Center for Puppetry Arts Theater in Atlanta: A Local’s Guide to Puppets, Performances, and Hands-On Fun

The Center for Puppetry Arts Theater is one of Atlanta’s most distinctive cultural attractions. Located in Midtown, it combines a working theater, a museum, and a hands-on learning space—all centered around puppetry. For families, theater lovers, and anyone curious about the art form, it’s a unique “only-in-Atlanta” experience.

Below is a clear guide to what the Center offers, how it works, and how to plan your visit.

Where It Is and What to Expect

Location:
Center for Puppetry Arts
1404 Spring St NW
Atlanta, GA 30309

The Center sits just north of Atlantic Station and within easy reach of Arts Center MARTA Station in Midtown. Parking is usually available on site, and many locals pair a visit with a meal in nearby Midtown or on the Westside.

When people in Atlanta say they’re “going to the puppet theater,” they’re usually talking about the Center for Puppetry Arts’ performance spaces and museum under one roof. A typical visit can include:

• A live puppet show (family, youth, or adult-oriented, depending on schedule)
• Time to explore the Worlds of Puppetry Museum
• A hands-on Create-A-Puppet Workshop™ or similar craft activity

You can do just the theater show, just the museum, or an all-in-one experience, depending on ticket type and schedule.

Types of Performances at the Center for Puppetry Arts Theater

The Center’s theater is active year-round, with programming that rotates by season. While specific shows change, the general categories remain fairly consistent.

Family & Children’s Shows

These are the performances most Atlantans think of first:

• Classic stories and fairy tales (for example, familiar children’s books adapted for puppets)
• Seasonal productions, such as winter holiday shows
• Colorful, short-run series designed for younger children

You’ll usually find:

• Run times suitable for kids (often under an hour)
• Simple, engaging storylines
• A mix of marionettes, hand puppets, rod puppets, and sometimes shadow puppetry

These shows are especially popular with Atlanta families, neighborhood playgroups, and local schools on field trips.

School & Group Performances

Many weekdays during the school year are filled with:

• Field trips from Atlanta Public Schools and surrounding metro districts
• Homeschool days and group bookings
• Special educational performances that tie into curriculum themes (literature, history, world cultures, etc.)

Teachers and group leaders often choose the Center because it combines:

• A theater performance
• Access to the museum
• An optional guided workshop that reinforces what students just saw

Teen & Adult Programming

Although the Center is best known for children’s theater, it also hosts:

• Evening performances aimed at teens and adults
• Festival-style events or limited-run shows that highlight more complex themes or experimental puppetry

These events tend to draw a mix of local artists, theater enthusiasts, college students, and visitors looking for something different from the typical night out in Atlanta.

The Worlds of Puppetry Museum: More Than Just a Show

In addition to the theater, the Center houses the Worlds of Puppetry Museum, which many first-time visitors don’t realize is a full museum experience.

What You’ll See in the Museum

The museum typically has two key components:

• Global Puppetry Exhibits
  Explore puppets from around the world—such as Indonesian wayang, European marionettes, and diverse regional styles. It gives context to how puppetry fits into storytelling traditions worldwide.

• Popular Culture & Jim Henson Gallery
  Atlanta is one of the main places where you can see an extensive collection tied to Jim Henson’s work. Exhibits usually feature:

  • Characters from The Muppets
  • Items related to Sesame Street
  • Artifacts from other Henson projects and TV/film puppetry

This section tends to be a highlight for both kids and adults, especially those who grew up watching these shows.

How Long to Spend in the Museum

Most Atlanta locals plan about:

• 45–90 minutes for the museum if combined with a show
• Up to 2 hours if you like to read exhibit labels and explore in detail

If you’re visiting the city and tight on time, you can still get a good feel for the collection with a shorter walkthrough.

Create-A-Puppet Workshop™ and Hands-On Activities

The Create-A-Puppet Workshop™ is one of the Center’s signature features and is a big draw for families.

In these workshops, you typically:

1. Receive a simple puppet kit themed to the show you just watched
2. Put it together with basic materials like foam, paper, and craft supplies
3. Decorate and personalize your puppet
4. Try it out on a small stage or in designated play spaces

Workshops are structured so that:

• Young children can participate with help from adults
• Older kids and teens can work more independently and get creative
• Adults who enjoy crafts are very welcome and often have just as much fun

Workshops are usually timed around performances and may be included as part of a ticket bundle. It’s a good idea to check session times when planning your visit so you don’t feel rushed.

Typical Visit Options: Quick Comparison

Here’s a simple way to think about your options at the Center for Puppetry Arts Theater:

Many Atlanta families choose the full bundle on weekends or school breaks, while locals who have been before might come back specifically for a new show or a special exhibit.

Tickets, Scheduling, and Timing in Atlanta

Performance Schedule

The exact schedule changes by season, but you can typically expect:

• Matinee performances on weekdays for school groups and daytime visitors
• Weekend shows that cater to families and individuals
• Occasional evening performances for adult or special programming

Because the Center is popular with schools and camps, weekday mornings during the school year can feel busier with groups, while weekends and holidays may draw more general public visitors.

Ticketing Tips

Some practical considerations for Atlantans and visitors:

• Advance tickets are recommended, especially for popular weekend or holiday performances.
• When you purchase tickets, pay attention to whether they cover:
  • Show only
  • Show + Museum
  • Full experience with workshop
• Allow extra time for parking and check-in, particularly if you’re coming during rush hour or bringing young children.

Residents of the metro area sometimes look out for membership options or packages if they plan to visit multiple times per year, especially if they have puppet-loving kids.

Getting There: Transportation and Parking

By Car

From around the Atlanta metro area, the Center is easily reached via:

• I-75/85 Connector with exits toward 14th Street / 10th Street or 17th Street, then local streets to Spring Street.
• Proximity to Atlantic Station and other Midtown landmarks makes it straightforward to pair with shopping or dining.

On-site parking is typically available in a dedicated lot near the building. Traffic can be heavy during peak commuter times, so locals often plan a little extra time if coming from outside the city.

By MARTA

If you’re using public transit:

• Ride to Arts Center Station (Red/Gold line).
• From there, it’s a short bus or rideshare trip, or a walk of roughly 10–15 minutes depending on your pace and route.

Many visitors staying in Downtown, Midtown, or near Buckhead hotels use MARTA to avoid parking altogether.

Who Enjoys the Center for Puppetry Arts Theater?

The Center attracts a wide mix of people across Atlanta and beyond.

Families with Children

For local families, the Center is a common choice for:

• Weekend outings
• Birthday activities (depending on what’s being offered at the time)
• School breaks and holidays

Because the performances are designed with kids in mind and the workshops are hands-on, it’s particularly appealing to families with preschool and elementary-age children.

Teachers, Schools, and Youth Groups

The Center is set up to accommodate:

• Public and private schools from across the metro area
• Homeschool co-ops and independent educators
• After-school programs and youth organizations

Staff usually offer guidance on scheduling and group ticketing options, making it a practical field trip destination for those wanting both a fun and educational experience.

Theater Lovers and Creative Adults

For Atlanta’s arts community, the Center is also:

• A place to see puppetry techniques up close
• A venue to experience nontraditional theater, especially during special events or adult-focused evenings
• A resource for people interested in design, performance, and fabrication within the performing arts

Some locals visit primarily for the museum exhibits and special programming rather than family shows.

Special Events and Seasonal Offerings

Throughout the year, the Center for Puppetry Arts Theater may host:

• Holiday-themed productions (especially around November–December)
• Special exhibits in the museum related to well-known shows or cultural themes
• Occasional festivals or guest troupes that bring different styles of puppetry to Atlanta

These seasonal shifts are a big reason repeat visitors from around the metro area come back multiple times a year.

If you live in Atlanta, it’s common to see the Center featured on local event calendars around:

• School breaks
• Summer vacation
• Major holiday periods

Accessibility and Visitor Considerations

The Center generally aims to be accessible and welcoming:

• Physical accessibility: Entrances, seating areas, and restrooms are designed to accommodate visitors with mobility needs.
• Performance accessibility: Some shows may offer:
  • ASL-interpreted performances
  • Sensory-friendly showtimes tailored to guests who prefer a lower-stimulation environment

If accessibility is important for you or your group, it’s wise to:

• Check which performances and times best match your needs
• Arrive a bit early to get seated comfortably

Atlanta-based organizations that support families with sensory or mobility needs often highlight the Center as a friendly venue to consider.

Contact Details for Planning Your Visit

For current show schedules, ticket options, and museum hours, you can contact:

Center for Puppetry Arts
1404 Spring St NW
Atlanta, GA 30309
Phone (main line): (404) 873-3089

Staff can usually provide up-to-date information on:

• Daily performance times
• Group bookings and school visits
• Workshop availability
• Any special programming happening during your visit to Atlanta

How the Center Fits into an Atlanta Day Out

If you’re planning an Atlanta itinerary, the Center for Puppetry Arts Theater pairs well with nearby attractions in Midtown and the Westside. Many visitors combine a visit with:

• Atlanta Botanical Garden or Piedmont Park
• A quick trip to Atlantic Station for shopping or lunch
• Other Midtown arts institutions, such as the High Museum of Art

For locals, it often becomes a repeat destination: a place where kids grow up seeing different shows over the years and where adults return for museum updates or special events.

If you live in or are visiting Atlanta and want something different from a standard theater outing, the Center for Puppetry Arts Theater offers a combination of performance, history, and hands-on fun that is hard to find anywhere else in the city.