KidsOutAndAbout Weekly Newsletter |
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Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
When my husband and I started planning a family, we talked a lot about the kind of parents we hoped to be. Naturally, we looked back on our own childhoods. David had story after story about his parents—their quirks, what they cared about, who they were. But when I tried to do the same, I came up oddly blank. I could tell you what I loved as a kid, but not much about what made my
own parents’ hearts sing. I remembered that my dad had a garden when I was little, but I couldn’t say whether he enjoyed digging in the dirt, liked making things grow, or was just trying to save money on vegetables. That realization stuck with me. I didn’t want my kids to grow up seeing me as a blur in the background of their story; I wanted them to see me clearly: as someone who had favorite things, real interests, and a sense of enjoyment they could understand. I wanted them
to grow up expecting that adulthood could be full of that, too... all of the vivid experiences that make up the inner life of a regular person, especially the joys. I started using the phrase "live what you love" as a kind of parenting guidepost. Our kids are always watching, taking cues about what adulthood looks like. If all they ever see is grownups stressed, rushing, and tired, they’ll assume that’s the default. But if they also see us delighted by a song, energized by a
game, inspired by something we've learned, genuinely laughing with people we love... that’s powerful. It shows them that joy isn’t something you age out of, it’s something you grow into. The holidays are packed with tasks and to-do lists, but they’re also full of opportunities for joy. So tune your radar to what YOU love, and if you catch yourself smiling at paper snowflakes or belting out a corny carol, don’t downplay it. Let yourself have that moment. When your kids see the
joy you've just pushed into the room; it's a gift to their present and to their future.
—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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Broadway heavy hitters, Alan Menken (Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Little Shop of Horrors) and Lynn Ahrens (Ragtime, Seussical, Once on This Island), breathe fantastic new life into the classic tale of A Christmas Carol.
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The City of Acworth, along with their partner NorthStar Church is excited to host this year’s Santa’s Arrival Presented by; Summerwell Bells Ferry! Santa arrives in Historic Downtown Acworth on Friday, December 5, 2025. Festivities will begin at 5:30 p.m. and Santa is scheduled to arrive at 6:30 p.m. There will be a host of live performances and activities until 8:30 p.m. to help Santa kick off the holiday season. Bring the entire family to hear Mayor Tommy Allegood read The Night Before Christmas and watch the lighting of the tree on the Plaza behind Henry’s. Enjoy pictures with Mr.…
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All aboard for a magical evening! Join us on Friday, December 5th at 6:30 PM for a cozy reading of The Polar Express, fun activities, and a warm cup of hot cocoa.
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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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Be here when Santa makes his first stop – and get Santa Photos at Zoo Atlanta! Be here when Santa makes his first stop – and get Santa Photos at Zoo Atlanta! Bring the family for a personal visit with Santa and a professional Santa photo to remember the moment. Gather the whole family for a magical meet-and-greet with Santa himself, complete with a professional digital photo to capture the memory. While you’re here, snack on festive cookies, get crafty with seasonal activities, and snap holly jolly photos at every turn. It’s a winter wonderland you won’t want to miss!
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You're invited to our annual Holiday Art Walk! Meet our 35 artists while you shop for beautiful holiday gifts, fine art, and jewelry! There will be drinks to enjoy as well as food & treats for purchase. Shop local and buy handmade! Bring a friend or the family to our annual holiday party - music, art, food and holiday cheer.
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Kick off the most wonderful time of the year with us at The Avenue Peachtree City. On Saturday, December 6 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m., Santa will arrive to light our Christmas tree and greet families for photos in Fountain Court. Enjoy a magical evening with live carolers, face painting, and appearances by Elsa, Anna, and Olaf. It’s the perfect way to welcome the holiday season with friends, family, and a little Avenue cheer.
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A fun, family-friendly program exploring the fascinating world of nature’s chilly changes. Bring the whole family to Dunwoody Nature Center for Whispers of Winter Free First Saturday! Through engaging activities and naturalist-led exploration, kids and parents alike will learn surprising facts and discover just how incredible winter can be. Perfect for curious kids and families who love a mix of fun and learning in nature.
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The City of Kennesaw’s Parks & Recreation Department is excited to welcome families back to one of the community’s favorite holiday traditions, Breakfast with Santa, on Saturday, December 6, at the Ben Robertson Community Center.
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Enjoy Christmas cheer with extra care. Children within all spectrums of special needs and their families are invited to meet Santa and take photos during a dedicated sensory-friendly session.
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The Museum opens early for families with children on the autism spectrum and children with sensory processing challenges. We offer a sensory-modified experience on select Sunday mornings. This experience includes a sensory-modified setting, limited admission and sound adjustments. Sensory Packs are available upon request at the Welcome Center and contain headphones, sunglasses, and a selection of sensory toys. Simply check one out with a team member upon arrival.
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Celebrate the holidays and spend quality time with family and friends at the High! Join us for special winter-themed artmaking, explore the galleries as part of December’s Weekend Family Tour, or browse the galleries at your own pace. Members will also enjoy an exclusive discount on campus at our museum store, CJ’s Café, and Refuge Coffee!
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Skate to holiday music, warm up with hot cocoa, and make memories at Skate City Springs! Open November 20 - January 20; times vary. Whether you glide gracefully or bumble and tumble, the holidays are always more fun on ice! Skate to holiday music, warm up with hot cocoa, and make memories at Skate City Springs. It's easy: just purchase a timed session online, arrive 10-15 minutes early to pick up your ice skates, and bundle up. Then enjoy your time on the ice for an hour!
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Join us for an afternoon of seasonal fun at The Battery Atlanta’s Holiday Market! Browse unique vendor booths filled with handcrafted, one-of-a-kind gifts — perfect for everyone on your list Enjoy live holiday music by the Allatoona High School Jazz Band Keep the little ones entertained with fun kids’ activities and festive crafts Soak up the holiday spirit — and watch for a few magical holiday touches along the way! Bring the whole family and make some holiday memories..
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Capture the magic of the season with Holiday Photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus. Visit us on Mondays, December 8, 15, and 22 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Families are invited to stop by for festive photos, holiday music, and plenty of seasonal cheer. Don’t forget your wish list because Santa and Mrs. Claus can’t wait to see you.
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The magic is back at Lanier Islands Resort with the return of the renowned Magical Nights of Lights holiday lights tour. After driving through mile after mile of twinkling light displays, the tour leads to two destinations – the Holiday Headquarters at Game Changer and Margaritaville’s License to Chill Snow Island. Enjoy climate-controlled fun indoors with arcade games, duckpin bowling, dining, and more, then head outdoors for ice skating, carnival rides, snow tubing, and roasted marshmallows!
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Our Rockefeller-inspired ice skating rink is back and we can’t wait to hit the rink with you. Guests will need to book ice skating reservations in advance to ensure a skating time slot. Walk-ups are also welcome, but we cannot guarantee you will be able to skate at that time.
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Disney's Zootopia 2--Retro Pricing--$ 6.50-$ 10 daily plus $ 5.50 on Tuesdays at Aurora Cineplex. Playing on the Big Screen for Thanksgiving Holiday Week starting Wed Nov 26th. Tickets on sale at www.AuroraCineplex.com
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Do you have what it takes to live in space? We’ve all imagined what it’s like to live and work in space, but only a select few have done it. Opening on October 10, those who have lived in space will share their experiences with visitors in our newest traveling exhibition, Journey to Space. Using hands-on and large-scale interactive exhibits and multimedia components, Journey to Space gives visitors a glimpse at the extraordinary conditions of human space travel, as well as the unique challenges and rewards of life on board the International Space Station.
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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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- Free mini photo session with Shoott! - Atlanta area - Shoott, Broadway, New York, NY, USA, December 5, 2025 to December 7, 2025, See link for times
- Santa's Arrival - Historic Downtown Acworth on Center Street - Historic Downtown District - Acworth, GA, Center Street, Acworth, GA, USA, December 5, 2025, 5:30 - 8:30 pm
- Holiday Spirit at Oakland
Cemetery - Oakland Cemetery, Martin Luther King Junior Drive Southeast, Atlanta, GA, USA, December 5, 2025 to December 6, 2025, 5PM
- Cirque Du Soleil: Luzia at Atlantic Station - 1380 Atlantic Dr, Atlantic Station, Atlanta, GA 30363, United States, December 5, 2025
to December 7, 2025, Times vary.
- Festival of Trees - Southeastern Railway Museum - Southeastern Railway Museum, 3595 Buford Hwy, Duluth, GA 30096, United States, December 5, 2025 to December 7, 2025, Thursday - Saturday: 10 am - 5 pm: Sunday: 12 - 5 pm
- Winter House at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center - Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, 980 Briarcliff Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30306, United States, December 5, 2025 to December 7, 2025, Times vary, see website.
- Christmas on the Farm - Southern Belle Farm - Southern Belle Farm, 1658 Turner Church Rd, McDonough, GA 30252, United States, December 5, 2025 to December 7, 2025, See website
- Morningside Farmers Market - 1393 N. Highland Ave, Atlanta, GA 30306, December 6, 2025, 8:00 am to 11:30 am
- Market Day - Main Street Newnan - 25 Lagrange St, Newnan, GA, USA, December 6, 2025, 10 am - 2 pm
- Holiday Art Walk - Urban Art Collective - Urban Art Collective, 5655 Peachtree Rd, Chamblee, GA 30341, United States, December 6,
2025 to December 7, 2025, 11am-4pm
- Deck the Hall - City of Duluth - 3180 Bunten Road, Duluth, GA 30096,
December 6, 2025, 2 - 7 pm
- Free First Saturday: Whispers of Winter - Dunwoody Nature Center - Dunwoody Nature Center, 5343 Roberts Dr, Dunwoody, GA 30338, United States, December 6, 2025, 11 am - 12 pm
- Breakfast With Santa - City of Kennesaw - Kennesaw City Jail, 2529 J.O. Stephenson Ave, Kennesaw, GA 30144, United States, December 6, 2025, 8 am & 10am
- Dork Diaries
Fab FULL-COLOR Book Tour - Kirkwood Branch Library, Kirkwood Road Northeast, Atlanta, GA, USA, December 6, 2025, 11:00 AM
- Grant Park Sunday Farmers Market - 1039 Grant St SE, Atlanta, GA 30315, December 7, 2025, 9 am to 1 pm
- First Free Sundays at Marietta Cobb Museum of Art - 30 Atlanta Street, SE, Marietta, GA 30060, December 7, 2025, 1 - 4
pm
- Marist School Open House - Marist School, 3790 Ashford Dunwoody Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30319, December 7,
2025, 1-4 p.m.
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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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