How is it already December 18th?! I feel I just started shopping and really getting into the spirit and now it’s almost over. I love Atlanta in the holidays, when we transform into a mild winter wonderland full of sparkling lights, festive cheer, and family-friendly (and very unfriendly) activities. Whether you’re a local or just visiting (or trying to guess which one of those I am, because girl, same), there’s no shortage of magical events to fill your calendar. Here’s your ultimate guide to the best holiday events in Atlanta this season!

Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at Atlanta Botanical Garden

One of Atlanta’s most beloved holiday traditions, this dazzling light display at the Atlanta Botanical Garden is a must-see. Wander through glowing orbs, colorful tunnels, and the mesmerizing “Nature’s Wonders” canopy light show. Don’t miss the chance to sip on hot cocoa as you stroll through the enchanting gardens.

• Dates: Through January 12, 2025

• Tickets: Advance purchase recommended

Holidays on the Roof at Ponce City Market

Head to The Roof at Ponce City Market for a holiday celebration that combines festive vibes with stunning views of Atlanta’s skyline. Enjoy ice skating, holiday-themed mini-golf, and cozy fire pits. Grab a seasonal cocktail or hot cocoa and make unforgettable memories with friends and family.

Also, on the second floor, have your gifts wrapped by the Misfit Wrapping Co.

Buckhead Village’s Christkindl Market

Transport yourself to a European Christmas wonderland at the Buckhead Village Christkindl Market. This charming outdoor market features traditional German crafts, holiday treats like mulled wine and bratwurst, and one-of-a-kind gifts. Stroll through the beautifully decorated village while enjoying live music and the festive atmosphere. Don’t be angry when you can’t find soft gingerbread cookies, like me. I mean, what European Christmas wonderland doesn’t have soft gingerbread cookies?! Don’t miss that melted cheese on the sandwich. I’m still thinking about it.

• Dates: November 24 – December 24, 2024

• Cost: Free admission

The Clermont Hotel Rooftop Holiday Soirée

Oh, you thought I’d talk about the holidays without talking about The Clermont? Blondie needs gifts, too. Start on the roof and celebrate the season with breathtaking views of Atlanta’s skyline at the Clermont Hotel’s rooftop bar. The space is adorned with festive decor and offers seasonal cocktails perfect for sipping under the stars. For a more laid-back experience, head downstairs to the Lobby Bar and have our girl Chloe make you a holiday spirit to die for, or dine at Tiny Lou’s for a holiday meal.

• Dates: Ongoing through the season

• Reservations: Recommended for TinyLous

There’s so much more to explore this season, but let’s be real: between the shopping you haven’t done, the company parties still on your calendar, and the inevitable holiday hangovers, four things feel just right.

Happy holidays!

Dallas lost a great one with the passing of Al Biernat at 69 from ALS. A true pioneer of fine dining and steakhouses in Dallas, Mr. Biernat shaped the city’s dining culture in ways that are hard to overstate. When people think of Dallas dining, they think of steak—and Al Biernat is a big reason why.

Full disclosure (for journalistic integrity and all—though I’m no journalist, just someone who took over a passion project publication I couldn’t let fade): I’ve been working with Al Biernat’s since early 2021 through my company, Tractorbeam.

Growing up as a kid in Mesquite, there was a “holy trinity” of places that embodied “wealth” in my mind. These were places that, if you were lucky enough to visit, made you feel different. They were NorthPark Center (not a mall—absolutely not a mall, NorthPark is a Center!), the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden (because that’s where the popular high school girls got their quinceañera photos, and my mom always made me dress up to go), and Al Biernat’s (where the Dallas Cowboys dined!). Remarkably, I’ve had the privilege of working with all three. I worked with NorthPark as a VP at my previous agency, collaborating with the legendary Nancy Nasher; with the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden as a marketing consultant for the last decade, alongside the remarkable Mary Brinegar.

If you were really lucky, you might go to Al Biernat’s for dinner before prom. But, more likely, you’d only make it as far as the host stand before realizing you didn’t have a reservation (up until that point the nicest restaurant you’d been to was the Olive Garden at Town East, where your friend Jon Mendoza always hooked you up). So instead, you’d find yourself at the Spaghetti Warehouse in the West End. Sorry again, Bea!

My first real dining experience at Al Biernat’s, when I actually got seated, was in 2004. I was at The Dallas Morning News, meeting a large potential client and aiming to impress. Somehow, I got the budget approved and made the reservation. Mr. Biernat himself greeted me, radiating hospitality. I was in an oversized suit and the wrong shoes, barely making $35,000 a year in my first real job. But he came by our table several times, making everyone feel like the most important person in the room. That dinner remains one of the best dining experiences of my life. I go to Al Biernat’s often now, but nothing quite matches the magic of that first visit.

With his nephew, Brad Fuller, leading the way, Al Biernat’s is in good hands—as it always has been.

You’ll be missed, Al.