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Christmas Weekend 2025 in Atlanta Top Things To Do: Ice Skating, Holiday Lights, and More

The dazzling Glow Light Show offers a leisurely drive through illuminated installations for all ages. Photo courtesy of the event
The dazzling Glow Light Show offers a leisurely drive through illuminated installations for all ages. Photo courtesy of the event
12/20/24 - By Elsa Simcik

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

Christmas weekend is almost here, and kids in Atlanta are bursting with anticipation. Luckily, we here at Mommy Poppins have lots of ways for your family to make amazing memories all Christmas weekend long. Hit the rink at one of Atlanta's festive ice skating rinks like Skate the Station at Atlantic Station and High Street Skate--both open on Christmas Day! It's also a great time to drive through Candy Rush Light Show in Marietta, Glow Light Show in Lawrenceville, or Noel Magic Light Show in Hampton. We also have the scoop on all the best Atlanta Homes with Spectacular Christmas Lights! 

Whatever you celebrate, we at Mommy Poppins wish you happy holidays!

More Things To Do in Atlanta this Week With Kids: 

The best Christmas ever starts with signing up for our newsletter here!

 

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Visit with old St. Nick at Santa's Post Office at The Battery this Christmas weekend. Photo by Rebecca Leffler
Visit with old St. Nick at Santa's Post Office at The Battery this Christmas weekend. Photo by Rebecca Leffler

Things To Do Christmas Weekend in Atlanta

Family Fun Day at the MJCCA

Duwwoody - FREE
Thursday, December 25, 2025
Everyone is invited to Family Fun Day at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta (MJCCA) for a winter-themed celebration featuring crafts, activities, and games.   READ MORE

Atlanta Ballet's The Nutcracker

Northwest Atlanta
Through December 27, 2025 (except December 25)
Atlanta Ballet brings The Nutcracker to life at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Yuri Possokhov's production uses striking costumes, immersive video projections, and bold sets to provide a magical night of this holiday classic. READ MORE

Holiday Ride-On Train at Atlanta Botanical Garden

Midtown
December 27 & 28, 2025
All aboard the Botanical Express. The popular children’s ride-on train is set to depart for a trip around the Great Lawn every Saturday and Sunday from November 15 to January 4. READ MORE

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Puppet Show

Midtown
Final weekend! Through December 28 (except December 25)
Children delight in seeing this classic tale played out in puppet form at the Center for Puppetry Arts this holiday season.  READ MORE

Coca-Cola Holiday Express at Pemberton Place

Downtown
Through December 30, 2025 (closed December 25)
 Coca-Cola Holiday Express is open in downtown Atlanta at Pemberton Place (the festive greenspace between the World of Coca-Cola & The Georgia Aquarium). The experience takes guests on a simulated journey to the North Pole and sunny Southern Hemisphere. Guests will board two railcars filled with the special holiday magic that Coca-Cola is known for.  READ MORE

Holiday Lights at Veteran's Park in Canton

Canton
Through December 31, 2025
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

Holiday Lights at Brook Run Park

Dunwoody - FREE!
Final weekend! Through December 31, 2025
Families love this free month long light display at Brook Run Park. This year's theme is Cosmic Wonderland.  READ MORE

Lights of LIFE at Life University

Marietta
Final weekend! Through December 31, 2025
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

Christmas Canteen at Aurora Theatre

Roswell
Through January 1, 2026
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

Holidays at Georgia Aquarium

Downtown
Through January 2, 2026
Visit Georgia Aquarium during the holidays and experience a completely transformed atrium with festive music, winter-inspired projections, and the 40-foot live tree. Holiday fun includes a daily tree lighting and holiday-themed dolphin presentations.  READ MORE

Noel Magic Light Show at Atlanta Motor Speedway

Hampton
Through January 4, 2026
Drive through this huge holiday light show at Atlanta Motor Speedway, synchronized to Christmas music for all ages. READ MORE

Callaway Gardens Fantasy in Lights

Pine Mountain
Through January 4, 2026
Callaway Gardens Fantasy in Lights is an annual Christmas lights display that spans the size of two football fields. Visitors can experience it in a car, on a trolley or on foot.  READ MORE

Candy Rush Light Show by World of Illumination

Marietta
Through January 4, 2026
Take a trip through sugar plum fairies, a gigantic gingerbread village and sweets as far as the eye can see. Candy Rush is the world’s largest animated drive-through audio-visual experience, highlighting larger-than-life Christmas characters and confections. READ MORE

Glow Light Show

Lawrenceville
Through Sunday, January 4, 2026
Glow Light Show returns this holiday season at Coolray Field beginning Nov. 14 and running through Jan. 4. Don’t miss the Atlanta area’s most popular, budget-friendly light show the whole family can enjoy!  READ MORE

Stone Mountain Christmas

Stone Mountain
Through January 4, 2026 (closed December 25)
Stone Mountain Park celebrates the magic of Christmas with music, lights, live shows, and visits from familiar holiday-season friends.  READ MORE

Winter Wonderland at Fernbank

Druid Hills
Through January 11, 2026 (closed December 25)
During the holidays at Fernbank, museum visitors enjoy winter traditions from across the globe.  READ MORE

High Street Skate

Lawrenceville
Through January 19, 2026
From Nov. 23 through Jan. 19, get ready to glide into the holidays at High Street Skate. The brand-new ice rink will take over The Green at the center of the mixed-use community.  READ MORE

Avalon on Ice

Alpharetta
Through January 19, 2026
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

Skate the Station at Atlantic Station

Midtown
Through January 19, 2026
Atlantic Station welcomes families to skate under the stars at Skate the Station. Open everyday, even on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  READ MORE

Skate City Springs

Sandy Springs
Through January 19, 2026 (closed December 25)
The heart of Sandy Springs turns into a winter wonderland once again as Skate City Springs returns to City Green. They even offer free "Skater Helpers," the walker-style props for kids learning to ice skate.  READ MORE

Cirque du Soleil LUZIA

West Midtown
Select dates through January 25, 2026 (except December 25)
LUZIA chronicles the encounters of a parachuted traveler with the culture, nature and mythology of a dreamlike land inhabited by a mystifying menagerie of characters.  READ MORE

License to Chill Snow Island at Margaritaville at Lake Lanier Islands

Buford
Through February 22, 2026
License to Chill Snow Island is a seasonal amusement park at Lake Lanier Islands that features one of the fastest snow tubing hills in North America. It includes winter-themed carnival rides, an ice skating rink, fire pit with s’mores, and specialty winter drinks and snacks.   READ MORE

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More Fun Holiday Things to do with Kids

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Festive Christmas Coloring Pages for Kids (Free Printables)

Free printable coloring pages for kids can be a lifesaver, especially during the busy holiday season. Kids who love to get crafty can use Christmas coloring pages to make tree decorations, wall art, gift tags, Christmas cards, and more. Plus, they're the perfect boredom buster for car rides or while you're trying to get some chores done. These printable Christmas coloring pages are fun, festive, and easy to download and share. We've found a variety of holiday coloring sheets& in classic Christmas themes like Santa, reindeer, snowmen, and Christmas tree coloring pages. Looking for... READ MORE

A Charlie Brown Christmas and More Kids' Holiday Movies to Watch This Holiday Season

The only list you need for holiday cheer and laughs this holiday season! READ MORE

How to Celebrate New Year’s Eve With Kids at Home: 22 Parent-Tested Ideas

Countdown treat bags, time capsules, and more ways to welcome 2025 at home. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
Fernbank Museum of Natural History
Margaritaville at Lanier Islands

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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