10 Best Things To Do in Cobb County During the Holidays

Located only 15 minutes from Atlanta, Cobb County is the place to be this holiday season, with a wide array of festive events, dazzling light displays, unique shopping opportunities, and unforgettable seasonal dining experiences.

Check out these must-see events, local treasures, and cozy spots to get into the holiday spirit all season long.

Christmas Events

• Cosmic Sleighride: Six Flags at White Water is hosting its premier drive-through audio-visual immersive experience, Cosmic Sleighride, produced by World of Illumination. It’s one of the South’s largest drive-through light displays, featuring over one million lights and hundreds of animated displays synched to popular holiday music. Read: World of Illumination: Fun Drive-Through Holiday Lights You Don’t Want to Miss (2024)

• Life of Lights: Life University is hosting its 35th annual Life of Lights, opening on Thanksgiving day through New Year’s Eve. The event is a festive feast for the eyes, featuring thousands of lights and thematic displays celebrating different aspects and traditions of the holiday season. It’s a popular, family-friendly event that includes pony rides, a petting zoo, train rides and concessions. 

• Christkindl Market at Galleria on the Park (Nov. 29-Dec. 22): For the first time, Atlanta’s Christkindl Market is expanding with a new location at Galleria on the Park in Cobb. Enjoy a unique fusion of traditional German festivities, from delicious culinary delights to handcrafted treasures. It’s an enchanting world where old-world charm intertwines with the modern energy of Atlanta. Read: Atlanta Christkindl Market Returns with 2 Locations in 2024

• Six Flags Holiday In the Park: Six Flags Over Georgia is bringing the North Pole to Austell beginning Saturday, November 23. Now in its 10^th year, walk through a beautiful canopy of lights, ornamented garlands, snow machines, and a 20-foot Christmas tree.

Where to Shop

• The Avenue West Cobb: The Holiday at The Avenue West Cobb is offering a festive afternoon of shopping all December. Enjoy the joyful sounds of live Christmas Carolers throughout the center on Saturday afternoons. Then, on Sundays, meet some of your favorite holiday characters, including The Grinch, Elsa, Anna, and many more as they stroll the Avenue December 8, 15, and 22.

• Serendipity House: This unique shop housed in a circa 1881 Queen Anne Victorian home, treats its guests to room after room of beautiful, one-of-a-kind gift and decor items. They offer complimentary gift wrap, gourmet food tastings, a layaway plan, gift registry, and seasonal workshops.

• White Rabbit Cottage: Looking for that perfect gift? White Rabbit has a large, unique selection of jewelry, candles, home fragrances, gift books, gourmet foods, tableware, garden accessories and more. Experience the charm of this “neighborhood store around the corner.” Their complimentary gift wrap makes every gift even more special.

Where to Eat

• Hamp & Harry’s: The impeccably created eatery inspires diners with a wide selection of cocktails, artisan beers, and sumptuously crafted small plates and incredible entrees that are put together by the restaurant’s skilled chefs with locally-sourced ingredients. This holiday season, expect festive décor, warm, bubbly charm and delicious holiday-themed cocktails.

• Tinsel Tavern: This over-the-top holiday experience unlike any other is Live! at the Battery’s holiday-themed pop-up bar. Tinsel Tavern will feature an explosion of tinsel and twinkling lights, specialty holiday cocktails and tasty small bites, themed nights and more. Read: 13+ Festive Christmas Bars Atlanta Loves to Imbibe In for Holiday ‘Spirit’ in 2024

• South City Kitchen: In Vining’s, South City Kitchen serves delectable Southern classics with a sophisticated spin.  With signature dishes like buttermilk fired chicken and chocolate pecan pie, South City Kitchen provides the perfect cozy meal for the holidays. On Christmas Eve, the restaurant is serving a three-course holiday dinner for $60 per person.

Where to Stay

• Omni Hotel at the Battery Atlanta:As the official hotel of the Atlanta Braves, guests overlook Truist Park and the Battery at the Omni Hotel. While staying here, guests will be in the center of the winter wonderland that the Battery turns into during the holidays. Throughout December, Santa sets up shop at his Post Office for pictures and family-friendly activities.