Last week I shared everything to do in Atlanta this Christmas which listed all of my favorite things to do this year: pop up bars, igloos, ice skating spots, Christmas lights and displays, small towns to visit, things to do, and events! There are SO many things to do this season- and while I love providing y’all with all my favorite options, I also know it might be hard to choose what to do in Atlanta. So, I thought this week I would go through some fun ideas for planning your next Christmas weekend in Atlanta and do the work for you!
Here’s a full itinerary for the perfect Christmas weekend in Atlanta. I’ve included a few extras that weren’t listed in my original post, tips, a full guide on how to plan your weekend! Merry Christmas, y’all!
Atlanta Christmas Weekend Tips:
- Make reservations. Especially in 2020, most of these restaurants and activities are reservation-only. Plan your day around your reservations and coordinate around that.
- Plan your transportation. Especially if you are drinking, using a ride share app is safer, and most of the time cheaper than paying to park. Plus, with these plans you may end up far from where you started in the city.
- Prioritize your must-haves. I chose more of the affordable options, but if you do this whole weekend it will get pricey! I suggest choosing your favorite options (for example, I love to go ice skating!) and skipping other activities if you’re on a budget.
- Dress for your day. If you’re going ice skating, bring thick socks in your purse to prevent blisters. And, if you’re planning to stay out later, pack layers, a hat, & gloves for when the sun goes down!
Atlanta Christmas Weekend Itinerary
Friday Night
Start your weekend off with dinner in an igloo- I recommend Publico, which is festive while being reasonably priced! Stop at the pop up bar upstairs, Santa’s Secret Pub, on your way out (or in!) for a festive drink.
If you want to make a night of it, walk down the street to Tiki Tango and Foxtrot, two connected bars that are also pop up bars. Or, if you want to see some Christmas lights on your way home, stop by Atlantic Station for their drive through Festival of Lights.
Saturday
Grab brunch at Parish in Inman Park on the beltline, which is a Miracle location and decorated perfectly for Christmas. I recommend going for brunch, instead of the bar in the evening, for two reasons- you can make a reservation on Parish’s website which is easier than getting a spot at the bar, and you can take fun photos in the daylight!
Then, walk down the Beltline towards Ponce and stop by for last minute Christmas shopping and a festive cocktail at Biltong Bar (also a Christmas pop up!) or King of Pops, which is serving seasonal drinks. If you’re looking for fun gifts, Ponce also has a lot of great shops to check out!
Keep walking (or grab a scooter!) and hop back on the Beltline towards Piedmont Park and stop in Park Tavern for indoor ice skating and fun seasonal snacks & drinks. Lace up your skates, enjoy the festive drinks at the bar, and snap a cute photo on the park with the Atlanta skyline in the background.
Walk through Piedmont Park and head towards The Nook, a local favorite that is decorated for Christmas. Be sure to order the tatchos, their famous dish (tater tot nachos)!
After dinner, head to the Botanical Garden in Piedmont Park for the Garden Lights. FYI- you can walk there from The Nook, but it’s a bit of a walk, especially in the cold.
Sunday
Start your day with brunch again (did you think this weekend itinerary wouldn’t include two brunches haha?!) at Joy Cafe in Midtown, one of the best brunches in Atlanta that is decorated for Christmas.
Then, head over to Atlantic Station for an afternoon of holiday shopping (and ice skating again if you want to give it another go). Or, head over to the Fernbank for their Winter Wonderland exhibit.
Finish your evening by grabbing dinner at your favorite booth at Krog Street Market, and then hot chocolate to go at Xocolat, which serves the best hot chocolate in ATL (the stall is open until 7 PM, FYI).
Then, finish your weekend off with a drive through Inman Park to look at the Christmas lights at the historic homes! If you want to see even more lights, stop by the light displays in Centennial Olympic Park and Woodruff Park downtown on your way way home.