Unique December Events and Activities in Atlanta

The holiday season is here, so it’s time to sip hot chocolate, deck the halls, and practice your favorite seasonal songs. Popular tourist destinations like the Atlanta Botanical Gardens and Zoo Atlanta are the usual spots for families looking for things to do in the city. However, if you’re looking for more unique December events and activities in metro Atlanta this year, Kerley Family Homes has you covered! Grab your puppy, tie your running shoes, and unpack your swimwear for a new holiday season of activities you’ll enjoy all month.

Visit Santa With Your Pets

Come to the Atlanta Christkindl Market at Buckhead Village with your furry friends to visit Santa Claus on Fridays throughout December on the 1st, 8th, and 15th from 5 -7 p.m.! A set of photos costs $25 per group, and each guest must bring their camera. The market also takes a photo with their Polaroid camera as a keepsake! All proceeds benefit the German American Cultural Foundation for The German School and Goethe Institute in Atlanta.

The Battery Atlanta will host themed Santa Paws nights on Thursdays from 4 – 8 p.m. so visitors can bring their pets for a FREE photo session with Old Saint Nick! This photoshoot is also a do-it-yourself appointment, so remember to bring your best camera to snap as many photos and videos as possible.

2023 Santa Paws Nights
• Thursday, Nov. 30
• Thursday, Dec. 7
• Thursday, Dec. 14

Go to a Candlelight Holiday Concert

Candlelight Concerts have grown in popularity in recent years and have become a staple in the Atlanta nightlife scene. For an elegant small concert experience, buy your ticket for the Candlelight: Holiday Special on Wednesday, December 13th and 20th, and Friday, December 22nd. The concert features the Listeso String Quartet playing classical orchestral hits like The Nutcracker, Op. 71 – Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky and The Four Seasons, Violin Concerto in G Minor, Op. 8 No. 4 RV 297: “Winter” – Vivaldi and beloved holiday classics like Joy to the World, The First Noël, and Deck the Halls.

See Hip Hop Nutcracker at The Fox Theater

For a different type of dance experience this holiday season, check out a new artistic performance from New York City – Hip Hop Nutcracker at The Fox Theater. This show combines the classical elements of traditional Tchaikovsky music with the unique stylings and choreography of modern hip hop culture, from break dancing, DJing, and pop-locking. Buy tickets to a contemporary masterpiece the entire family will enjoy.

Visit Free Holiday Markets

After you take a picture with Santa and your pet, be transported to an incredible traditional German holiday market! Hosted at The Buckhead Village District, the Atlanta Christkindl Market is open daily until December 24th! This market is a great place to take the family and friends coming to town to experience the holiday magic. Browse holiday gifts, German foods and beverages, and other cultural products from over fifty vendors.

Another incredible holiday event is open at The Buckhead Village! Après All Day at Buckhead Village is a seasonal street market with a ski lodge theme. Come out on Saturday, December 2nd, 9th, and 16th to shop local and international vendors, take a picture with “Stylish Santa” and the picturesque ski-lift backdrop, enjoy incredible music/dance performances, and much more! You can also look forward to special events like wreath-making for the Atlanta Fire & Rescue, the Atlanta Police Department, and the famous Buckhead Hot Chocolate Crawl.

Go to Holiday-Themed, Kid-Friendly Events

Santa might be the season’s traditional man in red, but the Grinch, with his laugh-out-loud antics and silly personality, is a fun delight for kids of all ages. Bring your little ones to Swim with the Grinch at Cherokee County Aquatic Center for a unique event they’ll remember. Participants can help decorate the “water Holiday Tree,” take pictures with the Grinch, and do some cool arts and crafts. Non-swimmers or those in lifejackets must have parents in the pool with them.

All Aboard for Holiday Fun at The Southern Museum is an excellent event for the train lover in your crew. Join the party platform for an all-day extravaganza of exciting activities, including antique toy displays, a reading of the Polar Express, a bell choir performance, and a visit from Santa Claus from 10 AM – 1 PM. Your children will love this combination of holiday fun and all things trains!

Run a 5K to End the Year Strong

To end the year on a healthy note, participate in a race to spread holiday cheer! The Santa Hustle® is a favorite among seasoned runners and beginners alike. Rise and run on Sunday, December 17th at 9 AM, at New Realm Brewery in Atlanta for a 5K, 10K, or Half Marathon. Participants will receive a full-zip white hoodie, fleece headband, and a finisher’s medal that jingles and spins!

Ready to bring the holly? The Atlanta Jingle Bell Jog is an annual race for runners who never take a day off, even on Christmas Eve! Come out in your most festive wear on Sunday, December 24th at 9 AM. If you forget your red hat, no worries; all participants receive a Santa suit and jingle bells for their running shoes! You’ll also receive a Santa-shaped finisher’s medal to commemorate the day.

Kerley Family Homes wishes you a fun and festive holiday season for you and your loved ones! For more information about available homes in metro Atlanta near these fantastic holiday events, contact an agent to learn more!