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Christmas with kids in Warner Robins
In Warner Robins, the city itself plays Santa's helper. Each December it lights a big walk-through tree, throws a downtown Christmas parade that has run for decades and hosts free photos with Santa for families.
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The story of Christmas in Warner Robins
How Warner Robins celebrates
The Warner Robins Christmas Parade is a long-running town tradition, described by local news as about 65 years old when the city unveiled a new walk-through tree. It rolls through downtown near Watson Boulevard with floats, marching bands and festive fun. The city also holds an annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at Perkins Field, with local choruses and dance groups, food trucks, trackless train rides, face painting and a snowfall surprise. Smaller traditions include family fun nights, pet photos with Santa and a Santa visit at Ted Wright Park.
Christmas last year in Warner Robins
The City of Warner Robins announced a 2025 holiday lineup of four events. Pet Photos with Santa happened on Sunday, December 7, at Animal Control with a $5 suggested donation. Family Fun Night followed on Wednesday, December 10, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the North Houston Sports Complex. The Christmas Parade ran on Saturday, December 13, at 10 a.m. downtown. On Friday, December 19, free Photos with Santa took place at Ted Wright Park from 1 to 5 p.m., with a hot cocoa and cookie bar. The tree lighting moved online because of forecast weather.
Fun facts about Christmas in Warner Robins
The city's walk-through Christmas tree is artificial, and the city bought it with decorations for between $40,000 and $60,000 because buying was cheaper than renting. The mayor first saw a photo of a similar tree in Germany. At Commercial Circle Park, another tree-lighting night drew hundreds of people and included a large depiction of the birth of Christ and a Santa letter station. In 2022, Mr. and Mrs. Claus read stories and handed out cookies at City Hall.
Trains and Christmas near Warner Robins
Little train fans in Warner Robins have a few holiday options close to home. The city's tree lighting at Perkins Field has offered trackless train rides for kids, and Commercial Circle Park has had train rides at its tree-lighting night. For real railroad history, the Thronateeska Heritage Center in Albany sits in the old railroad depot district, with the 1913 Union Station history museum and a rail car display. The SAM Shortline Excursion Train runs from Cordele and Americus with vintage 1949 cars and a Santa train.
- SAM Shortline Excursion Train: Vintage 1949 cars run from Cordele and Americus to Plains, including Santa and dinner trains on scheduled dates.
- Thronateeska Heritage Center: A history and science campus in Albany's old railroad depot district with the 1913 Union Station museum and a rail car display.
Traditions today
- Warner Robins Christmas Parade: A downtown parade with floats and marching bands, described as about 65 years old, held on a Saturday morning in December.
- Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony: Families gather at Perkins Field for performances, trackless train rides, face painting, food trucks and a countdown to the tree lighting.
- Walk-through Christmas tree: An artificial tree that visitors can walk inside, bought by the city to replace an older one.
- Photos with Santa at Ted Wright Park: Free professional digital photos with Santa, with children's activities and a hot cocoa and cookie bar.
- Family Fun Night: An evening of games and holiday activities for the whole family at the North Houston Sports Complex.
- Pet Photos with Santa: Dogs and other pets pose with Santa at Animal Control, with a suggested donation of $5.
A fact for kids
Warner Robins has a Christmas tree you can walk right inside. The city bought it and put twinkling decorations all over it.
Questions about Christmas in Warner Robins
How old is the Warner Robins Christmas Parade?
Local news described the Warner Robins Christmas Parade as a tradition that had run for about 65 years when the city unveiled its new walk-through tree. The exact start year was not given in that report. The parade rolls downtown near Watson Boulevard with floats and marching bands, and the city announces its date and time each year.
Where is the Warner Robins Christmas Parade held?
The 2025 parade ran through downtown Warner Robins on Saturday, December 13, at 10 a.m. The route went from Davis Drive and Watson Boulevard to North Houston Road. It featured floats, marching bands and festive fun. For this year's route, date and time, see our Warner Robins Christmas events guide on this page.
What happens at the Warner Robins tree lighting?
The city's Tree Lighting Ceremony is a free family event. The 2024 edition at Perkins Field offered live performances by local dance groups and school choruses, eight food and drink vendors, trackless train rides, face painting, balloon twisting, visits from Fairytales and Friends, a snowfall surprise and a countdown to light the tree.
Was the 2025 Warner Robins tree lighting held in person?
No. The city moved the December 4, 2025 tree lighting online because of forecast bad weather. It was streamed on the City of Warner Robins Government Facebook page starting at 6:15 p.m., so families could still take part from home. Plans change yearly, so check our Warner Robins Christmas events guide.
What is the walk-through Christmas tree in Warner Robins?
It is an artificial Christmas tree that visitors can walk inside. The mayor first saw a photo of a similar tree in Germany, and the city bought it with decorations for between $40,000 and $60,000 because buying was cheaper than renting. It replaced an older tree and is lit at the annual tree lighting.
Where is the Warner Robins tree lighting held?
The city's annual tree lighting has been held at Perkins Field, 105 Mulberry St., in downtown Warner Robins. A local news report also described the lighting at Perkins Park. Another tree-lighting night was held at Commercial Circle Park, where hundreds of people gathered. See our Warner Robins Christmas events guide on this page for this year's location.
Can kids meet Santa in Warner Robins?
Yes. In 2025 the city hosted free Photos with Santa at Ted Wright Park, 2841 Moody Road, on Friday, December 19, from 1 to 5 p.m. Families received complimentary professional digital photos, and there were children's activities plus a hot cocoa and cookie bar. See our Warner Robins Christmas events guide on this page for this season.
Do pets get photos with Santa in Warner Robins?
Yes. In 2025 the city offered Pet Photos with Santa on Sunday, December 7, from noon to 4 p.m. at Warner Robins Animal Control, 208 Stalnaker Ave. A $5 donation was suggested. Pet adoptions and microchipping were also available. It is a fun option for families whose furry friend is part of the holiday picture.
What is Family Fun Night in Warner Robins?
Family Fun Night is a city holiday event with games, activities and holiday-themed fun for the whole family. In 2025 it was held on Wednesday, December 10, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the North Houston Sports Complex, 900 N. Houston Rd. Another report listed a family fun night in an earlier year on December 7.
Did Mr. and Mrs. Claus visit City Hall in Warner Robins?
Yes. In December 2022, Mr. and Mrs. Claus visited Warner Robins City Hall, where families could take pictures with them. Children did crafts and coloring, ate cookies and heard story time with Mrs. Claus. The visit came about ten days before Christmas. Check our Warner Robins Christmas events guide on this page for this season.
What is at Commercial Circle Park at Christmas?
Commercial Circle Park has hosted a tree-lighting night with train rides, hot chocolate, popcorn, live music, a Santa letter station and time with Santa Claus. Hundreds of people attended, and the mayor lit the tree. The park also has a large depiction of the birth of Christ and other Christmas imagery.
Is there a Christmas bazaar in Warner Robins?
Yes. The city has held a Winter Bazaar and Christmas bazaar with local vendors selling handmade and locally curated goods, sometimes after the parade. Another report listed a Christmas bazaar with vendors on December 4, alongside the tree lighting. Dates change from year to year, so see our Warner Robins Christmas events guide on this page.
Are there home decorating contests in Warner Robins?
In one past season the city held a Home Decorating Competition, with a sign-up deadline of December 2 and awards on December 15. It is a nice way for neighbors to join the fun. Check our Warner Robins Christmas events guide on this page for what the city has planned this season.
How can I explain a walk-through tree to a toddler?
Tell your child that the city bought a very big Christmas tree that people can walk inside and look up at the lights. Say it comes from an idea the mayor saw in a photo from Germany. Kids can point out the decorations as they walk around.
Where can we see trains at Christmas near Warner Robins?
The tree lighting at Perkins Field has offered trackless train rides for kids, and Commercial Circle Park has had train rides at its tree-lighting night. For larger trains, the SAM Shortline Excursion Train runs from Cordele and Americus with vintage 1949 cars and a Santa train on scheduled dates.
What is the SAM Shortline Excursion Train?
The SAM Shortline Excursion Train runs vintage 1949 cars from Cordele and Americus to Plains, with Santa, Halloween, Thomas and dinner trains on scheduled dates. It runs on scheduled Saturdays and some Fridays, so families need to book from the calendar. It is a drive from Warner Robins, so check dates before you plan a trip.
Is there a railroad museum near Warner Robins?
The Thronateeska Heritage Center in Albany is a history and science campus in the old railroad depot district. It has the 1913 Union Station history museum, a rail car display and the Wetherbee Planetarium's 40-foot dome. It is open Thursday to Saturday, and a planetarium show is included in admission.
What makes the Warner Robins Christmas season family friendly?
The city organizes many of the events itself, and several listed in the sources were free or asked only for a small donation. Families can find photos with Santa at Ted Wright Park, a parade downtown, a tree lighting with kids' activities and family nights with games. Our Warner Robins Christmas events guide on this page lists this season's events.
Why do some Warner Robins events change dates?
Weather and scheduling can change plans. In 2025 the tree lighting moved online because of forecast weather. In another year the parade and bazaar were postponed to December 9. Always check the city's announcements and our Warner Robins Christmas events guide on this page before you go.
When do Warner Robins holiday events usually happen?
Most city events happen in December. In 2025 the tree lighting was scheduled for Thursday, December 4, pet photos on December 7, family night on December 10, the parade on December 13 and photos with Santa on December 19. For this year's dates, see our Warner Robins Christmas events guide on this page.
Sources
- City of Warner Robins Announces 2025 Holiday Events Lineup, City of Warner Robins
- City of Warner Robins Hosts Photos with Santa Event at Ted Wright Park, City of Warner Robins
- City of Warner Robins Invites You to the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, City of Warner Robins
- City of Warner Robins Announces Change to Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Event, City of Warner Robins
- Rockin around the new Warner Robins Christmas tree, 13WMAZ
- Christmas comes to light in Commercial Circle Park, Houston Home Journal
- Mr. and Mrs. Claus visit boys and girls in Warner Robins, WGXA
- City of Warner Robins prepares for upcoming Christmas events, 41NBC
- SAM Shortline Excursion Train, Rally Takes the Train
- Thronateeska Heritage Center, Rally Takes the Train