37 super-duper events for Atlanta families in November

Ring in the holiday season with Rudolph, Ralphie, and twinkling lights—plus Shakespeare, bluegrass, a cappella, and more
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Photograph by Clay Walker/Courtesy of the Center for Puppetry Arts

Through 11/6
From Head to Toe
Where: Alliance Theatre
When: Various
Cost: $10 for adults, $5 for kids ages 6 to 17, free for kids ages 5 and under
What: This interactive play—based on the Eric Carle picture book of the same name—lets toddlers move and think like their favorite animals. Afterward head across the plaza to check out the Eric Carle exhibition at the High Museum.

Through 11/6
The Headless Horseman of Silly Hollow 
Where: Center for Puppetry Arts
When: 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. (Wednesday through Friday); 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday)
Cost: $20.50 ($10.25 for members); free for kids under 2
What: Kiddos too little for Serenbe’s spooky staging of the story of Ichabod Crane (see above)? Try this comedic version featuring rod and shadow puppets. Tickets include a make-a-puppet craft and admission to the Worlds of Puppetry Museum. For ages 4 and up.

Through 11/6
The Sleepy Hollow Experience 
Where: Serenbe Playhouse
When: 8 p.m. (Wednesday through Sunday), 10:30 p.m. (Friday and Saturday only)
Cost: $20 to $30
What: Serenbe jump starts the Halloween season with its original outdoor play, based on the short story by Washington Irving. During intermission you can bob for apples, play cornhole, get your fortune told, and (parents only) down spiked apple cider. Get your tickets early—the previous three seasons have sold out—and keep in mind that this is fairly chilling show (the Headless Horseman looks real, y’all) that’s more appropriate for older kids and teens.

Through 11/27
Tiovivo
Where: Sifly Piazza at Woodruff Arts Center
When: All day
Cost: Free
What: Kids can climb and slide inside these four Instagram-ready structures by sculptor Jaime Haydon, each shaped like a familiar object like a pig or a bell, and painted with bright polka dots, stripes, or zig-zags.

Through 1/2/17
The Games: Ancient Olympia to Atlanta to Rio
Where: The Millennium Gate Museum
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday
Cost: $12 ($10 for students)
What: Keep the Olympic excitement alive with this exhibition, which looks back at the first Games. See 2,500-year-old Greek artifacts and learn about the mythology behind the sporting event. Be sure to check out the huge 3D printed model of the statue of Zeus at Olympia.

Through 1/2/17
The World’s Largest Dinosaurs 
Where: Fernbank Museum of Natural History
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Monday through Saturday); noon to 5 p.m. (Sunday)
Cost: Free with admission ($18 for adults; $16 for kids 3 to 12; free for kids 2 and under). IMAX movies require additional ticket purchase.
What: Fifteen years ago, the permanent “Giants of the Mesozoic” exhibit opened at Fernbank, featuring fossil casts of the world’s largest meat-eating and plant-eating dinosaurs. Now, in a new temporary exhibition, you’ll have a chance to examine life-sized bones, muscles, and internal organs of the biggest dinos that ever lived. Marvel at the size of their teeth, how much they ate, and the force of their heartbeats, and hit the IMAX theater for a showing of Dinosaurs Alive!

Through 1/8/17
I See a Story: The Art of Eric Carle
Where: High Museum of Art
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Tuesday through Thursday, Saturday); 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Friday); 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Sunday)
Cost: Free with admission ($14.50 ages 6 and up; free for kids 5 and under)
What: Even if your kid is too young to read, he or she would likely still recognize the distinctive hand-colored collages of children’s book author and illustrator Eric Carle, best known for The Very Hungry Caterpillar. See 80 original artworks from 15 of Carle’s most popular books in this career retrospective.

Through 1/16/17
Magic Tree House
Where: Children’s Museum of Atlanta
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday), 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday)
Cost: Free with admission ($14.95; free for babies under 1 year)
What: Learn about three periods of American history—the first Thanksgiving, the Civil War, and life on the 19th century prairie—in the 2,000-square-foot interactive exhibition, based on (and created by the minds behind) the Magic Tree House children’s book series. Among the hands-on experiences: climb inside a horse-drawn Civil War-era ambulance; crawl into a storm cellar and imagine what it was like to survive a tornado in the 1800s; or set the Thanksgiving table for the first feast.

11/3
Emerging Voices Family Storytelling: V.E.T.S.
Where: Callanwolde
When: 7 p.m.
Cost: Free
What: This fourth annual family-friendly storytelling program features U.S. veterans talking about their military service.

11/5
Slur
Where: Alliance Theatre
When: 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Cost: $18 to $32
What: Catch the world premiere of this new play written in collaboration with students at Paideia School and the Alliance summer drama camps. The story revolves around a middle school student and what happens after someone defaces her locker with a religious slur.

11/5
12th Annual Andalusia Bluegrass Festival
Where: Andalusia Farm in Milledgeville
When: 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Cost: $10 for adults, $5 for students, free for kids under 12
What: Bring a picnic for this family-friendly fest, featuring live performances by the Skillet Lickers, Packway Handle Band, and Good Country People. There will also be food vendors, guided trail walks, and a porch pickin’ (BYO instrument).

11/5
National Pumpkin Destruction Day
Where: The Rock Ranch
When: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Cost: $15, free for kids under 2
What: Bring your Jack o’ Lantern leftovers to the Rock Ranch, where you can annihilate it using a variety of creative methods: pumpkin-bombing airplanes, pumpkin archery, pumpkin cannons, pumpkin bowling, monster-truck pumpkin demolition, and more.

11/7–12/11
Shakespeare’s First Folio
Where: Carlos Museum
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Tuesday through Friday); 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Saturday); noon to 5 p.m. (Sunday)
Cost: Free (does not include admission to other galleries)
What: Is your high-schooler reading Romeo & Juliet? Give him a glimpse of one of the world’s rarest books—the first-ever collected edition of Shakespeare’s plays.

11/8–12/31
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Where: Center for Puppetry Arts
When: Various
Cost: $20.50 ($10.25 for members); free for kids under 2
What: This Center for Puppetry Arts holiday tradition features all your favorite characters from the classic Rankin/Bass television special. Attendees can also make their own Abominable Snow Monster puppets. For ages 4 and up.

11/12
All the World’s a Stage Family Storytelling Event
Where: Carlos Museum
When: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: Free (reservations required)
What: Listen to stories based on The Taming of the Shrew and As You Like It, and learn how to make origami stages and stick puppets.

11/12
Spark Saturdays: Children’s Rights

Where: Center for Civil and Human Rights
When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cost: $16 for adults, free for kids 18 and under
What: This family educational day is dedicated to celebrating the rights of children. Activities include storytelling and hands-on walking tree drumming (RSVP required).

11/12-1/7/17
Garden Lights, Holiday Nights
Where: Atlanta Botanical Garden
When: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Cost: $17 to $41
What: See the Botanical Garden in a whole new way when it gets bedazzled with millions of twinkling holiday lights. New this year: The Walk of Flames, featuring 21 oversized candles.

11/12-1/7/17
Fantasy in Lights
Where: Callaway Gardens
When: 6 p.m.
Cost: $19 to $28 for adults; $9.50 to $14 for kids ages 6 to 12; free for kids 5 and under
What: Eight million lights spread across 15 scenes make this one of the region’s top holiday displays. Hop out of your car and aboard the open-air Jolly Trolley for an extra-festive viewing.

11/14
Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie: America’s First Daughter
Where: Margaret Mitchell House
When: 7 p.m.
Cost: $10 ($5 for Atlanta History Center members)
What: Ever wonder what it would be like to be the daughter of the President? This painstakingly-researched historical novel imagines the life of Martha “Patsy” Jefferson Randolph, the eldest daughter of Thomas Jefferson.

11/16
Pentatonix
Where: Infinite Energy Center
When: 7 p.m.
Cost: $29.50 to $75
What: The uber-famous a cappella group has appeared on The Sing-Off, Pitch Perfect 2, Bones, and even Sesame Street. See them harmonize at Infinite Energy Center.

11/17
iLuminate

Where: Ferst Center
When: 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $28 to $38
What: Founded by a dancer and computer engineer, this troupe got its start on America’s Got Talent, and is known for their high-tech, light-up costumes. See them turn the Ferst stage into something out of a Tron set.

11/18-19
Sojam A Cappella Festival
Where: Ray Charles Performing Arts Center at Morehouse College
When:
7:30 p.m.
Cost: $30 for collegiate competition; $35 for professional concert
What:
Listen as college a cappella groups from around the country go head-to-head on Friday night, or drop by on Saturday evening for a special concert featuring professional singers.

11/18-1/8/17
Winter Wonderland
Where: Fernbank Museum
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Monday through Saturday), noon to 5 p.m. (Sunday)
Cost: Free with admission ($18 for adults; $16 for kids 3 to 12; free for kids 2 and under)
What: The natural history museum gets decked with more than 30 trees, each representing the holiday traditions of a different culture or country. While you’re there, check out the Holly Jolly Film Festival (11/19-12/17), featuring holiday classics like A Charlie Brown Christmas and other cultural performances.

11/19
Lighting of Atlantic Station
Where: Atlantic Station
When: 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Cost: Free
What: The day includes real reindeer, live music performances, and the arrival of Santa Claus, followed by the lighting of the Great Tree and celebratory fireworks. This also marks the opening of the Atlantic Station skating rink.

11/19
Pokémon Symphonic Evolution
Where: Cobb Energy Centre
When: 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $39 to $125
What: Poké-mania has been high this year, thanks to the runaway success of Pokémon Go. Indulge your Pikachu fans with this orchestral concert featuring music from the video game franchise.

11/19-20
Music for the Very Young: Meet the Brass
Where: Woodruff Arts Center
When: 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. (Saturday); 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. (Sunday)
Cost: $15 for adults, $8 for kids ages 6 to 17, free for kids 5 and under
What: Part of a series called “Meet Our Families: An Introduction to the Instruments of the Orchestra,” these performances will show off the trumpet and trombone.

11/19-2/26/17
Snow Mountain
Where: Stone Mountain Park
When: Various
Cost: $28; free for kids ages 2 and under
What: Make it a white Christmas at Stone Mountain’s annual winter wonderland, with tons of trucked-in snow for sledding, tubing, and snowman making. Work up an appetite for warm drinks and roasted marshmallows.

11/20
Odd Squad Live
Where: Cobb Energy Centre
When: 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
Cost: $17 to $47
What: Calling all Odd Squad fans! With the help of new agents Owen and Ophelia, it’s up to you to help solve the mystery and stop the villains in this original production, based on the popular PBS kids show.

11/21-12/29
Christmas at Callanwolde Light Show
Where: Callanwolde
When: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Cost: $20
What: For years, families have trekked to the historic Candler mansion to see it decorated for the holidays. Now, a new tradition begins with the addition of an evening Christmas-themed outdoor light display, which includes a singing forest and a kids-only area where snow will fall. Bring your letters to Santa (you can mail them here) and an appetite (treats will be available along the way).

11/22
A Christmas Carol: The Musical
Where: Infinite Energy Center
When: 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Cost: $21 to $29
What: Susan Chambers Dance Company stages this Broadway musical version of Charles Dickens’ story of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. Expect to see large-scale song-and-dance numbers, with music provided by a live symphony orchestra.

11/23, 11/25
Cirque Dreams Holidaze
Where: Fox Theatre
When: 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $45 to $65
What: Watch as performers from all over the world perform holiday-themed acrobatics—think gingerbread men flipping through the air or toy soldiers balancing on a tightrope—in this dramatically-staged, Broadway-caliber show.

11/25–27
Nutcracker
Where: Infinite Energy Center
When: 2 p.m. (Friday through Sunday); 7:30 p.m. (Friday and Saturday); 10 a.m. (Saturday only); 6 p.m. (Sunday only)
Cost: $18.50 to $24.50
What: The Northeast Atlanta Ballet dances the holiday ballet, featuring the familiar Tchaikovsky score performed by the Gwinnett Symphony Orchestra.

11/25–12/24
A Christmas Carol
Where: Alliance Theatre
When: Various
Cost: $14 to $65
What: A little bit funny, a little bit spooky, and plenty heartwarming, nothing says Christmas like the story of Ebenezer Scrooge. Bring the family for the annual Alliance Theatre production of the Charles Dickens holiday tale, now in its 27th year.

11/27
ASO Family Holiday Special
Where: Symphony Hall
When: 3:30 p.m.
Cost: $15 to $20
What: Watch as dancers from the Georgia Ballet perform to music from The Nutcracker, listen to Twas the Night Before Christmas, and sing along to holiday tunes in this special family-friendly concert. Rumor has it that Santa may even make an appearance!

11/27
Hip Hop Nutcracker
Where: Fox Theatre
When: 6:30 p.m.
Cost: $25.50 to $75.50
What: This contemporary reinterpretation of the holiday classic is set in 1980s Brooklyn and features a DJ and a crew of talented hip hop dancers.

11/29
The Octonauts and the Deep Sea Volcano Adventure
Where:
Cobb Energy Centre
When: 6 p.m.
Cost: $30.50 to $60.50
What: Join the eight-member Octonauts crew on an underwater musical quest in this first-ever touring U.S. show based on the popular Disney series.

11/29-12/4
A Christmas Story: The Musical
Where: Fox Theatre
When: 7:30 p.m. (Tuesday through Thursday); 8 p.m. (Friday and Saturday); 2 p.m. (Saturday only); 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. (Sunday only)
Cost: $33.50 to $93.50
What: Relive all your favorite moments from the 1983 film—leg lamps, Red Ryder BB guns, and “don’t shoot your eye out!”—in this touring Broadway musical.

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