Melanie Preis
Melanie Preis is a writer, editor, wife, and mom of three (including her beloved bernedoodle). Before joining Mommy Poppins, she worked at StyleBlueprint, Turner Broadcasting, and HowStuffWorks. She loves reading, anything Bravo, art fairs, and, of course, her bernedoodle.
Latest posts by Melanie
Enjoying FREE things to do in Atlanta just makes the fun all the much better! We've rounded up some of our favorite, free Atlanta attractions, events, and outdoor spaces that not only entertain kids, but are easy on the wallet. Some of the following Atlanta spots are free all of the time; some may offer special days or rates throughout the year. Save money and explore the beauty of Atlanta and nearby Georgia with our helpful guide!
Free indoor activities in Atlanta are a must as temperatures drop and winter comes in full force! And as the winter weather (or spring's rainy weather) settles in, having reliable FREE things to do indoors in your back pocket is crucial. Free things to do indoors in Atlanta help parents keep the party going no matter what's happening outside, without a hit to the wallet. Here are some of our favorite free things to do with kids when its rainy, icy, snowy, or some type of combination that haunts Atlanta. Just make sure you can safely drive there!
For more free fun in Atlanta, check out our Free Things To Do with Kids Guide and sign up for our newsletters to get info delivered straight to your inbox.
Think beyond movie theaters—here's what to do on Christmas Day!
Step into Cirque du Soleil's newest world of fantasy with Luzia, which entertains Atlanta families now through January 25, 2026. This amazing show takes guests through a make-believe Mexico, with stunning colors, breathtaking acrobatics, and South of the border inspirations. Keep reading to find out more about Luzia and if you should bring kids to the show before it rolls out of Atlanta.
Christmas light shows add another layer of beauty during the holiday season, and we've got our favorite dazzling holiday lights drive-thru events and Christmas light shows in Atlanta. This year families will find familiar favorites like Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at Atlanta Botanical Garden and IllumiNights at Zoo Atlanta. Plus, back after a five-year hiatus, Magical Nights of Lights at Margaritaville Lanier Islands -- a six-mile, drive-thru of spectacular holiday lights. We also love a free light show, like Holiday Lights at Dunwoody's Brook Run Park. Whether you choose to walk or drive through these fabulous holiday and Christmas lights, make sure you open your eyes and hearts to this special time of year!
We have even more amazing holiday ideas in the Atlanta Christmas Activities and Holiday Guide, including information about Must-Do Christmas Events to Book Before They Sell Out, Polar Express Train Rides, Christmas Towns and Festive Hotels Near Atlanta, and more.
For many Orlando families, local Christmas light shows are a treasured holiday tradition. These holiday lights are a great way to get into the Christmas spirit, and Orlando has no shortage of options. From dazzling Christmas light displays at the theme parks to lighted boat parades, we’ve rounded up some of the best places to see Christmas lights here in Central Florida.
Get an exclusive look at the magic of the holidays at Give Kids the World Village via a Holiday Nights; enjoy one of the many lighted parades, by land and by sea, throughout Central Florida; and awe at the Christmas lights from the comfort of your own car during Magic of Lights. Read on for the very best holiday light displays around Orlando and Central Florida. For more dazzling light shows in local neighborhoods, check out our awesome list of Christmas Light Displays in Orlando Neighborhoods.
Atlanta knows Christmas lights and how to show up, and show off, for the holidays! Neighborhood Christmas lights include intricate designs, clever themes, and surging electricity bills. Residential holiday lights include houses that offer walking tours; other houses welcome families to drive by and tune radio frequencies to their synchronized Christmas lights; and some houses are a part of an entire neighborhood that creates a collective attraction!
In fact, enjoy Christmas lights AND do charitable work—some of the homes mentioned below are part of Cobb EMC's Christmas lights map, where you can vote for your favorite and the top three winners get $500 to donate to the charities of their choice!
Turkey time is almost here and you may be wondering what’s open on Thanksgiving in Orlando. As you prepare for your holiday feast, let the grandparents and babysitters entertain the kids by bringing them to these attractions and family-friendly places in Orlando open on Thanksgiving!
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