Happy December, y’all! Christmas time is here in Atlanta, Georgia! Here is everything to do this December to celebrate the holidays in Atlanta and around Georgia! Y’all loved my fall guide so much that I knew I had to do a Christmas guide, haha!
Choosing What to do in Atlanta this December
Unfortunately, a lot of events this year continue to be canceled due to coronavirus, like my favorite- the Christkindl market! Not to worry though- I still found a lot of great options that are taking precautions seriously and are covid friendly (drive through lights are perfect!). I encourage you to decide what you feel comfortable participating in this year, and be as safe as possible.
I’ve listed all my favorite things to do this December to celebrate Christmas in Atlanta this year here in one post- I’m the type of person that likes to see all of my options laid out, so that is what I’m giving you!
I’ve organized everything by type of festivity, and some things are listed twice in case they fit into two categories and you aren’t reading the whole post! Most of these events & places are reservation-only this year, so check the websites on the links I provided and book before you go.
I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season- Merry Christmas!
Miracle at Parish 2019 
Atlantic Station Tree 2019 
Krog Street Market 2019
Popup Bars in Atlanta and Around Georgia
Atlanta Miracle Bars
Miracle Bars are classic Christmas popup bars! Here all of the bars this year- they all have the same website to reserve spots:
- Miracle at the Fox Marquee Club (21+, must buy tickets online)
- Sippin’ Santa at Bon Ton
- Sippin’ Santa at Golden Eagle
- Miracle at Wonderkid
- Sippin’ Santa at Bon Ton
- Miracle at Parish
Local Atlanta Popup Bars
- The Blitzen Room at the Biltong Bar in Ponce City Market.
- Whoeville in Mercantile Social in Alpharetta.
- Little Christmas Spirit at Little Spirit in Inman Park: Open Monday-Saturday 5:30-2.
- Tiki Tango: A tropical holiday pop up- get the campfire drink (it comes with a lit marshmallow!).
- Home Alone Pop Up at Foxtrot Liquor Bar. FYI- Tiki Tango and Foxtrot are connected in the same building!
- Santa’s Secret Pub upstairs at Publico, featuring speciality food and drinks you can’t get in the regular restaurant, and a boozy Christmas brunch on Sunday’s.They also have igloos you can reserve for dinner! Also- Publico is walking distance to Foxtrot & Tiki Tango if you’re looking for a fun night!
- Mingle & Jingle Christmas Bar at Best End Brewing on the Beltline, open Tuesday-Sunday 4PM-11.
- Jingle Bar at {three} sheets is open through Dec 31 on Tuesdays-Saturdays .
- A Christmas Vacation Popup at The Third Door, a new speakeasy and event space in Marietta right off the square (which is now open container!!).
- Tiki Holiday at S.O.S. tiki bar and Victory in Decatur Wednesday-Saturday.
- The Blind Pig Parlour Bar. Open Wed-Sun 5PM-Late.
- Specialty holiday cocktails at Park Tavern (and ice skating!).
- Clermont hotel rooftop bar. This year they have a heated tent on the roof themed like the Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (not your typical popup bar, haha!)
- The Nook on Piedmont Park. One of my favorite happy hour spots is decorated for Christmas- this is the perfect place to go before you see the Botanical Gardens lights as the Nook is on the park! Get tatchos, their famous dish (tater tots + nachos!).
Igloos in Atlanta
- Publico: Publico in Midtown has igloos that you can reserve with a minimum order amount for your bill. They also have a great popup bar upstairs!
- Holidays on the Roof of Ponce: PCM has 3 igloo options: 9 Mile Station, Family igloos, and 21+ igloos for reservations. The views are incredible but they are a bit expensive FYI.
- Ruby Chows: This Asian restaurant next to Ponce City Market has dining bubbles on their patio if you are looking for an amazing budget igloo option this year! There is a limit of five so be sure to request them when you make a reservation.
- Clermont hotel rooftop bar: The roof of the Clermont usually has an igloo or two when the weather gets cold that is first, but this year they are doing a themed heated tent on the roof instead that opened today!
Ice Skating around Atlanta
Most of these places require tickets in advance- check and book ahead before they sell out.
- Roof of PCM: Ice skating at Ponce is a bit more expensive than other options, but it comes with games on the Ponce City Roof! If you’ve wanted to visit the roof, this is a great time to go. You can also reserve igloos at 9 Mile Station!
- Park tavern: Ry and I went last year and had such a good time! It’s heated and inside- I’ve never been hot iced skating, haha (we were bundled up)! They also have festive drinks and it’s fun to walk through Piedmont Park after, or head the other direction and hop on the Beltline and go to Ponce!
- Skate the Station at Atlantic Station: a fun option in the shopping district outside of Midtown! Atlantic Station also has its Festival of Lights if you want to make an evening out of it.
- Avalon on ice: Skate in the heart of downtown Avalon in the cute Rockefeller-inspired rink! The rink is open through Jan 18.
- Margaritaville at Lanier Islands: Margaritaville has a lot of winter attractions this year, and one of them is ice skating! Tickets are a bit on the expensive side, but they include a lot of attractions.
Christmas Lights and Displays around Atlanta & Georgia
- Centennial Olympic Park Lights Display: This is a quick visit but they have great lights downtown- perfect for a walk or drive-by.
- Garden Lights at the Botanical Garden: these walk-through lights in Atlanta are the most popular in the city! I would buy early as tickets are limited this year.
- Stone Mountain: A Christmas display with attractions, light shows, characters, and more. I think this would be fun to do with kids!
- Fantasy in Lights at Callaway Gardens: These lights are a bit of a drive from Atlanta but have an amazing reputation- one of National Geographic’s 10 best in the world!
- Candy Rush by Illumination at Six Flags White Water: These drive through lights are the world’s largest drive through animated light show.
- Festival of Lights at Atlantic station: These drive through lights are the only ones inside the perimeter this season- this would be fun after skating the station!
- Season on the Square at Colony Square: Festive lights, a Santa Chair, and a hidden slide in the heart of Midtown.
- Holiday Light Show at the Battery Atlanta: The Battery has a night show for lights every evening in the plaza at 6:00pm, 7:00pm, 8:00pm, and 9:00pm.
- PRISM Winter Lights at Woodruff Park: This free light display at the park is a community staple and put together by the community and local artists.
- Enchanted Garden of Lights at Rock City Gardens: These walk through lights near Chattanooga look gorgeous! Ry and I visited Rock City this fall and had a great time- it was magical.
Christmas Towns to Visit in Georgia
- Marietta: check out the town’s Christmas display, meet Santa on the square, and visit The Third Door (in the pop up bars list above). Plus, the town square is extra festive as it is now open container! Read about my Marietta favorites here.
- Dahlonega: Dahlonega does an old-fashioned Christmas display, complete with lights and carriage rides- it has been called the perfect Christmas town by Southern Living. Read about my Dahlonega favorites here.
- Downtown Alpharetta: Alpharetta has Snow the first three Fridays in December from 6-7 PM, which is a display of handmade life size nutcrackers and winter decorations and the Alpharetta Christmas Market Dec 5th and 12th 10AM-3PM. Stop by Sis + Moon’s for their Christmas Vacation pop up shop, too!
Christmas-y Things to Do in Atlanta & Around Georgia
- Fernbake Winter Wonderland: This exhibit features culture holiday celebrations, outdoor giant snow globes, and a sock skating rink.
- Six Flags Holiday in the Park: Ryan and I did this last year and had such a good time- cheaper tickets, no lines, and gorgeous lights everywhere.
- See Santa at Rhodes Hall: The castle on Peachtree has Santa is available on weekends only- register for your visit before you go.
- Naughty or Nice Holiday Tea & Toys and Tea at the Ritz Carlton: Both of these events look very very fun- one for children, one for adults!
- Private Afternoon Tea with Santa at the St Regis: This is another great tea option for children that is in a life size gingerbread house.
- Snow Island at Margaritaville: This attraction at Lake Lanier has a lot of events- most notably snow tubing! They also have carnival rides and ice skating.
Christmas Events in Atlanta & Around Georgia
- Nutcracker Drive in Movie with the Atlanta Ballet: Dec 2nd-6th at 7PM. Watch the newest Nutcracker from your car- go early to see the outdoor marketplace.
- Dawsonville annual Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting: Dec 4th at 6 PM . This event also has a jingle market and free festivities!
- Christmas Jubilee Drive-Thru Parade of Lights in Woodstock: Dec 4th 4-8 PM This event is in-car and lets you see the floats and light displays completely distanced (and warm!).
- Victorian Holiday at Oakland Cemetery: Dec 5th 11AM-4PM. This is a classic event at Oakland that is an open house with a holiday green market, pop up shops, and family activities.
- Cookies with Santa at Zoo Atlanta: Dec 5th &6th. A great event for children!
- Christmas Trees in Loudermilk Park: Dec 11th-13th. See 40 decorated Christmas trees before they are donated to Atlanta fire departments.
- Firesides Sounds on the Square: Dec 11th and 18th 6-8PM. Colony square has live music, fire pits, and s’mores! All proceeds benefit Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
- “Sleigh-In” Movies in Buckhead: Dec 11th-13th, times vary. Watch Christmas movies from your car- they also have seats for bikers and walkers which I love!
- Brunch with Santa at Hampton + Hudson: Dec 13th 12PM-3PM. This brunch features a hot chocolate bar (spiked optional), Santa pictures, and pet-friendly Santa pictures with Mr. Claws (too cute!).
- Sounds of the SEAson at Georgia Aquarium Dec 17th 7-10PM. This event has live music and FYI it is 21+!
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