Happy 2026, Atlanta! It’s time for a “New Year, New Me” makeover, and whether that means setting some intentions for the new year, reminding yourself of goals, or treating yourself to luxury and gentleness (or a nice mix of everything!), the New Year can be the perfect time for positive change and re-centering.
Oh, and it’s a wonderful time to try out some brand new things too! If you’re looking for some fun things to do around Atlanta this January, don’t worry, we’ve got ya covered! Keep scrolling to see all the best things to do this January in Atlanta!
Center Yourself at the High Museum of Art’s monthly Oasis event
$23.50 (FREE for members)
If you’re looking to be more peaceful in 2026, then you’re in luck! The High Museum of Art offers an amazing event every third Saturday of the Month called Oasis, and it’s a tranquil haven!
During Oasis, you’ll be able to drop in on their beginner-friendly yoga classes, enjoy mindful art-making sessions, peaceful soundscapes, tea, and so, so much more!
Learn more about Oasis on the High’s website, here!Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Monday, January 19th, 2026 is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and, as the birthplace of Dr. King, Atlanta will be celebrating the achievements of the Civil Rights hero all day long. You can find tons of amazing events and ways to celebrate at The King Center, right here in Atlanta!
There are also tons of Black-owned businesses you can support as well!
From $44.50
Start your year with a journey to Middle-earth at Candlelight: The Lord of the Rings — a classical music concert. In collaboration with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences, a string quartet will perform the legendary scores from The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
This 60-minute musical experience celebrates the franchise’s upcoming 25th anniversary, surrounded by the glow of candlelight. Tickets are available now to relive the epic themes of the beloved film trilogy in a truly stunning setting.
The show doesn’t open until February, but go ahead and snag those tickets now because the concert is set to sell out!
From $27.90
Bubble Planet is a super fun immersive experience in which you’ll surround yourself with bubbles, balloons, and other cool spherical objects like never before! Step into a planet beyond your imagination with VR technology, themed rooms, and fantastical landscapes. Jump from one immersive space to the next and explore them all with your five senses.
Did you want to see some beautiful, dazzling holiday lights, but the season just got a little too busy for ya? Don’t worry, there’s still time! Bundle up and get ready to enjoy the twinkling lights and beautiful sights that you didn’t get a chance to see before the new year!
See the full roundup of holiday lights you can check out here!Celebrate a holiday you miiiiight not have heard of!
Did you know that January 18th is National Gourmet Coffee Day? As if we needed an excuse to enjoy some delicious gourmet coffee in Atlanta! Treat yourself to a great cup of Joe at one of Atlanta’s divine coffee shops! Whether you need a little boost, a little treat, or you’re just going about you’re daily coffee-needs… National Gourmet Coffee Day is a great day to treat yourself!
Enjoy Dry January at Atlanta’s Sober Social for a classy sober night out
If you’re doing a dry January or you don’t want to drink alcohol, don’t worry! There are still plenty of amazing places to go out. One of the most elevated and fancy non-alcoholic bars is The Sober Social! You can grab mouthwatering NA cocktails, designed to give you all the aromas and flavors of alcoholic drinks, but of course with none of the alcohol (completely zero proof)!
The Sober Social is the perfect place to hang with your friends and and try something divine! Learn more on their website, here!
Treat yourself to a nice spa day
2025 was a busy year. This January, start your year off with some much needed TLC and relaxation at one of Atlanta’s amazing spas. You can spend an hour or a day rejuvenating yourself… no matter what, you’ll definitely feel like you’re walking a little lighter after a trip to one of Atlanta’s amazing spas! See our recommendations for the best spas in the ATL right here!
Head to one of Atlanta’s dazzling Candlelight Concerts
Whether you’re seeking a romantic evening with your person, a group outing with friends, or even just a fun self-care date night alone, Atlanta’s gorgeous Candlelight Concerts are an amazing option. You’ll listen to orchestral versions of your favorite music, all while surrounded by dazzling, beautiful candles.
Here are some of the many Candlelight Concerts we recommend:
- Candlelight: Queen vs. ABBA
- Candlelight: Neo-Soul Favorites ft. Songs by Prince, Childish Gambino, and More
- Candlelight: Hip Hop on Strings
Don’t miss out!
Check out the incredible annual Atlanta Boat Show
If you love boats, you’ve gotta check out the iconic annual Atlanta Boat Show, right here in downtown Atlanta! This exhibition has all the coolest selection of boats to check out, interactive games to enjoy, seminars and workshops, (like learning to sail or fishing demos!), and tons of delicious food and drink!
Enjoy a mix-off competition that can’t be missed, and all the boating parties your heart desires! Get more information about the Atlanta Boat Show on their website, here!
If part of your goal for 2026 is to widen your palate and try more restaurants, then we’ve got just the list for you!
With this extensive list of the most highly-recommended restaurants in Atlanta, there’s a little something for everyone! From fast and causal to sit-down, dress-nice experiences, there’s a little something for everyone on this list of all of Atlanta’s favorite restaurants!
Hit the ice and skate at one of Atlanta’s iconic rinks
One of the best winter traditions is definitely trying your hand (or feet, rather) at ice-skating! Lucky for us ATLiens, there’s an awesome selection of rinks to choose from. From the rooftop rink at Ponce City Market to Avalon’s dazzling Rockefeller-inspired rink, you’ll have plenty of options of where to break in your skates!
$20
Looking for the most perfect Renaissance experience? Well, you can actually participate in a super cool Renaissance festival on REAL castle grounds!
Expect fun, festive vendors, delicious Renaissance food, performances, and of course, amazing costumes! Learn more on Uhuburg Castle’s website, here.
New year, new you, right? If you’re looking for a fun new exercise class to check out, we’ve got the perfect list for you! Strengthen your body, make friends, and get more confident in one of these amazing (and unexpected) exercise classes in Atlanta! See our full list here.
From $23
Come on down to The Jazz Room in Atlanta! With a mix of carefully chosen classics and spontaneous improvisation, this feel-good live music performance takes you on a journey to the roots of this revolutionary genre. Get your tickets now for The Jazz Room: A Journey to the Heart of New Orleans in Atlanta!
Stay up to watch the first full moon of the new year!
If you’re into celestial bodies, then you’ve gotta stay up for the first full moon of 2026. This year, the moon will be full for the first time all year on January 3rd, 2026. This ‘Full Wolf Moon’ is a great time to set some intentions for the year, renew your strength in your goals, or just go outside and marvel at the miracle of science and nature!
Remember, a new year is a great time to set aside time for yourself, and this might be just the encouragement you need!
Visit one of Atlanta’s iconic bars
This January, make a point to reconnect with friends! A great way to have a casual hang sesh with your pals, if you’re not doing Dry January, is by inviting them out to drinks at one of Atlanta’s incredible bars!
Whether you’re looking for fancy cosmos with the girls or a beer with the boys (or cosmos with the boys and beers with the girls), Atlanta has the perfect bar scene for you!
If one of your New Year’s goals is to move your body more, a hike could be the perfect way to get out and about and also get some exercise! Take a breathtaking hike through the cold weather forests to feel refreshed reinvigorated! Make sure to always check the weather before you go and bundle up!
Check out our list of amazing winter hikes near Atlanta!
If one of your 2026 goals is to learn more about the world, then you’ve definitely gotta check out Atlanta’s coolest, lesser-known museums! You can learn all about interesting history you might never have heard of otherwise, or even spark a new interest!
Whether you’re looking to check out a flight museum or a paper museum… Atlanta’s got the coolest spots for you to check out!
See the full list of unique museums in the ATL right here!
If 2026 is your year for a brand new style, then start your journey at 2W Thrift, one of the biggest and best thrift and vintage spots in the entire city. They’ve got everything from true thrifting finds to high-quality vintage clothing… and everything in between.
Whether you’re revamping your whole closet or just looking for a couple great statement pieces, this spot has something for everyone!
Get all the details here.
If you love high fashion and art, then you definitely don’t want to miss out on the U.S. debut of the fabulous fashion of Dutch fashion artists Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren! The gallery has more than 100 unique and daring pieces from their avant-garde works that will stun and amazing you.