Thanksgiving weekend activities for families around Atlanta (2026)
Checked · Covers Nov 25 – Nov 29 · All times are local Eastern Time
We list 4 family events around Atlanta for Nov 25 – Nov 29. Each listing links to the organizer's own page.
Thanksgiving week events
Garden Lights, Holiday Nights
- When
- Wed, Nov 25 – Sun, Nov 29 (Nightly Nov 14–Jan 10) · Nightly until midnight (last entry 11pm); timed tickets
- Cost
- Separate timed ticket (see site); Night Light tickets after 9:30pm from $19.95 for adults; children 2 and under free; parking $20
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
The Garden’s holiday light show, now in its 16th year: the Imaginary Worlds mosaiculture dragon returns to the Skyline Garden, plus Nature’s Wonders, a giant curtain of light and sound. Tickets must be bought before the day of your visit.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (puppet show)
- When
- Wed, Nov 25 – Sun, Nov 29 (38 performance dates Nov 11–Dec 27) · Showtimes vary by date (see site); 60 minutes
- Cost
- Tickets from $22
- Ages
- Ages 4+ · Indoor
The Center for Puppetry Arts’ holiday run of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, a one-hour puppet show recommended for ages 4 and up.
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Invesco QQQ Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon, 5K, Mile & Dash
- When
- Thu, Nov 26 · Half marathon 7:45am, 5K 8:15am, Mile 8:25am, Dashes from 8:25am
- Cost
- 5K $50 through Nov 20 ($55 at number pickup); half marathon $140 through Nov 16; Mile and Dash prices on the registration page
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Atlanta Track Club’s Thanksgiving morning race outside Center Parc Stadium, with a Mile for ages 6 and up and Dashes for ages 3 and under (8:25am) and ages 4–6 (9:15am); Mile and Dash runners get a medal and beanie. It sells out, and there is no race-day registration (Mile and Dash numbers can be picked up race morning).
✓ Checked Oct 26, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Stone Mountain Christmas
- When
- Sat, Nov 28 – Sun, Nov 29 (Weekends Nov 7 – Jan 3, plus school holidays (see the park calendar)) · Christmas Parade 6pm; Tree Lighting with Santa's Big Flight 6:30pm; Drone & Light Show 8:20pm
- Cost
- Online tickets $36.99 child, $39.99 adult (ages 3+); parking extra; Flight to the North Pole sold separately
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Over two million lights, a nightly Christmas Parade, the Enchanted Tree Lighting with Santa flying overhead, and a drone and light show with fireworks. Kids can visit Santa at his North Pole office (through Dec 24), ride the Scenic Railroad and see the Christmas Dino Glow.
✓ Checked Oct 28, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Frequently asked questions
What can families do around Atlanta over Thanksgiving weekend?
We list 4 family events for Nov 25 – Nov 29, including Garden Lights, Holiday Nights (Atlanta, Nov 25 – Nov 29), Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (puppet show, Atlanta, Nov 25 – Nov 29) and Invesco QQQ Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon, 5K, Mile & Dash (Atlanta, Thu, Nov 26). See all 4 above.
Which Thanksgiving weekend events near Atlanta need tickets or registration?
2 events on our list say on the official page that they need advance tickets, timed entry or registration: Garden Lights, Holiday Nights (Atlanta) and Invesco QQQ Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon, 5K, Mile & Dash (Atlanta). Book through each official page.
Which Atlanta-area cities have Thanksgiving weekend events?
We list Thanksgiving weekend events in 2 cities, including Atlanta (3) and Stone Mountain (1).
Our weekend search covers Phoenix Metro & Arizona for now, and more areas are coming soon. This guide is hand-checked the same way.
How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website and shows the date we checked it. An event is called free only when its official page says so. Read how we verify listings.
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