Kick off the season on Saturday, December 6 at 11:30 AM in Downtown Kennesaw! Enjoy colorful floats, marching bands, and festive cheer. Bring your family, grab a spot along the route, and don’t miss Santa’s grand appearance.

Holly Days Parade Entry Application

Santa is making plenty of stops around Kennesaw this December, and there are many ways to say hello and snap a photo. From casual mingles to ticketed meals and scheduled photo sessions, here’s how to plan your visit:

• Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony & Santa Mingling
  Wednesday, Dec. 3 | Depot Park
  Enjoy a holiday choir performance at 6:30 PM, followed by the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at 7 PM. Santa will be mingling for quick, festive photo ops.
  
  
• Santa at Smith-Gilbert Gardens
  Thursday, Dec. 4 | 4–7 PM
  Join Santa for story time, sweet treats, and scheduled photo sessions at 4:30, 5:30, and 6:30 PM. Pre-registration required.
  
  
• Breakfast with Santa
  Saturday, Dec. 6 | 8 AM & 10 AM
  Share a delicious breakfast and meet Santa in a cozy, festive setting. Advance tickets required.
  
  
• Pictures with Santa at Depot Park
  Saturday, Dec. 6 | 12:30–6:30 PM
  Choose between a free walk-up line (12:30–2:30 PM, photos not guaranteed) or book a pre-scheduled session with digital downloads. Pre-registration recommended.
  
  
• Dinner with Santa
  Tuesday, Dec. 9 | 6–8 PM | Copeland’s of New Orleans
  Enjoy dinner, holiday cheer, and photos with Santa. Donations benefit the Jerry Worthan Memorial Christmas Fund.
  
  
• All Aboard for Holiday Fun
  Saturday, Dec. 13 | Southern Museum | 9:30 AM–5 PM
  Santa will be greeting families and hearing wishes from 10 AM to 2 PM. Included with museum admission.
  
  
• Sleigh Ride for Smiles
  Sunday, Dec. 14 | 8 AM–1 PM
  A charity car cruise with Santa and helpers available for photos with participants’ vehicles. Pre-registration recommended.

Santa will be spreading cheer all month long — whether you're looking for a quick photo or a full holiday experience, there's something for everyone.

Kennesaw Holly Days is full of festive shopping opportunities to help you find the perfect holiday gifts and seasonal goodies.

Start with the Kennesaw Holiday Market on November 14 & 15 at the Ben Robertson Community Center. This two-day event features handcrafted gifts, art, and holiday finds from local vendors — plus complimentary bites and live music on Friday evening.

On November 21 & 22, visit the Holiday Gift Shop at the Kennesaw Pottery Studio for one-of-a-kind handmade items, including pottery, paintings, candles, quilts, and more.

Beginning November 29, explore local businesses with the Holiday Shopping Card, running through January 5. Participating merchants will offer seasonal promotions to help you shop small and support the community.

For even more holiday finds, stop by the General Emporium at the Southern Museum. It’s stocked with railroad-themed gifts, toys, model trains, and the museum’s signature Lacy House jams, jellies, and sauces — perfect for festive gifting. Museum admission is not required to shop.

You can also browse the Gift Shop at Smith-Gilbert Gardens, located in the historic Hiram Butler House. It features artisan soaps, Georgia-crafted items, local honey, and children’s gifts — all with a seasonal touch. Garden admission is not required to visit the shop.

Whether you're looking for handmade treasures, local flavors, or something uniquely Kennesaw, Holly Days makes holiday shopping festive and fun.

Kennesaw Holly Days is packed with hands-on fun for children and families of all ages! From arts and crafts to story time and STEAM-inspired workshops, there’s something creative for everyone:

• Creative Workshops & Art Activities

  • Art in the Gardens – Kids 5–8 create snowmen and other holiday art using natural materials and paint.

  • Craft Nights – Ornament and gingerbread house making for all ages (registration required).

  • Holiday Wreath Making – Learn to make and decorate your own wreath at Smith-Gilbert Gardens.

• Playful Learning & Story Time

  • Little Sprouts: Winter Celebrations – Music, movement, and story time for ages 0–4 at Smith-Gilbert Gardens.

  • Mommy & Me Programs – Discovery tables, art, and themed hands-on activities for ages 3–5.

  • Toddler Tuesday: Holiday Carnival & Cookie Decorating – Games, crafts, and sweet treats for little ones and caregivers.

• Interactive Museum Fun

  • All Aboard for Holiday Fun – Victorian-era crafts, candle dipping, card making, festive train layouts, and children’s crafts at the Southern Museum.

  • Homeschool Workshops – Hands-on STEAM and holiday-themed projects for kids ages 5–12.

  • Sensory-Friendly Holiday Trains – Explore museum layouts in a calm, accessible environment with story times for all ages.

• Special Holiday Experiences

  • Candy Cane Lane & Candy Count Challenge – Walk through Kennesaw Parks & Recreation's festive displays at the Ben Robertson Community Center and Kennesaw Recreation Center and participate in a fun guessing game.

  • Holiday Hoopfest – Basketball fun paired with ornament making, face painting, and a holiday card station.

  • Snapology Camps – LEGO® and robotics programs exploring holiday themes, creative building, and problem-solving for ages 5+ (registration required).

Whether your family enjoys arts, crafts, storytelling, or hands-on STEAM fun, Kennesaw Holly Days offers countless ways to create memories, explore creativity, and celebrate the season together.

Kennesaw Holly Days isn’t just for kids—there are plenty of festive experiences designed for teens, adults, and the whole community:

• Evening Entertainment & Performances

  • Tree Lighting Ceremony – Celebrate the season with a festive choir performance leading into the annual tree lighting at Depot Park.

  • Glimmer & Glee: A Holly Days Flight – Enjoy live holiday music followed by a spectacular drone show over Downtown Kennesaw.

  • Jingle Belles & Bubbly (Movie Night) – Gather friends for an outdoor screening of The Holiday, with local vendors, snacks, and seasonal fun.

• Festive Dining & Social Events

  • Breakfast or Dinner with Santa – Enjoy a holiday meal with family or friends while supporting local charities.

  • Cups of Cheer – Cozy up with hot chocolate or apple cider with cookies at either the Ben Robertson Community Center or the Recreation Center.

  • Trivia Night with Josh Waters – Compete in a festive holiday-themed trivia challenge and win prizes.

• Hands-On Holiday Crafts & Classes

  • Craft Nights & Senior Clubhouse Programs – Ornament, candle, and gingerbread house making for teens, adults, and seniors (registration required).

  • Holiday Wreath Making – Learn to create a seasonal wreath at Smith-Gilbert Gardens, guided by the Garden Manager.

• Community & Volunteer Experiences

  • Sleigh Ride for Smiles Charity Cruise – Shop for local families, then join a festive car cruise and holiday activities.

  • Holiday Extravaganza Displays – Explore Depot Park’s creative light displays, community-built exhibits, and themed installations.

From creative workshops to live entertainment, community giving, and festive dining, there’s no shortage of ways for teens and adults to celebrate, connect, and enjoy the season in Kennesaw.

Join us for Sleigh Ride for Smiles on December 14 to support local families, and consider contributing to the Jerry Worthan Memorial Christmas Fund to help ensure every child in Kennesaw has a gift this holiday season.

• Sleigh Ride for Smiles – Sunday, December 14

  • 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Begin shopping at Target for local families. Every dollar spent will be matched as a donation to the Kennesaw Public Safety Foundation.

  • 10:00 AM: Police escort to the Winter Social at Henssler Financial, featuring family-friendly activities.

  • Santa and helpers will be available for photos with participants’ vehicles.

  • Raffles: Earn one ticket for every $50 spent, with prizes including cigars and bourbon.

  • Pre-registration: $20 per vehicle (includes a $10 gift card at check-in). VIP parking is available for pre-registered attendees.

• Jerry Worthan Memorial Christmas Fund

  • Donations help ensure every child in Kennesaw receives a gift. In 2024, the fund assisted 91 children in the community.

  • Donate online at kennesawpublicsafety.org, or in person at the Kennesaw Police Department (2539 J.O. Stephenson Ave).

  • Toy donation bins will also be available at Kennesaw City Hall (2529 J.O. Stephenson Ave).

  • Applications for assistance are available at the Kennesaw Police Department for local families in need.

Participating in these events and donations are meaningful ways to give back, celebrate the season, and make the most of Holly Days in Kennesaw.