Your neighborhood guide to holiday toy drives in metro Atlanta

This Christmas, give the gift of joy and cheer to children in need. As you’re working on your holiday shopping, make sure to check your list twice and add a little extra to your cart if you’re able to. Without the generosity of the community, many children might not receive gifts this holiday season. Explore our list of toy drives (and holiday events) around Atlanta where you can participate and donate, making a child’s season brighter and giving them a reason to smile.

CHECK OUT: Winter date ideas to make the holidays brighter in metro Atlanta

Ravinia Holiday in Lights (Dunwoody)

The third annual Ravinia Holiday in Lights is a great event that benefits Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s holiday wishlist program. Bring a toy to their event on Thursday evening and you can enjoy some of their attractions for free, like their holiday lights display, play in the snow, and meet with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Location: Dunwoody - 5 Ravinia Dr. NE; Website: eventbrite.com/2022-ravinia-holiday-in-lights; Date: Thursday, Dec. 15; Time: 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

19th Annual Mark Carroll and Friends Toy Drive Holiday Party (Northwest Atlanta)

If you’re ready to dress in your holiday best, purchase a ticket to the 19th Annual Mark Carroll and Friends Toy Drive Holiday Party. A red carpet reception, photo ops, hors d’oeuvres, live music, cocktails, a silent auction and raffle prizes are all planned. Toys should be unwrapped, so please bring one or as many as you can. They are looking for jackets for teens, bicycles, toys, soccer balls and footballs. If you can’t attend this special event, consider donating online.

Location: Northwest Atlanta - (Guardian Works) 775 Echo St. NW; Website: eventbrite.com/19th-annual; Date: Thursday, Dec. 15; Time: 7:30 p.m.

Stray Society Holiday Party and Toy Drive (Downtown)

This holiday party and toy drive takes place at Atlantucky Brewing on Thursday night in Castleberry Hill. This festive event will have live music, food and plenty of beer available. For admission, please bring an unwrapped toy; all toys will be donated to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Location: Downtown - (Atlantucky Brewing) 170 Northside Dr. SW; Website: eventbrite.com/stray-society-holiday-party; Date: Thursday, Dec. 15; Time: 8 p.m. - Midnight

Toy Drive and Holiday Party at Tongue and Groove (Buckhead)

This Thursday, join Tongue and Groove for their Toy Drive and Holiday Party if you’re looking for something fun to do with your friends. Bring an unwrapped toy for free entry before 11 p.m., then get ready to dance the night away.

Location: Buckhead - (Tongue and Groove) 565 Main St. NE; Website: eventbrite.com/toy-drive-and-holiday-party; Contact: 404-261-2325; Date: Thursday, Dec. 15; Time: 9 p.m.

Santa is Coming to Town Holiday Party (Sandy Springs)

Visit the Hudson Grille in Sandy Springs this Friday for a fun evening with Santa and an opportunity to give back. Tickets cost $10, and entering to win a prize requires bringing a toy. There will be games, gifts from Santa, dancing, music and vendors.

Location: Sandy Springs - (Hudson Grille) 6317 Roswell Rd. NE; Website: eventbrite.com/santa-is-coming-to-town; Contact: 404-554-8282; Date: Friday, Dec. 16; Time: 7 - 10 p.m.

Lift Up Atlanta Christmas Toy Drive (Decatur)

Lift Up Atlanta’s Christmas Toy Drive is accepting donations between now and Dec. 16 at Metro Self-Storage in Decatur. Bicycles are the most requested, as well as gift cards for teenagers, and can be purchased from their Walmart gift registry. Check out other ways you can help make a difference through Lift Up Atlanta like their Adopt-a-Child for Christmas project.

Location: Decatur - (Metro Self-Storage) 3391 N Druid Hills Rd.; Website: liftupatlanta.org/our-projects; Contact: 404-633-7532; Date: Donations accepted until Friday, Dec. 16

Women Crush Fitness Bootcamp and Toy Drive (Dectaur)

Get a workout in while also helping a child in need at the Women Crush Fitness Bootcamp and Toy Drive at 50 Sports Company in Decatur. Tickets to this event are $10 and you will receive a fun full-body workout. All are encouraged to wear red and remember to bring a toy to this all-women’s bootcamp.

Location: Decatur - (50 Sports Company) 2501 Park Central Blvd.; Website: eventbrite.com/women-crush-fitness; Date: Saturday, Dec. 17; Time: 10 - 11 a.m.

St. Monica’s Toy Drive at Cathedral of St. Philip (Buckhead)

Participate in St. Monica’s Toy Drive at the Cathedral of St. Philip in Buckhead to make Christmas brighter this year for the children of Emmaus House. Santa and Mrs. Claus bring gifts to Emmaus House for more than 550 kids from all across Atlanta. Now through Dec. 18, you can bring an unwrapped toy to the drop-off bins in the atrium of the Cathedral of St. Philip. Click here to view their gift suggestions or to make an online donation.

Location: Buckhead - (The Cathedral of St. Philip) 2744 Peachtree Rd. NW; Website: cathedralatl.org/st-monicas-toy-drive; Contact: 404-365-1000; Date: Donations accepted until Sunday, Dec. 18

Glitz and Kickz Toy Drive Mixer (East Point)

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority’s Kappa Omega chapter hosts its second annual Glitz and Kickz Toy Drive Mixer at East Point Library. Their goal is to gather toys for kids and young adults in Atlanta so they can enjoy a joyous Christmas. Last year, they collected over 250 toys and hope to surpass that this year. You are encouraged to wear your favorite kicks to this free mixer, and don’t forget to bring a toy!

Location: East Point - (East Point Library) 2757 Main St.; Website: eventbrite.com/glitz-kickz-toy-drive; Date: Monday, Dec. 19; Time: 6 - 8 p.m.

Ghostbusters Toy Drive at Aurora Cineplex (Roswell)

The Atlanta Ghostbusters are collecting toys at the Aurora Cineplex in Roswell. Bring a toy to their donation box at the Aurora Cineplex between now and Dec. 20 to receive a free small popcorn! All donations will be directly delivered to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Location: Roswell - (Aurora Cineplex) 5100 Commerce Pkwy.; Facebook: @ATLGhostbusters; Date: Donations accepted until Tuesday, Dec. 20