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Holiday Parades, Christmas Tree Lightings, and More Things to Do in Atlanta This Weekend with Kids

A ticket to Halcyon Holiday Magic allows your child photo ops with Minnie and Mickey Mouse, Frozen's Elsa and Anna, The Grinch, and of course - Santa! Photo courtesy Halcyon
A ticket to Halcyon Holiday Magic allows your child photo ops with Minnie and Mickey Mouse, Frozen's Elsa and Anna, The Grinch, and of course - Santa! Photo courtesy Halcyon
12/4/24 - 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! 

The holidays are in full swing with Christmas tree lightings this weekend, including awesome events in Acworth, Roswell, and Suwanee. We love FREE Atlanta holiday events because they include seasonal fun like hot chocolate, kids' activities, and Santa photo ops. This weekend also brings fun Christmas parades like Woodstock's Christmas Jubilee and Parade, Powder Springs' Christmas Tree Lighting and Parade, and Sparkle Sandy Springs' Parade. Lawrenceville continues to host its Ten Days of Holiday Happenings in the DTL, which builds up to the really cool Friday event: A Santaverse Story Party with The Elf on the Shelf & Friends! 

More Things To Do in Atlanta This Week With Kids

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Best Things To Do This Weekend in Atlanta With Kids

Ten Days of Holiday Happenings in the DTL

Lawrenceville - FREE
Through Saturday, December 7
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

Roswell Winter Puppet Series

Roswell
Select dates through Saturday, December 21
Kids love the Roswell Winter Puppet Series because of the funny characters, colorful puppets, and entertaining stories.  READ MORE

Roswell Christmas Tree Lighting

Roswell - FREE!
Friday, December 6
The City of Roswell launches the holiday season with their annual Lighting of the Christmas Tree at Heart of Roswell Park on Canton Street, between Norcross Street and Magnolia Street. The free event includes choral performances, hot chocolate, fire pits and s’mores, a visit from Santa Claus, and of course, the tree lighting.  READ MORE

Santa's Arrival in Acworth

Acworth - FREE!
Friday, December 6
At this annual Acworth celebration, families wait for Santa to arrive and enjoy live performances, the festival of trees, and a reading of The Night Before Christmas by Acworth's mayor. Stay for the lighting of the tree and photos with Santa. (Parents take their own photos for free!) READ MORE

Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting - Powder Springs

Powder Springs - FREE!
Friday, December 6
Pose for a free photo with Santa following the Christmas parade and tree lighting in Thurman Springs Park. Complimentary cookies and hot cocoa, in addition to live entertainment, provided. READ MORE

Jolly Holly Days & Market in Suwanee

Suwanee - FREE!
December 6 & 7
Families will want to bring their little ones to this annual event at Town Center Park in Suwanee. On Friday evening from 5-9pm, Santa arrives to greet children, pose for photos, and collect wishlists. Several school choirs will provide musical entertainment, and Santa will light the holiday tree.  READ MORE

Free First Saturday at Dunwoody Nature Center

Dunwoody - FREE
Saturday, December 7
Join Dunwoody Nature Center staff on a family walk around the property. Every month is a different theme.  READ MORE

Peachtree City's Hometown Holiday

Peachtree City - FREE!
Saturday, December 7
Eveyrone is invited to Drake Field for some holiday cheer on Saturday, December 7. Families are encouraged to bundle up and hop on the golf cart!  READ MORE

Holiday Celebration at Buckhead Village

Buckhead - FREE!
Saturday, December 7
Celebrate the holidays at Buckhead Village with a day full of fun, including a holiday market, wreath decorating, kids' activities and more.  READ MORE

Christmas in Crabapple

Milton- FREE!
Saturday, December 7
The City of Milton hosts this quaint holiday event in historic downtown Crabapple at the Broadwell Pavilion. There will be face painting, Christmas tunes spun by an on-site DJ, a balloon artist, and a chance to decorate cookies and ornaments.  READ MORE

Christmas on the Farm at Warbington Farms

Cumming
Saturday, December 7
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

Twas the Night Before Christmas Puppet Show

Lawrenceville
Saturday, December 7
Kids love hearing Twas the Night Before Christmas as told from the perspective of a mouse. Piccadilly Puppets perform the classic tale with some goofy twists to entertain the audience.  READ MORE

Holiday Hop and Shop

Alpharetta
Saturday, December 7
This Alpharetta event makes holiday shopping easy. A free shuttle takes guests to various holiday markets. Your kids can pose for a complimentary photo with Santa between 10 am-noon in front of the Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau. The event also features live music and character visits.   READ MORE

Holiday Pet Pics at The Works

West Midtown - FREE!
Saturday, December 7
Four-legged friends and their humans are invited to The Works’ annual Holiday Pet Pics with Buddy the Elf. The Works provides complimentary print and digital photos provided by Starpix Photobooth Atlanta and encourages on-site or digital donations to the Atlanta Humane Society. READ MORE

Halcyon Holiday Magic

Alpharetta
Saturday, December 7
A ticket to Halcyon Holiday Magic allows your child photo ops with Minnie and Mickey Mouse, Elsa and Anna from Frozen, the Grinch, and of course - Santa! The fun-filled event includes crafts, face painting, and musical entertainment. READ MORE

Jingle Bell Fun Run in the Krog District

Atlanta - FREE!
Saturday, December 7
This festive and fun run at The Krog District is perfect for runners of all levels. Participants encouraged to wear holiday attire, and get ready to run through the streets spreading cheer. No entry fee!  READ MORE

A Day with Santa in Kennesaw

Kennesaw - FREE!
Saturday, December 7
A Day with Santa kicks off with a parade in downtown Kennesaw at 2pm. From 3-7pm, Santa will be onsite for photos at City Hall. A professional photographer will offer free digital downloads the week after the event with an option to purchase additional photos. READ MORE

Cookies with Santa at Zoo Atlanta

Grant Park
December 7 & 8
Santa is taking his workshop on the road and making his first stop at Zoo Atlanta’s Action Resource Center (ARC) building. Bring the family for a personal visit with Santa and a professional Santa photo to remember the moment. While you wait for your turn with Santa, enjoy cookies, hot chocolate, holiday crafts, and of course, holly jolly photo opportunities for all.  READ MORE

Sparkle Sandy Springs

Sandy Springs - FREE!
Sunday, December 8
Visitors to Sandy Springs City Springs on Sunday, December 8, enjoy a parade and a beautiful display of lit, miniature homes (around all month long). Following the parade, families are treated to both menorah and tree lightings.  READ MORE

Woodstock Christmas Jubilee and Parade

Woodstock - FREE!
Sunday, December 8
The City of Woodstock kicks off the holiday season with their Christmas Jubilee & Parade of Lights. The parade starts at Woodstock Elementary School on Rope Mill Rd. and travels down Main St. to Sam’s Club at Highway 92. After the parade, folks walk over to The Park at City Center to visit with Santa, see the tree lighting, enjoy kids' activities, decorate cupcakes, and more.  READ MORE

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