Many good things have contributed to the amazing start to the season for the Braves. One of the biggest factors is how well many of the depth position player signings and acquisitions have worked out for Atlanta, such as Dominic Smith and Jorge Mateo. But the best of all was the trade for Mauricio Dubon, whose versatility has been extremely valuable for the Braves. Alex Anthopoulos has always made good moves on the margins, and this year is no different.
Atlanta, GA
Things to do this weekend in metro Atlanta, North Georgia | Dec. 26-28, 2025
ATLANTA – Looking for ways to get out and enjoy the final days of the holiday season? This week’s Things to Do list features live music, comedy, family-friendly activities, arts events, and festivals happening across metro Atlanta and beyond.
Fulton County
A Drag Queen Christmas Dec. 26, doors at 7 p.m. Atlanta Symphony Hall, 1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta A touring holiday variety show featuring past contestants from the television series RuPaul’s Drag Race. The performance includes musical numbers and comedy routines intended for adult audiences.
The Holiday in Concert with the Atlanta Pops Orchestra Dec. 27–28, Sat. at 7 p.m., Sun. at 3 p.m. Atlanta Symphony Hall, 1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta A screening of the 2006 film The Holiday accompanied by a live performance of the film’s score by the Atlanta Pops Orchestra.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Dec. 26–28, various matinees Center for Puppetry Arts, 1404 Spring St NW, Atlanta A puppet-theater adaptation of the 1964 television special. Tickets include admission to the museum’s puppetry exhibits.
Rod Wave: The Redemption Experience Tour Dec. 28 State Farm Arena, 1 State Farm Drive, Atlanta Rod Wave brings his Redemption Experience Tour to downtown Atlanta for a major arena performance.
Mother’s Finest 8 p.m. Dec. 27 Buckhead Theatre, 3110 Roswell Road NE, Atlanta Mother’s Finest, the Atlanta-founded American funk rock band, takes the stage at Buckhead Theatre.
Ship Wrek 10 p.m. Dec. 27 Believe Music Hall, 181 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd., Atlanta Electronic music artist Ship Wrek headlines a high-energy show joined by Tresfalcons, Sam Shakery, and Six Cents.
Apollo 8: Man’s First Trip to the Moon 2 p.m. Dec. 27 Mimms Museum of Technology and Art, 5000 Commerce Parkway, Roswell A “Talking Tech” presentation exploring Apollo 8’s historic 1968 Christmas mission, led by a NASA Solar System Ambassador.
FairyTale Village Through Dec. 31 North Point Mall, 1000 North Point Circle, Alpharetta Families can meet live characters, explore themed villages, enjoy interactive storytelling, and create seasonal crafts.
Too Fast, Too Festivus Through Dec. 31 Horizon Theatre, 1083 Austin Ave., Atlanta Presented by Dad’s Garage and Horizon Theatre, this fast-paced holiday comedy pokes fun at Atlanta culture with a festive twist.
Viktor&Rolf: Fashion Statements Through Feb. 8 High Museum of Art, 1280 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta The High Museum presents the first major U.S. retrospective of fashion designers Viktor&Rolf, featuring more than 100 avant-garde works.
DeKalb County
Nerd Yard Sale 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 27–28 6009 Memorial Drive, Stone Mountain The Nerd Yard Sale features items for collectors, cosplayers, gamers, and fandom lovers.
Jaime Jorge 5:30 p.m. Dec. 27 Atlanta First Hispanic Church, 111 Pounds Road, Tucker Renowned violinist and speaker Jaime Jorge, who has performed in 80 countries across six continents, presents an evening of music and inspiration.
Rocco Gorelik 5 p.m. Dec. 27 Eddie’s Attic, 545 N. McDonough Street, Decatur Fifteen-year-old country singer Rocco Gorelik brings his traditional sound to Eddie’s Attic.
Cobb County
The Nutcracker (Atlanta Ballet) Dec. 26–27, matinee and evening performances Cobb Energy Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Pkwy, Atlanta Atlanta Ballet’s annual production of the Tchaikovsky ballet, featuring digital projections and live accompaniment by the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra.
Lights of Life Dec. 26–28, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Life University, 1269 Barclay Circle, Marietta A 1.5-mile drive-through light display on the campus of Life University. The event includes a 60-foot tall tree and a petting zoo on-site.
When Harry Met Sally 3 p.m. Dec. 28 Strand Marietta, 117 N. Park Square NE, Marietta The Strand’s holiday movie series continues with a screening of the romantic comedy classic When Harry Met Sally.
Gwinnett County
Atlanta Gladiators vs. Savannah Ghost Pirates Dec. 27–28, Sat. at 7:10 p.m., Sun. at 3:10 p.m. Gas South Arena, 6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy., Duluth ECHL professional hockey game. Intermission activities and ticket promotions vary by game date.
Marshall Charloff & The Purple xPeRIeNCE Dec. 27, doors at 6:30 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m. Gas South Theater, 6400 Sugarloaf Pkwy., Duluth A musical tribute to Prince led by Marshall Charloff, focusing on the artist’s 1980s discography.
Kwanzaa 2025: Celebrating Kujichagulia Dec. 27, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Gwinnett County Public Library (Duluth Branch), 3180 Main Street, Duluth A community event observing the second day of Kwanzaa. Programming includes drumming, storytelling, and cultural history presentations.
Cherokee County
Holiday Lights of Hope Dec. 26–28, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Hobgood Park, 6688 Bells Ferry Road, Woodstock A walk-through light display with over two million lights. Proceeds benefit local charitable organizations; the site includes a vendor village and a maze.
On The Border: The Ultimate Eagles Tribute 9 p.m. Dec. 27 MadLife Stage & Studios, 8722 Main St., Woodstock On The Border brings its Eagles tribute show to Woodstock for a night of classic rock favorites.
Hall County
Magical Night of Lights Dec. 26–28, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Margaritaville at Lanier Islands, 7000 Lanier Islands Pkwy, Buford A seven-mile drive-through light display that concludes at a holiday village featuring fire pits and amusement rides.
Paulding County
Holiday Break Skating Dec. 26–28, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sparkles Family Fun Center, 441 Main St, Hiram Extended public skating hours for the school holiday break. The facility offers laser tag and an arcade in addition to the rink.
Fayette County
A Horse for the Holidays Dec. 27, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Flying Change Equine Therapy, 1378 Adams Rd, Fayetteville An outdoor event featuring horses in holiday attire and a campfire. The program is designed to be accessible for those with sensory sensitivities.
Peachtree City Magical Golf Cart Tour Dec. 26–28, various tour times Peachtree City Cart Tours, 201 McIntosh Trail, Peachtree City Guided tours of residential light displays via the city’s 100-mile multi-use path system. Tours are conducted in street-legal golf carts.
Henry County
Noel Magic Lights Dec. 26–28, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. EchoPark Speedway, 1500 Tara Pl, Hampton A drive-through light show staged on the professional race track. The display is synchronized to music and includes several light tunnels.
Pickens County
Winter Hike at Eagle’s Rest Dec. 27–28, sunrise to sunset Eagle’s Rest Park, 1159 Eagle’s Rest Road, Jasper The park provides access to the “Grand Stairway” and an observation deck overlooking the Blue Ridge foothills. Trails are open for self-guided hiking.
HOLIDAY LISTS
If you would like to submit an item for a future list, send an email with information to joyce.lupiani@fox.com.
Food & Dining
Nearly a dozen restaurants closed during the month, including the Alden.
The waakye served at Ike’s Cafe and Grill shown on Monday, March 24, 2025. The bean and rice mixture is served with spaghetti, plantains, a tomato stew, fish, beef, a boiled egg, dried cassava and a chili sauce. (Natrice Miller/AJC)
May was another strong month for restaurant openings in metro Atlanta, with at least 19 new food businesses setting up shop.
But nearly a dozen restaurants closed during the month, as well — including the Alden, which was unexpectedly shut down when the Chamblee apartment building where it occupied a ground-floor space was destroyed by a fire.
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Joupe Jeht’s fresh spring rolls. (Courtesy of Jude Downs)
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A rendering of the Ledger Bar and Lounge at the recently renovated JW Marriott Downtown Atlanta hotel. (Courtesy of Marriott)
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PopUp Bagels offers five kinds: plain, salt, sesame, poppy and everything. They are sold whole and meant to be ripped and dipped into schmears. (Courtesy of PopUp Bagels)
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Showdown Social opens this May in Alpharetta with host-led card games. (Courtesy of Showdown Social)
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Waffle with Chicken Tenders made and styled by Johnny’s Chicken & Waffles in Atlanta, Ga., Wednesday, May 6, 2026. (Aaliyah Man for the AJC)
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Metro Atlanta restaurant openings
Metro Atlanta restaurant closings
Henri Hollis is a restaurant critic and food reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, where he covers Atlanta’s restaurants, chefs and dining culture. As part of the AJC’s Food & Dining team, he reviews new restaurants, reports on industry trends and explores metro Atlanta’s culinary scene through the neighborhoods and people that shape it.
One of the most inevitable moves of the summer is complete. The Atlanta Falcons have given Drake London a lucrative four year deal worth up to $150 million, locking up their top receiver for the foreseeable future.
It’s a deserved extension for a physical, sure-handed talent who has been consistently excellent in Atlanta despite a constantly rotating cast of quarterbacks. London, who has averaged 1,086 yards over four NFL seasons and has 22 touchdowns over that span, has also emerged as one of the locker room’s most vocal and accountable players.
The 2022 first round pick came into the NFL catching passes from Marcus Mariota and Desmond Ridder and flourished immediately, with 806 yards and four touchdowns in year one and 905 yards and two touchdowns in year two. When the coaching staff turned over and Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr. entered the picture, London exploded for 100 catches, 1,271 yards, and nine touchdowns in 2024, following that up with 919 yards and seven touchdowns in just 12 games a year ago. Through just four seasons, London is already 10th in team history in receiving yards, eighth in receptions, and 13th in touchdowns, and mixes that with solid blocking. He’s been the ideal receiver for the last two iterations of this Falcons offense, and I have no doubt that will continue here.
The contract’s guaranteed money would be tops in the NFL if the $100 million figure is accurate, but by overall money it’s just the third most lucrative contract in the league, and will likely be hovering near the bottom of the top ten in a couple of seasons. The Falcons were never going to risk losing their top receiving option, and if all goes well, London will continue to thrive in Atlanta and set his sights on surpassing some franchise legends in the years to come. I’m glad the deal is done, and we’ll see the exact terms soon enough.
How do you feel about this extension?
Andrelton Simmons plies his trade in Mexico
The Athletic caught up with former Braves shortstop – and one of the most gifted defenders at the position in the history of the game – Andrelton Simmons who, at 36, returned to organized baseball in Mexico last season.
Link below.
Rec 0ReplyRead 4 replies
In a fun “Where are they now” segment, here is an update on Andrelton Simmons.
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