5 Fun Things to Do in Atlanta, Georgia for the Holidays!

Atlanta Botanical Gardens

‘Tis the season! Despite Atlanta’s relatively warm temperatures as of late, we’ve still been in search of fun and engaging ways to bring on the holiday cheer! And there’s no shortage of exciting and festive activities to enjoy during this holiday season.

From outdoor winter entertainment to geek-out-worthy fandom experiences, here are our picks for the top five things to do in Atlanta to ensure your winter break is one full of adventure, joy, and lots of festive cheer!

Atlanta Botanical Gardens
Photo Credit: Atlanta Botanical Gardens

Visit the Botanical Gardens

One of my favorite holiday activities in Atlanta is the Atlanta Botanical Garden Lights, Holiday Nights. I’ve gone for over a decade, and it never ceases to be a fun experience. Upon arrival, we always grab a hot chocolate first thing and then set off to explore the grounds!

With more than 1 million light bulbs and 50+ miles of light strings, it’s an absolutely stunning event that pairs perfectly with holiday music as you walk through the gardens. A few of my favorite highlights include taking a stroll through the Storza Woods on the Kendeda Canopy Walk, the holiday model train (a pure delight for kids and adults), the orchestral orbs that dance through 14 million different colors (timed seamlessly to your favorite holiday tunes), and the Fuqua Conservatory & Orchid Center (which guides you into a see a 17-foot tall poinsettia tree (made up of 544 poinsettia plants!)).

It’s the perfect holiday outing, whether it’s a family event or date night!

Harry Potter: The Exhibition
Photo courtesy of Harry Potter: The Exhibition as seen at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, PA from February 18 – September 18, 2022

Grab Tickets to Harry Potter: The Exhibition

With the release of Harry Potter films always coming right before the holiday season, it’s no wonder so many of us associate Christmas with the beloved film and book franchise. 

If you’re a fan of Harry Potter, there’s no better way to celebrate the holidays than to head downtown to Harry Potter: The Exhibition. With an expansive gift shop, a tasty cafe full of savory and sweet treats and themed drinks, and the main attraction itself – it’s a magical way to immerse yourself in the holiday spirit!

What makes it even better is that the Exhibition now offers Flextime Tickets, meaning you can purchase tickets as a present, and they can be redeemed for any date or time (while the Exhibition is still in town). Tickets are limited and sell out quickly, so don’t miss out!

Curious about more details? Check out our coverage from our visit in October!

Rowdy Tiger

Hang Out in an Igloo at the Rowdy Tiger Rooftop

It’s no secret that we’re big bourbon fans. So when a bourbon bar sets up a holiday event, we’re first in line! Such is the case with Rowdy Tiger Rooftop and their rad Rooftop Igloo Experience, which is now back through February 28!

Each igloo comes decked out with cozy furniture, a heater, and a Bluetooth speaker (get those holiday jams going!). So you can customize the experience to your liking! There are also seasonal cocktails and festive sharable plates available (I highly recommend the mac and cheese – it’s delightful). It was rainy and cold the night we visited, and it was absolutely magical. 

So here’s the down-low. You’ll have to book an Igloo Experience (which is different than a dining reservation) in order to partake in this holiday outing. Igloos are available for parties sizes 1 to 6 and do include a $300 food and beverage minimum – so bring your friends! Additionally, there is a discount on valet parking with this reservation, so make sure you ask about it upon arrival.

Take a look at our visit just a couple of weeks ago here!

Beat the Bomb at Beat the Bomb

Looking for the perfect activity to do with family when they come in from out of town? Or the perfect office holiday party activity? Beat the Bomb has you covered (Quite literally, in paint). This is one of our favorite new spots in Atlanta’s Upper Westside, and I’m personally dying to go back!

Beat the Bomb Atlanta creates the ultimate gamer’s paradise with groundbreaking technology, interactive team games, and their five-gallon paint bomb. Gamers can play team challenges while at the Game Bays, race against the clock in the five different mission rooms to disarm the paint bomb, or even play individually online with players from across the world.

And as a side note, if getting covered in paint isn’t your jam. You can grab a drink and a snack and watch others try to beat the clock and ultimately get covered in paint. It’s almost as fun as the mission itself!

Cirque du Soleil
Photo Credit: Mathew Tsang

Visit Cirque du Soleil’s Kurios – Cabinet of Curiosities

Cirque du Soleil’s Kurios opened in Atlanta in October, and if you haven’t checked it out yet, grab your tickets while you can!

Kurios is the 35th production from the company, and it features an insanely talented cast of 46 artists from 16 different countries. Set in an alternate yet familiar past, the show is a playground for audiences’ imaginations. With a distinctive steampunk vibe, enchanting music and seemingly impossible performances combine seamlessly with a collection of otherworldly characters that charm and provide a nice touch of humor. It’s a show the whole family will enjoy!

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And that’s a wrap! I hope these ideas will spark some fun for you and your loved ones this holiday season! Are there any local events or holiday traditions that you look forward to each year? Let us know in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you!

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