Thanksgiving weekend in Atlanta, with little ones.
There’s no Thanksgiving Day parade on our Atlanta list, but Snellville Christmas Tree Lighting and Lighted Christmas Parade is Saturday, Nov 28 at 5-8pm. In all we found ten Thanksgiving-weekend outings in and around Atlanta: five turkey trots with kids’ races and five Black Friday weekend picks, and two are free. We also list two places and whether they’re open on Thanksgiving Day.
With littles: Pick a 5K, 10K, 15K or half marathon on a 5K loop, so family members can run different distances and cheer from one spot. Bring nonperishable food for the food bank collection.
With littles: Light display opening this weekend. Friends of Bulloch gather guests on the Gift Shoppe porch for carols before the tree is lit, during the Christkindlmarket.
We haven’t found 2026 details for a Thanksgiving parade in Atlanta yet. We check again every Thursday and add it as soon as the organizer posts it.
Invesco QQQ Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon, 5K, Mile & Dash: Thu, Nov 26, 2026. The Dash is for kids 6 and under, the Mile for 6 and up. Mile and Dash numbers can be picked up free on race day. Thanksgiving Day Gobble Wobble 5K & Kids Fun Run: Thu, Nov 26, 2026. The Kids Fun Run is for ages 10 and under and includes a sweatshirt or hoodie and a medal. MUST Gobble Jog: Thu, Nov 26, 2026. A 50-yard Tot Trot for kids 4 and under.
On Thanksgiving Day (Thu, Nov 26, 2026) our list has Invesco QQQ Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon, 5K, Mile & Dash, Thanksgiving Day Gobble Wobble 5K & Kids Fun Run, MUST Gobble Jog and Running of the Turkeys 5K and 1 more. Times, prices and the official links are on each card.
Closed on Thanksgiving: Zoo Atlanta and Children’s Museum of Atlanta. Check the venue page the morning of, since holiday hours can change.
No. Its hours page lists it as closed Thanksgiving Day. Holiday hours can change, so check the hours page that morning.
No. Its hours page lists it as closed Thanksgiving Day. Holiday hours can change, so check the hours page that morning.
On Friday, Nov. 27: Santa at the Roswell Holiday Expo. Times and prices are on each card.
Bulloch Hall Christmas Tree Lighting: Sat Nov 28, 2026, 6-9pm, 180 Bulloch Ave, Roswell, GA 30075. Snellville Christmas Tree Lighting and Lighted Christmas Parade: Sat, Nov 28, 2026, 5-8pm; tree lighting at 7pm, Snellville. Times come from each organizer’s page.
Lights of Life, Bulloch Hall Christmas Tree Lighting, Botanical Santa, Santa at the Roswell Holiday Expo and Snellville Christmas Tree Lighting and Lighted Christmas Parade. Dates and times are on each card.
Santa at the Roswell Holiday Expo and Snellville Christmas Tree Lighting and Lighted Christmas Parade are free to watch or attend. More free ideas are on free things to do in Atlanta.
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 Thursday through Thanksgiving week. How we choose and check.
Holiday plans every Thursday.
One short email every Thursday evening: the best things to do with little kids in Atlanta that weekend, Thanksgiving week included.
Know a trot with a kids’ dash we missed?
Invesco QQQ Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon, 5K, Mile & Dash
November: things to do in Atlanta
Free things to do in Atlanta
Free museum days in Atlanta
Indoor play in Atlanta
Library storytimes in Atlanta
Ice skating in Atlanta
Noon Year’s Eve in Atlanta
Christmas markets in Atlanta
Christmas break in Atlanta
