Winter is in full swing, and there’s so many awesome things to do across Atlanta to spice up the coldest season of all. From spectacular immersive experiences to unmissable art exhibitions, don’t miss out on all the fabulous wintertime happenings across our city! Whether you’re a winter-lover and are searching for the perfect winter hike, or can’t wait for spring and need to know where all the best heated patios are in Atlanta, there’s truly something for everyone.
1. Ice Skating Rinks
While most of Atlanta’s local rinks closed up after the holidays, that doesn’t mean you can’t still find some icy rinks for all your skating dreams! Hit the ice this winter at Alpharetta’s year-round rink or at the longest running outdoor ice rink in Georgia, in Conyers until February 11th!
For information on Olde Towne on Ice in Conyers, check out their website!
For information on The Cooler in Alpharetta, check out their website!
2. Get saucy with The Empire Strips Back: A Burlesque Parody
You read that right! This incredible parody show was previously sold out, but it’s back open to the public! See all of your favorite Star Wars characters scantily clad and live on stage!
Take a trip to your dark side with comedy and allure, loving detail, and hilarious parody! The Empire Strips Back drops classic Star Wars characters into the world of burlesque.
Guests should expect some seriously sultry Stormtroopers, a dangerously enticing Boba Fett, some tantalizing Twi’leks, a delightfully luke-warm Taun Taun, a lady-like Skywalker, the Droids you are looking for, and much, much more!
To grab your tickets, check out The Empire Strips Back!
3. Support Black-owned businesses throughout Black History Month, and beyond!
Whether you’re looking for a tasty bite to eat or an amazing place to buy goods, Atlanta’s Black businesses are where it’s at! Support Black-owned businesses and restaurants for Black History Month, and all year round! There are toooons of great options, but here are some of our recommendations!
- Slutty Vegan – Absolutely delicious Vegan burgers and other plant-based “junk food” (Multiple Locations)
- Iwi Fresh – A luxurious farm to facial spa (Downtown Atlanta)
- Nourish & Bloom – A super futuristic grocery store (Trilith)
- Hippin’ Hops – A mouth-watering Brewery & Oyster Bar (East Atlanta, Stone Mountain, & East Lake)
- The Village Retail Market – Retail experience uniting Black-owned businesses (Ponce City Market)
4. Trek your way through a couple of Georgia’s breath-taking winter hikes
In our opinion, nothing can beat the brisk Georgian air during the winter, especially when the sun is shining! Step out into nature this winter, and take a hike through the beauty of Georgia!
Check out our full round-up of great hikes!5. Check out these unmissable exhibitions on display in Atlanta!
There’s so much great Art in Atlanta, it’s hard to choose which events to go to! Don’t worry–we’ve got you covered! Whether you’re looking to get into the indie art scene, or you want to spend the day wandering around the High Museum of Art, or you just want to walk down the street and see all the gorgeous graffiti and street art, Atlanta is the place to BE!
Check out some of our cool art!
6. Eat or drink out on one of Atlanta’s favorite heated patios
It can get pretty chilly here in Atlanta during the winter, but that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying a nice dinner outside! A great way to warm up is by enjoying some drinks and bites at one of Atlanta’s favorite heated patios. Some of our recommendations include:
- Ladybird Grove & Mess, Old Fourth Ward
- Ecco, Buckhead & Midtown
- The White Bull, Decatur
And if you’re looking for more options, check out our full roundup!
7. Or grab a mocktail at one of these sober places!
If you’re looking to take Dry January all winter, or just want a fun little bevvy without the alcohol, don’t sweat it! Atlanta has tons of sober places/sober-ish places to enjoy.
Check out our full round up or one of our recommendations below!
- The Sober Social
- Elemental Spirits Co.
- Bar Vegan
8. Experience Fernbank Museum’s dazzling light installation
Inspired by its surrounding nature, Fernbank Museum’s magical installation is scattered around their beloved WildWoods. From enchanting, glowing mushrooms to mind-bending interaction with nature, it’s the perfect way to make those winter months a little brighter! Check out all the information here, or check out the link below.
Enchanting glow up: Don’t miss Fernbank Museum’s stunning light experience this winter in Atlanta
9. Witness giant Lego creations at this epic convention coming to Atlanta
If you’re a fan of Lego, or know someone who is, then don’t miss out on the return of Atlanta Brick Con, an impressive fan-made convention for professional Lego builders and the young-at-heart. The convention will be taking place on February 10th & 11th at Gas South Convention Center.
Check out their website for more information!
10. Celebrate the Lunar New Year with a huge festival in Stone Mountain
Celebrate the Year of the Dragon in Stone Mountain Park! This Asian-inspired festival pays tribute to the culture and New Year traditions of Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, and other countries that follow the lunar calendar!
In expected Stone Mountain fashion, you can expect an incredible laser show, drone show, parade and of course, fireworks! And don’t miss out on the food trucks, offering tons of delicious cultural dishes for the new year!
Dates:
February 10th – 11th, 17th – 19th, and 24th – 25th (the last three weekends of Feb)
For more information on the Lunar New Year Festival, check out Stone Mountain’s website!
11. Step into a painting at Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience
If you’ve ever dreamt of stepping right out of the world and into a painting, you’ll love this awe-inspiring journey into the artistic world of Vincent Van Gogh! Explore his world: his life, his work, and his secrets, all while walking through cutting-edge 360-degree immersive digital projections of his art.
You can also expect a one-of-a-kind VR experience, and a light and sound show to delight your senses.
Don’t delay, grab your tickets now for Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience!
12. Take your friends, family or boo out for a delicious meal at one of the best restaurants in Atlanta!
Looking for that perfect spot to grab dinner with your loved ones? Eat in-restaurant or grab the perfect to-go order at these ATL favs!
Atlanta is the perfect place for nearly any type of cuisine, so no matter what you’re craving, we’ve got you covered for sure! Check out the full roundup here, or one of our recommendations below!
- Bomb Biscuits – Soul Food, southern biscuits
- Siam Thai – Thai food
- Delbar – Middle Eastern, Persian food
13. Warm up with a delicious hot chocolate at these hot cocoa hotspots!
Is there anything better than hot chocolate? We rounded up some of Atlanta’s best spots to enjoy a deliciously decadent hot chocolate. Check out our recommendations below or check out the full round-up.
- Xocolatl Small Batch Chocolate, The Krog District
- ADios Café, Castleberry Hill
- FiNCA to FiLTER, multiple locations
14. Sign up for a fun run and support a good cause!
This winter, two amazing runs are taking over ATL!
For all the chocolate lovers out there, the Hot Chocolate Run is every runner with a sweet tooth’s dream come true! Enjoy a nice run starting at Centennial Olympic Park, and then enjoy a chocolate party afterwards! And the Hot Chocolate Run is bringing a chocolate expo into town, if you want to grab some sweet treats without the run!
For more details, check out all the info here!
And if you’ve ever wanted to run through town in your undies… now’s your chance! Drop your pants for a good cause with the annual Undie Run! This extremely ~brief~ run begins and ends with drinking and dancing! And the run is only about a mile… and the best part? You do it in your undies!
If you want to know more about this amazing cause and run, check out the info here!
15. Learn to make latte art at Opo Coffee!
Want to learn how to make incredible latte art, but don’t know where to start? We’ve got ya covered! Sign up for a latte art making class at Opo, a local coffee shop in Avondale!
You’ll learn how to make adorable designs that will wow your friends next time you make them a latte or cappuccino!
Check out all the details here!
16. Get loose with Atlanta’s one-of-a-kind Hops and Flow Beer Yoga
This event is exactly what it sounds like! Grab a beer and stretch it out in a community-oriented yoga class! You don’t want to miss out on all the fun at Hops and Flow! These classes are great for all levels of yoga, and the best part? The first beer is included in your ticket!
There are tons of times and places to participate, so check out more information to see what works best for you!
17. Hit up a super fun Drag Brunch this winter!
Two things Atlantans love: brunch and drag, rolled into one! What could be more fun? WUSSY Events has a full line up of amazing drag brunches around town this winter, and you definitely have to check it out!
They’ve got everything from Muppets to Beyoncé themes, so there’s truly something for everyone. Grab a mimosa and watch your favorite local queens slay the stage.
For the lineup of events, check out WUSSY’s website!
18. Go for a fun weekend getaway this winter!
Maybe you’re craving a bit of a break from the hustle and bustle of the city! A great way to do that is to book a weekend getaway at one of these gorgeous local locations! You can enjoy nature and a cozy weekend with your friends or S.O.!
For more information, check out our article on all the great local getaway destinations!
19. Relax with an amazing massage
Start your year off right with a day of relaxation and rest! You know the spa is calling your name! Head over to the brand new Squeeze location in Midtown for a perfect day! Leave feeling refreshed and as light as a cloud!
20. Go on a stunning Valentine’s Dinner Date!
Everyone knows that one of the best winter holidays after the new year is the holiday of LOVE! Take your Valentine out for a delicious dinner in Atlanta this year! And don’t forget the delicious cocktails!
Check out the full list of romantic spots for your dinner date!
Winter might seem like a bleak time in Atlanta, but it turns out, there are tons of fun things to do right here in Atlanta! You can’t miss out on this amazing list of things to do this winter!