🎄 Atlanta Holiday Happenings 2025: Cozy, Low-Cost, & Community-Centered

Your guide to festive fun, small business magic, & winter events across the city.

Atlanta really shines during the holidays — neighborhood markets, twinkly tree lightings, cozy pop-ups, & plenty of chances to shop small, sip cocoa, & soak up winter magic. Consider this your curated round-up of the best low-cost, local, & community-forward holiday events happening across ATL & beyond.

Save this guide, share it with your friends, and let’s get festive. 🎁✨

"The best way to spread Christmas cheer is by singing loud for all to hear"… & telling your friends about me

via GIPHY

Buddy the Elf

Holiday Must-Do's (My Non-Negotiables)

Atlanta has no shortage of festive fun, but these are the classics I return to every year — the cozy, quirky, very-ATL traditions that just hit different in December.

✨ Krampus in Little Five Points
A spooky-meets-festive tradition. Locals know this one is iconic.

✨ Dad’s Garage: Invasion of a Christmas Carol
A chaotic-good comedy experience. A must-do for the season.

✨ Atlanta Botanical Garden Holiday Lights
Grab a hot cocoa and wander the lights — magical every time.

✨ Holiday Spirit at Oakland Cemetery — 12/05–12/06
A beautiful, atmospheric behind-the-scenes tour that feels like stepping into history.

Note: … & because transparency matters: you won’t see the Atlanta Christkindl Market on this list.
I lived in Germany, I’ve done the real markets… & while ATL’s version was wonderful back in 2019 at Centennial Olympic Park, the quality has slipped since going mainstream. Overhyped, & not worth the crowd IMO — so I’m keeping this guide small-biz + community centered.

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🎄 Festive Sips & Holiday Pop-Up Bars

Because sometimes the season calls for a little liquid cheer, here are ATL’s coziest, quirkiest, & most chaotic holiday pop-up bars worth a stop this season:

🍸 Little Spirit – Magic Cocktails — Starting 11/24
Over-the-top holiday drinks, sparkly vibes, & the perfect spot for those “one drink turned four” nights. Hopefully they have the Mike Tyson one again.

🍻 Jingle Bar at Chattahoochee Food Works — Opening 11/28
Think twinkle lights, festive cocktails, themed nights, & plenty of spots to grab food after. Perfect group hang.

🎁 Miracle Bar
The OG holiday pop-up. Maximalist Christmas energy. Tinsel. Ugly sweaters. Over-the-top cocktails. A whole vibe.

🍺 Halfway Crooks Holiday Pop-Up — 12/03–01/11
Holiday craft brews, cozy beer hall energy, & a winter-themed takeover that always hits. Perfect pre- or post–holiday-weekend move.

🎄 Tree Lightings

🌟 Light Up the Szn — Piedmont Park
11/23
Kick off winter with lights, music, & full holiday energy in the heart of Midtown.

🎄 Decatur Tree Lighting on the Square
12/04
Small-town charm meets ATL magic. Carols, lights, and cozy vibes.

🎅 Santa Sightings

📸 Winter House at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center
11/29–12/14
Holiday decor, magical photos, & festive workshops in a historic mansion.

🎅 Santa is Coming to Frazier’s Meat & Market
11/30
A neighborhood fave — wholesome, cute, & delicious.

🎁 Meet Santa at Sidecar Coffee (Chamblee Tap & Market)
11/29 — RSVP required
Coffee + Santa = elite parent move.

📚 The Black Girl Book Fair + Black Santa @asmallplacebookshop
12/13 at 2 PM
One of the most joyful Santa events in the city — culturally rich & community-centered.

📌 Notes & TBD Add-Ins

These events are either finalizing dates, posting soon, or still rolling out details — but they always bring the festive vibes. Check their pages for updates (I’ll add confirmed dates as they drop!): 🎅 Monday Night Garage, 🎄 Create ATL

🛍️ Shop Small (Markets & Makers)

Support ATL creatives, artists, & makers this season.

Reminder: Small Business Saturday — 11/29

• Waller’s Coffee Shop – Artist Market
  📅 11/22

• Atlanta Contemporary – Holiday Market
  📅 11/22

• Queen Bee Parlour – Black Friday Artist Market
  @illbeseeingyou
  📅 11/28–12/08

• Outrun Brewing x Witching Hour Tattoo – Krampus Art Market
  📅 11/29
  Dark holiday vibes, weird art, & great beer.

• Christmas on Cascade
  📅 12/06

• Star Community Bar – Holiday Market
  📅 12/07, 12/14, 12/20
  (Yes — they’re doing THREE.)

• All the Tropes Bookstore – Holiday Market
  📅 12/07

• Sudnat Studios – Merry Market (Wild Heaven West End)
  📅 12/07

• The Supermarket ATL – Night Market
  📅 12/12

• Sudnat Studios at Little Cottage Brewery + The Lost Druid
  📅 12/13

• Virginia Highland District – Winterfest & Tour of Homes
  📅 12/13–12/14

🎁 More community markets + small business pop-ups coming as we get closer to December.

🌲 OTP Events

A little holiday cheer outside the perimeter.

• Newnan Book Co – Book Club Swap Party
  📅 12/11

• Silent Book Club Newnan – Christmas Book Exchange at Birdhouse Market
  📅 12/21