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Tree Lightings, Georgia Festival of Trees, and More Things to Do this Weekend in Atlanta with Kids

Santa Claus is once again setting up shop at his post office in The Battery Atlanta starting this weekend through December 24. Photo by Rebecca Leffler
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11/19/25 - By Elsa Simcik

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

Get festive this weekend with many holiday events in Atlanta, including FREE, fun tree lightings. Choose from beloved favorites like Light the Station at Atlantic Station or the Lighting of Avalon in Alpharetta; or start a new tradition with Light Up the Season at Piedmont Park, which includes a 50-foot holiday tree, menorah, and kinara that will shine bright over Atlanta. Also this weekend, Georgia Festival of Trees opens at Gas South Convention Center. The event always has beautiful trees, live entertainment, children's games, Santa, and Atlanta's beloved Pink Pig! See below for even more fun things to do this weekend in Atlanta! 

More Things To Do in Atlanta This Week With Kids

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Best Things to Do this Weekend in Atlanta With Kids

Fall Wellness Retreat & Holiday Market

Gainesville - FREE
Friday, November 21
Come to The Oakley on the Lake for a dynamic Pvolve class designed to sculpt, energize, and restore — all set against the serene backdrop of nature. After class, explore a curated holiday market featuring local vendors offering unique, experiential goods and gifts. READ MORE

Gabby's Dollhouse Live!

NW Atlanta
Friday, November 21
In this a-MEOW-zing musical show, Gabby unboxes a special acorn that needs the magical touch of a rainbow to grow. But when CatRat causes a color cat-astrophe and breaks the rainbow, Gabby and the Gabby Cats must find the colors again to set things right. READ MORE

Gwinnett Glows Holiday Tree Lighting

Duluth - FREE
Friday, November 21
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

The Lighting of Avenue East Cobb

Marietta - FREE
Friday, November 21
Kick off the holiday season at East Cobb's hometown hangout, Avenue East Cobb. Enjoy a tree lighting, activities, live music, and more! READ MORE

Roswell Youth Theatre Mainstage Presents The Addams Family Musical

Roswell
November 21 & 22
Roswell Youth Theatre (RYT) is the resident youth theatre company for Roswell Performing Arts, part of the City of Roswell. This year their fall show is The Addams Family Musical: Young @ Part.  READ MORE

Noel Magic Light Show at Atlanta Motor Speedway

Hampton
Opening weekend! November 21 - January 4
Drive through this huge holiday light show at Atlanta Motor Speedway, synchronized to Christmas music for all ages. READ MORE

IllumiNights at Zoo Atlanta

Atlanta
Opening weekend! Select dates, November 21 - January 18
​Experience the magic of Atlanta holiday lights! IllumiNights: A Lantern Festival is back at Zoo Atlanta. The lanterns create a wonderland for zoo visitors to enjoy.  READ MORE

Atlanta Chili Cook Off

Dunwoody
Saturday, November 22
Cook & Compete OR Just Come To Eat! This much-anticipated event promises an afternoon full of delicious food, lively competition, and family-friendly fun. This year’s Chili Cook Off offers something for everyone, whether you’re donning your chef’s hat to compete for the title of best chili or just eager to sample from over 50 different chili recipes crafted by amateur chefs, restaurants, and caterers. READ MORE

Jingle Mingle in Downtown Gainesville

Gainesville - FREE
Saturday, November 22
Gainesville's Downtown Square will be alive with the holiday spirit including live music, carriage rides, kiddie train rides, Santa and his arrival on a Gainesville Fire Engine, the Coca-Cola bear, s’more station, and the grand LIGHTING OF THE CHICKEN, a 25-foot metal chicken sculpture on top of Main Street Market. READ MORE

Light the Station at Atlantic Station

West Midtown - FREE
Saturday, November 22
Head to Atlantic Station to witness the lighting of the 50-foot tree on Atlantic Green for the first time this season! This free event is packed with sweet holiday fun for the whole family, featuring live music, festive performances, costumed characters, and more! The parade will start at 6:30 PM with a Candy Land twist! READ MORE

Season of Celebration Tree Lighting in Alpharetta

Alpharetta - FREE
Saturday, November 22
Kick off the holiday season with magical lighting in Downtown Alpharetta! Enjoy live music, snow flurries, marshmallow roasting, sing-alongs, and more. To top it all off, Santa and friends will make a guest appearance! READ MORE

Mable House Lights the Night in Mableton

Mableton - FREE
Saturday, November 22
Kick off the season at the Mable House, starting with the Tree Jubilee and Mable House Lights the Night on Nov. 22, which will feature the Sugar Plum Artisan Market and the opening of their holiday gallery, A Festival of Trees! READ MORE

A Very Grinchy Christmas

Duluth
November 22 & 23
Southern Ballet Theatre presents "A Very Grinchy Christmas" at Gas South District in Duluth.  READ MORE

Georgia Festival of Trees

Duluth
Select days, November 22 - 30
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

Santa's Post Office at The Battery

Atlanta - FREE
Opening weekend! Select dates, November 22 - December 24
Santa Claus is once again setting up shop at his Post Office in The Battery Atlanta! From Saturday, November 22 to Wednesday, December 24, Santa will continue the time-honored tradition of greeting local children in the Truist Holiday Community Corner, located at the corner of Power Alley and Battery Avenue. READ MORE

The Lighting of Avalon

Alpharetta- FREE
Sunday, November 23
Families head to Avalon, the Sunday before Thanksgiving, for a day full of holiday activities. The festival kicks off at 2pm with an ice-skating performance followed by the opening of the rink to the public.  READ MORE

Light Up the Season at Piedmont Park

Midtown - FREE
Sunday, November 23
Be part of a new Atlanta tradition! The Piedmont Park Conservancy is proud to introduce a dazzling new tradition: a 50-foot holiday tree, a menorah, and a kinara that will shine bright over Atlanta.  READ MORE

A Charlie Brown Christmas Live on Stage

Midtown
Sunday, November 23
Peanuts’ timeless holiday television special comes to life on stage with the national tour of A Charlie Brown Christmas Live On Stage. The critically acclaimed holiday celebration that the whole family can enjoy brings the Peanuts gang together live on stage as they uncover the true meaning of Christmas and perform songs from the unforgettable musical score in a tribute to the legendary composer Vince Guaraldi. READ MORE

Frosty Fun in Duluth: Love the Butterfly

Duluth - FREE
November 23 & 24
Step into a magical, interactive butterfly enclosure where you can get up close and personal with these delicate beauties. Watch as they flutter, dance, and maybe even land on you for the perfect photo op! READ MORE

High Street Skate

Dunwoody
Opening weekend! November 23 - January 19
From Nov. 23 through Jan. 19, get ready to glide into the holidays at High Street Skate. The brand-new ice rink will take over The Green at the center of the mixed-use community.  READ MORE

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Places featured in this article:

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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