Celebrations in Light returns to Children’s Museum of Atlanta with festive and safe winter activities this December
Families invited to join Hanukkah, Las Posadas, Kwanzaa and Christmas festivities
Children’s Museum of Atlanta invites families to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year through the merry month of December. The Museum’s famous Sockefeller Plaza will be returning and kiddos will have the chance to put their sock-skating skills to the test on the ice-like surface. Children of all ages can ring in the holidays with Celebrations in Light which will include various traditions from around the world, such as Hanukkah, Las Posadas, Kwanzaa and Christmas. Kids can tap into the spirit of the season with a winter-themed storytime, a snowman challenge, a snowstorm in a jar and polymer snow to capture the chilly weather all month long. The Museum will be providing a safe way to celebrate this year with enhanced health and safety procedures that will allow for a relaxed holiday season.
Celebrations in Light
Hanukkah
Saturday, Dec. 5 - Sunday, Dec. 6
Families are welcomed to Children's Museum of Atlanta for a special Hanukkah celebration! The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is celebrated for eight days every December and honors the rededication of the Jewish Temple. The Museum will teach kids about the holiday on stage with interactive storytimes and Hanukkah arts and crafts in Creativity Cafe. At the Science Bar, children will explore candle combustion and holiday light circuits.
Las Posadas
Saturday, Dec. 12 - Sunday, Dec. 13
Las Posadas is a nine-day religious celebration observed primarily in Mexico and by Mexican-Americans. Celebrated in the evenings, families participate in nightly Christmas processions that recreate the Holy Pilgrimage of Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus on their way to Bethlehem. Kiddos can join in on the celebrations and learn more about the holiday on stage with Las Posadas-themed story times and arts and crafts in Creativity Cafe. At the Science Bar, children will explore candle combustion and holiday light circuits.
Christmas
Saturday, Dec. 19 - Sunday, Dec. 20
Families are invited to celebrate the spirit of the season this Christmas with special programming. Guests can explore how Christmas is celebrated around the world, from Iceland's Christmas Eve book reading tradition to the Giant Lantern Festival in the Philippines. Holiday storytimes and Christmas arts and crafts will be offered in the Creativity Café, providing kids with a reason for the season. The celebration features festive experiments at the Science Bar and Christmas carols that will have families enjoying a holly jolly holiday.
Kwanzaa
Saturday, Dec. 26 - Sunday, Dec. 27
Kwanzaa is a seven-day African American holiday that celebrates family, community, and culture; it was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga. The celebration honoring African heritage and culture will teach children the history of the holiday with interactive storytimes and a festive craft in the Creativity Café. The weekend-long extravaganza offers little ones a chance to bask in the holiday spirit.
Computer Science Education Week
Dec. 7 - 13
The Museum will celebrate Computer Science Education Week at the Science Bar! In addition to winter Celebrations in Light programming, there will be plugged and unplugged computer science activities that are sure to amaze. Kids can test their skills with a magic card trick, steer coding mice to their cheese and help the Mars Rover decide where to go next! Children will "bug" out while learning about famous computer scientists like Grace Hopper, Annie Easley and Evelyn Boyd Granville. There will also be special guest appearances from Dash the robot.
Building Blocks: Early Learning Programs
Dec. 1 – 30, weekdays only
Throughout the chilly season, the Museum is offering cool science, art and stage programming. At the Science Bar, kiddos can dig into the science behind snow by making their own polymer snow and mixing up a snowstorm in a jar. On stage, children will read favorite cold weather stories, build snowmen and play Winter Weather Bingo. The Creativity Cafe will be full of arts and crafts celebrating Hanukkah, Las Posadas, Christmas, and Kwanzaa. It's sure to be "snow" much fun!