If you live in Atlanta and you’re looking for something interesting to do on Thanksgiving that doesn’t involve just watching the New York parade and getting thoroughly stuffed with food, good news: there are many things available!
Lighting of the Macy’s Great Tree
Although the original tree that was going to become the Great Tree has snapped, necessitating the use of a backup tree, the show will go on! This is the 64th annual lighting of the Macy’s Great Tree atop Lenox Square Mall. The lighting event will feature performances by the Macy’s All-Star Choir, Scotty McCreery, Mary Mary, Melanie Moore and local artist Erica Nicole. It can also be seen on WSB-TV channel 2.
The preshow begins at 6:15 p.m. and the show will begin at 7 p.m. at Lenox Square Mall (3393 Peachtree Road, Atlanta). Take MARTA and get off at the mall-adjacent Lenox station.
More event information is here.
2011 Atlanta Half Marathon and Thanksgiving Day 5K
This Atlanta tradition, one of the largest half-marathons in the country, has been happening for 32 years. Runners can participate in the Thanksgiving Day 5K, the Mashed Potato Mile or the Drumstick Dash. There is also a kids’ fun run. Runners who finish the half marathon or the 5K will get a medal and shirt. Mashed Potato Mile and Drumstick Run finishers get a shirt and ribbon. You can register until 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 20 at a cost of $75 by clicking here.
The runs start at 7:30 a.m. at Turner Field (755 Hank Aaron Drive, Atlanta).
Visit atlantatrackclub.org for more details.
Ice Skating at Centennial Olympic Park
The outdoor ice skating rink at Centennial Olympic Park, the only one of its kind in the city, is a great place to go take a spin on the ice, even if you’re not the next skating superstar. Holiday music plays and snacks like hot chocolate are available. Admission is $7 per person and $2 additional for skate rental. Lockers are offered for $1. Note that credit/debit cards are not accepted. The rink will be open on Thanksgiving from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Centennial Olympic Park also has a Holiday in Lights display that will be illuminated on Thanksgiving. The park is at 265 Park Avenue, Atlanta.
More information about the rink is here.
Cobb Galleria Festival of Trees
The Festival of Trees moved to the Cobb Galleria area last year but the mission remains the same as when it was housed at the Georgia World Congress Center. Thirty Christmas trees have been decorated in a contest to benefit area charities. Festival-goers can vote for their favorite tree or cause by donating money at the event and the winning tree gets an extra donation from the host hotel. The event opens at 10 a.m. every day, including Thanksgiving, and is located at the Embassy Suites Atlanta (2815 Akers Mill Road, Atlanta). Here is more information about the event.