Atlanta, GA, becomes a wonderland of holiday cheer each Christmas season, offering a mix of enchanting light displays, historical insights, and festive activities. Atlanta Botanical Garden Lights transforms nature into a glowing spectacle, while Callanwolde Christmas at the Mansion enchants with its opulent decorations and musical performances.
For thrill-seekers, Stone Mountain Christmas delivers wintry excitement on its snowy slopes. Whether you're a local or a visitor, Atlanta’s holiday events promise magical experiences for everyone.
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The Top Christmas Events in Atlanta
- Atlanta Botanical Garden Lights
- Callanwolde Christmas at the Mansion
- Festival of the SEAson
- Children's Christmas Parade
- Atlanta Christkindl Market
- Botanical Stroll: Holiday Model Train Show
- The Lighting of Atlantic Station
- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at the Center for Puppetry Arts
- Christmas with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
- Candlelight Nights at the Atlanta History Center
Atlanta Holiday Light Displays
Atlanta Botanical Garden Lights
What to Expect:
Botanical-themed light sculptures
Description:
The Atlanta Botanical Garden transforms into a luminous paradise during the holiday season. Towering light sculptures shaped like flowers and woodland creatures illuminate the pathways. Visitors can stroll through the Orchestral Orbs, an immersive light and sound experience. The garden's history dates back to 1976, evolving from a simple city park to a world-class botanical institution. Nature and artistry intertwine as you explore the twinkling displays nestled among the garden's diverse plant collections.
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Atlanta Botanical Garden Lights
The Lighting of Atlantic Station
What to Expect:
50-foot Christmas tree lighting ceremony
Description:
Atlantic Station kicks off the holiday season with the illumination of a towering 50-foot Christmas tree. The mixed-use development transforms into a winter village, complete with an ice skating rink and holiday market. Visitors can witness the dramatic moment when thousands of lights burst to life on the massive evergreen. Atlantic Station, built on the former site of the Atlantic Steel mill, represents Atlanta's urban renewal. The plaza buzzes with excitement as live performances and seasonal activities entertain crowds throughout the evening.
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The Lighting of Atlantic Station
Atlanta Holiday Markets and Shopping
Atlanta Christkindl Market
What to Expect:
Authentic German Christmas market
Description:
The Atlanta Christkindl Market recreates the charm of traditional German holiday markets in the heart of the city. Wooden stalls adorned with twinkling lights offer authentic German crafts, ornaments, and delicacies. Visitors can savor Glühwein, a warm spiced wine, while browsing the unique wares. The market pays homage to a tradition dating back to 1434 in Dresden, Germany. The aroma of freshly baked strudel and roasted almonds permeates the air, transporting you to a European winter wonderland.
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Atlanta Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at the Center for Puppetry Arts
What to Expect:
Puppet adaptation of the classic TV special
Description:
The Center for Puppetry Arts brings the beloved television special "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" to life through intricate puppetry. Skilled puppeteers recreate the stop-motion animation style of the original 1964 show. Visitors can participate in puppet-making workshops after the performance. The center, founded in 1978, is the largest organization in America dedicated to the art of puppetry. The theater resonates with familiar tunes as Rudolph and his misfit friends embark on their Arctic adventure.
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Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at the Center for Puppetry Arts
Christmas with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
What to Expect:
World-class orchestra performing holiday classics
Description:
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, led by its renowned conductor, fills Symphony Hall with the rich sounds of beloved holiday music. The program features both classical pieces and popular favorites, performed by world-class musicians. Visitors can join in a festive sing-along of traditional carols. The ASO, founded in 1945, has won multiple Grammy Awards for its recordings. The hall reverberates with the powerful voices of the ASO Chorus as they join the orchestra in grand holiday compositions.
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Christmas with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Atlanta Other Holiday Activities
Callanwolde Christmas at the Mansion
What to Expect:
Historic mansion decorated by professional designers
Description:
Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, a 1920s Gothic-Tudor style mansion, dons its holiday best with elaborate decorations crafted by professional designers. Each room of the historic estate showcases a unique theme, transporting visitors through time and style. You can participate in wreath-making workshops, learning from skilled artisans. The mansion, once home to the Candler family of Coca-Cola fame, offers a glimpse into Atlanta's opulent past. The halls echo with live music performances, adding a melodious touch to the visual splendor.
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Callanwolde Christmas at the Mansion
Festival of the SEAson
What to Expect:
Multicultural holiday celebrations
Description:
Atlanta's Festival of the Season embraces diversity, showcasing holiday traditions from around the world. Cultural performances bring global festivities to life, from Chinese lion dances to Mexican posadas. Visitors can craft international holiday decorations in hands-on workshops. The festival, initiated in 2010, aims to foster cultural understanding through shared celebrations. Aromas of global cuisines waft through the air as food vendors serve up seasonal specialties from various cultures.
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Children's Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Largest children's Christmas parade in the Southeast
Description:
Atlanta's Children's Christmas Parade marches through the heart of Midtown, bringing holiday cheer to thousands of spectators. As the largest children's Christmas parade in the Southeast, it features elaborate floats, giant helium balloons, and marching bands. Visitors can catch a glimpse of Santa Claus as he makes his grand entrance. The parade, which began in 1981, supports Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. The streets come alive with the sound of jingle bells and cheering crowds as the procession passes by.
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Botanical Stroll: Holiday Model Train Show
What to Expect:
Miniature train display integrated with live plants
Description:
The Botanical Stroll Holiday Model Train Show at the Atlanta Botanical Garden combines horticulture with miniature engineering. Tiny trains chug through intricate landscapes crafted from natural materials and living plants. Visitors can spot miniature replicas of Atlanta landmarks nestled among the foliage. The show, which began in the early 2000s, has become a cherished holiday tradition. Delicate moss and twigs form bridges and tunnels, creating a whimsical world where nature and machinery coexist in perfect harmony.
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Botanical Stroll: Holiday Model Train Show
Candlelight Nights at the Atlanta History Center
What to Expect:
Historical reenactments of holiday traditions
Description:
The Atlanta History Center's Candlelight Nights transport visitors to holidays past through living history experiences. Costumed interpreters demonstrate 19th-century holiday traditions in the center's historic houses. You can participate in period games and crafts, immersing yourself in Atlanta's rich history. The center, which opened in 1926, preserves and presents the diverse stories of Atlanta's past. The soft glow of candles illuminates the historic buildings, creating an atmosphere of timeless holiday charm.
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Candlelight Nights at the Atlanta History Center
Nearby Events
Stone Mountain Christmas (Stone Mountain)
What to Expect:
Snow-covered slopes in Georgia
Description:
Stone Mountain Park embraces winter with a frosty flourish, creating snow-covered slopes in the heart of Georgia. The park's granite monolith serves as a backdrop for dazzling light shows projected onto its face. Visitors can glide down Snow Angel Palace, a 400-foot tubing hill. Stone Mountain's carving, completed in 1972, adds a unique historical element to the holiday festivities. The park bustles with seasonal cheer as carolers serenade guests and the smell of roasting chestnuts fills the air.
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Fantasy in Lights (Pine Mountain)
What to Expect:
Drive-through light display on a golf course
Description:
Callaway Resort & Gardens' Fantasy in Lights transforms the lush golf course into a drive-through spectacle of illumination. Spanning seven miles, the route features animated displays and millions of lights. Visitors can hop aboard the Jolly Trolley for a guided tour of the sparkling scenes. The event, which began in 1992, has become a beloved Southern tradition. Towering Christmas trees and glowing snowflakes reflect off the resort's serene lakes, creating a mesmerizing display.
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Holiday in the Park (Austell)
What to Expect:
Thrill rides combined with holiday festivities
Description:
Six Flags Over Georgia's Holiday in the Park offers a unique blend of adrenaline-pumping rides and festive cheer. Roller coasters zoom through tunnels of twinkling lights, providing a thrilling holiday experience. Visitors can meet Santa Claus in his workshop between rides. The park, which opened in 1967, was the first Six Flags outside of Texas. The crisp winter air carries the scent of freshly made funnel cakes as guests explore the holiday-themed sections of the park.
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City Springs Theatre Company's Holiday Show (Sandy Springs)
What to Expect:
Broadway-caliber holiday musical production
Description:
City Springs Theatre Company presents a dazzling holiday musical featuring Broadway veterans and local talent. The state-of-the-art Byers Theatre comes alive with elaborate sets, stunning costumes, and professional choreography. Visitors can enjoy a pre-show talk with the director to gain insight into the production. The theatre, part of the new Sandy Springs city center, opened in 2018 as a cultural hub for the community. The orchestra pit swells with holiday melodies as performers take the stage in this high-energy celebration of the season.
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City Springs Theatre Company's Holiday Show