The holiday season has officially kicked off and your Ultimate Atlanta Holiday Guide is HERE! Stay tuned for posts about where to catch Santa, enjoy local holiday shopping and go ice skating around town.
Garden Lights, Holiday Nights - Atlanta Botanical Gardens. 11/16- 1/11/2020 5-10pm. $19+ (non-members). Become a member and get access to the preview night event on 11/14 and also discounts on tickets! The best light display in town, over 1 million lights and 200 show-stopping color changing topiaries transform the garden into a must-do holiday event. New this year is the all-new music and motion for Atlanta’s favorite holiday spectacle, Nature’s Wonders, the largest curtain of synchronized light and sound in the world. Highly recommend buying tix in advance to secure family plans on premium nights/weekends.
Magical Night of Lights - Lake Lanier. 11/22- 1/5/20. $42+ per car. Holiday pricing 12/20-30. Enjoy 7 miles of lights, including the 12 Days of Christmas display! Visit Santa’s Elves at Work, the North Pole Express, Jack & The Beanstalk, scenes from The Wizard of Oz, the Poinsettia Candelabra, the stunning Icicle Tunnel, and the Carousel too. Don’t miss the Holiday Village with winter-themed carnival rides, fire pits, s’mores, specialty winter drinks, and more!
Fantasy in Lights - Callaway Gardens. 11/16-1/5/2020. $21+/$10.50+. Named “Top 10 Places to See Holiday Lights,” as named by National Geographic Traveler, experience an amazing light and sound show! 8 million lights, 15 scenes, Christmas Village with kids activities, Grinch Holiday Dinner Show, Character Breakfast, Story Time with Mrs. Claus, pictures with Santa, shopping, and train rides. Also check out the specialty nights like Fantasy & Fireworks on 12/31.
Lights of Life - Marietta/Life University. 11/28- 12/31. $5-$10. One of the most affordable and always delightful light displays OTP, check out Life University’s iconic holiday scenes in lights. The 65 foot tall rendition of Santa and his sleigh is the tallest display in the Southeast!
Holiday Shows/Events for Adults:
Invasion: Christmas Carol - Dad’s Garage Theatre. 11/29 - 12/28. $25+. An Atlanta must, this show is the ultimate holiday improv experience. What happens when a new character gets introduced to a classic tale? With new characters added each night - each show is unique and will keep you laughing into 2020!
Miracle on Monroe. 11/29-12/29. The extremely popular holiday themed pop-up bar is back at it’s original midtown location this year. Get there early for your spot immersed in all things Christmas, enjoying yummy sips and eats. The bar’s ‘halls’ are decked to the max and patrons can enjoy themed cocktails in custom Miracle glassware including Santa’s Pants mugs and reindeer Collins glasses.
Merry Funkin’ Christmas - Venkman’s. 12/6 9:30pm. $20+. Join Wren and the Wravens who perform an eclectic blend of retro soul, pop and R&B, to make sure your holiday season is cool and funky.
After Dark Holiday Party - Fernbank Museum. Friday 12/13 7-11pm. $10+. Enjoy live music, drinks/eats and the Festivi-trees as you explore two floors of decorated trees showcasing celebrations around the globe in the holiday exhibit, Winter Wonderland. And take advantage of after-hours, kid-free access to all indoor exhibits, and the special exhibit, Traveling the Silk Road.
Atlanta Santa Speedo Run - Midtown. 12/14 2pm. $30+. One of the most hilarious ways to raise $ for an amazing local charity. Proceeds benefit Bert’s Big Adventure! “Wear a little, give a lot!”
Winter Edition Atlanta BeltLine Pub Crawl. Sat 12/14 12-4pm. $30+. Bundle up and socialize with drinks at 5 bars along the beltline and yummy eats.
Puddles Pity Party & Friends Holiday Jubilee - Center Stage. 12/29 6:30p. $20+. Atlanta’s own, join the sad clown with the golden voice at this fun holiday themed show to remember!
Family-Friendly Shows/Events:
Stone Mountain Christmas - 11/16 - 1/5/20. $31+. At this holiday themed event, enjoy park attractions including Summit Skyride, Scenic Railroad, and more! Then, immerse yourself in holiday magic with evenings full of festive music, millions of dazzling lights, spectacular shows, and visits from some of your favorite holiday characters!
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer - Center for Puppetry Arts. 11/13 - 12/30. $15+. One of the hottest tickets in town for families, don’t wait to get yours as they will sell out. This year your ticket includes 3 activities: the performance of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer™, a Create-A-Puppet Workshop™ where you can build and perform with your very own Sam the Snowman Rod Puppet, and admission to the Worlds of Puppetry Museum. Discounts for members!
Christmas Canteen - Aurora Theatre. 11/14-12/23. $20+. This original holiday classic show is at the Aurora! Brimming with songs, comic sketches, trips down memory lane and a sprinkle of Christmas magic, it’s the holiday show with something for everyone.
A Christmas Carol - The Alliance Theatre. 11/16 - 12/25. $17.50+. Celebrate the holidays with the beloved Dickens classic in this Broadway-scale production with beautiful live music and an all-star Atlanta cast.
Disney Junior Holiday Party - The Fox Theatre. 11/19 6pm. $25+. Fans can enjoy a greeting with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, Santa photo app, DJ hosted holiday games & music, holiday snacks and beverages.
Waffle Palace Christmas - Horizon Theatre. 11/22-12/29. $30+. A fun new holiday show in the heart of Little 5 with heartfelt southern humor scattered, smothered and covered in a spicy holiday sauce. The charming characters from the sell-out Waffle Palace show are back for a second holiday helping; full of fun, laughter and Christmas cheer.
Holiday Events - Georgia Aquarium. 11/23 - 12/31. Annual lighting of the tree (two dates) include hot chocolate and holiday treats, holiday carols, and a penguin waddle. Also set your date for breakfast with Santa and more. Celebrate the holidays at the worlds largest aquarium!
Mannheim Steamroller Christmas - The Fox Theatre. 11/24 2pm/7:30pm. $45+. This neoclassical new-age music group blends classical music with elements of new age and rock for a modern and exciting rendition of traditional Christmas music.
This Wonderful Life - Aurora Theatre. 11/29 - 12/23. $20. Innovative one-man show, this hilariously touching stage adaptation of one of the most popular and heartwarming films ever made will star Atlanta’s own Jeremy Aggers.
Old Fashioned Christmas - Historic Dahlonega. 11/29 - 12/31. This #FREE event features the picturesque town lighted up for the holidays, shopping and eating. Sleigh rides, musicals, annual tree lighting party, Santa and more!
Cirque Dreams Holidaze - The Fox Theatre. 11/30-12/1. $50+. With 3 unforgettable performances, this critically-acclaimed extravaganza is both a Broadway musical and new Cirque adventure wrapped into the ultimate holiday gift for the entire family.
Vinings Jubilee Tree Lighting - 12/5 6pm-8pm. FREE! Gather the whole family together to be merry and bright with live holiday music, cookie + ornament decorating, train rides, pictures with Santa, and more!
The Nightmare Before Christmas - Center for Puppetry Arts. Friday 12/6 & Sat 12/7 8pm Free movie screening for members/museum admission for non-members. Spooktacular stop-motion movie to get you into the holiday spirit!
A Christmas Carol - Aurora Theatre. 12/6 - 12/22. $30+. Anthony Rodriguez will guide audiences through the traditional tale of Mr. Scrooge and the troop of Dickens’ characters in a one-man presentation of A Christmas Carol with a twist in this limited, four-week engagement.
Madeline’s Christmas - Horizon Theatre. 12/7- 12/31. $12-$15. The little girl from Paris embarks on a holiday adventure! Family-friendly holiday favorite.
The Nutcracker by The Atlanta Ballet - The Fox Theatre. 12/7 -12/24. $40+. Classic holiday ballet that is a must-see every season! Stunning performance by Atlanta’s best dancers. Runs 2 hours with a 25 minute intermission.
Candlelight Nights at the Atlanta History Center. 12/13 & 12/20. $20+. Candlelight tour of 3 historic houses, visit Santa, shop a holiday market with local crafted items, food/drinks, and more! Great event to learn more about Atlanta and holiday traditions.
Victorian Holiday - Oakland Cemetery. Sat 12/14 10am-4pm. FREE to attend, Tour of Eternal Homes ($16). Shop the holiday market, purchase wreaths, visit with Santa, and more.
Yacht Rock Revue Holiday Spectacular - Coca-Cola Roxy. Sat 12/21 7pm. $35+. Rock the season with this amazing performance at the new Battery by Atlanta’s kings of smooth. Rock around the Christmas Tree at this awesome annual concert!
The Elf on the Shelf Musical - Cobb Energy Center. 12/23 12pm/5pm. $33+. The beloved holiday tradition that continues to capture the hearts of children and their families everywhere, comes to the live stage for the first time ever!
