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.

Latest posts by Elsa

Cirque du Soleil Brings Acrobatics and Holiday Magic to The Fox

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Tue, 12/03/2024 - 10:54am

Cirque du Soleil's first holiday show, 'Twas The Night Before... is a classic Christmas story about rediscovering the magic of the holiday season. Photo by Michael Last

Atlanta families can see the incredible acrobatics of Cirque du Soleil, with a holiday twist, at The Fox Theatre. ‘Twas the Night Before… is Cirque du Soleil’s first Christmas show, and it's at The Fox November 29 - December 15, 2024. Based on the classic poem, "A Visit from St. Nicholas" by Clement Clarke Moore, the show features Cirque's mesmerizing acrobatics, familiar Christmas songs, and a heartwarming tale. The show is a perfect Christmas event for the whole family!

38 Free Holiday and Christmas Events in Atlanta for Kids

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Sun, 12/01/2024 - 9:48am

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

We've gathered the best free Christmas events and holiday activities in Atlanta happening! Let's face it —the holiday season in Atlanta is magical but creating family memories isn't always cheap (like holiday shows, photo keepsakes with Santa, and more). Mommy Poppins to the rescue! There are lots of great FREE holiday events in Atlanta. Our list has lightings (both menorahs and Christmas trees), festivals, Christmas parades, and holiday markets. We even found free places to pose with Santa and drive-thru light shows!

For more seasonal highlights, be sure to check out our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for Atlanta Kids, and of course, our always-up-to-date Family Activity Calendar.

29 Best Things to Do in Atlanta December 2024 with Kids

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Fri, 11/29/2024 - 11:15am

Families walk through Margaritaville at Lake Lanier's spectacular light show with festive seasonal music. Photo courtesy of Margaritaville

Christmas lights, Hanukkah celebrations, and holiday activities are in full effect for December, and that's just the beginning of things to do in Atlanta this month!

December in Atlanta starts with Christmas tree lightings all over town, including those in Sandy Springs, Woodstock, and Brookhaven (where Santa enters on a helicopter)! As December continues, Atlanta families get into the holiday spirit with Nutcracker Ballet and Holiday Shows as well as Dazzling Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows. December 25th brings Christmas Day AND the first night of Hanukkah! Families celebrate with lots of events, including Chabad Intown's menorah lightings. After all those holiday gifts are ripped open, families can ring in 2025 with fun, daytime events like the New Year's Eve Bubble Bash at Children's Museum of Atlanta.

Forget the holiday drama, mama — sign up for our newsletters to make your December run smoothly.

Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2024 in Atlanta: Holiday Events, Turkey Trots, and More Things To Do

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Tue, 11/26/2024 - 9:00am

Cirque du Soleil reimagines a Christmas classic in 'Twas The Night Before..., an acrobatic show about the magic of the holiday season. Photo by Michael Last

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

Atlanta families have lots to be thankful for this year, including so many fun events this Thanksgiving Day weekend. Check out Thanksgiving weekend events like Dunwoody's Holiday Lights Opening Night, Lighting of the Great Tree in Lawrenceville, and The Battery Atlanta Tree Lighting. Thanksgiving weekend kicks off with exhaustingly fun turkey trots, including awesome runs in Alpharetta and Marietta. After your jog and Thanksgiving feast, enjoy the many holiday events in Atlanta, including amazing Christmas light shows like Marietta's Lights of LIFE and Woodstock's Holiday Lights event.

Happy Thanksgiving from everyone at Mommy Poppins!

The Nutcracker Ballet and More Holiday Shows for Atlanta Families

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Sun, 11/10/2024 - 1:29pm

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 other holiday shows in Atlanta bring families together for memory making and festive fun. Atlanta offers plenty of holiday shows and options for The Nutcracker, including those with cool twists on the story, like Hip Hop Nutcracker at The Fox and Once Upon a Holiday in Roswell.

Some holiday shows are so kid-friendly (especially the ones with puppets) that even the wiggliest of children are mesmerized! Take a look at our comprehensive list of The Nutcracker performances and holiday shows to choose which will add theatrical magic to your family this holiday season!

Veterans Day Weekend 2024 in Atlanta: 20 Best Things To Do With Kids

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Wed, 11/06/2024 - 11:21am

Witness interactive light swings, tunnels, and magical creatures composed of artisan lanterns at the Winter Lantern Festival. Photo courtesy of the festival via Fever

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

It's Veterans Day weekend and families have lots of opportunities to celebrate and pay tribute to those who have served in the military with parades and events in Atlanta. A big favorite is the Georgia Veterans Day Parade, which travels through Midtown along Peachtree Street on Saturday. Enjoy the Veterans Day Parade-Watching Party at the Atlanta History Center's Midtown location. And active duty, veterans, and retired military personnel with valid ID get free admission to Stone Mountain Park this weekend. It's beginning to feel a lot like the holidays in Atlanta, with some of our favorite seasonal events launching this weekend, including Stone Mountain Christmas and the Atlanta Winter Lantern Festival.

Halloween Weekend 2024 in Atlanta: Trick-or-Treat and More Things To Do with Kids

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Tue, 10/29/2024 - 8:15am

Team Spidey from “Marvel’s Spidey and His Amazing Friends” help save an important playdate in Disney Jr. Live: Let's Play! Photo by Phil McCarten

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

Kick off Halloween weekend on Thursday with fun Halloween events and of course, trick-or-treating! On Halloween, march through downtown Newnan for the annual Munchkin Masquerade; head to the Lawrenceville Lawn for Boofest, a fun event complete with a trick-or-treat trail; and enjoy a safe, spooktacular in Acworth with the police force at the popular Safe-O-Ween. The party continues through the weekend at our favorite farms that are wrapping up their fall festivals, including Southern Belle Farm in McDonough and Cagle's Family Farm in Holly Springs.

From all of us at Mommy Poppins, we wish you a fun, safe Halloween with minimal costume and candy chaos!

25 Best Things to Do in Atlanta November 2024 with Kids

Submitted by Elsa Simcik on Sun, 10/27/2024 - 11:05am

Immerse yourself in holiday magic with evenings full of festive music, millions of dazzling lights, and more cheer at Stone Mountain Christmas. Photo courtesy of Stone Mountain

November brings plenty of things to do, as Atlanta gears up for holidays from Veterans Day to Thanksgiving and full steam ahead to Christmas. Don't miss our favorite kid-friendly events and activities in Atlanta this November!

November in Atlanta means lots of fall fun with outdoor festivals like Lawrenceville Harvest Festival and Chastain Park Arts Festival. Kids have a chance to see their favorite Sesame Street characters in Sesame Street Live: Say Hello at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre on Saturday, November 16. Then suddenly, it's holiday time with tree lightings and popular events like Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at Atlanta Botanical Garden and Stone Mountain Christmas. We are especially excited about this year's Georgia Festival of Trees because it features the return of our old friend, The Pink Pig!

Our Atlanta Fall Guide is full of ideas for family fun in November like farm destinations and cool getaways. We’re adding more events to our family activity calendar every day, so check it often. Get our picks for every weekend in your inbox—sign up for our newsletters!

Elsa Simcik

Latest posts by Elsa

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