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.
Jonathan Dupiton attends Invest Fest 2024 at Guardian Works on August 23, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Julia Beverly/WireImage)
ATLANTA – An Atlanta podcaster has been sentenced to seven years in federal prison after being convicted of using stolen identities to obtain millions of dollars in unemployment insurance benefits.
Jonathan Dupiton, who hosts the “Rich and Unemployed” podcast, is heading back to prison after pleading guilty on Jan. 13 to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in front of U.S. District Judge Victoria M. Calvert.
The 36-year-old was ordered to spend seven years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. He will also be forced to pay restitution in an amount which has not been revealed.
The backstory:
Prosecutors say that in 2020, Dupiton was completing a federal sentence at a halfway house for a previous fraud conviction targeting the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program when the crimes occurred. Prosecutors say he organized a multi-million-dollar fraud scheme that targeted California’s Unemployment Insurance (“UI”) benefits program that began in July 2020 and continued through early 2021.
The program provided temporary financial assistance to lawful workers who were unemployed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of the scheme, he obtained stolen identities of hundreds of unwitting individuals and filed claims in California, using a VPN to mask his actual online location.
After the claims were approved, he and his co-conspirators would route the benefits’ debit cards to a North Georgia mailing address, including his own address. He would then withdraw the money from ATMs, mostly in metro Atlanta.
By the numbers:
In all, prosecutors say that he duped the federal government out of $3.8 million, of which he was able to withdraw about $2 million.
Dig deeper:
On Dupiton’s podcast, he explains that his motto is “F.R.A.U.D. is Dope,” with F.R.A.U.D. being a “Finally Rich After Unstoppable Determination.”
What they’re saying:
“During the pandemic, while citizens were struggling with job loss and trying to make ends meet, Dupiton stole unemployment benefits by submitting false applications using hundreds of stolen identities,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “His sentence underscores that anyone who seeks to exploit taxpayer-funded programs will be aggressively prosecuted and face substantial prison time.”
“Jonathan Dupiton orchestrated a brazen scheme to steal millions in unemployment benefits using the stolen identities of innocent victims, all while already serving a sentence for fraud,” said Marlo Graham, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “At a time when Americans were facing unprecedented financial hardship, he chose to exploit a critical safety net for personal gain. The FBI remains committed to identifying and holding accountable those who abuse public assistance programs and undermine trust in systems designed to help those in need.”
“Jonathan Dupiton stole identities and filed hundreds of fraudulent claims to steal nearly $3 million in unemployment benefits meant for struggling Americans,” said Anthony P. D’Esposito, Inspector General, U.S. Department of Labor. “His sentencing sends a strong message: if you exploit federal programs and steal from taxpayers, my office will relentlessly pursue you. We work hand-in-hand with our law enforcement partners and have zero tolerance for fraud. We will find you, and we will hold you accountable.”
“Dupiton’s fraud stole critical unemployment benefits from Americans who needed them most,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Maisha Horton, IRS Criminal Investigation, Atlanta Field Office. “IRS CI special agents remain vigilant in protecting taxpayer dollars and will continue to hold accountable those who exploit public programs for personal gain.”
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, which detailed the sentencing and the investigation by the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, and the Department of Labor.
Switchman Hall has opened in Peoplestown, a neighborhood that could be the next frontier of development.
Terminal South, a mixed-use development in Peoplestown that opened earlier this year, includes retail businesses and a food hall called Switchman Hall. Switchman Hall was supposed to open in 2024 but kept getting pushed back as vendors struggled with delays with permitting and the time it takes to build restaurant infrastructure from scratch, an official with the developer said. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)
When Olga Alvarez’s 70-year-old uncle came to visit her new food stall, Staxx, at the Terminal South development in Peoplestown, he recognized the building. Or at least, he recognized what it had been.
The collection of buildings at 1161 Ridge Ave. SW have been around for more than 80 years, according to property records. When developer Stafford closed on the property around 2023, it was being used for warehouse storage, said Melissa Ahrendt, executive director of real estate at Stafford.
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Mixed-use development Terminal South opened in Peoplestown this year with a food hall, Switchman Hall. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)
A long road to opening
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Atlanta native Olga Alvarez has opened Staxx in Switchman Hall with smoothies and toasts. (Courtesy)
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In this photo from February, Andy Bibliowicz’s concept Te Quiero Tacos is on the left, but it will no longer open in the food hall. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)
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Ali Lemma (right, standing), owner and chef at Ruki’s Kitchen, serves food at Terminal South on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)
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Will a rising tide raise all ships?
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Terminal South has said it will staff its security and janitorial crew with employees from the neighborhood. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)
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Olivia Wakim is a digital content producer on the food and dining team. She joined the AJC as an intern in 2023 after graduating from the University of Georgia with a journalism degree. While in school, she reported for The Red & Black, Grady Newsource and the Marietta Daily Journal.
Officers with the Atlanta Police Department say they arrested dozens of vendors during a raid of a so-called “marijuana pop-up event” over the weekend.
Authorities say the event, scheduled at for Saturday at the warehouse on Ted Turner Drive SW, had over 1,400 registered attendees.
According to authorities, the Atlanta Police Department began its investigation, later titled “Operation No Smoke,” after receiving an anonymous tip about “large-scale marijuana pop-up events” in February.
When officers and Fulton County deputies arrived at the scene before the event was supposed to start, they say they found multiple vendors setting up and customers waiting at the location. Footage shared by the department showed many trying to escape police through the warehouse’s back door and running across nearby roofs.
Once police were able to get inside the warehouse, they say they identified 24 separate vendor stands.
In total, investigators say they seized 1,220 pounds of raw marijuana, 391 pounds of THC edibles, 29 pounds of psilocybin mushrooms, 15 firearms, nine vehicles, and more than $32,000 in cash.
Officers arrested 40 suspects, including the event’s organizer. Because the event was shut down before it started, officials say the majority of those arrested were vendors.
Two suspects were injured while attempting to run away from police, officers said. They received medical aid at the scene.
Authorities say they believe vendors from 11 different states had gathered to sell drugs at the meet-up.
During a press conference, police reiterated that marijuana is illegal in Georgia and argued that the wholesale sale of the drug could lead and has led to violence.
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