KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
It's often said that parenting is a "thankless" job. In one sense, that's undeniably true, because it will likely be many years before the young humans you're raising—the ones who actually have a stake in the outcome of the excellent job you're doing—are in a position to thank you. So you don't hear that phrase often during the first couple of decades of parenthood.
My fervent wish
for the future is to live in a world filled with engaged, culturally literate, productive, happy people. This means that what I said above isn't precisely accurate: It's not only your kids who have a stake in your parenting success, we ALL do, because the path to that future starts NOW for the young people in your orbit. So I'm grateful that you care about getting them "out and about" to the wide variety of experiences available in your community: It will make all
the difference.
Our job here at KidsOutAndAbout.com is to help you do that as easily as possible. In 2001, I created the original version of this web platform that now connects 15 million people each year with their area's activities and resources. My team gets to see it all up-close and personal as local businesses post to KidsOutAndAbout through their free listings, and then we get to turn around and shout about them to y'all, bringing your community closer to you.
So I want to
step in for the rest of the world that's not (yet) thanking you, and say it to you today: Thank you so much for what you're doing. Raising kids is hard in any era, but no one could have anticipated all the roadblocks that a pandemic would toss onto our path.
As anyone who knows me knows, I'm endlessly looking for reasons to celebrate. So today, I'm celebrating YOU with my digital megaphone and pom-poms. You're doing a great job. Future Deb sends her thanks,
too.
—Debra Ross, publisher
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KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more. If you like my publisher's column, you can easily scroll through past columns in the "Notes
from Deb" section of our site. |
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Just a minute of your time could make a big impact. KidsOutAndAbout.com is conducting a short survey to better understand how families are navigating the fast-changing world of AI. We're asking all parents, grandparents, and caregivers-whether you're
tech-savvy or not-to weigh in.
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KidsOutAndAbout's 2025 holiday events list for Atlanta is somewhat shorter this year than our traditional 101 ideas for local holiday fun, but there are still ways to make the holidays special in our area for 2025. Christmas concerts, lights, trees,
nativities, and more. . . plus activities for Chanukah, Kwanzaa, and New Year's Eve.
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Explore our vast Christmas tree field for the fun tradition of discovering that perfect tree to cut and take home. Nothing quite beats the delightful aroma and appearance of a live tree from Yule Forest. One of the best parts of the Christmas season is the unforgettable aroma of a fresh, live Christmas tree sitting in your home. Continue the annual family traditions or build new ones at Yule Forest as you enjoy the wonderful holiday atmosphere, find the perfect tree from our assortment of varieties, sip on delicious hot apple cider, and make lasting memories with your loved ones.
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The ASO will present Home Alone 2 Lost in New York Live in Concert with Award-winning composer John Williams’ score performed live to film by a full orchestra. The concert will be led by conductor Susie Seiter and performed at Atlanta Symphony Hall on Saturday, November 29 at 7:00pm and Sunday, November 30 at 3:00pm.
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Aurora Theatre’s Christmas Canteen returns for a swinging 30th Season! To celebrate, we are adding a horn section to trumpet in the holidays. This high-energy spectacle filled with stunning musical moments, hilarious comedy skits and dazzling dance numbers is sure to jazz up the season. Whether it’s your first time or an annual tradition, Christmas Canteen will fill your heart with cheer and leave you singing all the way home!
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Looking for a fun alternative for Black Friday this year? See some funky art, discover Tiny Doors, learn some local history, and walk through the Atlanta Beltline Arboretum, a green corridor for people, wildlife, and transit. This is a specialty tour for visiting friends and family. The tour ends at Ponce City Market where you can find great drinks, food, and access to restrooms after the tour. This holiday, bring your friends and co-workers, meet new people, and join Trees Atlanta on a Holiday Arboretum Tree Tour.
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Santa on the Square is hosted each year on the day after Thanksgiving. Santa will arrive downtown in a Fire Truck, and will immediately light the Christmas tree located on the Court House Square.
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For the 17th year, the Middle Georgia Model Railroad Club will kick off the holiday season with one of Middle Georgia’s largest model train displays at the Museum of Aviation during Thanksgiving week. The “Planes and Trains” exhibit is free to the public from November 23 – November 30, 2025. The Museum will be closed on Thanksgiving Day.
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Join us for the eighth annual Tree Lighting! The event will include entertainment from world-class talent on the Georgia Power Pavilion Stage. Mark Owens and Atlanta Braves’ mascot BLOOPER will watch the skies to help track Santa as he nears closer to The Battery Atlanta to light the tree at approximately 7 p.m. Enjoy a special performance from the A-Town A-List as well! Following the festivities, families may cuddle up on The Plaza Green to watch Rise Of The Guardians as a part of the Xfinity Movie Series on the plaza screen.
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Meet Botanical Santa! Bring your camera and come tell all of your holiday wishes to the big guy clad in green.
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Experience the magic of the season at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center’s Winter House 2025, a festive celebration running from November 30 to December 15 in Atlanta, Georgia. This enchanting event transforms the historic Callanwolde Mansion into a winter wonderland filled with art, music, and holiday cheer.
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Join us at Game Changer on November 30th at 5 pm for the magical arrival of Santa! Celebrate the season with festive food, cheerful elves, exciting games, holiday drinks, and more. Enjoy caroling that will fill the air with joy, and don't miss your chance to meet Santa himself! It's an evening packed with holiday fun for the whole family. Put on your favorite Christmas sweater and we will see you there!
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Our Santa is amazing, very authentic (real belly and beard!) and really really loves talking to the children. Depending on how crowded it is, your child can spend some real time chatting with Santa! If it is particularly crowded, we do have to help Santa move groups along, because he will talk to his new friends all day!
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Discover Atlanta’s Ultimate Holiday Tradition: IllumiNights at the Zoo! This holiday season, Atlanta’s beloved festive event returns bigger and brighter than ever, transforming the Zoo into a dazzling nighttime wonderland. Experience hundreds of brilliantly illuminated wildlife lanterns and captivating displays that celebrate the beauty and magic of nature after dark. Looking for great holiday lights in Atlanta? IllumiNights is your must-see event! Perfect for families, couples on a romantic date night, or friends looking for unforgettable fun, this one-of-a-kind holiday lights…
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The Atlanta area has many private schools and alternative education options from which parents can choose. Each has its unique benefits and advantages, so it's important to investigate carefully. This is KidsOutAndAbout's education highlight page, containing specially featured schools and also our master list of local schools. If your school is not on our list but should be, please email us at ross@kidsoutandabout.com.
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Private Schools in the Atlanta, GA area: Try it before you buy it... and even before you visit! This is KidsOutAndAbout.com's video sneak peek into local private school experiences. If your school should have a video on this page, please send a link to the school's video on YouTube or Vimeo to ross@kidsoutandabout.com.
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- Cirque Du Soleil: Luzia at Atlantic Station - 1380 Atlantic Dr, Atlantic Station, Atlanta, GA 30363, United States - Friday, November 28, 2025 to Sunday, November 30, 2025, times vary. Google Maps
- Holiday Tree Tour: Atlanta Beltline Arboretum Eastside Trail - Inman Park,
Atlanta, GA, USA - Friday, November 28, 2025, 10:00 PM - 11:30 PM. Google Maps
- Festival of Trees - Southeastern Railway
Museum - 3595 Buford Hwy, Duluth, GA 30096, United States - Friday, November 28, 2025 to Sunday, November 30, 2025, Thursday - Saturday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM; Sunday: 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM. Google Maps
- Christmas on the Farm - Southern Belle Farm - 1658 Turner Church Rd, McDonough, GA 30252, United States - Friday, November 28, 2025 to Sunday, November 30, 2025, see website for times. Google Maps
- Morningside Farmers Market - 1393 N. Highland Ave, Atlanta, GA 30306 - Saturday, November 29, 2025, 8:00 AM to
11:30 AM. Google Maps
- Grant Park Sunday Farmers Market - 1039 Grant St SE, Atlanta, GA
30315 - Sunday, November 30, 2025, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Google Maps
- Winter House at Callanwolde
Fine Arts Center - 980 Briarcliff Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30306 - Sunday, November 30, 2025, times vary, see website. Google Maps
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Where to Choose Your Own Christmas Trees in the Atlanta area November & December are times of contrast: The gray days outside herald the coming of the holidays, so we make ourselves warm and cozy
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There are lots of places to have a birthday party in the Atlanta area! If there is an attraction that we have missed for our birthday party page, please email us to let us know, and we contact them
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Here's to seizing opportunities to learn wherever they appear!
Debra Ross
Publisher, KidsOutAndAbout.com
Mom of Madison and Ella |
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