Last updated: November 11, 2024
You've discovered the ultimate guide to the holidays in Dunwoody! Let us show you the best festive events and attractions. Whether you're deeply connected to Dunwoody or just making connections, our guide enhances your seasonal joy.
Popular Events: Experience the enchanting colors and lights at Garden Lights, Holiday Nights, where beautiful displays illuminate the landscape for a magical experience. With thrilling rides and festive entertainment, Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Over Georgia is another highlight that promises fun for all ages. And the Stone Mountain Christmas is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring a breathtaking light show and seasonal activities. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Contact information and details below.
Synchronized light and sound show with giant plant sculptures.
Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at the Atlanta Botanical Garden features millions of LED lights, giant plant sculptures, and synchronized light and sound displays, including the world's largest curtain of light and sound in Natures Wonders.
Where: Atlanta | More Info: Garden Lights, Holiday Nights
Live music and snow flurries with Metropolitan Ballet’s The Nutcracker vignettes.
The City of Alpharetta Tree Lighting at Town Green Stage features a 50-foot tree lighting, live music, snow flurries, and vignettes from Metropolitan Ballet’s The Nutcracker. Mr. Santa Claus will also be in attendance.
Where: Alpharetta | More Info: City of Alpharetta Tree Lighting at Town Green Stage
Family-friendly activities and tree lighting ceremony.
Join us for the 43rd Annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Lighted Christmas Parade in Snellville, GA. The parade begins at 5:30 p.m. at Wisteria Plaza and ends at the Towne Green. The tree lighting ceremony takes place at 7:00 p.m. Enjoy family-friendly activities like cookie decorating, s'mores, and ornament making on the Towne Green.
Where: Snellville | More Info: Christmas Tree Lighting at Snellville Towne Green
Ugly Holiday Sweater Walking Parade
Join the City of Marietta for their annual Christmas Tree Lighting at Glover Park, featuring local choir performances, Santa letter writing stations, and an Ugly Holiday Sweater Walking Parade. The event culminates with Santa's arrival and the tree lighting ceremony.
Where: Marietta | More Info: Christmas Tree Lighting & Santa’s Arrival at Glover Park
Illumination of the gardens with over eight million lights and synchronized music.
This event transforms Callaway Gardens into a stunning display of over eight million lights. Guests can walk or drive through elaborate light displays that celebrate themes of the holiday season. Custom-designed animations and seasonal music create a captivating atmosphere, making it an ideal outing for families and friends alike.
Where: Pine Mountain | More Info: Fantasy in Lights at Callaway Gardens
Dazzling light displays and live holiday entertainment.
Stone Mountain Christmas features a variety of holiday activities, including live shows, millions of twinkling lights, and visits from favorite holiday characters. Enjoy attractions like the Summit Skyride, Scenic Railroad, and the Christmas Drone Show, all set amidst a festive atmosphere.
Where: Stone Mountain | More Info: Stone Mountain Christmas
Holiday celebration with thrill rides and festive lights.
Six Flags Over Georgia transforms into a vibrant holiday destination with millions of LED lights, themed decorations, festive shows, and scrumptious holiday treats. Enjoy your favorite thrill rides and coasters amidst the festive atmosphere.
Where: Austell | More Info: Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Over Georgia
Art-filled holiday celebration with diverse activities.
Winter House 2023 at Callanwolde offers a 9-day holiday event filled with live performances, pictures with Santa, holiday-inspired workshops, and more.
Where: Atlanta | More Info: Winter House 2023
Interactive Santa meet-and-greet with holiday activities.
North Point Mall celebrates the holiday season with Santa's arrival, featuring a festive atmosphere and special activities for all ages.
Where: Alpharetta | More Info: North Point Celebrates Santa at North Point Mall
Annual ice skating event with tree lighting and Santa's appearance.
The Lighting of Avalon at Avalon features the annual opening of Avalon on Ice, a magnificent tree lighting, and an appearance by Jolly Old Saint Nick. Enjoy free activities and festive music for the whole family.
Where: Alpharetta | More Info: The Lighting of Avalon at Avalon
Fish-out-of-water comedy about an elf finding his human identity.
Roswell Youth Theatre presents Elf The Musical JR, a heartwarming story about Buddy, a young orphan who discovers his true identity after being raised as an elf at the North Pole. With Santa's permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and learn about the true meaning of Christmas.
Where: Roswell | More Info: Roswell Youth Theatre Presents Elf The Musical JR
Community-driven holiday celebration with local participation.
The Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting at Downtown Loganville features over 75 entries from local businesses and civic groups, culminating in the lighting of the Christmas tree on Town Green.
Where: Loganville | More Info: Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting at Downtown Loganville
Timeless holiday classic with live music and all-star cast.
A Christmas Carol at the Alliance Theatre features a stunning adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic tale, with a beautifully reimagined set design and striking costumes. The timeless redemption story of Ebenezer Scrooge is told with beautiful live music and an all-star cast, transporting audiences to the streets of London.
Where: Atlanta | More Info: A Christmas Carol
Original musical score blending classic and new songs.
Based on Roald Dahl's famous novel, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a Broadway and West End musical featuring an original score by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Shaiman and Scott Wittman. The show follows young Charlie Bucket and four other golden ticket winners as they embark on a life-changing journey through Willy Wonka's world of pure imagination, filled with chocolate waterfalls, nutty squirrels, and the great glass elevator.
Where: Tyrone | More Info: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Floor-to-floor holiday adventure in an apartment building setting.
Knock Knock is a holiday-themed play set in an apartment building where residents are preparing for the holidays. The story follows various residents as they navigate the season, revealing surprises behind each door. Created by Olivia Aston Bosworth and Samantha Provenzano, this production celebrates community, family, and warmth.
Where: Atlanta | More Info: Knock Knock
Interactive musical adventure with Sesame Street characters.
Sesame Street Live Say Hello brings beloved characters to life in an interactive production featuring singing, dancing, and games with Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster, and their friends.
Where: Atlanta | More Info: Sesame Street Live
Dazzling Christmas tree auction and live entertainment.
The Georgia Festival of Trees is a holiday event featuring a forest of fully-decorated Christmas trees, children's activities, live entertainment, boutique gift shops, sugar cookie decorating, and a Christmas Gingerbread competition. It supports organizations working to end commercial sexual exploitation of women and children.
Where: Atlanta | More Info: Georgia Festival of Trees
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
The Grand Kyiv Ballet presents a captivating adaptation of Pyotr Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker," featuring renowned Ukrainian ballet dancers. The performance tells the story of a young girl who befriends a nutcracker that comes to life on Christmas Eve, embarking on a fantastical journey filled with dancing sugar plum fairies and toy soldiers. Through their adventures, she learns that love, imagination, and kindness can overcome adversity and create wonder in our lives.
Where: Atlanta | More Info: Grand Kyiv Ballet Presents: Nutcracker
High-energy holiday dance spectacular with professional dancers and musicians.
Derek Hough presents a high-energy live show featuring incredible dancers and musicians in a stunning stage production. The event is a joyous celebration of the holiday season with jingle bells, sleigh bells, holiday carols, and cheer. Fans will be thrilled as Hough and his cast bring favorite holiday tunes to life through dance, including well-sung classics and modern pop hits with incredible choreography and dance mastery.
Where: Atlanta | More Info: Derek Hough
Lighting of a 25-foot metal chicken sculpture.
Join us at Historic Downtown Gainesville Square for Jingle Mingle, a fun and family-friendly event featuring a 25-foot metal chicken sculpture lighting up Main Street. Enjoy the lively atmosphere and kick off your holiday celebrations in the Poultry Capital of the World.
Where: Gainesville | More Info: Jingle Mingle at Historic Downtown Gainesville Square
Holiday celebration with decorated mausoleums and live music.
Holiday Spirit at Oakland Cemetery features decorated mausoleums, live holiday music, a wreath sale, and a holiday gift market. The event includes photo opportunities with Santa, a family craft area, and snacks. It is a free event that celebrates the holiday season with activities for the whole family.
Where: Atlanta | More Info: Holiday Spirit at Oakland Cemetery
Official ICS certified chili cook-off with automatic qualification for the World Open Chili Challenge.
The Suwanee Chili Cook Off & Music Festival is a family-friendly community event featuring a chili cook-off with tasting and People's Choice awards, local vendors, an artist market, a Family Fun Zone with activities for children, and live music from local and regional bands.
Where: Suwanee | More Info: Suwanee Chili Cook Off & Music Festival
Extensive wine tasting with local food pairings.
The Decatur Wine Festival offers over 350 wines, ciders, and non-alcoholic options, paired with local savory and sweet snacks. Enjoy live music and a lively atmosphere with 70 tasting tables.
Where: Decatur | More Info: Decatur Wine Festival
Lively chili competition with over 50 recipes.
The Atlanta Chili Cook Off is a family-friendly event featuring over 50 different chili recipes from amateur chefs, restaurants, and caterers. Attendees can sample various chilies, cast their votes, and enjoy lively competition and delicious food.
Where: Dunwoody | More Info: Atlanta Chili Cook Off
Showcasing diverse Latin American flavors and supporting local Latinx culinary businesses.
Latin Restaurant Weeks is an event celebrating Latin American cuisine, featuring mouth-watering specials, delectable prix fixe menus, and super sweet deals at participating restaurants, food trucks, and culinary businesses.
Where: Atlanta | More Info: Latin Restaurant Weeks
Iconic Olympic rings start and festive post-race celebration.
The Invesco QQQ Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon, 5K, Mile & Dash is an annual Atlanta tradition where runners and walkers start their race under the city's iconic Olympic rings. The event features various distances, including a half marathon, 5K, mile, and dash, with participants receiving long-sleeve t-shirts and finisher's medals. The race takes place at Center Parc Stadium, offering a scenic course through historic neighborhoods and a post-race celebration.
Where: Atlanta | More Info: Invesco QQQ Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon
Snow tubing and festive light displays.
Snow Island at Margaritaville offers an exhilarating snow tubing experience and seasonal amusement rides, perfect for winter adventures. Lakeside Lights Spectacular features millions of twinkling lights illuminating the destination, creating a captivating atmosphere.
Where: Gainesville | More Info: Snow Island and Lakeside Lights Spectacular at Margaritaville
Largest outdoor ice rink in Metro Atlanta.
Skate under the stars at Atlanta's largest outdoor ice rink, featuring exciting theme nights and included skate rentals.
Where: Atlanta | More Info: Skate the Station at Atlantic Station
Outdoor ice skating rink with additional amenities.
Skate City Springs in Sandy Springs offers an outdoor ice skating rink on City Green, including a skate rental building, concession stand, and outdoor biergarten. The rink is open from November 24 through January 21, with operating hours extended during winter break. Admission is $15 for adults and $13 for children aged 2-10, including one hour of skating and skate rental.
Where: Sandy Springs | More Info: Skate City Springs in Sandy Springs
