20 events for Atlanta families in January

Ring in 2016 with monster trucks, slithering reptiles, out-of-this-world marching bands, Peppa Pig, and more
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Honda Battle of the Bands
Courtesy of Honda Battle of the Bands

Through 1/9
Garden Lights, Holiday Nights
Where: Atlanta Botanical Garden
When: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Cost: Thursday through Sunday: $26 for adults ($21 for members); $20 for kids ages 3 to 12 ($15 for members); free for kids 2 and under. Monday through Wednesday: $23 for adults ($18 for members); $17 for kids ages 3 to 12 ($12 for members); free for kids 2 and under.
What: For the fifth year, the midtown Garden is illuminated with more than two million lights. In addition to the crowd-pleasing botanical displays and interactive exhibits from previous seasons, you can stroll through the new nearly-100-foot-long Tunnel of Light.

Through 1/10
Winter Wonderland
Where: Fernbank Museum of Natural History
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Monday through Saturday), 12 PM to 5 PM (Sunday)
Cost: $18 for adults; $17 for students; $16 for kids 3 to 16; free for kids 2 and under
What: Still mourning the defunct Atlanta Festival of Trees? Find solace at Fernbank, where more than 30 trees and holiday displays, each representing a different country’s culture, are displayed throughout two floors of the museum.

Through 2/28
Snow Mountain
Where: Stone Mountain Park
When: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Cost: $28 for adults and kids ages 3 and up; free for kids 2 and under. Parking additional.
What: Hit the slopes without leaving town at Stone Mountain’s Snow Mountain, a man-made frosty playspace filled with tons of the white stuff for tubing, tobogganing, snowman-building, and more.

1/2–3
Home Alone with the ASO
Where: Symphony Hall
When: 8 p.m. (Saturday) and 3 p.m. (Sunday)
Cost: $20 to $55
What: Relive Macaulay Culkin’s holiday mischief making while the Atlanta Symphony plays the iconic John Williams score live.

1/10
Three Kings Day
Where: Atlanta History Center
When: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: Free
What: In Spain and Latin America, this holiday represents the height of the Christmas season. Celebrate at the History Center with storytelling, live performances, music, food, and more.

1/9
Monster Jam
Where: Georgia Dome
When: 7 p.m.
Cost: $20 to $40
What: The world’s biggest monster truck tour rolls through the Dome. Bring your earplugs.

1/12
Finishing the Dream
Where: Center for Civil and Human Rights
When: 6:30 p.m.
Cost: $5
What: Give your teen a deeper grasp of the 1960s civil rights struggle at this event, a discussion of the lives and values of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. Speakers will aim to connect the past to the present, and offer insight about how we can continue working toward making their dreams a reality.

1/12-2/14
A Bucket of Blessings
Where: Alliance Theatre
When: Various
Cost: $10 for adults; $5 for kids 6 to 17; free for kids 5 and under
What: Based on the bestselling children’s book (a retelling of an Indian folktale), this world-premiere play is part of the Alliance’s “Theatre for the Very Young” series.

1/14–17
Atlanta Boat Show
Where: Georgia World Congress Center
When: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Thursday and Friday); 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Saturday); 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Sunday)
Cost: $14 for adults; free for kids 15 and under
What: Stop by the Kids Zone for water-themed inflatables, face painting, and balloon art; watch fishing demonstrations at the 12-foot by 40-foot aquarium; try your hand at the catch-and-release trout pond; see if you can master the virtual boating skills trainer; and meet Dora the Explorer (because why not?).

1/15
Game On

Where: Bailey Performance Center at Kennesaw State University
When: 8 p.m.
Cost: $23 to $55
What: Calling all gamer parents and kids! The Kennesaw State Symphony Orchestra and Wind Ensemble performs music from current and classic video games, including Tetris, World of Warcraft, Halo, Final Fantasy, and Call of Duty.

1/15–17
Shen Yun
Where: Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
When: 7:30 p.m. (Friday and Saturday); 2:00 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday)
Cost: $65 to $205
What: Journey through 5,000 years of Chinese culture with this spectacular stage show, a mix of dance, orchestra, and animation.

1/16
MLK Day 5K Drum Run
Where: Piedmont Park
When: 8 a.m. (racers line up at 8:45 a.m.)
Cost: $25
What: A line of more than 250 drummers keeps the beat at this unique Peachtree Road Race-qualifying 5K. Show up early for music and dancing, and afterwards, enjoy a post-race party and free ice skating at Park Tavern’s southwest rink.

1/18
ArtsVibe MLK Day Teen Poetry Slam

Where: Woodruff Arts Center
When: 3:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
What: Celebrate MLK’s legacy with this event featuring poetry that addresses civil rights and social justice. It’s open to all who want to participate or attend, so teens who want to recite their own work can take the stage.

1/23-24
Callanwolde Arts Festival
Where: Callanwolde Fine Arts Center
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Saturday); 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Sunday)
Cost: $5
What: Wander the gorgeous Candler family mansion at this second annual fest, which will feature more than 80 painters, sculptors, metalworkers, glass artists, and more. Plus: Check out artist demonstrations, live music and dance performances, and food trucks.

1/24
Peter Rabbit Tales
Where: Infinite Energy Center
When: 1:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $16.50 to $26.50
What: Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny are all grown up in this Enchanted Theatre Company Production. When a badger steals Benjamin’s babies, the cousins head out on a journey to rescue them.

1/24
Slithering Celebration
Where: Chattahoochee Nature Center
When: 12 p.m.
Cost: Free with admission ($10 for adults; $7 for students ages 13 to 18; $6 for kids ages 3 to 12; free for kids 2 and under)
What: Kick off the Chattahoochee Nature Center’s 40th anniversary year with this reptile extravaganza, featuring live reptiles and snakes, crafts and games, face painting, and more.

1/24
Around the World in 60 Minutes
Where: Marvin Cole Auditorium
When: 3 p.m.
Cost: $22 for adults; $10 for students
What: The Dekalb Symphony Orchestra’s annual children’s concert features music from around the globe—plus some special musical guests.

1/28–3/10
SPACE!
Where: Center for Puppetry Arts
When: 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. (Tuesdays through Fridays); 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. (Saturdays); 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. (Sundays)
Cost: $10.25 for members; $20.50 for nonmembers
What: This planetary-themed educational show (for ages 4 and up) sends an alien rock band on a “journey of discovery” throughout the galaxy. (Note: the February 7 performance will be a special sensory-friendly show.)

1/30
Honda Battle of the Bands
Where: Georgia Dome
When: 3 p.m.
Cost: $10 to $18
What: Eight marching bands from historically black colleges and universities strut their stuff at this invitational showcase at the Dome. Among those featured this year: Jackson State University (“Sonic Boom of the South”), Tennessee State Unviersity (“Aristocrat of Bands”), and Alcorn State University (“The Sounds of Dyn-O-Mite”).

1/31
Peppa Pig Live!
Where: Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
When: 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Cost: $26.50 to $36.50
What: Bing Bong Bingly Bungly Boo! Join everyone’s favorite British pig and her friends at this live muddy puddle-inspired musical, “Peppa Pig’s Big Splash.”

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