The Most Festive Christmas Events To Visit In And Around Atlanta, Georgia

Christmas time brings the fresh scent of pine needles, the sound of sleigh bells jingling, and the glow of fairy lights reflected in the puddle-soaked pavements. 'Tis the season to be jolly and start getting into the Christmas spirit. In Atlanta, one of the world's most magical Christmas towns, the celebrations are already well and truly underway, and it's the place to be if you want to experience the warmth of some good old-fashioned festive magic.

Georgia's capital is a vibrant place to visit at any time of year with its historic monuments, world-famous attractions, and legendary bucket list food scene, but the "city in the forest" is now brimming with seasonal cheer and plenty of Christmas events for all the family. From the spectacular Christmas light shows and the bustling Christkindl market, the noise of excited laughter, to the elaborately decorated winter wonderland at Stone Mountain Park, there is plenty to explore. 

There are ballets, theater, shows, nativity plays, and other festivities with a myriad of activities to keep the kids happy and fill their days with joy. If you're looking for some Christmas decoration ideas, take your pick from a choice of holiday home tours. It's time to dig out the woolly hats and scarves and get ready to make some holiday season memories with some of the best Atlanta Christmas events to visit. (All prices given are for adults.)

The Botanical Garden in Atlanta is a naturally beautiful, laid-back place to visit at any time of the year. Full of renowned plant collections, towering trees, and blooming floral displays, it provides an oasis of calm in the middle of the bustling city. But it becomes even more dazzling during the holiday season when the Garden Lights, Holiday Nights extravaganza lights up the gardens, with Nature's Wonders, creating the world's largest curtain of synchronised light displays, festive music, and colorful choreography. 

From November 15 through January 11, the garden is swathed in light from the Orchestral Orbs, Glittering Galaxy, and Radiant Rainforest. Walk through the enchanted avenue of color and light beside Enchanted Tree sculptures from Poetic Kinetics, and watch their reflection sparkle from the moonlight in the Skyline Garden pond, with the city lights twinkling in the background like distant stars.

Tickets cost from $29.95 on value nights to $49.95 on peak nights. And there's more Christmas fun for the kids, too, with the holiday ride-on train and a botanical Santa peeking out from the greenery. For more impressive light displays around Atlanta, head to downtown Alpharetta to see the 50-foot Christmas tree, or a short drive away, there's the drive-through Glow Light Show in Lawrenceville. Watch thousands of colorful lights dance across your dashboard from the comfort of your car. Tickets start at $39.99.

The picturesque Stone Mountain Park is Georgia's most visited attraction, and it transforms into a winter wonderland in the holiday season. Up until January 4, get ready for an abundance of festive activities for Stone Mountain Christmas, where there's everything you need for a magical family day out. The 3,200-acre park is alive with laughter and the smell of roasted nuts and hot cocoa lingers in the cool, crisp air. Popular attractions like the Summit Skyride and Scenic Rail Ride are open, as well as special Christmas parades and the Flight to the North Pole Experience, accompanied by some friendly elves and happy reindeer.

As you take a stroll through the musical Frosted Forest, the action's in the sky, where the Christmas drone and light show casts a warm glow over the park. Catch Santa's Big Flight as he swoops through the air on his sleigh to gasps of delight, making a special appearance each evening. Tickets for Stone Mountain Christmas cost from $39.99, but if you want the Flight to the North Pole experience thrown in too, it will cost you $59.99 and must be reserved. Stone Mountain Park opening hours change daily, so it's worth checking the schedule before you plan your visit. And please be aware that Santa will not send his reindeer out in windy or stormy weather, and flights may be delayed or cancelled.

You're spoilt for choice when it comes to seeing Christmas shows in Atlanta. Take your pick from puppet shows, ballets, theater, concerts, carol singing, nativity plays, and holiday pantomimes at a range of venues across the city. Some performances are a must during the holiday season, and that's why The Nutcracker at Roswell Dance Theatre has become a yearly tradition. A classic ballet loved by all ages, the music is as mesmerizing as the dancing. Catch the show until December 14. 

Tickets cost from $23.50. Who can resist White Christmas: The Musical playing at the Legacy Theatre? Playing until December 21, tickets cost from $45, and if that gets you in a singing mood, join the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra at Atlanta Symphony Hall for an evening of Christmas carols and hymns. There are four shows from December 11-14, and tickets cost $55-$124.

You've got to squeeze in some Ebenezer Scrooge in time for Christmas, and there are no less than 10 different versions to choose from in December. Take your pick from Invasion: A Christmas Carol at Dad's Garage for a comedic twist on the classic Dickens tale. Playing through until December 30, tickets cost from $53. Or, for a more traditional retelling, try the performance at Stage Door Theater for a more family-friendly Christmas production. Playing through December 21, tickets cost from $32.

Even if you have all of your Christmas presents wrapped and under the tree, you're sure to find a little extra something at the Christkindl Christmas Market. Mixing traditional German wares with the festive Atlanta vibe, you'll find handmade artisanal gifts from around the globe, lovingly displayed in cozy wooden stalls decorated with garlands and fairy lights. When the smell of sizzling onions drifts through the chilly air, tempting your taste buds, there are lots of delicious treats to sample, such as bratwurst and sauerkraut washed down with some mulled apple cider to warm up those cold fingers and toes. Christkindl Christmas Market is open weekly from Wednesdays to Sundays in downtown Lawrenceville.

If you fancy making your own Christmas gifts, head to the Winter House at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center. Open until December 14, there are several holiday art workshops where you can learn how to make painted baubles and Scandinavian snowflakes to hang on the tree. Or try your hand at creating a magnificent floral centerpiece to adorn the Christmas table at home. You'll need to register for each workshop, which cost from $23. And if you need to escape the Christmas hustle and bustle, there's even some candlelight yoga to de-stress even the most frazzled visitor. The holiday cheer continues with live performances and special events, including the chance for the kids to meet Santa Claus.

For the more nostalgic amongst you, step into the world of someone else's Christmas home to soak in the festive atmosphere and admire the immaculately decorated interiors. You may even pick up a few decorating ideas for back home. Holiday home tours are a long-standing Georgia Christmas tradition, and many beautifully decorated homes open their doors to welcome you in from the quiet winter streets.

Head 59 miles out of Atlanta for the Holiday Tour of Homes in Madison. This annual event takes place on December 5 and 6 and gives you access to some of the town's most beautiful and historic homes. For $35, take a self-guided tour through 17 festively decorated homes, either during the day or on a special candlelit tour. 

A 20-mile drive north of Atlanta will take you to the Marietta Pilgrimage Christmas Home Tour. For $35, you can visit five private residences in the town, each with lovingly restored and elegantly decorated interiors just waiting to be admired. The homes will be open from December 3 to 5.  If you prefer to stay in Atlanta, the Grant Park Candlelight Tour of Homes takes place on the evenings of December 13 and 14. This gives you the chance to experience the warm Christmas glow and take home the feeling of peace and joy that the season brings.

To create this list of the most festive events in Atlanta, we've reviewed the most popular activities that have cropped up frequently on several Christmas in Georgia lists and visitor recommendations. Because there's so much going on in and around the city at this time of year, we've narrowed the list down to make sure it reflects a range of activities that capture the spirit of the season and that suit different tastes and age groups.