Hello, local readers! Hot off the press is this week’s edition of our weekend guide, filled with the best things to do in and around Atlanta this Thursday through Sunday. As always, be sure to add anything we missed in the comments section. Enjoy your weekend!!
Gift of Lights at Atlanta Motor Speedway
Atlanta Motor Speedway. Through January 1. Sun-Thurs, 6:00 p.m – 9:00 p.m.; Fri & Sat, 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. $15 per car.
Located just south of Atlanta in Hampton, Georgia, Atlanta Motor Speedway is home to the area’s newest holiday light extravaganza. 1.5 miles of LED lights (over a million lights total!) light up the Speedway, making this drive-through experience a spectacle for visitors of all ages. Be one of the first 15,000 vehicles of the season and receive a promotional holiday gift bag!
More info and directions
The Rink: Ice Skating at Park Tavern
Park Tavern. Opening November 24, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 a.m. $15.
Nothing says the holidays like a trip to the ice skating rink. Don your cozy clothes and head to Park Tavern post or pre Thanksgiving dinner on opening day of The Rink. Be sure to get your tickets before heading out to secure your spot on the ice.
More info and directions
The Life and Legacy of Jim Henson Guided Tour
Center for the Puppetry Arts. Through early 2012. Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. $10.25 per person.
Bring back joyous childhood memories by visiting the Jim Henson puppet collection at the Center for Puppetry Arts. This hour long tour will share Jim Henson’s history as a puppeteer. Learn more about your favorite Henson characters, including Kermit the Frog, Big Bird and Barkley the Dog. Explore Henson’s and his teams groundbreaking contributions across different types of media.
More info and directions
Trim the Fat Friday
Gold’s Gym. Friday. Free.
Visit any Gold’s Gym this Friday and work out for free all day long. Bring the family and work off that heavy Thanksgiving meal. Can’t make it to the gym? Visit their website to download A Full Plate of Fitness PDF complete with six, 500 calorie burning workouts.
More info and directions
Mrs. Claus Cooking Class
The Cooking School at Irwin Street. Saturday, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Holiday Baking with Mrs. Claus for kids 8 and up; 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Mommy and Me Cookie Decorating Class for kids 2-7. $25 for kids over 8; $35 for mommy and me.
Mrs. Claus shares her cookie decorating expertise, along with a touch of holiday magic, in these two kid-friendly cooking classes. All children participating in the Mommy and Me class must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Bring your camera to take advantage of fantastic photo ops!
More info and directions
Garden Lights Holiday Nights
Atlanta Botanical Garden. Through January 7. Adults, $14.95; Kids 3-12, $9.95; Kids under 3, free. Advance tickets are recommended.
Celebrate the holiday season with Garden Lights Holiday Nights! This outdoor walking experience will take your breath away. Nearly 1 million lights were used to decorate this exhibit. The Garden tour also houses an 18 foot poinsettia tree and holiday themed displays of bromeliads, alternathera and tillandsias. And take note, the 1 million lights are LED, so they consume up to 80% less electricity than the traditional incandescent variety!
More info and directions