December 2025: Things to do in Atlanta & Beyond

December is one of the most festive times of year in Atlanta, with plenty of ways to celebrate the holiday season. From dazzling holiday lights, Christmas markets, and ice skating to visits with Santa, holiday home tours, seasonal performances, and Christmas and Hanukkah celebrations, there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly activities, a festive outing with friends, or a fun way to celebrate the season, this guide to things to do in Atlanta in December has plenty of ideas for Atlanta and beyond. And when December winds down, you can ring in the New Year with celebrations around the metro area.

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

Skip to Specific lists below:

• Things to do in December in Atlanta – All Month
• Things to do in December in Atlanta – Individual Events
• Holiday Lights to See in December in Atlanta
• Christmas Markets to visit in Atlanta in December
• Visit Santa in Atlanta this December
• Holiday Home Tours to Visit in Atlanta in December
• Go Ice Skating in December in Atlanta
• Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Atlanta

Things to do in December in Atlanta – All Month

• 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

Things to do in December in Atlanta – Individual 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: Indie Craft Holiday Shopping Spectacular: an indoor market at 665 Marietta Street, Atlanta, GA
• Saturday & Sunday, December 5-6: Helen’s Christmas Market in Helen, Georgia
• Saturday & Sunday, December 5-6: Bank of America’s Museums on Us
  • Atlanta History Center (Sunday only)
  • 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 to See in December in Atlanta

• 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 to visit in Atlanta in December

• 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 in Atlanta this December

• 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 to Visit in Atlanta in December

• 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

Go Ice Skating in December in Atlanta

• 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

Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Atlanta

• 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