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Sandy Springs City Springs puts on a free parade and beautiful display of lit, miniature homes on December 8. Photo courtesy City of Sandy Springs
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12/1/24 - By Elsa Simcik

This post is being updated for 2025. Please check back soon.

The winter holidays in Atlanta don't have to put a crimp in your wallet. That's because Atlanta is jam-packed with tons of free Christmas events and holiday activities! This is welcome news for families who may be feeling a financial strain due to the recent government shutdown and the rising costs of food, holiday shows, and Christmas gifts. 

Mommy Poppins wants you to experience the magic of the season without worrying about the cost. We've created this list of the best FREE holiday events in Atlanta. Our list covers everything from lightings (both menorahs and Christmas trees), festivals, and Christmas parades to holiday markets, free places to pose with Santa, light displays, and even carriage rides! 

For more seasonal highlights, be sure to check out our Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide for Atlanta Kids, and of course, our always-up-to-date Family Activity Calendar.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Free Holiday Activities & Christmas Events in Atlanta

Holiday Art Fair at Spruill Gallery

Dunwoody
November 14 through December 23, 2025
Spruill Gallery hosts its annual Holiday Art Fair, offering unique decor, one-of-a-kind items, and gifts from local artists this holiday season.  READ MORE

Gwinnett Glows Holiday Tree Lighting

Duluth
Friday, November 21, 2025
Gwinnett Glows is a free community celebration launching the holiday season and the  Georgia Festival of Trees. Enjoy a free lighting ceremony with food trucks, entertainment and more. READ MORE

Roswell Christkindlmarket

Roswell
November 21 through December 23, 2025
The Roswell Christkindl Market is back during the holiday season. From Nov. 22 - Dec. 22 families shop, eat and take pictures with Santa at Roswell's historical Bulloch Hall.  READ MORE

Loganville Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting

Loganville
Friday, November 28, 2025
The Christmas parade in Loganville is one of the longest standing traditions in the city. After the parade folks gather at the Town Green for the lighting of the Christmas tree.  READ MORE

Atlanta Christkindl Market in Lawrenceville

Lawrenceville
November 28 through December 24, 2025
New location! Atlanta parents and kids get to visit this authentic German marketplace in Lawrenceville all season long. The Atlanta Christkindl Market features holiday items, as well as German food, treats, drinks, and more. Santa will be there for photos!  READ MORE

Winter House at Callanwolde

Virginia-Highland
Select days November 29 through December 14, 2025
The Winter House features items for sale by Callanwolde artists, as well as live performances, s'mores, storytime, board games, and more inside the 27,000-square-foot mansion. READ MORE

Christmasville Tinseltown in McDonough

McDonough
Nightly November 29 through January 4, 2026
The City of McDonough offers this free, walkable light show all throughout the holiday season at Alexander Park West.  READ MORE

Coming Home for the Holidays and Tree Lighting in Smyrna

Smyrna
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Smyrna always throws a grand kickoff to the holiday season with their tree lighting ceremony. The event includes holiday festivities plus a visit from Santa (who actually lights the giant tree). READ MORE

Kennesaw Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony

Kennesaw
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Don't miss a visit from Santa at the City of Kennesaw's Annual Tree Lighting at Depot Park. Holiday festivities begin with choral performances at 6:30pm, followed by the tree lighting at 7pm.  READ MORE

Holiday Lights at Brook Run Park

Dunwoody
Nightly December 3 through December 31, 2025
Families love this free month long light display at Brook Run Park. This year's theme is Cosmic Wonderland.  READ MORE

Light Up Brookhaven

Brookhaven
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
This festive holiday event is back with bouncy houses, a petting zoo, reindeer, face painting, and of course, Santa!  READ MORE

Snow Day Movie Matinee in Sandy Springs

Sandy Springs
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Celebrate the start of winter with a Snow Day at City Springs. Enjoy an afternoon pajama party and movie matinee featuring, Frozen. Meet the characters, enjoy our hot chocolate and snack bar, and take home a goody bag. This is an inclusive event designed to create an opportunity for people with disabilities and their families to connect within the community. READ MORE

Selfies with Santa! at The Avenue West Cobb

Marietta
December 3, 10, & 17, 2025
Bring your camera to take a free picture with Santa at Avenue West Cobb. No reservations are required.  READ MORE

Christmas Tree Lighting & Santa on the Marietta Square

Marietta
Thursday, December 4, 2025
The City of Marietta's Annual Christmas Tree Lighting returns with Santa's arrival to the square. The fun begins at 4PM with performances by local school and church choirs, then Santa makes his Grand Entrance to help the Mayor and the City of Marietta light the tree.  READ MORE

Decatur Christmas Tree Lighting

Decatur
Thursday, December 4, 2025
The City of Decatur is hosting its Christmas tree lighting in downtown Decatur. Guests enjoy caroles, cookies, hot cocoa, and "snow" on Decatur Square. Santa will turn on the tree at 7pm.  READ MORE

Holiday Celebration in Norcross

Norcross
Friday, December 5, 2025
Visitors to Thrasher Park in downtown Norcross celebrate the holiday season with carol-singing choirs, The Grinch, Santa, and lighting up Norcross.  READ MORE

Lights on the Loop in Alpharetta

Alpharetta
Weekends December 5 through December 20, 2025
Lights on the Loop is a month-long celebration featuring a spectacular light display along a one-mile stretch of the Alpha Loop trail. Watch for themed weekends, live entertainment, and a curated Winter Village.    READ MORE

Free Carriage Rides in Norcross

Norcross
Select evenings December 5-19, 2025
Experience the wonder of the holidays with a horse-drawn carriage ride through Historic Downtown Norcross.  READ MORE

Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting - Powder Springs

Powder Springs
Friday, December 5, 2025
Pose for a free photo with Santa following the Christmas parade and tree lighting in Thurman Springs Park. Complimentary cookies and hot cocoa, in addition to live entertainment, provided. READ MORE

Photos and Cookies with Santa in Peachtree City

Peachtree City
Friday, December 5, 2025
Guess who’s hitching a ride with Peachtree City Fire Rescue? Santa of Senoia! He’s trading in his sleigh for a fire truck and plans to roll in on December 5 at 5 PM sharp! Stick around for cookies, cocoa, and some holiday cheer—all for a great cause: the Fire Rescue's annual toy drive and the Bloom's Angel Tree. READ MORE

Roswell Christmas Tree Lighting

Roswell
Friday, December 5, 2025
The City of Roswell launches the holiday season with their annual Lighting of the Christmas Tree at Heart of Roswell Park on Canton Street, between Norcross Street and Magnolia Street. The free event includes choral performances, hot chocolate, fire pits and s’mores, a visit from Santa Claus, and of course, the tree lighting.  READ MORE

Santa's Arrival in Acworth

Acworth
Friday, December 5, 2025
At this annual Acworth celebration, families wait for Santa to arrive and enjoy live performances, the festival of trees, and a reading of The Night Before Christmas by Acworth's mayor. Stay for the lighting of the tree and photos with Santa. (Parents take their own photos for free!) READ MORE

Johns Creek Holly Jolly Block Party

Johns Creek
Friday, December 5, 2025
Bring the family to watch the lighting of the 40-foot tree located at Johns Creek City Hall. This free event also includes visits with Santa, live music, holiday llamas, and more. READ MORE

City of Mableton Holiday Movie Night

Mableton
Friday, December 5, 2025
Bring blankets and lawn chairs to watch The Polar Express at Mableton Town Square Park. Food trucks will be on-site and you are welcome to bring coolers and snacks.  READ MORE

Holiday Spirit at Oakland Cemetery

Downtown
December 5 & 6, 2025
Everyone is invited to Holiday Spirit at Oakland, a free two-day celebration featuring a community tree lighting on Friday evening, holiday market, photos with Santa, live music, holiday guided tours, and family-friendly activities. READ MORE

Jolly Holly Days & Market in Suwanee

Suwanee
December 5 & 6, 2025
Families will want to bring their little ones to this annual event at Town Center Park in Suwanee. On Friday evening from 5-9pm, Santa arrives to greet children, pose for photos, and collect wish lists. Several school choirs will provide musical entertainment, and Santa will light the holiday tree.  READ MORE

Holiday Artisan Market at Cobb County Civic Center

Marietta
December 5--7, 2025
This festival will feature retailers and artists and will showcase handmade goods, fine arts, musical performances, visits from Santa, free kids crafts, and more.  READ MORE

Christmas in Acworth

Acworth
Saturday, December 6, 2025
Bring your camera to take pictures with Santa in Depot Park from 1–5pm. FREE READ MORE

Christmas in Crabapple & Tree Lighting

Milton
Saturday, December 6, 2025
The City of Milton hosts this quaint holiday event in historic downtown Crabapple at the Broadwell Pavilion. There will be face painting, Christmas tunes, a balloon artist, and a chance to decorate cookies and ornaments.  READ MORE

Kennesaw Holly Days Parade & Pictures with Santa

Kennesaw
Saturday, December 6, 2025
The holidays kick off with the Holly Days Parade in downtown Kennesaw at 11:30am. From 12:30-2:30pm, Santa will be at Depot Park for free walk-up photos. You can also reserve a 4-5 minute Santa session with a professional photographer later in the afternoon for $15, which includes a digital download.  READ MORE

Deck the Hall in Duluth

Duluth
Saturday, December 6, 2025
This annual event has grown from a tree-lighting ceremony to an all-day extravaganza. Visitors to the Duluth Town Green enjoy music, winter activities, and carolers.  READ MORE

Miracle on Peachtree Hot Chocolate Crawl

Buckhead
December 6 & 13, 2025
Sip delicious hot chocolate while you shop in Buckead during the holidays. The hot chocolate crawl includes festive music, twinkling lights, treats, and of course, hot chocolate. The event is free, but registration is required. READ MORE

Holiday Market at The Battery

NW Atlanta
Sunday, December 7, 2025
 Head to the The Battery for an afternoon of seasonal fun at their Holiday Market. Browse unique vendor booths filled with handcrafted, one-of-a-kind gifts.  READ MORE

Holiday Lights at East Cobb Park

Marietta
Sunday, December 7, 2025
Parents and kids enjoy the magic of this free event at East Cobb Park which includes live music, games, a tree lighting and of course, a visit from Santa!  READ MORE

Sparkle Sandy Springs

Sandy Springs
Sunday, December 7, 2025
Visitors to Sandy Springs City Springs on Sunday, December 8, enjoy a parade and a beautiful display of lit, miniature homes (around all month long). Following the parade, families are treated to both menorah and tree lightings.  READ MORE

Woodstock Christmas Jubilee and Parade

Woodstock
Sunday, December 7, 2025
The City of Woodstock kicks off the holiday season with their Christmas Jubilee & Parade of Lights. The parade starts at Woodstock Elementary School on Rope Mill Rd. and travels down Main St. to Sam’s Club at Highway 92. After the parade, folks walk over to The Park at City Center to visit with Santa, see the tree lighting, enjoy kids' activities, decorate cupcakes, and more.  READ MORE

Lawrenceville Lights

Lawrenceville
December 11-13 and 18-20, 2025
Lawrenceville Lights (or LV Lights) is a popular free drive-thru light display, wowing visitors at the campground of Lawrenceville First United Methodist Church (just outside of downtown Lawrenceville). This year it runs for two weekends!  READ MORE

Virginia Highland Winterfest

Virginia-Highland
December 12 through 14, 2025
Winterfest in Va-Hi kicks off with a ticketed Tour of Lights on Friday night. Families stroll around the historic neighborhood and receive beverages and treats at participating homes. On Saturday morning Winterfest starts with a Jingle Jog followed by a parade and a huge holiday market. READ MORE

Cocoa with Santa & Mrs. Claus at North Cobb Library

Kennesaw
Saturday, December 13, 2025
Visit with Santa and Mrs.Claus, sip hot chocolate, and share prepackaged cookies at the North Cobb Regional Library. Festivities also include music by the Allaoona Fiddlers, reindeer crafts, and story time.  READ MORE

Chabad Intown's Menorah Lightings

Decatur - December 14, 2025
Atlantic Station - December 15, 2025
Virginia-Highland - December 18, 2025
Ponce City Market - December 21, 2025
Celebrate Hanukkah with Menorah lightings around the city, taking place from December 14 - 21.  READ MORE

Snow Day at Alpharetta City Center

Alpharetta
Saturday, December 13, 2025
Families descend on the Town Green to experience a winter wonderland  with snow flurries plus family-friendly activities, a photo booth, and holiday-themed treats.  READ MORE

Pancake Breakfast with Santa in Milton

Milton
Saturday, December 13, 2025
Families enjoy delicious breakfast foods, including pancakes, served by Milton firefighters at this festive event at Station 44's bay. Other activities include balloon animals created by one of Santa's elves, a raffle, and even a visit by the Grinch (after its heart grew)!  READ MORE

Holiday Craft-a-thon at Gritters Library

Marietta
Thursday, December 18, 2025
Create holiday crafts and decorate cookies while sipping hot chocolate at this neighborhood library located in Shaw Park. Activities include making cards, an ornament, and wrapping paper.  READ MORE

Hanukkah Family Fun Day at the MJCCA

Dunwoody
Wednesday, December 25, 2025
Everyone is invited to Family Fun Day at the MJCCA for open play in their gyms, iarts and crafts, and games, all in the spirit of Hanukkah. READ MORE

New Year's Eve Bash at The Battery

Atlanta NW
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
The Battery hosts a New Year's Eve celebration that has something for everyone. The Early Innings party, geared towards families, starts at 6pm and wraps up at 8pm with an inflatable baseball drop.  READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Gas South Convention Center
Callanwalde Fine Arts Center
Acworth Community Center
LV First United Methodist Church Campground
Intersection of Virginia Ave & North Highland
Milton Fire Station 44

About the Author

Elsa Simcik
Elsa Simcik has been freelance writing for 20-something years, covering a hodgepodge of fields--health & fitness, human interest stories, and even dating. After becoming a mom she segued into writing for local magazines and websites, focusing on parenting, fun things to do with kids, and travel. The travel part is fun, but not as glamorous as it sounds, because it's traveling with kids. Still, she'll take it.
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