Ultimate Winter Guide: Family Events & Entertainment

family entertainment

Special thanks to  2ULaundry for sponsoring this year’s Ultimate Winter Guide! Time seems to speed up during the Holidays and there is never enough hours in the day to get everything done. Most people don’t realize how time-consuming laundry actually is. On average, a family of four or more spends over 36 hours a month sorting, washing, and folding laundry! So, while laundry is our specialty, our true mission is to deliver time – providing a convenient, high-quality alternative, so people have more time for the things that matter most- like taking part in one of these amazing events this holiday season!

There are so many fantastic options for holiday entertainment in and around Atlanta! Choose one (or several) from this list and start a new family tradition!

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at Center for Puppetry Arts

Location: ITP, Midtown

Dates: 11/7-12/31

Cost: $11.25 (weekday performances), $19.50 (weekend performances)

Description: Enjoy a great classic in a new format! The Center for Puppetry Arts brings this claymation classic to life with beautiful puppets. Be sure to participate in the Create a Puppet workshop! It’s included in the ticket price. 

Screening of Emmett Otter’s Jugband Christmas at Center for Puppetry Arts

Location: ITP, Midtown

Dates: 11/11 and 12/9

Cost: $12.50

Description: Introduce your children to this holiday classic on the big screen at the Center for Puppetry Arts. Be sure to check out the World of Puppets Museum before the show. Beer and wine available.

CHOA’s Christmas Parade

Location: ITP, Midtown

Date: 12/2

Cost: Free along the parade route, $20 for reserved bleacher seats

Description: If you are a parent, you are familiar with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta! This annual holiday tradition benefitting CHOA is the largest holiday parade in the southeast. Balloons, bands, and of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus! Options for special breakfast packages are also available. If you can’t make it to the parade route, you can always watch on Channel 2.

Urban Nutcracker by Ballethnic

Location: ITP, Downtown

Dates: 12/9 & 12/10

Cost: $40/adults, $30/children

Description: Experience Ballethnic’s Urban take on the Christmas classic! This year, Ballethnic will also offer another show, Nutcracker Act II, on 12/16 and 12/17 with tickets costing only $15/kids & $20/adults.

Macy’s Pink Pig

Location: ITP, Lenox Mall

Dates: 11/2-12/21

Cost: $3/ride

Description: If you aren’t from Atlanta, this one may be new to you. The Pink Pig ride (a train that looks like a pig) has been a holiday tradition for over 50 years. Proceeds from the ride benefit Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. A perfect experience for your little ones (and big ones who enjoy nostalgia)!

Ice Skating on the Rooftop at Ponce City Market

Location: ITP, Old Fourth Ward

Dates: 11/20-2/14

Cost: $15 for 50 minutes of skating

Description: Skate while taking in the views from 10 stories above Ponce de Leon Ave. Food and beverage will be available and there are lots of other activities on the rooftop! (Admission to the rest of the rooftop is $10/adults & $7/children)

A Christmas Carol at The Alliance Theatre

Location: ITP, Midtown

Dates: 12/8-12/24

Cost: Tickets range from $14-$60

Description: This timeless tale is brought to life each year by The Alliance Theatre. It’s a beautiful classic. The play is presented in its entirety, so this one is probably most appropriate for older kids. (Or a date night!)

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Family Holiday

Location: ITP, Midtown

Date: 12/3

Cost: tickets range from $16-$21

Description: Introduce your kids to the symphony! The ASO will play the musical accompaniment to the movie The Snowman as the movie is played! What a beautiful way to usher in the season.

Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker

Location: ITP, Midtown

Dates: 12/8-12/28

Cost: Tickets range from $16-$125

Description: Performed at the historic Fox Theatre with a live orchestra, this is a special experience. It even snows during Waltz of the Snowflakes! 

Madeline’s Christmas at Horizon Theatre

Location: ITP, Little 5 Points

Dates: 12/2-12/31

Cost: $12/youth, $15/adults

Description: A fun introduction to the theatre for kids! The classic book, Madeline’s Christmas, comes to the stage. The play is only an hour long and is put on in conjunction with Atlanta Children’s Theatre.

A Christmas Carol at Shakespeare’s Tavern

Location: ITP, Midtown

Dates: 12/1-12/23

Cost: $15/students, $20/adults

Description: A traditional Christmas tale in an intimate setting. Shakespeare’s Tavern is a fantastic venue for theatre-going! *Special Sensory Friendly Performance available on 12/2!

Magic Monday: Joy to the World at Atlanta History Center

Location: ITP, West Paces Ferry

Date: 12/11

Cost: $6.50/adults, $5.50/children

Description: The program, designed specifically for toddlers and preschoolers, includes storytime, a sing-along, and crafts. 

The Snow Queen at Serenbe Playhouse

Location: OTP, Chattahoochee Hills

Dates: 11/30-12/30

Cost: Tickets are $15-$20

Description: See Serenbe Playhouse’s interpretation of the fairy tale that inspired Disney’s Frozen. Special ASL interpreted performance on 12/16!

Black Nativity: A Gospel Holiday Celebration

Location: OTP, Midwest Cascade

Dates: 11/29-12/17

Cost: Tickets are $25-$50

Description: Based on Black Nativity by poet Langston Hughes, this is a song and dance filled retelling of the story of the first Christmas. 

Roswell Winter Puppet Series

Location: OTP, Roswell

Dates: 12/14-16 (North Pole Falalalala Follies) 12/21-23 (‘Twas the Night Before Christmas)

Cost: $5

Description: A super-fun and super-affordable holiday show! 

Enchanted Woodland Wonders at Chattahoochee Nature Center

Location: OTP, Roswell

Date: 12/10

Cost: $10/adults, $7/children 3-12

Description: CNC’s most popular Family Day all year! Live reindeer early in the day, campfires, games, crafts, and food trucks.