Brookhaven
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
HippoHopp hosts a Noon-Year Party and balloon drop with Bluey! The event includes a trasure hunt, face painting, a craft, photo booth and of course, bouncy play!  READ MORE

Noon Year's Eve at LEGO Discovery Center Atlanta

Buckhead
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Ring in the New Year before the clock strikes midnight at LEGO Discovery Center's annual Noon Year's Eve Celebration. Guests celebrate with a LEGO Ball Drop and receive a complimentary 2025 headband (*while supplies last*) plus a glass of sparkling apple cider! READ MORE

Zoo Year's Eve

Grant Park
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Midnight is for adults, but Zoo Year’s Eve is for kids! Kids and parents enjoy a wild and wonderful family-friendly celebration to ring in the New Year at Zoo Atlanta.  READ MORE

Noon Year's Eve at Sloomoo Institute of Atlanta

Buckhead
December 31, 2024 & January 1, 2025
On December 31st and January 1st, Sloomoo is hosting a Noon Year's Party - where guests walk on over 350 gallons of slime, and at 11:59am to watch the slime drop! Dozens of gallons of glittery slime will be headed straight for Lake Sloomoo to celebrate the New Year.  READ MORE

Atlanta New Year's Eve Light Shows with Kids

Holiday Lights at Brook Run Park

Dunwoody - FREE
Final night! Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Families love this free event at Brook Run Park. This year's theme is Arctic Safari, featuring grand pillars of lights and lighted snowflakes along the entrance near N. Peachtree Road, a safari-style vehicle and train, the Mega Tree, illuminated faux igloo geo-domes, Arctic animal ice shapes, and more for a total of 100,000 lights! READ MORE

Holiday Lights of Ellijay

Ellijay
Final night! Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Visitors enjoy this walk-thru light show in quaint downtown Ellijay.  READ MORE

Holiday Lights at Veteran's Park in Canton

Canton
Final night! Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Families drive through a 2-mile-long light show at Veterans Park located in Canton. Holiday Lights at Veterans Park has two drive-through tunnels, animated Christmas displays, and more than 2 million lights. READ MORE

Lights of LIFE at Life University

Marietta
Final night! Tuesday, 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

Noel Magic Light Show at Atlanta Motor Speedway

Hampton
Through January 1, 2025
Drive through this huge holiday light show at Atlanta Motor Speedway, synchronized to Christmas music for all ages. READ MORE

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