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Hanukkah Events, Virginia-Highland Winterfest, and More Things to Do in Atlanta This Weekend

Celebrate Chanukah at Halcyon with the lighting of the menorah. Photo courtesy of Halcyon
Celebrate Chanukah at Halcyon with the lighting of the menorah. Photo courtesy of Halcyon
12/6/23 - 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 weekend list! 

Get festive this weekend with Virginia-Highland Winterfest—a FREE festival, in one of our favorite Atlanta neighborhoods, featuring a parade, holiday shopping, and a fun kids' corner with cute activities. Hanukkah starts on Thursday, December 7, 2023 so be sure to check our calendar for holiday events around Atlanta, such as Chabad Intown's menorah lightings and an epic Hanukkah event in Dunwoody! For Hannukah fun at home, use our guide on How to Play Dreidel, including a "spin" on the classic game with spin art. 

Make this holiday season magical with our Atlanta Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide. The guide is a one-stop shop for things like FREE Holiday and Christmas Events in Atlanta, Best Places in Atlanta to Take Pictures with Santa, and our take on the Top Kids Ride-on Toys for 2023. 

More Things To Do in Atlanta This Week With Kids:

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Winterfest includes a Jingle Jog followed by the annual parade and huge holiday market. Photo courtesy of Virginia-Highland
Winterfest includes a Jingle Jog followed by the annual parade and huge holiday market. Photo courtesy of Virginia-Highland

Things To Do This Weekend in Atlanta With Kids

Annie at The Fox

Midtown - Through December 10
Audiences at The Fox Theatre are treated to the popular tale of Little Orphan Annie, complete with familiar music.  READ MORE

Holiday Lights at Brook Run Park

Dunwoody - Through December 31
Families love this free event at Brook Run Park. This year's Après Ski Party theme includes life-size snow globe and ski lift photo ops, musical Mega Tree, faux firepits and Adirondack chairs, a faux snow factory and mountain for children to play on, and a glow-in-the-dark seesaw.    READ MORE

Lawrenceville Lights

Lawrenceville - December 7-9 and 14-16
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 8 & 9
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

Ballethnic Dance Company presents Urban Nutcracker

Downtown - December 8-10
Ballethnic Dance Company presents Urban Nutcracker, a truly Atlanta-inspired version of the classic story, at the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel at Morehouse College.  READ MORE

Atlanta Dance Theatre's The Nutcracker

Roswell - December 8-10
Over the holidays, families look forward to a full-length Nutcracker performance at Roswell Cultural Arts Center. READ MORE

The Nutcracker presented by Gwinnett Ballet Theatre

Duluth - Opening weekend! Select days, December 8-17
Gwinnett Ballet's rendition of The Nutcracker is an Atlanta tradition. With over 100 professional and student dancers, audiences will get the full Nutcracker experience when this company takes the stage at Gas South District.  READ MORE

Atlanta Ballet's The Nutcracker

Northwest Atlanta - Opening weekend! Select days, December 8-26
Atlanta Ballet brings The Nutcracker to life at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Yuri Possokhov's production uses striking costumes, immersive video projections, and bold sets to provide a magical night of this holiday classic. READ MORE

Welcome Party for Hershey and Peanut at Crazy Goat Girls

Canton - Saturday, December 9
Animal lovers celebrate the newest additions to the Crazy Goat Girls Farm. Hershey and Peanut, are mini highland calves and everyone is invited to enjoy a fun day filled with animals and holiday cheer. READ MORE

Christmas on the Farm at Warbington Farms - Rescheduled

Cumming - New date: Saturday, December 16
Warbington Farms in Cumming hosts a fun Christmas on the Farm day with visits with Santa, hayrides, farm animals, access to their fun park and a candy cane hunt.  READ MORE

Snow Day at Alpharetta City Center

Alpharetta - Saturday, December 9
Alpharetta's Snow Day is back for the second year in a row. Families descend on the Town Green to experience a winter wonderland  with snow flurries plus family-friendly activities like crafts and a petting zoo, and holiday-themed treats.  READ MORE

Breakfast with the Grinch

Acworth - Saturday, December 9
Families enjoy breakfast while the Grinch visits each table for photo opportunities and to share Christmas wishes. After breakfast, the Grinch will join us guests to create Grinch-themed ornaments and crafts. READ MORE

Holiday Juggling Show

Lawrenceville - Saturday, December 9
Audiences delight in seeing juggler Ron Anglin use the toys he received growing up during the holidays to entertain people with a hilarious show. Families will appreciate that the show is less than an hour and affordable at $7 per ticket.  READ MORE

Decatur Bicentennial Celebration

Decatur - December 9 & 10
Decatur’s doing it up BIG for the monumental 200th birthday! Saturday we’re getting the excitement pumping with an early morning fun run. Then, in the afternoon, we’ll have a vibrant community parade and giant birthday party on the Square. We're pulling out all the stops — live music, delicious food, games, face painting, stilt walkers, and, wait for it, 200 cupcakes! READ MORE

Chabad Intown's Menorah Lightings

Decatur - Sunday, December 10
Celebrate Hanukkah with Menorah lightings around the city, including four in December: Decatur on Sunday, December 10, Virginia-Highland on Tuesday, December 12, Atlantic Station on Wednesday December 13, and Ponce City Market on Thursday, December 14.  READ MORE

Chanukah at Halcyon

Alpharetta - Sunday, December 10
Celebrate Chanukah at Halcyon with the lighting of the Menorah, gelt (chocolate coins), latkes, games, giveaways and music on the Village Green.    READ MORE

Dunwoody Chanukah Festival

Dunwoody - Sunday, December 10
Join for a fun-filled and exciting Chanukah experience. Program includes a grand gelt drop with the Dunwoody Fire Department, face painting, live fire show, songs with Rabbi G, photo booths, falafel stand, and more! READ MORE

Menorah Lighting at Avalon

Alpharetta - Sunday, December 10
Avalon and Chabad of North Fulton are teaming up for a celebration on the fourth night of Hanukkah, Sunday, December 10.  READ MORE
Enjoy the sparkle of the season at the Glow Light Show Festival in Lawrenceville. Photo courtesy of the event
Enjoy the sparkle of the season at the Glow Light Show Festival in Lawrenceville. Photo courtesy of the event

More Fun Things Do in Atlanta with Kids

Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in Atlanta

Visit Christmas light shows and holiday light drive-thrus for family fun! READ MORE

Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in Atlanta

Visit Christmas light shows and holiday light drive-thrus for family fun! READ MORE

Hanging at Halcyon: An Insider's Visit to Halcyon Alpharetta

Halcyon is a fun, outdoor space perfect for the whole family! READ MORE

50 Fun Elf on the Shelf Ideas for 2023: Easy To Set Up Tricks for Mischievous Elves

Simple but hilarious Elf on the Shelf shenanigans that will delight your kids. READ MORE

Places featured in this article: