Christmas parades 2026Atlanta · City in a Forest

Christmas parades and tree lightings in Atlanta, 2026.

We found 11 Christmas parades and tree lightings in and around Atlanta with 2026 dates: five parades and six tree lightings and lighting nights, all free to watch. Each one has the date, start time, price and a link to the organizer’s page.

The quick answersChecked
When’s the Christmas parade?Piedmont Park Lantern Parade & Lighting Celebration: Nov 22 · Lantern workshop 3:30pm. Plus 4 more.5 paradesWhen’s the tree lighting?Holiday Lights at Ellipse Park: Nov 5 · 4–6pm. Plus 5 more.6 lightingsIs it free?Every one listed here is free to watch.11 freeDaytime or after dark?2 daytime, 9 in the evening. Each card is marked.9 evening

Last checked · 11 events · Every listing links to its official page. How we choose

By date

Every parade and tree lighting, soonest first

Filter to what fits your evening, then tap one for its time, price and kid notes.

5NovThuHoliday Lights at Ellipse ParkTree lighting · 4–6pm21NovSatSeason of Celebration Tree LightingTree lighting · 5–8pm21NovSatGwinnett GlowsTree lighting · 5–8pm22NovSunThe Lighting of AvalonTree lighting · 2–7:30pm22NovSunPiedmont Park Lantern Parade & Lighting CelebrationParade · Lantern workshop 3:30pm28NovSatSnellville Christmas Tree Lighting and Lighted Christmas ParadeParade · 5-8pm3DecThuUgly Sweater Parade & Christmas Tree LightingParade · 4–8pm4DecFriRoswell Christmas Tree LightingTree lighting · 6–8pm4DecFriHolly Jolly Block Party and Tree LightingTree lighting · 6-8pm5DecSatIlluminate Holly Days ParadeParade · Steps off 6pm12DecSatAlpharetta Winter ParadeParade · 5:30–7pm

Christmas parades

Christmas parades in and around Atlanta

Start time, price and what to know with little kids, from each organizer’s own page.

Know one we missed?Send us the organizer’s page and we’ll check the date and add it.Suggest a parade

Tree lightings

Tree lightings and lighting nights near Atlanta

Most lightings are short and happen at dusk, often with Santa, music or cocoa.

Nov21Sat

Gwinnett Glows

Gas South District, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway · Duluth

Tree lightingFreeEvening
Time
5–8pm; lantern workshop 4–5:30pm
Price
Free; lantern workshop is $25 per lantern
Official page ↗Checked Report a problem

Before you go

Three things that make parade night easier

SpotGet there earlyA curb spot near the start means little ones see everything and you can leave before the end.
WarmDress for standing stillWatching is colder than walking. Bring a blanket for the stroller and an extra layer.
TimingCheck the start timeLighted parades start after dark. Daytime parades are easier for nap schedules.

Every year

Parades and tree lightings that come back every year

Each of these comes back every year. Its page keeps the last confirmed dates, and the new ones go up there once they’re posted. Every year in Atlanta

Piedmont Park Lantern Parade & Lighting CelebrationNext: Nov 22, 2026Marietta Square Christmas Tree Lighting & SantaNext: Dec 3, 2026

Keep planning

More for little kids in Atlanta

November: things to do in AtlantaEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in AtlantaEvery dated listing for the month, by weekFree things to do in AtlantaFree days, free events and places that never chargeFree museum days in AtlantaFree days, Museums on Us and EBT discounts, with who gets inIndoor play in AtlantaIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with pricesLibrary storytimes in AtlantaBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branchIce skating in AtlantaHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and pricesThanksgiving weekend in AtlantaParades, turkey trots and what’s open on ThursdayNoon Year’s Eve in AtlantaKid-friendly countdowns, home by napChristmas trains in AtlantaPolar Express, Santa and lights trains with datesThe Nutcracker in AtlantaBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flaggedChristmas markets in AtlantaChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hoursChristmas break in AtlantaWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1This week in AtlantaDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday

Good questions

Christmas parades in Atlanta: the FAQ

Piedmont Park Lantern Parade & Lighting Celebration: Sun, Nov 22, 2026, Lantern workshop 3:30pm; parade 5pm (Midtown). Snellville Christmas Tree Lighting and Lighted Christmas Parade: Sat, Nov 28, 2026, 5-8pm; tree lighting at 7pm (Snellville). Ugly Sweater Parade & Christmas Tree Lighting: Thu, Dec 3, 2026, 4–8pm; Santa's parade around 5pm (Marietta). Illuminate Holly Days Parade: Sat, Dec 5, 2026, Steps off 6pm (Kennesaw). Plus one more on this page.

Holiday Lights at Ellipse Park at The Ellipse Park at Atlantic Station: Thu, Nov 5, 2026, 4–6pm. Season of Celebration Tree Lighting at Downtown Alpharetta, in front of City Hall: Sat, Nov 21, 2026, 5–8pm. Gwinnett Glows at Gas South District, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway: Sat, Nov 21, 2026, 5–8pm; lantern workshop 4–5:30pm. The Lighting of Avalon at Avalon: Sun, Nov 22, 2026, 2–7:30pm; tree lit at 7pm.

All of the ones we list are free to watch: Holiday Lights at Ellipse Park, Season of Celebration Tree Lighting, Gwinnett Glows and The Lighting of Avalon. Some charge for extras like Santa photos or rides, and each card says so.

Daytime ones are easiest with toddlers: The Lighting of Avalon and Piedmont Park Lantern Parade & Lighting Celebration. Evening ones start after dark and are colder, so bring layers and a blanket for the stroller. Get there early for a curb spot near the start so little ones can see.

Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 30, 2026, and we recheck them every week through early December. How we choose and check.

Holiday plans every Thursday.

One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Atlanta that weekend, parades included.

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