Christmas Plays in Atlanta: Where to See Holiday Theater Around the City

Atlanta does Christmas on stage in a big way. From classic “Nutcracker” performances to modern holiday comedies and family-friendly church pageants, you’ll find Christmas plays across the metro area all season long.

This guide walks you through where to see Christmas plays in Atlanta, what types of shows to expect, and practical tips for tickets, parking, and planning your night out.

Types of Christmas Plays You’ll Find in Atlanta

When people search for Christmas plays in Atlanta, they usually mean one or more of these:

• Professional theater productions (big stages, long runs, higher production values)
• Family and children’s theater (shorter, earlier shows, interactive elements)
• Church and community nativity plays (free or low-cost, often one weekend only)
• Musicals and holiday concerts with storytelling
• School and neighborhood productions (local, casual, often invite-based)

Knowing the type of show you want makes it much easier to narrow down where to go in the city.

Major Atlanta Theaters Known for Christmas Productions

Several Atlanta theaters regularly anchor the holiday season with Christmas plays or seasonal shows. Exact titles can change year to year, so think of these as reliable places to start your search when planning December outings.

Alliance Theatre – Midtown

The Alliance Theatre at the Woodruff Arts Center is one of Atlanta’s most prominent professional theaters and often stages large-scale holiday productions, such as adaptations of “A Christmas Carol” or other seasonal family shows.

• Location: 1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
• Typical vibe: Polished, family-friendly, professional acting and sets
• Good for: A “big night out” in Midtown, out-of-town guests, theater lovers

Because these shows are usually popular, weekend performances often sell out early. If you want prime seats close to Christmas Day, it helps to plan ahead by November.

Fox Theatre – Midtown

Atlanta’s historic Fox Theatre doesn’t always present traditional “plays,” but it often hosts:

• Touring holiday musicals
• Christmas-themed dance shows
• Big-name holiday concerts and special events

Some of these shows blend storytelling, music, and staging in a way that feels very close to a holiday play.

• Location: 660 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
• Good for: Large-scale, spectacular experiences, date nights, groups

If your idea of a Christmas play includes lavish sets and a grand theater setting, the Fox is one of the city’s top choices.

Horizon Theatre – Little Five Points / Inman Park Area

Horizon Theatre Company is known for contemporary plays and often includes holiday-themed comedies or dramas in its winter lineup. These may be more geared toward adults or older teens, with modern storylines set around Christmas time.

• Location: 1083 Austin Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
• Vibe: Intimate, neighborhood feel, modern scripts
• Good for: Locals, adult outings, smaller groups wanting something different from the classics

Aurora Theatre – Lawrenceville (Metro Atlanta)

While not in the city center, Aurora Theatre in Lawrenceville is a major part of the metro Atlanta theater scene and frequently offers holiday productions—from traditional Christmas stories to bilingual or culturally specific holiday shows.

• Location: 132 E Pike St, Lawrenceville, GA 30046
• Good for: Gwinnett County residents, families in northeast metro, people looking for strong local theater

Family-Friendly & Children’s Christmas Plays

If you have kids or visiting family, these are the types of Christmas plays in Atlanta that tend to work best: shorter, high-energy, visually engaging, and not too late at night.

Children’s Theaters and Youth-Focused Venues

Several Atlanta-area theaters specialize in productions for young audiences. Around Christmas, they often schedule:

• Retellings of classic holiday tales
• Short Christmas musicals
• Interactive shows where kids can respond, sing along, or meet characters after the performance

These theaters may not always be in the core city, but they’re widely used by Atlanta families across the metro area. When choosing a show, look for:

• Runtime (under 75–90 minutes works well for younger kids)
• Starting time (afternoon matinees are usually easier)
• Age recommendations noted by the theater

Ballet and Dance-Based Holiday Shows

While not strictly “plays,” many Atlanta families treat holiday dance performances as part of their Christmas theater tradition. These often include:

• “The Nutcracker” by major dance companies
• Youth ballet or studio productions with simplified choreography
• Story-driven dance shows set during the holidays

If your children love music and visuals more than dialogue, these performances can be a great alternative to traditional Christmas plays.

Church & Community Christmas Plays in Atlanta

Beyond professional stages, churches and community groups across Atlanta host their own Christmas plays—usually free or low-cost and concentrated in early to mid-December.

What These Productions Typically Look Like

Most Atlanta-area churches that produce Christmas plays offer:

• Nativity pageants involving children and youth groups
• Short Christmas dramas or skits woven into a worship service
• Musical cantatas with a script, narration, and choir

You’ll find these in neighborhoods all over the city, including:

• Downtown & Midtown churches (often larger choirs and more formal productions)
• Buckhead and Sandy Springs congregations (family-focused pageants and concerts)
• Decatur, East Atlanta, and Westside communities (mix of traditional and modern storytelling)

To locate these events, many Atlanta residents rely on:

• Church websites and event calendars
• Neighborhood social media groups
• Local community bulletin boards or city newsletters

Since these are often one-weekend-only events, it’s worth checking early in the season.

Planning Your Night at a Christmas Play in Atlanta

Best Time to See a Christmas Play

In Atlanta, Christmas plays typically run from late November through late December, with peak demand:

• First two weekends of December – many people start their holiday outings
• Weekends right before Christmas – popular but often crowded and sold out

If you want lower prices or more seat choices, look at:

• Weeknight performances (Tuesday–Thursday)
• Early December dates
• Matinees instead of evening shows

Ticket Tips 🎟️

When buying tickets for Christmas plays in Atlanta:

• Check if the show is reserved seating or general admission.
• Look for age or content notes if bringing children (some shows may include mature themes).
• Consider parking costs—Downtown and Midtown lots can add to your total price.
• For popular venues like Alliance Theatre and Fox Theatre, booking 2–4 weeks ahead is common for prime December dates.

Getting There & Parking

Here are general transportation patterns around major theater areas in Atlanta:

• Midtown (Alliance Theatre, Fox Theatre)

  • MARTA’s Arts Center and North Avenue stations serve these areas.
  • Multiple paid parking decks nearby; allow extra time for traffic around Peachtree St.

• Inman Park / Little Five Points (Horizon Theatre area)

  • Street parking plus small lots; these fill quickly on weekend nights.
  • MARTA’s Inman Park/Reynoldstown station is within reasonable walking distance for some venues.

• Suburban / Metro venues

  • Usually free or low-cost parking, but may not be transit-accessible.
  • Arrive 20–30 minutes early to navigate lots and pick up tickets.

How to Choose the Right Christmas Play for You

With so many options around Atlanta, a few quick questions can help narrow your search:

1. Who’s Going?

• Families with young kids:
  Focus on short, clearly family-marketed shows, early evening or matinee, simple plots, and youth-oriented venues.

• Adults / date night / friends:
  Consider professional productions, contemporary holiday-themed plays, or comedy shows.

• Large groups or visiting relatives:
  Look for big, central venues in Midtown or Downtown where it’s easy to coordinate parking, dinner, and seating.

2. What Kind of Story Do You Want?

• Traditional Christmas tale (Nativity, “A Christmas Carol,” classic messages)
• Lighthearted comedy set around the holidays
• Musical or concert-style performance with a loose storyline
• Serious or reflective drama about the meaning of the season

Atlanta’s theater scene usually offers a mix of all four most years, especially in December.

3. How Formal Do You Want the Experience to Be?

• Formal night out:
  Larger venues in Midtown or historic theaters, dressier outfits, dinner nearby.

• Casual neighborhood outing:
  Community theaters, churches, or smaller venues in areas like Decatur, Little Five Points, or local suburbs.

• Budget-conscious choice:
  Community plays, church pageants, or discount nights at professional theaters when available.

Quick Snapshot: Common Christmas Play Options in Atlanta

Practical Tips for Enjoying Christmas Theater in Atlanta

• Start planning by mid-November if you want prime weekend seats in the city.
• Check for sensory-friendly or relaxed performances if you or your child prefer a more flexible environment; some Atlanta theaters now offer these options during the holidays.
• Bundle with nearby activities:
  • Midtown shows pair well with visits to the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s holiday lights or a walk around Colony Square.
  • Neighborhood theaters often sit near local restaurants or dessert spots, making it easy to turn a play into an evening out.
• Watch the weather and traffic: December in Atlanta can be rainy and congested near popular shopping and event districts—plan extra travel time.

By focusing on your preferred style, budget, and part of town, you can quickly narrow down the many Christmas plays in Atlanta to the ones that fit your holiday season best.