20 free things to do in metro Atlanta in December

December in Atlanta is here! It’s a time when the city comes to life with glittering lights and holiday cheer, and there’s plenty to do. From shopping to movies to hot chocolate crawls and marshmallow roasting, here are the best local free events this holiday season!

Atlanta Christkindl Market

Still Christmas shopping? This is the place to officially finish it. The classic German Christmas Market returns this year to a new home on the Lawrenceville Lawn. Some vendors bring a German feel, and some bring Atlanta flair. Browse the unique gifts, food and drink for a truly festive experience.

Location: Lawrenceville Lawn; Dates: Nov. 28-Dec. 24; Times: Wednesdays and Thursdays - 3-8 p.m., Friday and Saturday - 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday - 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Website: christkindlmarket.org

Winter House at Callanwolde

The Callanwolde Fine Arts Center opens its doors for this free event centered on art and creativity. This year’s program includes performances from the Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony and cellist Congcong Bi, a showing of “Home Alone,” and a poetry spotlight. Daily ticketed activities include letters to Santa, craft workshops, fire pits with s’mores, history tours and board games.

Location: Callanwolde Fine Arts Center; Dates: Nov. 29-Dec. 14; Times: Thursday - noon-8 p.m., Friday-Saturday - 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday - noon-8 p.m.; Website: callanwolde.org

Emory Arts & Social Justice Project Showcase and Community Conversation

Experience artwork that addresses social justice issues in this annual showcase highlighting faculty/artist pairings. This year’s featured artists are Aurielle Marie, Nabil Ahmed, Kiara Gilbert and Shernā Ann Phillips.

Location: Spelman College Center for Innovation and the Arts; Date: Dec. 4; Time: 6 p.m.; Website: eventbrite.com

Photos with Santa at Peachtree City

Santa rolls in for photos, cookies and hot chocolate at 5 p.m. for the Peachtree City Fire Rescue’s annual Bloom Angel Tree and toy drive. Donation of an unwrapped toy gets you one entry for a raffle of a 2025 PTC ornament.

Location: Peachtree City Visitors Center; Date: Dec. 5; Time: 5 p.m.; Website: visitpeachtreecity.com

Allatoona Jazz Band holiday performance

The Allatoona High School Jazz Band presents quality live music for your enjoyment at The Battery. Throw down a blanket to sit on, purchase snacks for the family and enjoy the performance!

Location: The Battery Atlanta; Date: Dec. 5; Time: 6-7:30 p.m.; Website: batteryatl.com

Holiday Screen on the Green

Catch free movie screenings at The Mill on Etowah every Friday night in December. Showings (in order) will be: “Home Alone,” “Home Alone 2,” “The Grinch (2018)” and “Elf.”

Location: The Mill on Etowah; Dates: Dec. 5, 12, 19 and 26; Time: 6 p.m.; Website: facebook.com

Complimentary carriage rides

There’s nothing like the clip clop of hooves on pavement to welcome the holidays. Experience complimentary carriage rides each Thursday and Friday in Norcross, from Dec. 5 to 19 behind the 45 South Cafe.

Location: Skin Alley behind 45 South Cafe; Dates: Dec. 5-19; Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.; Website: norcrossga.net

St. Julep Rooftop Full Moon Party

It’s all glowing at St. Julep! Get free entry to this full moon party with a live DJ, glow sticks, neon face painting and even glow-in-the-dark shots. This rooftop party in Buckhead is the way to kick off the holidays!

Location: St. Julep Rooftop; Date: Dec. 4 and 5; Time: 7-11 p.m.; Website: eventbrite.com

Oakland Cemetery Holiday Spirit

Experience a tree lighting, a holiday market, historic mausoleum tours, visits with Santa and more during this annual Holiday Spirit celebration.

Location: Oakland Cemetery; Dates: Dec. 5 and 6; Time: Friday - 5-8 p.m., Saturday - 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Website: oaklandcemetery.com

Jingle N Mingle & Candy Cane Crawl

Sip, shop and stroll in downtown Forsyth! There will be music and vendors, food trucks, and appearances from Santa Ken Kringle and Bubbles the Chicken. A kids zone will have opportunities for writing letters to Santa, Christmas crafts and ornament decorating.

Location: Downtown Forsyth — Courthouse Square; Date: Dec. 6; Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Website: forsythmainstreet.net

Downtown Cohutta’s Cozy Christmas Market

Ever been to Cohutta? If not, this is the perfect time to discover this tiny hamlet in the Appalachian foothills. It’s the perfect day trip, and you’ll find unique gifts to round out all your Christmas lists, along with great food and drink. Stick around after the market for a parade!

Location: Downtown Cohutta; Date: Dec. 6; Time: 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Website: visitdaltonga.com

Deck the Hall in Downtown Duluth

Kick off the holidays with live entertainment, kids’ crafts, photos with Santa, a holiday market and light installations. And there will be a playground and slide with real snow!

Location: Downtown Duluth; Date: Dec. 6; Time: 2-7 p.m.; Website: duluthga.net

Christmas in Grayson

This annual event in Grayson Community Park offers the typical holiday favorites, including a crafts market and photos with Santa. You’ll also find train rides through the park!

Location: Grayson Community Park; Date: Dec. 7; Time: 2-6 p.m.; Website: facebook.com

Merry Mighty Mo and More

Bring the fam out to the Fox! This will be a fun night of singing along with famed organ “Mighty Mo,” photos with Santa, musical performances and a showing of “Olaf’s Frozen Adventure.”

Location: Fox Theatre; Date: Dec. 10; Time: 7 p.m.; Website: foxtheatre.org

Decatur bonfire and marshmallow roast

Ward off winter’s chill with an old-fashioned marshmallow roast at East Court Square. Gather with family and friends for a sweet time socializing in front of a roaring bonfire. Roasting sticks, hot chocolate and marshmallows provided while supplies last, or bring your own. The The Talley Street Chorus will begin singing classic holiday tunes at 6:30 p.m., and marshmallow roasting starts at 7 p.m.

Location: East Court Square; Date: Dec. 11; Time: 6:30-8 p.m.; Website: visitdecaturga.com

NGC Holiday Free Film Fest — ‘Arthur Christmas’

There’s nothing like a free movie! This showing of “Arthur Christmas” will take your mind off the rush of the holidays as you watch a heroic effort to deliver the last present of Christmas.

Location: NGC Cinema — Acworth; Dates: Dec. 12-14; Time: 11 a.m.; Website: ncgmovies.com

Miracle on Peachtree hot chocolate crawl

See Buckhead lit up for the holidays and sip on some delicious hot chocolate as you stroll the streets and enjoy live music and a seasonal vibe. For a $5 donation to Livable Buckhead, you can take home a campfire mug.

Location: Lenox Square Mall; Dates: Dec. 13; Time: 4-7 p.m.; Website: livablebuckhead.com

Virginia Highland Winterfest

Come to Virginia Highland to see the holiday parade down Lanier Blvd. Hang around afterward for a kids corner with face painting, crafts and s’mores and a gift market to wrap up your last-minute shopping!

Location: Virginia Highland; Date: Dec. 13; Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Website: virginiahighlanddistrict.com

Canton Optimist Club Christmas Parade

This traditional Christmas parade begins at Cherokee High School and travels along Main Street through downtown Canton. Grab a spot along the route and see the lights, floats and holiday finery as it rolls by.

Location: Downtown Canton; Date: Dec. 13; Time: 6 p.m.; Website: exploregeorgia.org

Decatur menorah lighting

Start your Chanukah celebration with the menorah lighting in downtown Decatur. Come out for latkes, hot drinks, music and photos with Mr. Dreidel, along with the Chanukah gelt drop.

Location: Downtown Decatur; Date: Dec. 14; Time: 4:30 p.m.; Website: visitdecaturga.com