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

Are you planning on visiting one of these events? Do you have any events to add? Let me know in the comments!

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