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MLK Weekend 2026 in Atlanta: 19 Best Things To Do With Kids

Join Halcyon for a special and free MLK Kids Club Day (pantry item donations encouraged) on Monday! Photo courtesy of Halcyon
Join Halcyon for a special and free MLK Kids Club Day (pantry item donations encouraged) on Monday! Photo courtesy of Halcyon
1/14/26 - By Elsa Simcik

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

Families can enjoy MLK weekend with many options for quality time and fun! Atlanta is the proud birthplace of Dr. King and the MLK Day celebrations are abundant for our city. Atlanta families honor his legacy by volunteering as part of the MLK National Day of Service and attending MLK parades and events in Buckhead, Atlanta, Acworth, Lawrenceville, and more cities. If your kids haven't had the pleasure of ice skating this season (or want to do it again), this is the final weekend at many outdoor rinks, including Atlantic Station, Sandy Springs, and Avalon. 

More Things To Do in Atlanta this Week with Kids

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Best Things To Do this Weekend in Atlanta with Kids

IllumiNights at Zoo Atlanta

Grant Park - Final weekend!
Through Sunday, January 18, 2026
​Experience the magic of Atlanta holiday lights! IllumiNights: A Lantern Festival is back at Zoo Atlanta. The lanterns create a wonderland for zoo visitors to enjoy.  READ MORE

Avalon on Ice

Alpharetta - Final weekend!
Through Monday, January 19, 2026
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

Skate the Station at Atlantic Station

Midtown - Final weekend!
Through Monday, January 19, 2026
Atlantic Station welcomes families to skate under the stars at Skate the Station. Open everyday, even on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  READ MORE

Skate City Springs

Midtown - Final weekend
Through Monday, January 19, 2026
The heart of Sandy Springs turns into a winter wonderland once again as Skate City Springs returns to City Green. They even offer free "Skater Helpers," the walker-style props for kids learning to ice skate.  READ MORE

Teen Takeover at Fernbank

Druid Hills
Friday, January 16, 2026
Teens can have fun with their friends while exploring three floors of exhibits, seeing a film in the Giant Screen Theater and enjoying activities led by Fernbank educators. READ MORE

Free Admission Day at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights

Downtown - FREE
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Families register online for free spots at The Center presented by FedEx, in honor of MLK weekend. READ MORE

The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley, Jr. at Aurora Theatre

Lawrenceville
Saturday, January 17, 2026
In a whirlwind musical travelogue, Stanley — the ultimate exchange student — scours the globe for a solution to his unusual problem. He’s stamped, posted and cancelled from Hollywood and France to Honolulu and beyond, all in an effort to become a three-dimensional boy once more. READ MORE

Adventure Playhouse at Dad's Garage

Atlanta
Saturday, January 17, 2026
Each Saturday parents and kids join Quinn and the playhouse pals as they explore worlds that have never been seen before. Kids join in on the fun by building the world of the story, playing characters, or singing along with Marlowe’s Musical Mayhem. READ MORE

Dinosaur! at Alliance Theatre

Midtown
Opening weekend! Select days, January 17-February 22, 2026
Kids adore this silly store about dinosaurs popping up everywhere. Get ready to find out how even the simplest day-to-day task can turn into an epic dino-tastic adventure that will leave little ones laughing and roaring for more.  READ MORE

Music for the Very Young: Carnival of the Animals

Midtown
Select days, January 18 - February 1, 2026
Classical music meets storytelling as members of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra bring your favorite fables and fairy tales to life in the Music for the Very Young Concert Series. Parents of 3 to 8-year-olds may enjoy these interactive concerts with their little ones, who can engage with the actors and musicians as the story unfolds. READ MORE

King Holiday Observance at The King Center

Old Fourth Ward - FREE
Monday, January 19, 2026
This historic commemorative service honors Dr. King’s life and legacy through powerful messages and musical performances.  READ MORE

The Story of Martin Luther King, Jr. at Roswell Cultural Arts Center

Roswell
Monday, January 19, 2026
This engaging, family-friendly performance explores Dr. King’s life, leadership, and profound influence on the Civil Rights Movement. Through a compelling portrayal by actor John Doyle, audiences will experience key moments from Dr. King’s journey and gain insight into the values that defined his legacy.  READ MORE

MLK Day at the Atlanta History Center

Buckhead - FREE
Monday, January 19, 2026
The Atlanta History Center is offering a free event to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, on MLK Day. Families will appreciate the kids' activities. Visitors will have access to the museum as well.  READ MORE

Acworth MLK Celebration and Day of Service

Acworth - FREE
Monday, January 19, 2026
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 Kids Club at Halcyon

Alpharetta - FREE
Monday, January 19, 2026
On MLK Day everyone is invited to a very special Kids Club to participte in activities set up on the green and give back to the community.  READ MORE

MLK Day Parade and Celebration in Lawrenceville

Lawrenceville- FREE
Monday, January 19, 2026
The United Ebony Society invites everyone to attend their annual MLK Day parade, followed by a celebration at Central Gwinnett High School. The 2026's theme is "Mission Possible II: Building Community, Uniting a Nation the Nonviolent Way." READ MORE

MLK National Day of Service

Multiple locations - FREE
Monday, January 19, 2026
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day each year, Americans are encouraged to step up to make communities more equitable, and to 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

MLK Family Day of Service with Nurture ATL

Dunwoody - FREE
Monday, January 19, 2026
Families with preschool-age children will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on service projects benefiting organizations in the Atlanta community, move their bodies to music with Here We Grow, and get creative and maybe a little messy at learning and mitzvah stations. READ MORE

Enchanted Woodland Trail: Gnome Homes and Fairy Houses

Roswell
Through Saturday, February 28, 2026
As the air chills and the trees lose their leaves, fairies and gnomes make their journey south and begin preparations to build their whimsical winter homes along Kingfisher Pond Trail. Bundle up and head out to the trail at Chattahoochee Nature Center. READ MORE
We've got lots of FREE ideas to entertain Atlanta kids, including the great hunt for Tiny Doors!
We've got lots of FREE ideas to entertain Atlanta kids, including the great hunt for Tiny Doors!

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Take advantage of cold weather by snow tubing north of Atlanta. Photo courtesy Highlands Outpost
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Places featured in this article:

Fernbank Museum of Natural History
National Center for Civil & Human Rights
The Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center
Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site
Sawnee Mountain Preserve

About the Author

Elsa Simcik
Elsa Simcik has been freelance writing for 20-something years, covering a hodgepodge of fields--health & fitness, human interest stories, and even dating. After becoming a mom she segued into writing for local magazines and websites, focusing on parenting, fun things to do with kids, and travel. The travel part is fun, but not as glamorous as it sounds, because it's traveling with kids. Still, she'll take it.
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