Photo by Matthew Murphy.
Through 3/6
Start Down
Where: Alliance Theatre
When: 7:30 p.m. (Tuesday through Thursday); 8 p.m. (Friday); 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. (Saturday); 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. (Sunday)
Cost: $35
What: Winner of the 2016 Alliance/Kendeda National Graduate Playwriting Competition, this show (for ages 13 and up) explores what happens when technology threatens the relationship between teacher and student.
Through 3/10
SPACE!
Where: Center for Puppetry Arts
When: 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. (Tuesdays through Fridays); 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. (Saturdays); 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. (Sundays)
Cost: $10.25 for members; $20.50 for nonmembers
What: This planetary-themed educational show (for ages 4 and up) sends an alien rock band on a “journey of discovery” throughout the galaxy. (Note: the 2/7 performance will be a special sensory-friendly show.)
Through 3/19
Fancy Nancy: The Musical!
Where: Synchronicity Theatre
When: 10:30 a.m. (Tuesday through Thursday); 7:30 p.m. (Friday); 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. (Saturday); 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. (Sunday)
Cost: $15 to $30
What: Everyone’s favorite girly girl, Fancy Nancy, joins her best friend Bree in a mermaid-themed ballet in this stage adaptation of Jane O’Connor’s children’s books.
Through 3/20
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
Where: The Alliance Theatre
When: Various
Cost: $20 to $35
What: Based on the C.S. Lewis novel, this production—part of the Alliance’s family series, and recommended for kids 5 and up—brings the magic of Narnia to the stage.
Through 4/10
Orchid Daze
Where: Atlanta Botanical Garden
When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Tuesday through Sunday)
Cost: Free with admission ($18.95 for adults, $12.95 for kids 3 to 12, free for kids two and under)
What: Got a little green thumb? The Atlanta Botanical Garden pairs brilliant orchids with natural wooden elements in their annual show celebrating the elegant plants.
Through 5/22
Art AIDS America
Where: Zuckerman Museum of Art
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Tuesday through Saturday); 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Sunday)
Cost: Free
What: Teens can get a visceral sense of the AIDS epidemic’s impact in this groundbreaking show, which makes its only Southeastern stop at Kennesaw State University’s Zuckerman museum. The exhibition explores how AIDS affected American artists and their work from the early 1980s through today.
Through 5/31
Mystery of the Mayan Medallion
Where: Children’s Museum of Atlanta
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday); 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday)
Cost: Free with admission ($14.95; free for kids under 1)
What: Budding archaeologists (and Indiana Jones fans) can decode Mayan glyphs, study jungle creatures, identify Mayan constellations, and uncover treasures in an ancient tomb in this traveling exhibition.
Through 6/16
National Parks Adventure
Where: Fernbank Museum of Natural History
When: Various
Cost: $13 for adults; $11 for children (plus the cost of museum admission)
What: The National Parks Service celebrates 100 years in 2016, and this IMAX film—narrated by Robert Redford—lets you experience the beauty of their caves, canyons, wetlands, mountains, and more.
Through 7/21
Wild Music
Where: Fernbank Museum of Natural History
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Monday through Saturday); 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Sunday)
Cost: Free with admission ($18 for adults; $17 for students; $16 for kids 3 to 16; free for kids 2 and under)
What: Fernbank’s hands-on exhibition explores sound and music in nature. Hear the sounds of whales and underwater earthquakes; compose and play your own song; learn more about how birds communicate; and more.
3/1–6
The Sound of Music
Where: Fox Theatre
When: 8 p.m. (Tuesday, Friday); 7:30 p.m. (Wednesday, Thursday); 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. (Saturday); 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. (Sunday)
Cost: $30 to $100
What: Do-re-mi! See Maria and the Von Trapps in this brand-new updated version of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical.
3/3–20
The Revolutionists
Where: 7 Stages
When: 8 p.m. (Thursday through Saturday); 5 p.m. (Sunday)
Cost: $22.50
What: Take your teenage feminist to see this world premiere by local playwright Lauren Gunderson, about four women in late 18th-century France tackling gender inequality and racial tension during the Reign of Terror.
3/3-5/8
Cirque du Soleil’s Kurios
Where: Atlantic Station
When: 8 p.m. (Tuesday through Thursday); 4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. (Friday and Saturday); 1:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. (Sunday)
Cost: $35 to $250
What: This steampunk-inspired spectacle is set inside an inventor’s cabinet of curiosities.
3/4-6
Frozen: A Tale of the Ice Queen
Where: Infinite Energy Center
When: 7 p.m. (Friday and Saturday); 2:30 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday)
Cost: $11.50 to $30
What: The Southern Ballet Theatre stages everyone’s favorite new tale of two sisters—en pointe.
3/5
World Music Day
Where: Fernbank Museum of Natural History
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cost: Free with admission ($18 for adults; $17 for students; $16 for kids 3 to 16; free for kids 2 and under)
What: Listen to live performances of music from around the world and make your own musical instrument.
3/5-20
The Phoenix Flies
Where: Various
When: Various
Cost: Free (registration required)
What: The Atlanta Preservation Center takes you inside nearly 100 of the city’s most beautiful historic sites and landmarks—at no charge—in this 13th annual event.
3/7
Superhero Day
Where: Georgia Aquarium
When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for special activities)
Cost: Free (for costumed kids 12 and under); $35.95 for adults
What: Kids earn free admission (with a paying adult) to the Georgia Aquarium by dressing up as their favorite superhero, then participate in activities like mask-making and games—plus keep an eye out for special superhero appearances.
3/8–4/3
The Lizard & El Sol
Where: Alliance Theatre
When: 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Cost: $10 for adults; $5 for kids ages 6 to 17; free for kids 5 and under
What: Kids can help find the sun in this interactive play—featuring puppets, music, and dance—based on a Mexican folktale.
3/9–13
Atlanta International Auto Show
Where: Georgia World Congress Center
When: 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. (Wednesday and Thursday); 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. (Friday); 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Saturday); 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Sunday)
Cost: $10 for adults; $5 for kids ages 6 to 12; free for kids 5 and under
What: The most fun part of checking out more than 400 new cars on display: hopping behind the wheel and pretending that you’re in the drivers seat. Plus, meet Spider-Man, Ant-Man and Scooby-Doo.
3/10–4/17
Into the Woods
Where: Aurora Theatre
When: 8 p.m. (Wednesday through Saturday); 2:30 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday)
Cost: $30 to $65
What: Is your high-schooler obsessed with shows like Once Upon a Time and Grimm? The Stephen Sondheim musical imagines how fairy-tale characters like Cinderella, the Big Bad Wolf, and Snow White fare post-happily ever after.
3/12
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Where: Midtown
When: 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
What: It’s the 134th year of this St. Paddy’s day parade—one of the country’s oldest. Expect floats, drumlines, bagpipers, and more. Register for the “Green Your Soles” 5K and you can finish your run along the parade route.
3/12
Serenbe Farms Spring Bonfire Bash
Where: Serenbe
When: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Cost: $10
What: Is there anything better than live music and s’mores? How about live music, s’mores, and a keg (for parents), all set in Serebe’s scenic sustainable farm?
3/12–13
Harlem Globetrotters
Where: Philips Arena
When: 1 p.m.
Cost: $22 to $155
What: The legendary team marked its 90th year in 2015, and now they’re celebrating with a world anniversary tour. Keep your eyes peeled for Lilburn native (and former Berkmar High School player) Alex “Moose” Weekes and his distinctive voluminous hairdo. (The Globetrotters will also be at Infinite Energy Center on 3/5.)
3/13
Family Festival
Where: Woodruff Arts Center
When: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: Free
What: The latest family festival celebrates the new High Museum exhibitions of works by Brazilian sculptor and photographer Vik Muniz, and 1980s art icon Jean-Michel Basquiat. Make Basquiat-inspired kites and fly them in the Piazza, listen while a live quartet plays music from Haiti and a DJ spins Brazilian sounds, listen to a story by Maya Angelou (and illustrated by Basquiat), and more.
Easter event
3/14
Egg Hunt on the Farm
Where: Atlanta History Center’s Smith Family Farm
When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Cost: $6.50 for adults; $5.50 for kids
What: The annual springtime fest features an egg hunt for toddlers and preschoolers, crafts, games, and (of course) the Big Bunny himself.
3/17-4/3
International Cherry Blossom Festival
Where: Macon, Georgia
When: Various
Cost: Various
What: When Macon resident William Fickling, Sr. brought 500 cherry trees to the city in 1973, he had no idea how well they’d do in the Georgia heat. Today, the cherry blossom fest boats three-hundred thousand trees—nearly ten times as many as you’ll find in Washington D.C. From March 25 through April 3, stop by the Festival at Central City Park, where you’ll find amusement rides, stunt shows, live music, and more.
Easter event
3/18
Easter Egg Hunt at Smith Plantation
Where: Smith Plantation
When: 10 a.m.
Cost: $5 per child
What: Fill your basket on the historic grounds of Roswell’s Smith Plantation, once home to one of the metro city’s founding families.
3/19
Daffodil Day
Where: Oakland Cemetery
When: 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: Free
What: The Victorian cemetery is abloom at this springtime celebration. Take guided garden walks, admire the cut flower display, get gardening advice from daffodil authorities, drop by the kids craft and storytime area, and pop inside the recently reopened Beaumont Allen Greenhouse, the cemetery’s first functioning greenhouse in more than 40 years.
Easter event
3/19
Egg Hunt at the Mansion
Where: Georgia Governor’s Mansion
When: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Cost: Free (reservations required)
What: Hunt for eggs and meet the Easter Bunny (and maybe even Governor Nathan Deal and First Lady Sandra Deal themselves).
Easter event
3/19
Easter Eggstravaganza
Where: The Rock Ranch
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost: Free (additional fees for rides)
What: More than 40,000 eggs will be on hand for kiddies to find, and you can take a ride on a carousel, locomotive, or pony—or hop atop a giant jumping pillow. (Note that this event will include a religious staging of the Easter story from the Bible.)
Easter event
3/19
Spring EGG-stravaganza
Where: Fernbank Museum of Natural History
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cost: Free with admission ($18 for adults; $17 for students; $16 for kids 3 to 16; free for kids 2 and under)
What: Scout for eggs, meet baby animals, play games, and more.
3/19-20
Bonsai Society Show
Where: Atlanta Botanical Garden
When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Tuesday through Sunday)
Cost: Free with admission ($18.95 for adults, $12.95 for kids 3 to 12, free for kids two and under)
What: Did you know that bonsai are not dwarf species, but regular plants meticulously “trained” to produce small leaves? Learn more about these pint-sized specimens and watch a demonstration about how to create your own bonsai.
3/19–26
Atlanta Science Festival
Where: Various
When: Various
Cost: Various
What: The city-wide event features nearly 100 very cool events for kids of all ages: Take a bird walk in the Fernbank Forest, try hands-on experiments at Georgia Tech, join geologists on a hike at Stone Mountain, go on a scavenger hunt at an organic farm, see the stars at the Harbor Creek Observatory, and more.
3/21–4/8
Woven Whimsy
Where: Atlanta Botanical Garden in Gainesville
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Tuesday through Sunday during March); 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Tuesday through Sunday during April)
Cost: Free with admission ($8 for adults; $5 for kids ages 3 to 12; free for kids 2 and under)
What: Watch as North Carolina–based sculptor Patrick Dougherty creates a large-scale installation out of branches and twigs found on-site.
3/24
Emerging Voices Family Storytelling
Where: Callanwolde Fine Arts Center
When: 7 p.m.
Cost: $5
What: The latest event in this series, featuring some of the South’s best storytellers, focuses on women’s history.
Easter event
3/26
North East Cobb Community Egg Drop
Where: Sprayberry High School
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: Free ($7 per child for unlimited kid’s zone rides)
What: Last year nearly 25,000 people showed up to hunt for 90,000 eggs—dropped by a helicopter onto Sprayberry High School’s football field. There are three hunts (divided by age group), a comedy circus, a kid’s zone with amusement rides, and more.
Easter event
3/26
Cobb County Eggstravaganza Under the Stars
Where: Al Bishop Softball Complex
When: 6 p.m.
Cost: Free
What: Bring your flashlights for this evening egg hunt (the first one begins at 7 p.m.). Once you’ve filled your basket, stick around for art activities, bouncy inflatables, Hula Hoop and tug-of-war contests, musical chairs, live entertainment and more.
Easter event
3/26
Taste of Forsyth
Where: Cumming Fairgrounds
When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: Free (does not include food samples)
What: Little ones can take part in one of three age-based egg hunts (with over 25,000 eggs), then head over to the Kids Zone, while grown-ups enjoy live music and sample eats from Forsyth area restaurants.
Easter event
3/26
Eggstravaganza Easter Egg Hunt
Where: Callanwolde Fine Arts Center
When: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Cost: Free for adults; $12 (in advance) or $14 (at the door) for kids 12 and under
What: Participate in one of three egg hunts (divided by age group) and meet the Easter Bunny. Plus: face painting, carnival games, and spring-themed arts and crafts.
3/26–8/14
Creatures of Light: Nature’s Bioluminescence
Where: Fernbank Museum of Natural History
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Monday through Saturday); 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Sunday)
Cost: Free with admission ($18 for adults; $17 for students; $16 for kids 3 to 16; free for kids 2 and under)
What: You’re likely familiar with fireflies (aka lightning bugs), but nature is home to a whole host of other glowing creatures. Learn more about light-producing organisms by walking through their habitats in this exhibition.
3/31-4/3
18th Century Colonial Market Faire
Where: Fort Yargo State Park
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Thursday through Saturday); 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Sunday)
Cost: $5 for adults; free for kids under 12
What: Interact with “living historians” who will demonstrate what life was like in Georgia in the 1790s. Expect demonstrations, children’s activities, period music, and more.
