WINNER: Best holiday event in Atlanta | Best of Atlanta

Best holiday events in Atlanta 2019

Atlanta is full of things to do this holiday season — from light shows to puppet shows.

Some are free, like PRISM: Winter Lights at Woodruff Park, and others come with a price tag, like Santa's Fantastical.

Our Atlanta Winter Guide is full of suggestions for places to go, gifts to give and food to make.

But when we asked readers to pick a favorite, it wasn’t much of a contest. After the winner, the voting was close enough to cause ties for fourth, third and second places, so we’re going to include all the nominees in our standings.

Tied for sixth place were Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer at Center for Puppetry Arts and Snow Mountain at Stone Mountain Park.

Rudolph, Sam the Snowman and Hermey the Elf have entertained Atlanta kids and their parents for 10 years at the Center for Puppetry Arts. You still have time to catch a show, which will run through Dec. 29. There is no show on Christmas Day, however.

If you need snow to get in the holiday spirit, then Snow Mountain is the place for you to visit. The 400 foot tubing hill and play area are covered in real snow. Snow Mountain is open through Feb. 23.

Tied for fourth place were Macy's Pink Pig at Lenox Square, and Holidays at SunTrust Park and The Battery Atlanta.

Priscilla, Macy's Pink Pig, has been a holiday tradition here in Atlanta for more than 50 years. The ride began in 1953 as a monorail along the ceiling of Rich's department store. The Pink Pig train ride carries kids and their parents "through a life-sized storybook that includes the original Pink Pig and other holiday friends."

» Macy's Pink Pig continues Atlanta holiday tradition

Even though baseball season has been over for a couple of months, there is still plenty of activity at SunTrust Park and The Battery. On Dec. 14 you can take part in the Jingle Bell Run 5K. The next weekend, Dec. 20-21, the Braves will join U.S. Ski and Snowboard to hold a "big-air" competition.

» Braves bringing snowboarding to SunTrust Park

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Tied for second place were Atlanta Ballet's Nutcracker and Christmas at Callanwolde.

This is the last season to catch the Atlanta Ballet's performance of "The Nutcracker" at the Fox Theatre. Starting next year, the production moves to the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Tickets for "The Nutcracker" are still available through Christmas Eve.

» Atlanta Ballet's 'The Nutcracker' runs at the Fox for one last season

Christmas at Callanwolde ended Dec. 8, but it's been an Atlanta tradition for more than 40 years so you can catch it in 2020. Callanwolde's 27,000-square-foot historic mansion is lavishly decorated by some of the most prestigious area interior and floral designers. The event also offers guided tours, live entertainment and holiday shopping.

The overwhelming winner of the 2019 Best of Atlanta voting was Garden Lights Holiday Nights, Atlanta Botanical Garden.

Visitors can enjoy the Ice Goddess and Tunnel of Light, Orchestral Orbs, Radiant Rainforest, Model Trains and other favorites. Plus, you can gaze at plant giants from "Imaginary Worlds: Alice's Wonderland." Holiday Nights runs through Jan. 11, and tickets are still available.

» Everything you need to know about Holiday Nights at Atlanta Botanical Garden

Looking for more things to do in the Atlanta area? Here are some of our Best of Atlanta winners:

» Best family attraction in metro Atlanta

» Best movie theater in Atlanta

» Best tourist attraction in Atlanta

» This is best music festival in Atlanta

» Best late-night spot

And check back with us on Dec. 30 for a roundup of all of our Best of Atlanta winners in 2019.

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