January 2024: Things to do in Atlanta & Beyond
Resident annual passes available at the Georgia Aquarium this month
In January, Georgia resident annual passes are available for purchase at the Georgia Aquarium. These passes are a huge discount when compared to a typical annual pass, however they do have blackout dates and you must make a reservation in advance to use them. They are good for the calendar year. Check out the Georgia Aquarium website to find out if this pass is a good fit for you
It is not too late to catch a few holiday light shows
- Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland at Jim R Miller Park in Cobb county runs through January 7
- The Atlanta Botanical Garden’s Garden Lights, Holiday Nights runs until January 14
- Zoo Atlanta’s Illuminights runs until January 14
- Margaritaville at Lanier Islands Lakeside Lights Spectacular runs on weekends through January 15
- Fernbank’s WildWoods: AGLOW runs on select nights through February 25
Ice Skating
- Rink on the River at the Mill on Etowah is open through January 6
- Atlantic Station’s Skate the Station is available through January 15
- The Rink at Park Tavern runs through January 15
- Avalon on Ice runs through January 15
- Skate City Springs in Sandy Springs runs through January 21
- Ice Skating in Olde Town Conyers is open through February 11
- Ice Rink at Sugar Hill is open through February 18 – check the calendar for specific dates
New Year Events
- First Day Hikes at Georgia State Parks
- Fort Yargo State Park in Winder
- Panola Mountain State Park in Stockbridge
- Red Top Mountain State Park in Acworth
- Sweetwater Creek State Park in Lithia Springs
MLK Jr. Day of Service
- Volunteer with the City of Dunwoody for their MLK Jr. Day of Service
- Volunteer with Hands on Atlanta for their MLK Day 2024
- Decatur’s 2024 MLK Service Project
MLK Jr. Day Observances
- Free Admission at the National Center for Human Rights on Saturday, January 13 – must reserve tickets online in advance
- Free Admission at the Atlanta History Center on Monday, January 15 – advanced registration is recommended
- Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park is free everyday
- Free Entrance Day to our National Parks on Monday, January 15
January Events
- Thursday, January 4: First Free Thursday at the Booth Western Art Museum
- Saturday, January 6: Free First Saturday at the Dunwoody Nature Center
- Saturday, January 6: Sketchbook Saturday at the Worlds of Puppetry Museum at the Center for Puppetry Arts
- Sunday, January 7: Sunday FUNday at Emory’s Michael C. Carlos Museum: Llamas at the Carlos. This is a free drop-in program for all families and includes admission to the galleries. First come, first serve
- Sunday, January 7: First Free Sunday at the Marietta Cobb Museum of Art
- Saturday & Sunday, January 6 & 7: Bank of America’s Museums on Us
- Atlanta History Center
- Center for Civil and Human Rights
- High Museum of Art
- Tellus Science Museum
- Tuesday, January 9: Cheapskate Night at Atlantic Station’s Skate the Station – purchase tickets in advance
- Saturday, January 13: Tellus Museum’s 15th Birthday Bash
- Saturday & Sunday January 13 & 14: Educator Weekend at the Booth Western Art Museum – free admission for educators
- Sunday, January 14: High Museum of Art UPS Second Sunday – free admission and family friendly programming – advanced registration is recommended
- Saturday, January 20: Pop-in for free admission & family fun at the Marietta History Museum. This month’s theme is Board Games & Puzzles
- Saturday, January 25: Burns Night: A Celebration of Robert Burns at the Academy Theatre in Hapeville
- Saturday & Sunday, January 27 & 28: Trains, Trains, Trains! at the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History in Kennesaw
- Saturday, January 27: Braves Fest 2024 at Truist Park and The Battery Atlanta – free admission & parking – register for tickets in advance
- Saturday, January 27: LANTA GRAS Parade & Festival in Kirkwood
- Saturday, January 27: Free Fulton Saturdays at the Worlds of Puppetry Museum at the Center for Puppetry Arts. Visit their website to confirm the 2024 date & download the admission form. Bring proof of Fulton county residency/school enrollment/employment
- Saturday, January 27: Teen Night at the High Museum of Art – only $5 for teens
Celebrating a Birthday this Month?
- Georgia residents get free admission to the Georgia Aquarium on your birthday! Bring your Georgia ID or a copy of a child’s birth certificate
Upcoming February Events
- Sunday, February 11: The Georgia History Festival’s Super Museum Sunday – many Georgia State Historic Sites are participating and some events may require advanced registration