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Christmas in Atlanta
Your guide to Christmas and holiday events, light displays, markets, shows, and seasonal traditions in Atlanta.
Photo credit: CL Photo Archives
Christmas in Atlanta
Christmas in Atlanta is one of the most festive times of the year, filled with light displays, holiday markets, seasonal shows, family attractions, and winter traditions across the city. From classic Christmas events to pop-up experiences and neighborhood celebrations, this guide brings together the best ways to celebrate the holiday season in Atlanta.
What Is Christmas?
Christmas is both a religious holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and a widely observed cultural celebration centered on family, giving, and seasonal traditions. In Atlanta, the holiday season blends religious observances with festive public events, performances, and attractions throughout November and December.
How Atlanta Celebrates the Holidays
Across metro Atlanta, Christmas is celebrated with a mix of large-scale attractions and local traditions. Visitors and residents alike can explore light displays, attend holiday concerts and performances, shop seasonal markets, and enjoy themed dining and pop-up experiences. Many venues transform into winter wonderlands, offering activities for families, couples, and groups.
Recurring Holiday Traditions in Atlanta
- Holiday light displays and drive-through experiences
- Christmas markets and seasonal shopping events
- Theater productions and holiday concerts
- Ice skating rinks and winter attractions
- Visits with Santa and family photo opportunities
- Holiday pop-ups, themed bars, and seasonal dining
Featured Christmas Events in Atlanta
These are some of the key holiday events and anchor experiences to check out this season.
No featured holiday events are available yet.
More Christmas and Holiday Events
Looking for more things to do during the holiday season? Browse additional Christmas and holiday events in Atlanta below.
It's a Wonderful Life at Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre
11/20/2026 7:30 PM
Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre
It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play adapts the beloved holiday story for the stage as a 1940s-style radio broadcast with live actors and sound effects.
Georgia Festival of Trees
11/21/2026 10:00 AM
Gas South Convention Center
The Georgia Festival of Trees is Georgia’s premier holiday celebration, bringing together families, businesses, and volunteers to create unforgettable Christmas memories while supporting efforts to protect vulnerable chi...
It's a Wonderful Life at Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre
11/21/2026 3:00 PM
Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre
It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play adapts the beloved holiday story for the stage as a 1940s-style radio broadcast with live actors and sound effects.
It's a Wonderful Life at Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre
11/21/2026 7:30 PM
Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre
It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play adapts the beloved holiday story for the stage as a 1940s-style radio broadcast with live actors and sound effects.
Georgia Festival of Trees
11/22/2026 10:00 AM
Gas South Convention Center
The Georgia Festival of Trees is Georgia’s premier holiday celebration, bringing together families, businesses, and volunteers to create unforgettable Christmas memories while supporting efforts to protect vulnerable chi...
It's a Wonderful Life at Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre
11/22/2026 3:00 PM
Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre
It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play adapts the beloved holiday story for the stage as a 1940s-style radio broadcast with live actors and sound effects.
Georgia Festival of Trees
11/23/2026 9:00 AM
Gas South Convention Center
The Georgia Festival of Trees is Georgia’s premier holiday celebration, bringing together families, businesses, and volunteers to create unforgettable Christmas memories while supporting efforts to protect vulnerable chi...
Georgia Festival of Trees
11/24/2026 10:00 AM
Gas South Convention Center
The Georgia Festival of Trees is a holiday experience for all ages featuring a forest of fully decorated Christmas trees, children’s activities, live entertainment, boutique gift shops, sugar cookie decorating, a Christm...
Georgia Festival of Trees
11/27/2026 10:00 AM
Gas South Convention Center
The Georgia Festival of Trees is a holiday experience for all ages featuring a forest of fully decorated Christmas trees, children’s activities, live entertainment, boutique gift shops, sugar cookie decorating, a Christm...
The Nutcracker – (Northeast Atlanta Ballet)
11/27/2026 2:00 PM
Gas South Theater
Ring in the Holidays with the Northeast Atlanta Ballet’s classic rendition of E.T.A. Hoffman’s tale, “The Nutcracker”. Join Clara and her Nutcracker prince as they set out on a wonder-filled journey to battle the mouse k...
for KING + COUNTRY's 'A DRUMMER BOY CHRISTMAS'
11/27/2026 7:00 PM
Gas South Arena
The most wonderful time of the year is upon us! ‘A DRUMMER BOY CHRISTMAS’ is returning to Gas South Arena this holiday season! And on the heels of the theatrical release of ‘DRUMMER BOY: The Movie’, it’s sure to be a lar...
The Nutcracker – (Northeast Atlanta Ballet)
11/27/2026 7:30 PM
Gas South Theater
Ring in the Holidays with the Northeast Atlanta Ballet’s classic rendition of E.T.A. Hoffman’s tale, “The Nutcracker”. Join Clara and her Nutcracker prince as they set out on a wonder-filled journey to battle the mouse k...
Love Actually in Concert
11/27/2026 8:00 PM
Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
Love Actually is set in contemporary London in the weeks before Christmas and tells one story which weaves together a spectacular amount of love stories sometimes romantic, sometimes sad, sometimes stupid all funny in th...
Georgia Festival of Trees
11/28/2026 10:00 AM
Gas South Convention Center
The Georgia Festival of Trees is a holiday experience for all ages featuring a forest of fully decorated Christmas trees, children’s activities, live entertainment, boutique gift shops, sugar cookie decorating, a Christm...
The Nutcracker – (Northeast Atlanta Ballet)
11/28/2026 10:00 AM
Gas South Theater
Ring in the Holidays with the Northeast Atlanta Ballet’s classic rendition of E.T.A. Hoffman’s tale, “The Nutcracker”. Join Clara and her Nutcracker prince as they set out on a wonder-filled journey to battle the mouse k...
The Nutcracker – (Northeast Atlanta Ballet)
11/28/2026 2:00 PM
Gas South Theater
Ring in the Holidays with the Northeast Atlanta Ballet’s classic rendition of E.T.A. Hoffman’s tale, “The Nutcracker”. Join Clara and her Nutcracker prince as they set out on a wonder-filled journey to battle the mouse k...
Elf in Concert
11/28/2026 7:00 PM
Atlanta Symphony Hall
Nobody spreads Christmas cheer quite like Buddy the Elf! This holiday season, CineConcerts and Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences announce another once-in-a-lifetime concert event: Elf in Concert, bringing the tim...
The Nutcracker – (Northeast Atlanta Ballet)
11/28/2026 7:30 PM
Gas South Theater
Ring in the Holidays with the Northeast Atlanta Ballet’s classic rendition of E.T.A. Hoffman’s tale, “The Nutcracker”. Join Clara and her Nutcracker prince as they set out on a wonder-filled journey to battle the mouse k...
Georgia Festival of Trees
11/29/2026 10:00 AM
Gas South Convention Center
The Georgia Festival of Trees is a holiday experience for all ages featuring a forest of fully decorated Christmas trees, children’s activities, live entertainment, boutique gift shops, sugar cookie decorating, a Christm...
Elf in Concert
11/29/2026 3:00 PM
Atlanta Symphony Hall
Nobody spreads Christmas cheer quite like Buddy the Elf! This holiday season, CineConcerts and Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences announce another once-in-a-lifetime concert event: Elf in Concert, bringing the tim...
Jazz Legacy Project: A Tribute to Duke Ellington's "Nutcracker"
12/02/2026 7:00 PM
Eddie Owen presents: Red Clay Music Foundry
Our monthly Jazz Residency - each installment is a tribute to a different jazz legend!
What is the Jazz Legacy Project?
Created in 2015 after an epiphany Justin Varnes had while teaching Jazz History at Georgia Sta...
Twas The Night Before... by Broadway in Atlanta (opening night)
12/02/2026 7:30 PM
Fox Theatre
A thrilling interpretation of the well-known holiday classic, ‘Twas the Night Before…, as only Cirque du Soleil could conjure it. This joyful show about the virtues of generosity and friendship promises to leave a lastin...
The Atlanta Opera presents All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 (Opening Night)
12/02/2026 7:30 PM
Theatrical Outfit
Set during World War I, All Is Calm tells the true story of the Christmas Truce of 1914, when enemy soldiers along the Western Front laid down their weapons and shared a brief, remarkable moment of peace. Drawn from sold...
Twas The Night Before... by Broadway in Atlanta
12/03/2026 7:30 PM
Fox Theatre
A thrilling interpretation of the well-known holiday classic, ‘Twas the Night Before…, as only Cirque du Soleil could conjure it. This joyful show about the virtues of generosity and friendship promises to leave a lastin...
The Atlanta Opera presents All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914
12/03/2026 7:30 PM
Theatrical Outfit
Set during World War I, All Is Calm tells the true story of the Christmas Truce of 1914, when enemy soldiers along the Western Front laid down their weapons and shared a brief, remarkable moment of peace. Drawn from sold...
You can also browse the full holiday event feed here: Browse Christmas and holiday events in Atlanta.
Why Christmas Matters
For many, Christmas is a time of reflection, celebration, and connection. In Atlanta, the holiday season brings together communities through shared traditions, public events, and seasonal experiences that highlight the spirit of giving and togetherness.
Past Coverage and Related Reading
For archived coverage, past roundups, and additional holiday content, see our wiki archive page: christmas and seasonal events.
Atlanta Festivals
Events Calendar
2026 Holidays