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Christmas Weekend 2023 Best Things To Do in Atlanta: Photos with Santa, 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
12/20/23 - 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 weekend list!

Christmas weekend is almost here, and kids in Atlanta are bursting with anticipation and energy. Luckily, we here at Mommy Poppins have lots of ways for your family to make amazing memories all Christmas weekend long. 

Santa will be taking last-minute gift requests and posing for pics —families can meet Santa at his Post Office at The Battery and Georgia Aquarium through Christmas Eve. This Christmas weekend is a great time to drive through Enchanted Safari by World of Illumination at Six Flags White Water, Glow Light Show in Lawrenceville, and Holiday Lights at Brook Run Park in Dunwoody. We also have the scoop on all the best Atlanta Homes with Spectacular Christmas Lights!

Need that winter entertainment to last past Christmas? Be prepared with our list of Fun Things to Do During Christmas Vacation in Atlanta. Whatever you celebrate, we at Mommy Poppins wish you happy holidays!

More Things to Do in Atlanta this Week with Kids: 

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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

Christmas Canteen 2024

Lawrenceville - Through Saturday, December 23, 2023
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 Lights of Ellijay

Ellijay - Through Saturday, December 23, 2023
Visitors enjoy this walk-thru light show in quaint downtown Ellijay.  READ MORE

Trouble in Toyland Puppet Show

Lawrenceville - Saturday, December 23, 2023
Kids love “Trouble in Toyland” by Lee Bryan. It’s Christmas Eve but the toys aren’t finished, elves are on strike, Santa has lost his laugh, and Rudolph has a runny nose! Will Christmas be canceled? Of course not! This show delivers holiday hijinks that is fun for the whole family. READ MORE

A Christmas Carol at Alliance Theatre

Midtown - Through Sunday, December 24, 2023
This year's production of the holiday classic A Christmas Carol returns to Alliance Theatre's Coca-Cola Stage.  READ MORE

Photos with Santa at Georgia Aquarium

Downtown - Through Sunday, December 24, 2023
Get a picture with Seaside Santa when you visit the Georgia Aquarium. Package prices vary. READ MORE

Atlanta Christkindl Market

Buckhead - Through Sunday, December 24, 2023
Atlanta parents and kids get to visit this authentic German marketplace in Buckhead Village all season long. The Atlanta Christkindl Market features holiday items, as well as German food, treats, drinks, and more. Santa will be there for photos!  READ MORE

Holiday Fun at Amore e Amore

Inman Park - Through Sunday, December 24, 2023
During the holiday season, family-favorite restaurant Amore e Amore transforms into a holiday wonderland with festive decorations, a prix-fixe menu, and visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Be sure to check the website to confirm Santa's appearance schedule.  READ MORE

Santa's Post Office at The Battery

Northwest Atlanta - Through Sunday, December 24, 2023
Let your kids deliver their wish list to the big man himself at Santa’s Post Office. Conveniently located in the Truist Community Corner at The Battery, snap pictures while Santa interacts with your youngsters at this free experience. READ MORE

Atlanta Ballet's The Nutcracker

Northwest Atlanta - Through Tuesday, December 26, 2023 (no performance on Christmas)
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 Lights at Brook Run Park

Dunwoody - Through December 31, 2023
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

Glow Light Show & Festival

Lawrenceville - Through December 31, 2023
Glow Light Show & Festival is back at Coolray Field in Lawrenceville. Glow has three different experiences the whole family can enjoy. READ MORE

Lights of LIFE at Life University

Marietta - Through December 31, 2023
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

Cosmic Sleigh Ride by World of Illumination

Marietta - Through January 1, 2024
Take a trip through a cosmic sleighride in this holiday lights extravaganza. World of Illumination welcomes families in their own cars to ride through Six Flags White Water as it is transformed into a land filled with out-of-this-world magic.  READ MORE

Callaway Gardens Fantasy in Lights

Pine Mountain - Through January 1, 2024
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

Stone Mountain Christmas

Stone Mountain - Through January 2, 2024 (closed Christmas)
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 7, 2024 (closed Christmas)
During the holidays at Fernbank, museum visitors enjoy winter traditions from across the globe READ MORE

Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at the Atlanta Botanical Garden

Midtown - Through January 14, 2024
One of Atlanta’s favorite holiday light displays returns to the Atlanta Botanical Garden for Garden Lights, Holiday Nights. Expect new music and choreography with more vertical lights than ever.  READ MORE

Avalon on Ice

Alpharetta - Through January 15, 2024
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 15, 2024
Atlantic Station welcomes families to skate under the stars at Skate the Station. Open everyday, even on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  READ MORE

The Ice Rink at Sugar Hill

Sugar Hill - Through February 18, 2024
The Ice Rink at Sugar Hill opens for ice skating on the largest portable outdoor ice skating rink in the Southeast on November 8, 2024!  READ MORE

License to Chill Snow Island at Margaritaville at Lake Lanier Islands

Buford - Through February 25, 2024
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
Dine out at a fun Atlanta restaurant, like The Hard Rock Cafe, open on Christmas and give yourself the ultimate Christmas gift of relaxation. Photo courtesy of the restaurant
Dine out at a fun Atlanta restaurant, like The Hard Rock Cafe, open on Christmas and give yourself the ultimate Christmas gift of relaxation. Photo courtesy of the restaurant

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Places featured in this article:

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