January Atlanta Events Round Up
There are still a lot of events happening in January to keep that holiday vibe alive Photo: Jan Canty
AUTHOR: ARTSY CHOW ROAMER
JANUARY
ATLANTA EVENTS ROUND UP
As folks recover from the long run of holidays from Thanksgiving to New Years, they often think of January as the month of doing nothing. That would be a mistake if living in or around Atlanta, as there are many things to do that can keep that holiday vibe alive for you and yours. Here’s a round up of my favorites.
Some things you might be interested to know
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY
This years Martin Luther King Jr. holiday happens to fall on Inauguration Day. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the former and ignore the latter! Atlanta plans a lot of activities around Dr. King’s day beginning with the parade and church services at Ebenezer Baptist; the church where he was both baptized and euologized. The Atlanta History Center keeps a calendar of events that will occur which include a special celebration this year for the women involved in advocating for civil rights.
The Martin Luther King Jr. memorial in Washington DC Photo: Jimmy Woo
You can participate in civil rights themed trivia, kids activities, specially curated exhibits, panel discussions and more at the center on family events day January 18th. You can also find places to volunteer for the weekend into Monday’s holiday on the 20th which is what the day is really all about; giving back and helping others less fortunate.
Don’t forget to tune in to Ebenezer’s memorial service at 10:00 AM on the 20th. The many speakers and music never fail to lift the spirits and remind us how important Dr. King’s own words were before his assassination in 1968. The Interfaith Children’s Movement will also be participating in the annual Atlanta parade for the holiday ending with a Have a Heart Legislative Writing Party prioritizing children’s well-being in Georgia.
WILDWOOD AGLOW AT FERNBANK
Included with after-hours museum admission, WildWoods: AGLOW is “a multi-sensory experience that immerses visitors into the mesmerizing wonders of nature” through the real environment and glowing displays that are uniquely curated to highlight the native plants within WildWoods. Original music and zen-like artistic compositions create a magical exprience for children and adults alike. New this year will be large dandelions, fluttering dragonflies, swarming bats and more along the boardwalk. Tickets available for $23.95 and up for non-members-less if already a member.
GARDEN LIGHTS & HOLIDAY TRAINS
Garden Lights and Holiday Trains are two don’t miss annual events at The Atlanta Botanical Gardens for both family and fun date nights through January 12th. The stunning light show features millions of colored LED lights strung amid the trees, plants and sculptural artworks of the gardens with timed tickets that allow you to purchase and plan your visit on the specific day and time of your choice. Don’t miss the Tunnel of Lights, Alice in Wonderland and dancing to the Orchestral Orbs!
Garden Lights and Holiday Nights at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens Photo: Joey Ivansco
Gotta a model train addict in your family? Everyone seems to and the holidays are the best time to enjoy setting up and running your own cars after going to get some ideas and inspiration from the gardens. Presented by Norfolk Southern, kids and adults alike will be enchanted by the sites and sounds of the magical set up with stations, lights, Santa’s Workshop, candy adorned homes and more. Don’t forget to grab your tickets on a non-rainy day as the tracks must be dry! All aboard!
This will give you an idea of what to expect
NATIONAL College Football PlayofF Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
The City of Atlanta has an entire weekend of events planned around the 2025 College Football Playoff which is a National Championship game. More than 100,000 residents as well as visitors from across the country are expected to attend at the beautiful Mercedes Benz stadium on January 20th and you don’t have to have tickets to the game to be included in all the fun events leading up to it.
The celebration will get started Saturday, January 18th, with the opening of Playoff Fan Central at the Georgia World Congress Center in downtown Atlanta. The free family-friendly interactive experience will include games, clinics, pep rallies, special guest appearances, autograph signings and exhibits celebrating college football and its history.
Downtown Atlanta will again host one of the largest traveling music festivals which has featured top talent in the past like Pitbull, Flo Rida, Doja Cat, Usher, Lenny Kravitz, John Mellencamp, Darius Rucker and more. Sunday morning will be the 5 and 10K running events with participants receiving medals and T-shirts. Sunday evening, the Georgia Aquarium will play host to some of the best chefs in town to bring all attendees one of the most elevated and unique local cuisine experiences on offer. Get your game on football fans!
COCKTAILS & BITES ON THE BELTLINE
Calling all foodies! Atlanta Food Tours is known for the best experiences in town whether it’s touring the Ponce City Market for a little taste in food, art and history, building your own burgers or craft cocktails and bites around the Beltline. You will eat like a local while supporting the local businesses with the fun thrown in for free. I personally love the Beltline tour for $120 that lasts two hours, gives you a good mile of walking, three craft cock or mocktails with bites included that begins at Bazati. Check out their website to customize your own group tour if you prefer. Cheers!
THE TWO MARTINS AT THE FOX
I suppose that working together on their Hulu series, Only Murders in the Building, just isn’t enough for the two Martins so they will be bringing their act to the Fox Theatre January 24th. “The Dukes of Funnytown” will be live and on stage as of 8:00 PM with doors opening at 7:00. Go early as you’ll want to grab yourself some drinks and take in the beauty of the Fox which is always lovely but especially so at the holidays. Expect some music from The Steep Canyon Rangers and a guest spot for Jeff Babko who I suspect will be a great sidekick for the two guys that can still make you laugh til your sides hurt! Tickets start at $80.00.
Photo: Kwame Brathwaite (American, 1938–2023), Untitled (Radiah Frye Who Embraced Natural Hairstyles at AJASS Photoshoot), ca. 1970, printed 2018, pigmented inkjet print, The Dean Collection, courtesy of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys. © Kwame Brathwaite. Photo by Joshua White/JWPictures.com
Giants: Art from the Dean Collection of Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys
The High Museum is playing host to a giant of a collection brought to you by Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys, otherwise known as the Deans. Both have always been collectors of sorts but since their marriage, have become collectors of note known for their knowledge, taste and spirit assembling a world-class collection of paintings, sculpture and photography that exemplifies their lived ethos of “artists supporting artists”.
A giant of an exhibition I highly recommend
The exhibition illuminates the renown and impact of legendary preminent “giants” such as Barkley L. Hendricks, Esther Mahlangu, and Gordon Parks as well as contemporary modern Black creatives like Hank Willis Thomas, Qualeasha Wood, Deana Lawson, Mickalene Thomas, Amy Sherald and Titus Kaphar. It also highlights their earlier acquisitions of BMX bikes, musical albums and equipment. To the Deans, all artists are “giants” as they continue to add to the wonderful collection you will see only a small portion of during its run through January 19th at the High. Don’t miss it!
Open air ice skating at Atlantic Station through January 20th Photo: Courtesy Atlantic Station
sKATE THE STATION
Open until January 20th, Skate the Station at Atlantic Station presents your chance to ice skate in the great outdoors and pretend you are doing it in New York City (or at least that’s what I like to do)! You can spend a little of that Christmas money you got on the shop sales and grab yourself a nice dinner and hot drinks after you are done. Normal hours are 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM and there will be two special evening skates from 6-9:00 PM on January 7th (Musical Night) and January 14th (Great Gatsby Night). No walk-ups allowed so get your tickets ahead of time please!
Open until the 20th, Skate the Station is a fun January expeience
CONCLUSIONS
As you can see, there are still plenty of fun events to do in and around Atlanta to keep the holiday vibe alive for January. Most are family friendly and many would be great date night experiences as well. Grab the kids, your better half or just a great group of friends and get your tickets now for any of these upcoming events so ya got something to look forward to after the ball drops and you’ve made your resolution list!
Hey, don’t be a stranger! Let me hear from you if you got something you want to add to the list of January fun things to do! Until next time…
Cheers,
ArtsyChowRoamer
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