December 2025: Things to do in Atlanta & Beyond

Are you looking for things to do this weekend in Atlanta? Check out the list of things to do in December in Atlanta & Beyond below. Enjoy the crisp weather at a holiday market, a festive outdoor light display, or at an outdoor ice skating rink! Have a picture taken with Santa Claus or explore a neighborhood during a holiday home tour. Enjoy Christmas and Hanukah festivities with friends and family in Atlanta and cap it off with a New Year’s celebration!

I outlined my favorite ways to celebrate Christmas in this Atlanta Holiday Guide!

Specific lists available at the bottom of the post:

• December Month Long Events
• December Individual Events
• Holiday Lights
• Christmas Markets
• Visit Santa
• Holiday Home Tours
• Ice Skating
• New Year’s Eve Celebrations

Events Happening all December

• All Month: Magical Flight to the North Pole at Stone Mountain Park
• All Month: Stone Mountain Christmas
• All Month: Dahlonega‘s Old Fashioned Christmas
• Select Days All Month: Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer at Center for Puppetry Arts
• Every Weekend: Callanwolde’s Winter House
• Every Weekend: Fireside Roasting & Toasting – s’mores at Ponce City Market
• Every Thursday, Friday & Saturday: Winter Wonderland Train at the Pine Mountain Gold Museum in Villa Rica – advanced tickets are recommended
• December 1-7: Renaissance Festival Fall Fling – all the fun of Ren Fest without the heat!
• December 1-23: Christkindlmarket Roswell at Bulloch Hall
• December 1-24: Atlanta Christkindl Market at the Lawrenceville Lawn
• December 1-29: Festival of Trees at the Southeastern Railway Museum – featuring trains and over 50 decorated trees
• December 4-18: Carriage Rides through downtown Norcross every Thursday & Friday
• December 6 – January 31: Discovering the World of Jesus at Pullman Yards

Individual December Events

• Tuesday, December 1: Town Green Tree Lighting in Avondale Estates
• Wednesday, December 2: Light Up Brookhaven returns in Blackburn Park
• Thursday, December 3: Christmas Tree Lighting & Santa on the Square in Marietta
• Thursday, December 3: Tree Lighting in downtown Decatur in front of the Historic DeKalb County Courthouse
• Thursday, December 3: Christmas Parade in downtown Monroe
• Friday, December 4: Santa’s Arrival at the Acworth Community Center plus tree lighting
• Friday, December 4: Roswell’s Annual Lighting of the Christmas Tree
• Friday, December 4: Holiday Celebration at Thrasher Park in downtown Norcross
• Friday, December 4: Snowman Spectacular at the Calhoun Recreation Department
• Friday & Saturday, December 4-5: Holiday Spirit at Oakland Cemetery
• Saturday, December 5: Atlanta International School’s German Christmas Market
• Saturday, December 5: Winter Wonders in the Garden at Cator Woolford Gardens at the Frazer Center
• Saturday, December 5: Christmas in Crabapple and Milton Tree Lighting at Broadwell Pavilion
• Saturday, December 5: Christmas in Acworth – Santa at Depot Park – take your own photos (free)
• Saturday, December 5: Historic Norcross Christmas Village in downtown Norcross
• Saturday, December 5: Holly Days Parade & Pictures with Santa at Depot Park in downtown Kennesaw
• Saturday, December 5: First Free Saturday: Whispers of Winter at Dunwoody Nature Center
• Saturday, December 5: Waffle House Museum – Open House at the original location in Avondale Estates
• Saturday, December 5: Deck the Hall – a festive celebration in downtown Duluth – free visits with Santa
• Saturday, December 5: Holiday STEM Workshop at Fernbank Science Center 10am-2pm
• Saturday, December 5: Conyers Christmas Parade
• Saturday, December 5: North Pole at Tucker – Official Christmas tree lighting, a symbolic Menorah lighting, Santa visits, winter crafts and hot chocolate
• Saturday, December 5: Roswell Makers Market at the Roswell Visual Arts Center
• Saturday, December 5: Holiday Movie on the Yard at Ponce City Market: How the Grinch Stole Christmas
• Saturday & Sunday, December 5-6: Helen’s Christmas Market in Helen, Georgia
• Saturday & Sunday, December 5-6: Indie Craft Holiday Shopping Spectacular: a micro-Christkindlemarkt at the Yaarab Temple on Ponce De Leon Ave
• Saturday & Sunday, December 5-6: Bank of America’s Museums on Us
  • Atlanta History Center
  • Center for Civil and Human Rights
  • High Museum of Art
  • Tellus Science Museum
  • Savoy Automobile Museum
  • Booth Western Art Museum
• Sunday, December 6:  First Free Sunday at the Marietta Cobb Museum of Art
• Sunday, December 6: Sparkle Sandy Springs Holiday Celebration including Sparkle Wonderland and parade

• Thursday, December 10: Free Family Thursday at the Booth Western Art Museum
• Thursday, December 10: Christmas Parade of Lights in Calhoun
• Thursday, December 10: Bonfire & Marshmallow Roast – Downtown Decatur Square
• Friday, December 11: Friday Night Holiday Concert Series at Krog Street Market
• Saturday, December 12: Virginia Highland Winterfest and Homes for the Holidays Tour of Homes – download the app and purchase your tickets at least one week in advance of the tour
• Saturday, December 12: Breakfast with the Grinch at the Acworth Community Center – reserve tickets in advance
• Saturday, December 12: Christmas in Acworth – Horse & Carriage Rides – free horse and carriage rides through Historic Downtown Acworth
• Saturday, December 12: Holiday Parade in Old Town Lilburn – parade travels down main street
• Saturday, December 12: Hot Chocolate Competition at the Central Food Hall in Ponce City Market – purchase tickets at the East Entrance near Collier Candy
• Saturday, December 12: Holiday Movie on the Yard at Ponce City Market: Elf
• Saturday, December 12: Coca‑Cola Holiday Caravan at Pemberton Place – visit with Santa and more!
• Saturday, December 12: All Aboard For Holiday Fun at the Southern Museum in Kennesaw
• Saturday, December 12: Holiday Market at the Krog District – Atlanta Stove Works – includes a visit from Santa and a free photo booth
• Saturday, December 12: Holiday Movie Night with the Krog District: The Santa Clause – Stoveworks Breezeway
• Sunday, December 13: High Museum of Art UPS Second Sunday – free admission and family friendly programming – advanced registration is recommended
• Sunday, December 13: Family Fun Days at the Chattahoochee Nature Center: Enchanted Woodland Wonders – purchase tickets in advance
• Sunday, December 13: Menorah Lighting on the Decatur Square

• Wednesday, December 16: Light Up Main Parade at Cauble Park in Acworth
• Thursday, December 17: Where is Santa? in downtown Decatur
• Thursday, December 17: Downtown Roswell Chanukah Celebration – Menorah Lighting – free
• Friday, December 18: Holiday Concert at the Krog District – Atlanta Stove Works – includes a visit from Santa and a free photo booth
• Saturday, December 19: Pop-in for Family Fun: Handmade Holiday at the Marietta History Museum
• Saturday, December 19: Holiday Movie on the Yard at Ponce City Market: The Polar Express
• Saturday & Sunday, December 19-20: Coca-Cola Holiday Express at Pemberton Place
• Sunday, December 20: Santa at the Wheel – photos with Santa at Sky View Atlanta
• Sunday, December 20: Whoville and tswhe Grinch in Parson’s Alley in Duluth
• Monday-Wednesday, December 21-23: Coca-Cola Holiday Express at Pemberton Place
• Thursday-Sunday, December 26-29: Coca-Cola Holiday Express at Pemberton Place
• Saturday, December 28: Mini Golf on the Activity Lawn in Duluth
• Saturday & Sunday, December 28-29: Nerd Yard Sale hosted by Charlie’s Collectible Show in Stone Mountain
• Sunday, December 29: Frosty Chalk Art on the Town Green in Duluth – watch professional artists create while listening to live music

Holiday Lights

• December 11-13 & 18-20: Lawrenceville Lights at the campground of Lawrenceville First United Methodist Church – free drive thru
• December 1-27: Christmas Lights at Pettit Creek Farms‘ Country Christmas in Cartersville: drive-thru or hayride
• All Month: Holiday Lights at Brook Run Park in Dunwoody – free
• All Month: Illuminights Chinese Lantern Festival at Zoo Atlanta – purchase tickets at the gate or in advance
• All Month: The Atlanta Botanical Garden’s Garden Lights, Holiday Nights – purchase tickets in advance (Piedmont Park)
• All Month: The Atlanta Botanical Garden’s Gainesville Glows: Lanterns & Lights – purchase tickets in advance (Gainesville)
• All Month: Glow Light Show at Coolray Field in Lawrenceville – purchase tickets online
• All Month: Candy Rush by the World of Illumination at Six Flags Whitewater in Marietta, GA
• All Month: Fantasy in Lights at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain, GA
• All Month: Enchanted Garden of Lights at Rock City in Lookout Mountain, GA
• All Month: Noel Magic Lights at EchoPark Speedway in Hampton, GA
• All Month: Magic of Lights Drive-Through Holiday Lights Spectacular at Dixie Speedway in Woodstock – drive thru
• All Month: Holiday Lights of Canton at Cherokee Veterans Park – drive thru
• All Month: Holiday Lights of Ellijay – drive thru
• All Month: Holiday Lights of Rome at the Coosa Valley Fairgrounds – drive thru
• All Month: Holiday Lights of Woodstock at Hobgood Park – walk thru
• All Month: Lights of Life at Life University in Marietta – drive thru
• Select Nights this Month: Wildwoods AGLOW at Fernbank Museum

Christmas Markets

• December 1-23: Christkindlmarket Roswell at Bulloch Hall
• December 1-24: Atlanta Christkindl Market at the Lawrenceville Lawn
• Friday & Saturday, December 5-6: Holiday Spirit at Oakland Cemetery – Holiday Gift Market and wreath sale
• Saturday, December 6: SWEA Atlanta’s Traditional Swedish Christmas Market at the Dorothy Benson Center in Sandy Springs
• Saturday, December 6: Newnan Market Day on Main Street
• Saturday, December 6: Chattahoochee Nature Center Holiday Market – admission is free to the center, but you will need to make a reservation
• Saturday, December 6: Roswell Makers Market at the Roswell Visual Arts Center
• Saturday, December 6: Artist & Artisan Bazaar: A Taste of Christmas in the Arab World with the Alif Institute
• Saturday & Sunday, December 6-7: Helen’s Christmas Market in Helen, Georgia
• Saturday & Sunday, December 6-7: Indie Craft Holiday Shopping Spectacular: a micro-Christkindlemarkt at the Yaarab Temple on Ponce De Leon Ave
• Sunday, December 7: Holiday Market at Truist Park
• Sunday, December 7: Sparkle Village & Gift Market in Sandy Springs
• Friday & Saturday, December 12-13: Atlanta International Night Market in Lillian Webb Park in Norcross
• Saturday, December 13: Virginia Highland Winterfest – Gift market from 11am-5pm
• Sunday, December 14: Avondale Estates Holiday Market

Visit Santa!

• All Month: Letters to Santa in Decatur – special mailboxes that send your child’s letter straight to the North Pole are available in Decatur – be sure to have your children include a return address in case Santa needs to write back!
  • Decatur Visitors Center, 113 Clairemont Ave
  • Kelly’s Market, 308 E. Howard Ave
  • Oakhurst Market, 650 East Lake Dr
• All Month: Santa’s Post Office at the Battery in the Truist Holiday Community Center – children should bring handwritten letters to Santa and Santa will be available for photos and to hear children’s’ lists in person!
• All Month: Visit Santa at his North Pole Office during Stone Mountain Christmas
• Every Friday, Saturday & Sunday before Christmas: Santa’s Post Office at Truist Park – take your own photos with Santa and deliver your child’s Christmas List
• Every Saturday & Sunday before Christmas: Photos with Santa at Ponce City Market – on the second floor – take a selfie or the elf will be happy to take a photo with your phone
• Every Weekend until December 14: Santa at Rhodes Hall – make reservations in advance
• Every Weekend until December 14: Visit with Santa at Southern Belle Farm during Christmas on the Farm
• Every Tuesday from December 8-15: Santa Visits Downtown Norcross
• Every Thursday & Friday December 10-18: Photos With Santa in Norcross – fee for printed photos
• Every Thursday, Friday & Saturday until December 20: Santa at the Pine Mountain Gold Museum’s Winter Wonderland – free visit with Santa. 6-8pm; Join the line before 7:30pm
• Every Friday, Saturday & Sunday until December 23: Photos with Santa at the Christkindlmarket Roswell – no reservations required 4-7pm
• Every Thursday, Friday & Saturday until December 25: Visit Santa and his reindeer at Pettit Creek Farms in Cartersville and select a Christmas tree during your visit!
• Multiple Dates: Santa Photographs at Callanwolde’s Winter House including Sensory Santa – reserve tickets in advance
• Wednesday, December 3: Light Up Brookhaven returns in Blackburn Park – Santa will be there with 2 live reindeer
• Thursday, December 4: Santa in the Gardens at Smith Gilbert Gardens – book tickets in advance
• Thursday, December 4: Christmas Tree Lighting & Santa on the Square in Marietta
• Friday & Saturday, December 5-6: Holiday Spirit at Oakland Cemetery – free photos with Santa
• Saturday, December 6: Historic Norcross Christmas Village in downtown Norcross including visits with Santa
• Saturday, December 6: Holly Days Parade & Pictures with Santa at Depot Park in downtown Kennesaw
• Saturday, December 6: Winter Wonders in the Garden at Cator Woolford Gardens at the Frazer Center – free photos with Santa
• Saturday, December 6: North Pole at Tucker – Santa visits, winter crafts and hot chocolate
• Sunday, December 7: Holiday Photos with Santa’s Reindeer at Ponce City Market
• Saturday, December 12: Pancake Breakfast with Santa at Fire Station 44 in Milton
• Saturday, December 12: Coca‑Cola Holiday Caravan at Pemberton Place – visit with Santa and more!
• Sunday, December 20: Santa on the Square in Roswell – free and open to the public
• Sunday, December 20: Santa at the Wheel – photos with Santa at Sky View Atlanta
• Monday, December 21: Tea Party with Mrs. Claus at Milton City Hall

Holiday Home Tours

• Friday, December 5: Newnan Christmas Tour of Home
• December 5-7: Marietta Pilgrimage – Christmas Home Tour
• Saturday & Sunday, December 13-14: Grant Park Candlelight Tour of Homes
• Saturday & Sunday, December 13-14: Virginia Highland’s Homes for the Holidays Tour of Homes – download the app and purchase your tickets at least one week in advance of the tour
• Sunday, December 14: Senoia Candlelight Tour of Homes
• Sunday, December 14: Avondale Estates Tour of Homes & Holiday Market
• Every Weekend until December 12: Christmas Traditions Tour at Jarrell Plantation Historic Site, Juliette, GA
• Select Days: Christmas Tours at the Tate House in Tate, GA

Ice Skating

• Skate the Sky at Ponce City Market runs through February 15
• Rink on the River at the Mill on Etowah is open through January 20
• Atlantic Station’s Skate the Station is available through January 19
• The Rink at Park Tavern runs through February 16
• Avalon on Ice runs through January 19
• Skate City Springs in Sandy Springs runs through January 19
• Ice Skating in Covington is open through February 17
• Ice Rink at Sugar Hill is open through February 22 – check the calendar for specific dates
• Adair Park Ice Rink in Woodstock is open through January 19
• Rudolph’s Rink at Brookhaven Park opens December 20

New Year’s Eve Celebrations

• December 31: Ring in the New Year with Holiday Lights
• December 31: Atlanta’s Countdown Over ATL – a citywide fireworks display with a special drone countdown display, which will be visible in Downtown and Midtown
• December 31: Noon Year’s Eve Celebration on the Roof at Ponce City Market – purchase tickets in advance
• December 31: New Year’s Eve Bash at the Battery – a family-friendly early countdown AND a late-night celebration to ring in the new year
• December 31: Kids’ Early New Year’s Eve Celebration at Stone Mountain Park
• December 31: Zoo Year’s Eve at Zoo Atlanta
• December 31: New Year’s Eve Celebration in Helen, Georgia
• December 31: Last Day Hikes and New Year’s Eve Hikes with Georgia State Parks
• December 31: Noon Year’s Eve at the Lego Discovery Center
• December 31: New Year’s Bubble Bash at the Children’s Museum of Atlanta – purchase tickets in advance
• December 31: Cosmic Countdown 2026 at Illuminarium – a daytime New Year’s Eve Bash for the entire family – purchase tickets in advance
• December 31: Noon Year’s Eve in Parson’s Alley in Duluth
• December 31: Noon Years Eve at Halcyon – family-friendly event
• December 31: Noon Year’s Eve for children and families at the Library
  • Five Forks Branch, Gwinnett County Library
  • Duluth Branch, Gwinnett County Library
  • Scott Candler Library, Dekalb County Library
  • Decatur Library, Dekalb County Library – register in advance online
  • Civic Center Branch, Cobb County Library
  • Gilmer County Library, Sequoyah Regional Library System
  • Rose Creek Public Library, Sequoyah Regional Library System
  • Hickory Flat Public Library, Sequoyah Regional Library System
  • Woodstock Public Library, Sequoyah Regional Library System
  • Pickens County Library, Sequoyah Regional Library System
  • R.T. Jones Memorial Library, Sequoyah Regional Library System
  • McDonough Public Library, Henry County Library

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

Coming up in January

• January 1: First Day Hikes with Georgia State Parks
• January 2: Rick Hubbard’s Great American Kids Show on the Town Green in Duluth