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MLK Weekend 2023 Things to Do in Atlanta: Parades, Ice Skating, Light Shows

On MLK Day, everyone is invited to a day full of events in Acworth including a welcome breakfast, a unity walk, and a program honoring King. Photo courtesy of Acworth Expanding Horizons
On MLK Day, everyone is invited to a day full of events in Acworth including a welcome breakfast, a unity walk, and a program honoring King. Photo courtesy of Acworth Expanding Horizons
1/11/23 - By Elsa Simcik

Looking for the best things to do in Atlanta on Martin Luther King Jr. weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your weekend list! 

Atlanta families can look forward to a well-deserved long weekend with lots of options for quality time and fun. MLK Day celebrations are abundant in Atlanta since our city is the birthplace of Dr. King. Families can honor his legacy by volunteering as part of the MLK National Day of Service and attending celebrations around Atlanta such as MLK Day at the Atlanta History Center, The King Center, and an MLK Day Parade in Lawrenceville. 

If your kids haven't had the pleasure of ice skating this season (or want to do it again), this is the final weekend for many of our fave rinks at Atlantic Station, Park Tavern, and Avalon. It's also last call for popular holiday light shows like Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at Atlanta Botanical Gardens and IllumiNights at the Zoo. Making some resolutions for the new year? We've found Healthy Restaurants in Atlanta That Kids Will Love, as well as 17 Free Things to Do in Atlanta When It's Cold and Rainy.

More Things To Do in Atlanta this Week with Kids

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The Village Green at Halcyon turns into a Winter Wonderland on Monday. Photo courtesy of Halcyon Forsyth
The Village Green at Halcyon turns into a Winter Wonderland on Monday. Photo courtesy of Halcyon Forsyth

Things To Do this Weekend in Atlanta with Kids

Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at the Atlanta Botanical Garden

Midtown - Final weekend! Through Saturday, January 14
One of Atlanta’s favorite holiday light displays returns to the Atlanta Botanical Garden for Garden Lights, Holiday Nights. READ MORE

IllumiNights at the Zoo

Atlanta - Final weekend! Through Sunday, January 15
IllumiNights, a Chinese animal lantern festival, is back at Zoo Atlanta! The lanterns—hand-crafted by Chinese artisans—create a wonderland for zoo visitors to enjoy.  READ MORE

Skate the Station at Atlantic Station

Atlanta - Final weekend! Through Monday, January 16
Atlantic Station welcomes families to skate under the stars at Skate the Station. Tickets are available online and on site. Open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  READ MORE

The Rink at Park Tavern

Midtown - Final weekend! Through Monday, January 16
Park Tavern brings back its ice skating rink in the heart of Piedmont Park. Daytime skating is for ice skating lessons only. The rink opens to all ages 4:30-8pm on weekdays and 11:30am-8pm on weekends (after 8:30pm, skaters must be over age 16).  READ MORE

Avalon on Ice

Alpharetta - Final weekend! Through Monday, January 16
The greenspace at Avalon is transformed into an ice skating rink from November to January. Skaters are encouraged to book reservations online in advance to ensure spots. Admission includes skate rental.  READ MORE

Margaritaville Lakeside Lights Spectacular

Buford - Final weekend! Through Monday, January 16
Families walk through this spectacular light show with festive seasonal music.  READ MORE

King Holiday Observance 2023 at The King Center

Old Fourth Ward - Through Monday, January 16
The weeklong event includes a global community youth summit, a youth book-reading, and beloved community awards. On MLK Day, Monday January 16, the King Center hosts a community service project.  READ MORE

Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Lawrenceville - Saturday, January 14
Aurora Theatre puts on this show for 10,000 elementary students on field trips this winter so it is perfect for families too. Goldilocks and The Three Bears teach audiences to keep their hands off others belongings or there will be consequences to “bear" and includes musical numbers.  READ MORE

Winter Family Night Hike

Roswell - Saturday, January 14
The Chattahoochee Nature Center welcomes families to explore nature at night with winter family night hikes.  READ MORE

Let It Snow at Halcyon

Alpharetta - Monday, January 16
Families head to Halcyon's Village Green for a Winter Wonderland on Monday, January 16! Activities include snow in the Village Green, a meet and greet with Anna, Elsa, and Olaf, crafts, and a DJ. READ MORE

Acworth MLK Celebration and Day of Service

Acworth - Monday, January 16
On MLK Day everyone is invited to a day full of events in Acworth including a welcome breakfast, unity walk, program honoring Dr. King and a service project.  READ MORE

MLK Day at the Atlanta History Center

Buckhead - Monday, January 16
The Atlanta History Center is offering a free event to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 2023. Families will appreciate the crafts, sensory space and nursing room. Visitors will have access to the museum as well.  READ MORE

MLK Day Parade and Program Celebration

Lawrenceville - Monday, January 16
The United Ebony Society invites everyone to attend their annual MLK Day parade, followed by an indoor celebration at Central Gwinnett High School. 2023's theme is "Why we can't wait." The parade begins at The Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center and ends at CG High School.  READ MORE

MLK National Day of Service

Everywhere - Monday, January 16
On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day each year, all Americans are encouraged to step up to make communities more equitable and take action to create the Beloved Community of Dr. King’s dream. Examples include cleaning up a public space, mentoring a young person, or helping those who are food insecure. READ MORE
When kids are bored, it's handy to have a long list of fun things to do. Photo by Mommy Poppins
When kids are bored, it's handy to have a long list of fun things to do. Photo by Mommy Poppins

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