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11/26/24 - By Elsa Simcik

Looking for the best things to do in Atlanta this Thanksgiving Day weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend! 

Atlanta families have lots to be thankful for this year, including so many fun events this Thanksgiving Day weekend. Check out free Thanksgiving weekend events like Santa on the Decatur Square, Snellville's Christmas Tree Lighting and Parade, and The Battery Atlanta Tree Lighting. Thanksgiving weekend kicks off with exhaustingly fun turkey trots, including awesome runs in Alpharetta and Marietta. After your jog and Thanksgiving feast, enjoy the many holiday events in Atlanta, including amazing Christmas light shows like Marietta's Lights of LIFE and Woodstock's Holiday Lights event. 

Happy Thanksgiving from everyone at Mommy Poppins!

More Things to Do in Atlanta This Week with Kids: 

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Head to The Battery Atlanta for the annual tree lighting ceremony on Saturday! Photo courtesy The Battery Atlanta
Head to The Battery Atlanta for the annual tree lighting ceremony on Saturday! Photo courtesy The Battery Atlanta

Things to Do Thanksgiving Weekend in Atlanta with Kids

Georgia Festival of Trees

Duluth
Final weekend! Through Sunday, November 30, 2025
The Georgia Festival of Trees is back in a their new location (Gas South Convention Center in Duluth) and with a special guest - The Pink Pig! Celebrate the holiday season with beautiful trees, live entertainment, children's games and crafts, and of course, Santa!  READ MORE

Holiday Lights of Ellijay

Ellijay
Opening week! November 25 - December 31, 2025
Visitors enjoy this walk-thru light show in quaint downtown Ellijay.  READ MORE

MUST Ministries Gobble Jog

Marietta
Thursday, November 27, 2025
On Thanksgiving morning, more than 10,000 runners will come to the Marietta Square to participate in the 22nd Annual Gobble Jog, benefiting MUST Ministries. The Gobble Jog offers options for all skill levels. Timed 10K and 5K runs, as well as an untimed 5K, 1K and Tot Trot are all available. READ MORE

Thanksgiving Gobble Wobble 5K/10K/Fun Run

Alpharetta
Thursday, November 27, 2025
Get those muscles wobbling before you start gobbling your Thanksgiving feast! This Alpharetta race includes a 5K, 10K, and Fun Run for kids and those who prefer to take their time. Register early as spots fill up! READ MORE

Ten Days of Holiday Happenings in the DTL

Lawrenceville - FREE!
Opening night! November 27 - December 6, 2025
Lawrenceville hosts ten fun-filled days to ring in the holidays. Each day offers a different event starting with The Lighting of the Great Tree on the lawn of the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse on Thursday, November 27.  READ MORE

Lights of LIFE at Life University

Marietta
Opening weekend! November 28 - December 31, 2025
A drive-through holiday light showcase awaits at Life University. In addition to the magical display, a petting zoo, train rides, and pony rides are available for children. READ MORE

Georgia Metropolitan Dance Theatre presents The Nutcracker

Marietta
November 28 - December 30, 2025
Right after Thanksgiving families can get into the holiday spirit with Georgia Metro Dance Theatre's rendition of The Nutcracker in Marietta. GMDT promises colorful sets, costumes and special effects that wow the audience.  READ MORE

Roswell Dance Theatre and Tolbert Yilmaz School of Dance Present The Nutcracker

Sandy Springs
Select dates, November 28 - December 7, 2025
Audience members are treated to a classic performance of The Nutcracker by both professional dancers and students from Roswell Dance Theatre and Tolbert Yilmaz School of Dance at the Byers Theatre in Sandy Springs.  READ MORE

Atlanta Christkindl Market in Lawrenceville

Lawrenceville
Opening weekend! November 28 - 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

Christmas Canteen at Aurora Theatre

Lawrenceville
Opening weekend! November 28 - December 21, 2025
Audiences love Christmas Canteen because its Gwinnett’s longest-running theatrical holiday tradition. The revue includes Christmas magic, songs and comic sketches and is perfect for all ages.  READ MORE

Holiday Express at Blue Ridge Scenic Railway

Blue Ridge
Opening weekend! Select dates, November 28 - December 28, 2025
Families head north to the mountains for this one-hour holiday train ride on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, featuring the story, The Night Before Christmas. Riders are also treated to holiday music, an activity packet, a candy cane, and a jingle bell. Parents can purchase snacks and hot chocolate while on board. READ MORE

Christmasville Tinseltown in McDonough

McDonough - FREE
Opening weekend! November 29, 2025 - January 4, 2026
The City of McDonough offers this free, walkable light show all throughout the holiday season at Alexander Park West.  READ MORE

Winter House at Callanwolde

Atlanta
Select dates, November 29 - 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

Holiday Lights of Hope in Woodstock

Woodstock
Opening weekend! November 29 - December 30, 2025
One of the largest walk-through Christmas lights events in Georgia, featuring a light display with more than 2 million lights, a lighted maze, concessions and vendors, craft making, and a visit with Santa.  READ MORE

Skate the Sky on The Roof at Ponce City Market

Midtown
Opening weekend! November 28, 2025 - January 4, 2026
Skate among the stars on The Roof at Ponce City Market! "Skate the Sky" features a 3,500-square-foot ice skating rink overlooking the City of Atlanta atop PCM's rooftop terrace.  READ MORE

Christmas on the Farm at Southern Belle Farm

McDonough
Select dates, November 28 - December 14, 2025
Southern Belle Farms invites families to celebrate Christmas in the country at the farm. Visitors can enjoy the outdoor activities and take free pictures with Santa on the weekends.  READ MORE

The Battery Tree Lighting Ceremony

Atlanta - FREE!
Saturday, November 29, 2025
Families come to The Battery the Saturday after Thanksgiving for the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony Presented by Wellstar, complete with entertainment from The Free. Mark Owens and Atlanta Braves’ mascot BLOOPER will watch the skies to help track Santa as he nears closer to The Battery Atlanta.  READ MORE

Snellville Christmas Tree Lighting and Parade

Snellville - FREE!
Saturday, November 29, 2025
It's the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting in Snellville and everyone is invited! Prior to the lighting, a parade with lighted floats, tractors, trucks, and Santa start at Wisteria Plaza and end at the Towne Green. After the lighting, families enjoy a fun evening with s'mores, cookie decorating, and other activities.  READ MORE

Santa on the Decatur Square

Decatur - FREE!
Saturday, November 29, 2025
Kick off the season at this annual event (featuring milk and cookies!), where you can take pictures of your children with Santa. Little ones will enjoy making ornaments and mailing wishlists at the Santa mail station.  READ MORE

Story Time with Chanda Bell, author of Elf on the Shelf

Woodstock
Saturday, November 29, 2025
Kids of all ages are invited to a special story time with Author/Creator of The Elf on the Shelf, Chanda A. Bell at FoxTale Book Shoppe. The event includes a book signing and a photo op with the The Elf on the Shelf following storytime.  READ MORE

Loganville Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting

Loganville - FREE!
Saturday, November 29, 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

Piedmont Park Holiday Gift Market

Midtown - FREE!
November 29 & 30, 2025
The weekend after Thanksgiving, shoppers descend on Piedmont Park for a Holiday Gift Market. The event will feature up to 175 handcrafters centered around the holiday spirit of gift giving, which will include painters, photographers, sculptors, leather and metalwork, glass blowers, jewelers, and crafters.    READ MORE

Candy Cane Hunt at Warbington Farms

Cumming
November 29 & December 6, 2025
Kick off the holiday season with a jolly day of farm fun and Christmas magic, including meeting the Grinch and Santa, going on a candy cane hunt, visiting barnyard animals and more.  READ MORE

Home Alone 2 in Concert with the ASO

Midtown
November 29 & 30, 2025
The ASO will present Home Alone 2 Lost in New York Live in Concert with Award-winning composer John Williams’ score performed live to film by a full orchestra. READ MORE

More Fun for Atlanta Families

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Take pictures with Santa at these Atlanta spots! READ MORE

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Hop on board to read about Atlanta holiday train rides! READ MORE

Christmas Towns & Festive Hotels Near Atlanta That Will Blow Your Mind

Discover the most magical Christmas towns and hotels near Atlanta. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Gas South Convention Center
Callanwalde Fine Arts Center
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway

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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