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Things to Do in Atlanta this Weekend with Kids: Santa Parties, Nutcracker, Cirque du Soleil

Celebrate the season at the natural wonderland of Stone Mountain. Photo courtesy of Stone Mountain
Celebrate the season at the natural wonderland of Stone Mountain. Photo courtesy of Stone Mountain
12/11/19 - By James Smith

Hard to believe, isn't it? But Santa's arrival in Atlanta is a mere two weeks away. Assuming you have sufficiently completed your shopping and have some free time on your hands this weekend, why not take advantage of all the metro area has to offer this holiday season.

This weekend, families can thrill to the acrobatics of Cirque du Soleil, create warm holiday memories at a performance of The Nutcracker, or maybe see a new take on the time-honored classic in the Urban Nutcracker. Kids can enjoy a dance party with Santa, and a pajama party, too. Your little princess will thrill to brunch with the American Girl roster and even your four-legged friend gets to share his or her wish list with Santa.

It's hard to escape holiday-themed entertainment this time of year, but if you'd like to, why not take in some storytelling and s'mores at Mason Hill or enjoy a nature hike in Roswell.   

As always, see our holiday roundup for the best seasonal entertainment in Atlanta. And remember, our events calendar is loaded with fun, family events right through New Year's Day.

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OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Thrill to a new take on a timeless holiday classic at The Urban Nutcracker. Photo courtesy of Ballethnic Dance Company
Thrill to a new take on a timeless holiday classic at The Urban Nutcracker. Photo courtesy of Ballethnic Dance Company

Things to Do With Kids in Atlanta All Weekend

Cirque du Soleil: VOLTA

Thrill to this sports-inspired touring show from Cirque du Soleil. Energetic, urban, and contemporary, VOLTA is a voyage of discovery that showcases never-before-seen acrobatics under the big top. READ MORE

Atlanta Ballet Presents The Nutcracker

The Atlanta Ballet performs The Nutcracker, based upon the story of E.T.A. Hoffmann, with accompaniment by the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra at the Fox Theater.  READ MORE

Ballethnic Dance Company presents Urban Nutcracker

Ballethnic Dance Company presents Urban Nutcracker, a truly Atlanta-inspired version of the classic story, at the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel at Morehouse College.  READ MORE

Atlanta Chinese Lantern Festival

As part of the International Winter Wonderland, the 2019 Chinese Lantern Festival features more than 25 lanterns in Centennial Olympic Park. READ MORE

Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at Atlanta Botanical Garden

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

SE Railway Museum Festival of Trees

Community businesses and organizations bring Christmas to the museum with the Festival of Trees. Groups create trees based on individually selected themes.  READ MORE

Lights of LIFE at Life University

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

Stone Mountain Christmas

Stone Mountain Park celebrates the magic of Christmas with music, lights, live shows, and visits from familiar holiday-season friends.  READ MORE

Country Christmas Nights at The Rock Ranch

The Rock
On Country Christmas Nights, families arrive by wagon through more than a mile of lights outlining the beauty of The Rock ranch. READ MORE
Explore some of Oakland’s magnificent mausoleums on the Holiday Tour of Eternal Homes. Photo courtesy of the Historic Oakland Foundation
Explore some of Oakland’s magnificent mausoleums on the Holiday Tour of Eternal Homes. Photo courtesy of the Historic Oakland Foundation

Things to Do With Kids in Atlanta, Saturday, December 14

Santa's VIP Dance Party

Atlanta - FREE
Santa and his elves invite you to a holiday dance party at Northlake Mall. Come out and enjoy face painting, ornament decorating, dance and coloring contests, and more. READ MORE

Holiday Tour of Eternal Homes

Atlanta
Get in the spirit of the season by exploring a few of Oakland Cemetery’s magnificent mausoleums. Led by a story-telling Victorian guide, this walking tour takes you on a behind-the-stones look at the mausoleums, which are decorated for the holidays by local artists and designers. READ MORE

Holiday PJ Party & Festival of Trains at Tellus Science Museum

Cartersville
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

Storytelling and S'mores

Decatur
Ranger Jonah of Mason Mill Park will build a campfire for roasting marshmallows as he tells stories from around the world. READ MORE
See if you can spot a fairy or gnome along the trails at Chattahoochee Nature Center. Photo courtesy of the center
See if you can spot a fairy or gnome along the trails at Chattahoochee Nature Center. Photo courtesy of the center

Things to Do With Kids in Atlanta, Sunday, December 15

Santa Brunch at the American Girl Store

Alpharetta
Santa is coming to the store, and he can’t wait to meet you and your little princess. Whispering to him her wish list while sitting for a photo is an exciting holiday tradition. READ MORE

Santa Paws at The Battery

Atlanta - FREE
Kids can bring their four-legged family friends to pose for a FREE photo with Santa. READ MORE

Enchanted Woodland Trail: Gnome and Fairy Houses

Roswell
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

A Flicker of Light on a Winter's Night - Family Concert Series at ASO

Atlanta
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Platypus Theatre perform an afternoon of holiday music and storytelling. READ MORE

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