A Thanksgiving Week Guide to Celebrating the Holidays in Atlanta
We’ve got a week’s worth of activities to keep visiting relatives entertained, restless kids busy, and the whole family in the holiday spirit! From festive seasonal celebrations to classic city traditions, there are plenty of ways to make the most of Thanksgiving week. Start your holiday adventures at Georgia Aquarium with WinterTide, our all-new seasonal celebration, then explore nearby attractions or lace up for the Turkey Trot. Whether you’re entertaining out-of-town guests or looking for fun ways to spend the school break, there’s no shortage of holiday magic in the heart of the city!
New This Year!
Make Holiday Memories at WinterTide
Make Georgia Aquarium part of your holiday traditions with WinterTide, our all-new seasonal celebration running November 13, 2026, through January 3, 2027! Step into a shimmering winter waterland filled with dazzling lights, festive food and beverages, cheerful music, and special holiday-themed animal presentations.
Explore the all-new Santa’s North Pole Village, join the daily holiday tree lighting, catch live seasonal performances, and discover festive surprises throughout the Aquarium. There’s even a chance to see Scuba Claus dive among whale sharks and manta rays in Ocean Voyager. Look out for QR codes onsite to reserve your time to explore Santa’s North Pole Village!
Santa's North Pole Village Begins November 21!
- Step into a festive experience filled with playful activities, giant games, sweet treats, and holiday fun for all ages. Enjoy seasonal treats from Mrs. Claus and browse exclusive holiday gifts, all included with your general admission. For an additional fee, visit Santa’s Photo Emporium to meet Santa and capture a festive photo. Photo schedule coming soon.
Our winter adults-only experience, WinterTide After Hours, is the perfect addition to your holiday traditions! Enjoy signature-themed cocktails and mocktails, celebrate with atmospheric performances, and explore décor throughout our exhibits. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the season with just the right amount of cheer!
With so much to experience, this holiday experience brings a whole new way to celebrate the season surrounded by family, friends, and thousands of your favorite aquatic animals. Best of all, WinterTide is included with general admission!
Step into a world of wonder this holiday season in the heart of downtown Atlanta! Whether you’re exploring with family, hosting out-of-town guests, or simply looking for something new to do in Atlanta over Thanksgiving break, WinterTide is the perfect way to kick off the holiday season. Plan your visit early and reserve your animal presentation seats in advance to make the most of your day.
Atlanta is packed with must-see attractions. From iconic museums and family-friendly theaters to seasonal events and hidden gems, there’s no shortage of ways to make the most of your holiday week.
Step into a magical holiday tradition with Alliance Theatre’s annual production of A Christmas Carol, filled with festive spirit, dazzling performances, and the timeless tale of redemption.
You don’t want to miss Garden Lights, Holiday Nights presented by Invesco at Atlanta Botanical Gardens. This year shines brighter than ever with expanded displays along Flower Walk the return of the beloved Imaginary Worlds mosaiculture dragon to the Skyline Garden and new choreography for Nature’s Wonders – the world’s largest curtain of light and sound.
Get ready to rethink everything you know about puppets and puppeteers. Festive Features 2026 transforms the Center for Puppertry Arts into a seasonal showcase of nostalgia. Experience a holiday-themed scavenger hunt-style exhibition throughout all three galleries, as beloved characters from Emmet Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964), Lamb Chop’s Special Chanukah, and more holiday favorites from stage and screen pop-up across the Museum.
Explore fall foliage at metro Atlanta’s nature destination. Enjoy trails, exhibits, programs, and events on 127 acres of forest, wetland, and river habitat. During your visit, grab an activity booklet and Discover How Nature Uses Color in a hands-on exhibit that explores the many ways color works in the natural world. Through interactive activities and creative challenges, explore the science behind what we see and how plants and animals use color.
At the Children’s Museum of Atlanta, experience the first-ever children’s museum exhibit based on Disney Junior’s award-winning series, Doc McStuffins! Through imaginative play and hands-on activities, children learn important life-lessons about health and wellness. Be sure to check out their calendar of events to see all the activities, story-times, and family events.
Whether you’re flying solo or bringing your team, the Hall is the ultimate destination to get in the game day spirit. And now, with cutting-edge AI technology, the Hall of Fame gets you in the game like never before! From legendary plays to interactive exhibits, you can truly get in the game.
This year, join Fernbank Museum during their extended holiday hours! Doors will remain open from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. on Nov. 27 and Nov. 28, 2026. Enjoy the lights of Winter Wonderland at night, witness the seasonal glow-up of Giganotosaurus and Argentinosaurus, experience stress-free holiday shopping in the Museum Store, and make memories throughout the full museum. Included with General Admission and free for members.
Explore the history of the world’s best-known beverage brand at the World of Coca-Cola. Then, continue your adventure at Pemberton Place Park, located in the heart of downtown Atlanta, next to the World of Coca-Cola. From sparkling holiday decorations to seasonal events perfect for visitors of all ages.
Experience the magic of Atlanta holiday lights – IllumiNights at the Zoo! This holiday season, Atlanta’s beloved festive event returns bigger and brighter than ever, transforming the Zoo into a dazzling nighttime wonderland. Experience hundreds of brilliantly illuminated wildlife lanterns and captivating displays that celebrate the beauty and magic of nature after dark. Pro Tip: While the illuminated lantern wildlife steals the show after dark, don’t miss the real animals during daytime visits for a unique, all-day adventure.
Lace up before your Thanksgiving feast with Atlanta’s favorite holiday runs! It’s a fun tradition for serious runners, casual walkers, and families alike to get moving before the big feast.
Downtown Atlanta hosts the Invesco QQQ Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon, 5K, and One Mile Dash, winding past the city’s iconic landmarks—spots are selling out fast, so register soon! In Alpharetta, the Thanksgiving Day Gobble Wobble 5K, 10K, and Fun Run offers a festive, family-friendly way to kick off the holiday season. And these are just a few highlights! There are plenty of other local Turkey Trots happening around Atlanta, so grab your sneakers and make this Thanksgiving an active, fun, and memorable experience.
Give Back This Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on our blessings, and one of the most meaningful ways to celebrate is by giving back to your community. Volunteering during this season not only helps those in need but also brings a sense of connection and gratitude that lasts far beyond the holiday. Whether it’s helping feed families, caring for animals, or supporting local initiatives, there are countless ways to make a difference in Atlanta during Thanksgiving week.
Across Atlanta, organizations are welcoming volunteers to help meet the increased demand during the holidays. The Atlanta Community Food Bank offers opportunities to distribute meals to families facing food insecurity. Animal lovers can lend their time at the Atlanta Humane Society or Furkids Animal Rescue, assisting with pet care, adoption events, or enrichment activities for animals in shelters. Those interested in broader community support can help neighbors in need through Hosea Helps or get involved with a variety of local projects through Hands On Atlanta.
You can make an ocean of good while checking everyone off your holiday gift list! Shop our Holiday Gift Guide, where every purchase gives back to Georgia Aquarium, supporting the care of our animals, groundbreaking research, and vital conservation efforts. With thoughtful gifts for everyone on your list and options for every budget, you can make a meaningful impact and wrap up your holiday shopping before Thanksgiving!
No matter your skill set or schedule, there are opportunities for everyone to give back during Thanksgiving week. From preparing meals to caring for animals, every effort helps brighten the holiday season for our community.
Plan Your Week
Atlanta truly comes alive during Thanksgiving week. With festive fun around every corner and plenty of ways to give back, there’s no shortage of smiles, laughter, and memories waiting to be made. So gather your loved ones, plan your itinerary, and get ready to experience the magic of the holidays in Atlanta!
Ticket information and event details are subject to change. Please check official websites for the most current information.
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