Things To Do in Atlanta This Weekend

By Discover Atlanta Editorial Team

Published November 25, 2024
Last Updated December 16, 2024

Here’s what’s going on in Atlanta this weekend, Dec. 20, 21 and 22.

Around Town

High Museum of Art Jazzes it Up

The third Friday of the month means it is time for Friday Jazz at the High Museum of Art. You may enjoy a drink and light bites then head to the galleries to explore the exhibits. You may also join a docent-led tour for a detailed look at the art. The event will feature two musical areas where musicians will play throughout the evening, layering notes and improvising melodies.

WildWoods: Aglow Invites Visitors to a Nighttime Experience

Fernbank Museum of Natural History once again brings WildWoods: Aglow to Atlanta. It is on exhibit through Feb. 23, 2025. The multi-sensory experience immerses visitors in the wonders of nature through a blend of the real environment and glowing displays curated to highlight the native flora and fauna within WildWoods. WildWoods: AGLOW uses glowing scenes and original music compositions to immerse guests into a nighttime wonderland of biodiversity. Highlights include an interactive tulip poplar pod, projections of nocturnal wildlife, glowing native plant species, larger-than-life incandescent mushrooms and more. New this year, guests will discover large dandelions, fluttering dragonflies, swarming bat displays and glowing garden towers.

Learn about Armored Animals Exhibit at Fernbank Museum of Natural History

The Armored Animals exhibit at Fernbank Museum of Natural History tells a story of protection and defense through artifacts, spiny displays and casts from animals such as fish and dinosaurs. Other highlights include giant insect sculptures, a 30-foot skeletal replica of the giant crocodilian, Deinosuchus, and more. Displays range from the skeletons of rare early armored dinosaurs and ancient armored fish to giant sea scorpions. The exhibit underscores how humans have emulated the animal world in their armor construction. Early warriors and hunters sought to capture the awe-inspiring power of animals for their own use. From simple defensive plates and helmets to mimicking the beauty of animals’ armor, there is a distinct connection between natural evolution and human adaptations of animals’ defensive techniques. The exhibit is on display through Jan. 5, 2025.  

High Museum of Art Exhibits Georgia O’Keeffe

The Georgia O’Keeffe exhibit, “My New Yorks,” is on display at the High Museum of Art. Famed for her images of flowers and Southwestern landscapes, Georgia O’Keeffe spent several years exploring the built environment of New York City. She moved to the Shelton Hotel in 1924 for a five-year period of experimentation. She created street-level compositions capturing the city’s monumental skyscrapers from below and suspended views looking down from her 30th-floor apartment. She called these works her “New Yorks.” The High is the exclusive venue in the Southeastern United States for this exhibition, open until Feb. 16, 2025.

The exhibit, “Giants from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys” is open at the High Museum of Art through Jan. 19, 2025. Musicians, songwriters and producers Swizz Beatz (Kasseem Dean) and Alicia Keys have lived their ethos of “artists supporting artists,” acquiring a world-class collection of paintings, photographs and sculptures by diverse, multigenerational artists. The exhibition illuminates the renown and impact of legendary and canon-expanding artists.

Museum of Design Atlanta Explores Typography

The exhibit, “Characters: Type in Action,” is open at MODA (the Museum of Design Atlanta) through Jan. 20, 2025. The exhibit delves into the impact of typography on social justice, examining its history and its role in today’s movements. This exhibition showcases typefaces created by Tré Seals, a Black designer from Washington, D.C., and founder of Vocal Type, whose work captures the spirit of social justice movements. Typefaces remind us that a just and equitable world embraces diverse voices in our daily lives. Through the stories of historical figures, the exhibit reveals how typography can be wielded as a tool for both oppression and liberation.

Fernbank Exhibit Focuses on ‘Golden Opportunities’

The exhibit, “Golden Opportunity: Botanical Illustration,” is open at Fernbank Museum of Natural History through Jan. 1, 2025. The exhibit showcases the art and science found in yellow plants. See pieces of art created by members of Denver Botanic Gardens’ School of Botanical Art & Illustration, as well as display cases highlighting dried plant materials used in creating yellow dye.

Holiday Happenings

Atlanta Ballet Performs ‘The Nutcracker’

The Atlanta Ballet performs “The Nutcracker” at 2 p.m. Saturday at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.

Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus Presents 44th Annual Holiday Concert

The Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus will perform its 44th annual Holiday Concert Friday and Saturday at the Cathedral of St. Philip. The performance will include holiday classics, a live jazz combo and signature camp.

Buckhead Plans another Miracle on Peachtree

Miracle on Peachtree is back for the fifth year with family-friendly events and activities. Learn more.

Pemberton Place Holiday Express

Through Dec. 29, the Pemberton Place Holiday Express invites you to wander the park around Pemberton Place, which will be decorated for the holidays. Catch a ride on the Coca-Cola Holiday Express train, which will whisk you from the North Pole to the South Pole and back.

‘Madeline’s Christmas’ Returns to Horizon Theatre

“Madeline’s Christmas” returns to Horizon Theatre for its 14th season through Dec. 31. The musical adaptation of Ludwig Bemelmans’ children’s book is produced by Horizon Theatre in collaboration with Atlanta Children’s Theatre. Featuring 24 talented local girls (8-13 years old) from all over metro Atlanta performing alongside professional actors on a beautiful set, this production promises to delight both children and adults.

Celebration at the Station Decks the Halls at Atlantic Station

Atlantic Station’s Celebration at the Station runs through Dec. 25. Skate the Station at the ice-skating rink while listening to holiday classics. Take in the sights and sounds of the neighborhood, reimagined into a magical holiday wonderland.

Winter Wonderland Returns to Fernbank Museum of Natural History

“Winter Wonderland: Celebrations & Traditions Around the World” is open at Fernbank Museum of Natural History through Jan. 12, 2025. Enjoy the holidays and other celebrations through two floors of decorated trees and display cases that highlight cultural objects, events and traditions from around the world. “Winter Wonderland” tells stories about the more than 25 countries represented from across the globe. Some of this year’s cultural partners represent countries such as Argentina, Canada, Germany, Ghana, Norway, Japan, India, Mexico, Peru, Turkey, the Philippines, Switzerland and more.

Christkindl Market: Ready for the Holidays

Experience the magic of the holiday season at Atlanta Christkindl Market, a fusion of traditional German festivities and the spirit of Atlanta. From culinary delights to handcrafted treasures, the market combines old-world charm with the modern energy of the city. Located in Buckhead Village, it is open through Christmas Eve.

Alliance Theatre’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ Returns

The Alliance Theatre’s annual production of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” runs through Dec. 24. Audiences will be transported to the streets of London for the timeless redemption story of Ebenezer Scrooge, told with live music and an all-star cast.

Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse Presents ‘A Christmas Carol’

See Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” at Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse through Dec. 23. A handful of Tavern performers invites you into the wondrous art of storytelling, transporting you to Scrooge’s London counting house that fateful Christmas when Ebenezer meets three ghosts and a certain little boy named Tiny Tim.  

See ‘A Christmas Story’ at Theatrical Outfit

“A Christmas Story” is on stage at Theatrical Outfit through Dec. 24. Nine-year-old Ralphie Parker takes audiences on a hysterical, hijinks-filled avalanche of adventure filled with all the trappings of a perfect family holiday – an exploding furnace, a perfect pair of pink bunny pajamas and a wild rash of theatrical fantasies not for the “fra-gee-lay” of heart.

Stone Mountain Christmas Brings Holiday Cheer

The annual holiday extravaganza Stone Mountain Christmas at Stone Mountain Park continues through Jan. 5, 2025. Traditions include visits with Santa, the magical Christmas Parade, the tree lighting ceremony with Aurora, the drone & light show, screenings of the film “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” in 4-D, sing-a-long train rides and plenty more.

Take a flight to the North Pole, a journey that whisks you away to the heart of Santa’s world. See the drone and light show where 250 drones light up the sky and create holiday-themed aerial formations and displays. Join Aurora, Princess of Light, as she lights the way for Santa’s sleigh. Santa Claus will make a grand entrance with a fly-over, marking his arrival at Stone Mountain Park. Get into the festive spirit with the Christmas Parade featuring floats, holiday characters and music. Take in live shows and enjoy special meet-and-greet opportunities with some favorite North Pole friends including Santa, Santa’s reindeer and more.  Hear the true meaning of Christmas aboard the sing-a-long Christmas train, and sing along to your favorite classic Christmas tunes with the Crossroads Carolers.

Experience Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at Atlanta Botanical Garden

Atlanta Botanical Garden’s annual lighting extravaganza, Garden Lights, Holiday Nights continues through Jan. 12, 2025.

Back for its 14th year, Garden Lights, Holiday Nights shines bright with an upgrade to its curtain of synchronized light and sound, Nature’s Wonders. Expect new music and choreography with more vertical lights than ever. There will be several giant plant sculptures from the “Alice’s Wonderland Returns” exhibit, dramatically lit and including the Skyline Garden’s White Rabbit and nearby Chess Set as well as the Cheshire Cat.

‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ Flies into Center for Puppetry Arts

The Center for Puppetry Arts presents its annual production of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” through Dec. 29. This celebrated holiday classic follows Rudolph and Hermey the Elf, two misfits on the run. The unlikely friends set off on a merry and heartwarming adventure of acceptance and self-discovery, even with Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster on their trail. 

IllumiNights Brightens Zoo Atlanta

Zoo Atlanta’s annual IllumiNights showcases vistas of brilliantly illuminated wildlife and captivating sights that celebrate the wonders of nature. This year, the zoo introduces new lanterns and experiences, transforming Zoo Atlanta into a nighttime wonderland. IllumiNights continues through Jan. 19, 2025.

Swim Over to Holidays at Georgia Aquarium

During Holidays at Georgia Aquarium you’ll find a completely transformed atrium with festive music, winter-inspired projections and a 40-foot live tree. There will be photos with Santa, daily lighting of the tree and holiday-themed dolphin presentations. All the swimmers at the aquarium cannot wait to sea you. Festivities continue through Jan. 2, 2025

Shopping

Stop at Atlantic Station for Creator’s Market

Atlantic Station hosts Creator’s Market from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. Saturdays and noon until 7 p.m. Sundays, every weekend through December. The market offers a shopping experience featuring more than a dozen vendors of hand-crafted products ranging from jewelry and home décor to soaps and candles. There also are tasty treats, artists and fun.

Family

Sockefeller Plaza Open at Children’s Museum of Atlanta

Sockefeller Plaza is open at the Children’s Museum of Atlanta through Jan. 2, 2025. Let the little ones slip, slide and sock-skate. Jane’s Innovation Station transforms into a mini-skating rink made of soft, snowy white tiles, surrounded by a friendly fence to keep the fun on the rink. Kids can kick off their shoes and glide around in socks, showing off smooth moves and silly spins. Daring dashers and tiptoeing twirlers alike will find Sockefeller Plaza the place to sock-skate and commemorate the season in style.

Enjoy Holiday Bricktacular at LEGO Discovery Center

LEGO Discovery invites kids and their families to the Holiday Bricktacular running through Dec. 31. At the holiday-themed Discovery Center, kids can give back to the community, build a take-home LEGO holiday creation and meet the LEGO Gingerbread Man.

Children’s Museum of Atlanta Welcomes Families to ‘Wallace & Gromit: Get Cracking’

Children’s Museum of Atlanta’s featured exhibit, “Wallace & Gromit: Get Cracking,” is open. Inspired by the film and television characters, this interactive exhibit invites visitors to engage in creative, hands-on activities that promote problem-solving and resilience. Created in collaboration with Aardman and the Minnesota Children’s Museum, the exhibit will educate and entertain kids through Jan. 12, 2025. Designed for children ages 3 through 9, the exhibit invites little inventors into Wallace’s world, where inventions and contraptions often go terribly — but hilariously — wrong.

Sports

Atlanta Hawks at Home on Saturday

The Atlanta Hawks play the Memphis Grizzlies at State Farm Arena at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. The Hawks are ranked seventh in the Eastern Conference; the Grizzlies are ranked second in the Western Conference.

College Games

The Georgia Tech men’s Yellow Jackets basketball team plays the Duke Blue Devils at 8 p.m. Saturday at McCamish Pavilion. The Georgia Tech women’s Yellow Jackets basketball team plays the Nebraska Cornhuskers at noon Saturday at McCamish Pavilion.

This article updates weekly with brand new things to do in Atlanta for the weekend. Feel free to bookmark it for next weekend. For more weekend events, check our calendar.