Think you’ve found all the things to do in Atlanta? If you’re looking for a fun, unique experience head to Stoddard’s Range & Guns. Just 15 minutes outside of Downtown, this state-of-the-art shooting range is a great place to try a new hobby, one-up your sweetheart or just relieve some workweek stress!

Stoddard’s Range & Guns
5840 Bankhead Highway
Douglasville, GA 30134
678-838-4848
$28 per person ($15 range fee + $13 handgun, target and safety equipment rental fee)

Here’s the things guys and gals – I know everyone has at least one opinion on guns, but the fact is, Stoddard’s Range & Guns offers a spectacular facility that’s an excellent option for some cheap thrills. Learning should always be fun and these great folks make it happen. Unlike the musty, dusty good ol’ boys clubs of yore, Stoddard’s is dedicated to providing the cleanest, safest and most comfortable facility in the Southeast. The friendly, knowledgeable staff provides unparalleled customer service, ensuring even the most amateur marksman will have a great time.

The range itself is comprised of 12, 75-foot-long rifle-rated lanes. Each booth contains a programmable touch screen target system for easy precision. Behind the scenes, a top-notch cooling system also cleans the air of impurities. Stoddard’s also boasts one of the largest handgun rental selections in the state. You can choose from more than 50 pistols including the standard-issue Glock, palm-sized protectors and even the long-barreled revolver made popular by TV Westerns. A number of long guns are also available for rent, including a WWII era rifle and pump-action shotgun, as well as the hard-to-find FN P90 and Smith & Wesson M&P15 rifles. Just $28 gets you a gun, an hour of range time, eye/ear protection and a handy dandy target; plus you can try as many of the rental weapons as you’d like! Bring along your +1 and they can shoot on your lane for just $8 - such a great option for date night (and girl's night.)

Stoddard’s Range & Guns also offers great classes for all skill levels. Each course utilizes both classroom and range-time to ensure students are comfortable. Each month, the range also offers events, including Pin Shoots – a timed competition where guests take turns shooting bowling pins. Shooting at Stoddard’s is fun and easy, and most of all, it’s safe. Every employee is trained in weapons handling and happy to give you pointers.

This week’s post is brought to you by my associate Santos Musonera.
New to town from Rwanda, East Africa, Santos is a soon-to-be graduate of Mercer University’s MBA program. A nightlife lover, outdoor enthusiast and pro at making the most of that college budget, he’s the go-to-guy for good times on a dime. Check out his top picks for laugh-out-loud memories all around town!

As a newbie to Atlanta (and a soon to be grad school graduate), I am continuously on the lookout for fun places to hang out without hanging my wallet out to dry. A lot of locals have been pointing me in the direction of Buckhead’s Northend so I wanted to see what it was all about. After trial and error, I have narrowed my suggestions down for other weekenders and first time visitors. Buckhead Saloon, Moondogs, Hole in the Wall, and Peachtree Tavern are located within 3 minutes walking distance from each other. Buckhead Saloon has, in my opinion, the best outside veranda in the city--spacious, friendly and filled with TVs. Their hot wings are consistently finger licking good and you can chase them down with half priced beers and mixed drinks which seem to be offered throughout the day (a VERY happy hour indeed).

There is no better feeling than a mid-week drink to some of us. Peachtree Tavern has the best Wednesday night specials. It is so good in fact, that if I tell you too much about it, it will take away from the WOW factor when you are there. If you just so happen to be on Peachtree Street with a group of friends, have some time to kill and a sudden thirst for a good afternoon drink, you will be impressed by what these four bars have in store for you!

These are my picks, but there are more options on www.atlanta.net/nightlife.

The Atlanta Dogwood Festival is the city’s premiere celebration of blossoming trees, tasty cuisines and whimsical creations; but after 76 years they’ve decided to kick it up a notch. While showcasing the finest local artisans, food vendors and performers, this year's events also include a few intriguing additions!

76^th Annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival
April 20-22
Piedmont Park

The latest addition is the Atlanta High School Art Exhibition. This juried competition welcomed more than 600 entries from 60 schools throughout Georgia to then choose 77 works from the state’s up and coming talent. On display all weekend long, the AHSAE showcases young talent alongside the country’s top artists and artisans. The top four winners were also awarded more than $40,000 in prizes and scholarships. Each of the contestants will also compete in the first annual Art Throwdown! On Sunday, April 22 students from competing schools will have limited time to complete collaborative projects in sculpture, still life painting, timed sketching, landscape drawing and themed performances. Festival goers are encouraged to cheer on these creative talents as they come up with spectacular pieces under pressure.

Two more can’t-miss attractions at the 76^th Annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival are:

•  Saturday Night Concert spotlighting GRAMMY Award-winning artist Roberta Flack - general admission is free for all. The show will take place in The Meadow and includes a multi-genre set list of chart topping tunes: “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and “The Closer I Get to You.”

• Six amusement rides, imported from Europe, which feature art-deco styling and are rumored to soar over the Atlanta skyline!

Ferris Wheel photo courtesy of Atlanta Dogwood Festival ©2011-12

Now in its third year, the Atlanta Dogwood Festival Green Initiative has helped prevent festival goers and vendors from sending more than 20 tons of petroleum-based plastics and/or Styrofoam to landfills. By partnering with Perfect Circle Renewable Energy, the festival purchased bio-diesel for all onsite generators, allowing the company to collect over 100 gallons of spent grease from the food vendors. This grease was then turned into fuel, powering the entire festival - including last year’s nine-story high Ferris wheel. These initiatives have been so successful that Brian Hill, Executive Director of the Dogwood Festival, has traveled across the Southeast to speak about these seemingly simple steps, helping to create eco-friendly festivals across the nation. This year’s Eco Village is bigger than ever and features exhibitors who provide insights for your own eco-chic life, including everything from green beauty products and tips to keep a home more energy efficient, to showing children how to plant tasty garden treats and the recipe for a prize-winning compost.

Another post from Nick Devlin - the self-proclaimed sports fanatic.
Check out his insights on Atlanta’s sports home openers! 

Practicing anything is awful. Repetitive, artificial, and arrhythmic, it’s in most ways the antithesis of the motivation for taking up a given pastime in the first place. There wouldn’t be posters and bumper stickers and Nike commercials glorifying the work it takes to become good at something if doing that work was all sunbeams and daffodils.

Two of Atlanta’s professional sports franchises, the Braves and the Silverbacks, will soon put aside the interminable practice regimens that lead up to each season and begin playing real games that really matter. And for that, we’re all thankful.

For the Atlanta Braves, they enter 2012 attempting to give fans a reason to forget last season’s painful finish. Fortunately, strong pitching and a talented young nucleus mean the team will stay competitive through the season and beyond. Reigning National League Rookie of the Year Craig Kimbrel will again handle closing duties, and fellow second-year players Freddie Freeman and Brandon Beachy will move closer to assuming their places as the team’s next perennial All-Stars. Opening Day in Atlanta is Friday, April 13, as the Braves welcome in the defending NL Central champion Milwaukee Brewers for a three-game series.

Just up Interstate 85, the Atlanta Silverbacks open their 2012 home schedule on April 7 in grand fashion with an Ultimate Tailgate Party. The group throwing the best pregame tailgate will receive a team prize package, with judging starting at 6 p.m. and a winner to be determined prior to kickoff at 7:30 p.m. A member of the eight-team North American Soccer League, the Silverbacks’ 28-game regular season runs through late September.

Also in April, the Ultimate Fighting Championship marks its much-anticipated return to Atlanta with a title card on April 21 at Philips Arena. It’s the first visit to Atlanta in over three and a half years for one of sports’ hottest tickets. Jon “Bones” Jones will defend his light heavyweight title in the main event against Rashad Evans. Coincidentally, it was Evans who walked away a winner in the 2008 UFC event in Atlanta, knocking off UFC legend Chuck Liddell.

Next week, we’ll have an extended look at what to expect from the Braves in 2012, including a few reasons to believe that despite their offseason inaction, they’re poised to take the NL East crown.

This week’s post is brought to you by my associate Nick Devlin.

A self-proclaimed sports fanatic, he’s worked closely with a number of teams as the broadcast and media manager. In fact, you’ve already seen his work on the Big Ten Network and across the social media platforms of the Georgia Force. So grab your gummi worms, pizza or a gummi worm pizza – his favorite – and check out Atlanta’s latest lineup of Spring sports!

No season feels longer than winter. Not that winter in Atlanta is terribly hostile – this isn’t Yellowknife – but the wealth of sports entertainment options that avail themselves each spring make clear how much we missed. With the change of the seasons, the city welcomes events of all sizes for the sporting enthusiast.

The marquis attraction hits the floor of the Georgia Dome on Friday and Sunday. The South Regional of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament will whet the appetites of those anticipating the Atlanta arrival of next year’s Final Four. This time around, four teams, including top-seeded Kentucky, upstart Baylor, resurgent Indiana, and mid-major Xavier, will play for a berth in this year’s Final Four in New Orleans. Two semifinal games will be played on Friday, followed by the regional title game on Sunday.

Bounce from the hardwood to the turnbuckle on Monday night, March 26, for the WWE Monday Night Raw Supershow at Philips Arena. Among the superstars scheduled to attend are Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, John Cena, CM Punk, and many more. The event will mark the final Monday Night Raw before Wrestlemania XXVIII on April 1 in Miami.

The following weekend, the Big South Volleyball National Qualifier rolls into town. For three days, the event will allow teams of girls aged 12 to 18 to qualify for the Junior Olympic Championships. Last year, more than 1,100 teams participated, and this year’s event figures to be even bigger. The matches, played as part of the USA Volleyball National Championships, will take place at the Georgia World Congress Center from Friday, March 30 to Sunday, April 1. 

Next week, we’ll take a look at a few events hitting Atlanta in April, including UFC 145 on April 21 and the openings of the Braves’ and Silverbacks’ regular seasons.

This year, leave the noisemakers and silly hats for the amateurs and head to ShamRock the Station – Atlanta’s largest St. Patrick’s Day party! (On second thought, bring on the noise and fascinators!) Atlantic Station is going green this Saturday with live entertainment, family fun and tons of treats.

ShamRock the Station
Saturday, March 17
Atlantic Station – Central Park
Begins at Noon

Slated to be Atlanta's largest St. Patrick's Day celebration, Atlantic Station and Meehan's Public House have teamed up  for ShamRock the Station – a guaranteed good time with free-flowing brews, urban pub grub and a host of hot talent including headliners Better Than Ezra. The shenanigans start at high noon, Saturday, March 17. The family-friendly fun begins with Irish dancers, bagpipe players and face painting. Afterward the young at heart can enjoy craft beer and bites, drinking games and songs, live music, fireworks and much more.

Tickets are all-inclusive and provide admission to all events. Purchase tickets online for a $5 discount or buy at the gate. Pre-orders are $10 per adult and children under 12 are free.

See below for the official schedule of events:

Live Music: 12 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

• 12 p.m.– 3 p.m.: Rock U Music Matters (one very cool collective of musicians, all between the ages of 7 and 17!)
• Elevation: 5 p.m. (Atlanta-based indie/arena rock mashup.)
• JK and the Lost Boys: 7 p.m. (metro Atlanta-based acoustic rock.)
• Better than Ezra: 8 p.m. (New Orleans-based alternative rock.)

Kids’ Activities: 12PM – 5PM

• Face Painting
• Hair Painting
• Balloon Art
• Kid-size Tennis Sport Court

Fireworks: 9:45PM

 

Brews & Bites Trucks: 12 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Though Meehan’s Public House is in the midst of opening a fourth location in Atlantic Station, they’ve stocked trucks with plenty of signatures brews and bites for all ShamRock-ers to enjoy. Just flash your ticket stub to head for the bottom of the nearest glass!

Atlanta – named the spiritual center of the Civil Rights movement – celebrates the African American culture year-round. This month, check out these featured events and explore Atlanta’s Civil Rights Legacy with festivals, performances and more!

 

Ruth and the Green Book
Center for Puppetry Arts
Through Feb. 26
This innovative production features characters and a storyline from the award-winning children’s book. Combining rod puppetry with illustrated projects, Ruth and the Green Book chronicles an often-overlooked aspect of Civil Rights history. Coupling the “Green Book” – a travel guide for African Americans in the South during the Jim Crow era – with evocative characters, this play is a celebration of friendship and the rewards of perseverance. As part of the Teen Series, this play is geared toward audiences ages 9+.

 

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre
Fox Theatre
Feb. 16-19
Now touring cross-country, the nationally-acclaimed Ailey Company returns to Atlanta with an engaging production. Performing five pieces, including two city premieres, this can’t-miss troupe continues the legacy of Alvin Ailey’s modern dance. Each show includes Home – the hip-hop phenomenon that uses gospel-style house music to explore the tribulations and triumphs of those affected by HIV;  Takademe – a “savvy deconstruction” of traditional Indian Kathak rhythms, this piece is one of the first creations by new Artistic Director, Robert Battle; and Revelations – named an American phenomenon and one of Alvin Ailey’s most-lauded ballets, it uses African-American spirituals, song-sermons, gospel songs and holy blues to rejoice and spread hope. Each show also features one of two innovative pieces:  Arden Court  - a romantic, baroque piece which is also the first collaboration between the Ailey dancers and Paul Taylor; or The Hunt – another of Battle’s productions, it explores the predatory side of humanity and the raw thrill of the hunt. Purchase tickets online or call the box office at 404.881.2100.

 

UniverSoul Circus
Feb. 9-26
Turner Field – Green Lot
Celebrating 18 years of vaudevillian spectacle, this quirky show is a dynamic collaboration of traditional feats and modern entertainment. Combining circus arts (including tiger-taming and acrobatics) with theatre performers and global music, UniverSoul Circus is a multicultural homage of acrobatics, pyrotechnics and raucous laughter!

 

ATL Cruzers
Daily Tours
Underground Atlanta
These innovative electric car tours offer an intimate, interactive exploration of the city’s history and hotspots. The first leg of each 75-minute tour travels through the Sweet Auburn district, into Inman Park and back through Downtown to highlight events and landmarks from the Civil Rights movement as well as modern day monuments and can’t-miss celebrations. Tour highlights include a curb-side view of The King Center, Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birth home and Ebenezer Baptist Church. For reservations, call 1.800.979.3370.  

 

Bronner Brothers International Mid-Winter Hair Show
Feb. 18-20
Georgia World Congress Center
This three-day exhibition of beauty and creativity features runways and competitions dedicated to showcasing the beauty of African American culture. The 65th anniversary show includes fierce competitions, free classes in makeup, skincare, nail art and hairstyling. Special events include a live concert by Musiq Soulchild and ATL Nite Life parties. Register online and receive up to a $25 discount.

For even more info about Atlanta’s featured February events, check out these annual Civil Rights celebrations. 

Lauded for its Civil Rights legacy, Atlanta presents King Week – a city-wide celebration the life of Martin Luther King Jr. – featuring live performances, religious services and inspirational concerts. Sponsored by the Center for Nonviolent Social Change, this week offers tons of free fun, as well as educational seminars. Below, you’ll find ways to explore the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, as well as information on how to continue his legacy.

 

"A King Celebration" Concert
January 12, 2012
Performed by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra "A King Celebration" concert is a musical tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Now in it's 20th anniversary, this celebration of life and legacy will feature acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo Ma performing Dvořák's Cello Concerto, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed narrating Joseph Schwantner's New Morning for the World, and Beethoven‟s Overture to Fidelio. The Morehouse and Spelman College Glee Clubs will sing "How Lovely Is Thy Dwelling Place" from Brahms' A German Requiem and the traditional Elijah Rock.

 

"Life, Liberty, & the Pursuit of Happiness"
Monday, January 16th
1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Celebrate the joys of life with free performances of Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Happiness – an original play based on the Declaration of Independence. This provocative piece is performed by the Alliance Theatre Collision Project and features the voices of local teenagers who question hot-button issues such as citizenship, diversity and just what "happiness" means. Two free performances are available Monday, Jan. 16^th at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. in the The Rich Auditorium of Woodruff Arts Center. For free tickets, RSVP at  404.733.4749 or atedu@woodruffcenter.org.

 

Martin Luther King, Jr. March & Rally
January 16, 2012
Commemorating and continuing the advancements of the civil rights leaders, the event's theme is "Keeping the Dream Alive! Remembering the Past; Forging Towards the Future." The March is held on Auburn Avenue from Peachtree Street to Jackson Street. The Rally is held on Auburn Avenue in the King National Park Area.

 

In addition, visit What's Hot in Atlanta for a searchable compilation of Atlanta Black History Events!

 

Now you can continue the celebration of life, culture and legacy with Atlanta’s rich Civil Rights history. Explore the city with tours of must-see places which inspired Martin Luther King, Jr. or use a prepared itinerary to fill your day with historical sites and city institutions which were a constant in lives of Civil Rights activists.

Although Christmas has come and gone, there's still fun to be had in Downtown Atlanta. Whether you're spending your Downtown downtime on the sidelines of the season's biggest battle or ringing in the New Year with family and friends, there's fun for everyone!

The fandemonium hits a fever pitch at these can't-miss sporting events:

Atlanta Hawks vs. Washington Wizards
Philips Arena
Wednesday, Dec. 28

Cheer on the Hawks as they prey on the Bucks in what is sure to be a white-knuckle game!

2011 Chick-fil-A Bowl
Georgia Dome
Saturday, Dec. 31

Back for the 44th year, the University of Virginia Cavaliers and the Auburn University Tigers clash for the most-anticipated battle of the collegiate football season. Work those colors overtime and show your school spirit at the Chick-fil-A Bowl Fan Night at the Georgia Aquarium and Fan Night at the World of Coca-cola (Fri. 12/31.) On Saturday, get those coolers ready for the Chick-Fil-A Bowl Parade (12 p.m.) and the FanFest (2-6 p.m.!)

Find tons of family-friendly fun at:

Noon Year's Eve Celebration
Imagine It! The Children's Museum of Atlanta
Saturday, Dec. 31

Cinderella and Prince Charming lead kids (and kids at heart) in a fairytale cotillion dance. Afterward, join the countdown to 12 noon and ring in the "noon year" with a grand ballroom parade. (Recommended for ages 8 and younger.)

Ice Skating
Centennial Olympic Park
Through Jan. 29, 2012

Slip, slide and glide to seasonal music and theatrical lighting effects. Afterward, warm up with favorite holidays treats such as hot cocoa.

Cavalia: Odysseo
Under the Big White Top (Spring and 8th streets)
EXTENDED through Jan. 15, 2012

Part equestrian event and part multimedia interpretive dance, this show is filled with gorgeous costumes, intricate sets and stunning showmanship - a one-of-a-kind experience for all ages.

BB King
Fox Theatre
Friday, Dec. 30

CAKE
Fox Theatre
Saturday, Dec. 31

Zac Brown Band
Philips Arena
Saturday, Dec. 31

Be you searching for something to do with out-of-town guests or you’re fully prepared to shoot your own eye out before watching another rerun, you’re in luck. Back for its smashing 13th season, the Horizon Theatre presents Santaland Diaries. Adapted from the essay by “NPR comic genius David Sedaris,” this hilariously irreverent show is a brilliant antidote for the seasonal psychosis!

Santaland Diaries

Horizon Theatre

Through Jan. 1, 2012

Told from the point of view of Crumpet, Santaland Diaries delves into the life of an out-of-work writer who opts for a seasonal gig as a Macy’s Department Store elf. This true-to-life tale exposes the crushed dreams of the would-be famous, clad in crushed velvet knickers. Something of a monologue, the performance consists of a single, intricate set and three actors - Crumpet (Harold M. Leaver) talks of snowflakes, santas and naughty elves, while his two sidekicks (Megan Hayes and Enoch King) stager, storm and sashay onstage to add a dash of pop culture improv. What follows is an 85-minute romp through the glitz (and chintz) of a corprate Christmas. Guaranteed to leave you gasping with laughter, Santaland Diaries might even leave you just a bit more tolerant of your loved ones' “quirks."

Santaland Diaries* runs through Jan. 1, 2012 with shows on Christmas eve, Christmas day and New Year’s eve. Buy tickets online or give ‘em a call at 404.584.7450. After the show be sure to hop onto Santa’s sleigh and take a picture with the cast.

*Parental discretion is advised. This show is a jolly good time, due in no small part to its use of “colorful” language and adult beverages.

For a holiday treat that’s fun for the whole family, check out:


Madeline’s Christmas

Horizon Theatre

Through Jan. 1, 2012

Based on the beloved children’s book, Madeline’s Christmas is a Christmas adventure that’s sure to please kids of all ages.

Have yourself a merry little getaway with the indulgent Buckhead Holiday Package! Just minutes from Downtown Atlanta’s dining and nightlife scene, you can make merry to ‘til the wee hours of the morning. Found in the heart of Buckhead’s legendary shopping, the Buckhead Holiday Package is a great way to unwind after finding the perfect presents for everyone on your list.

This year, enjoy Atlanta’s seasonal sensations wrapped in the luxury of Buckhead’s top accommodations. The Buckhead Holiday Package includes overnight, deluxe accommodations for two, a $25 Buckhead dining card for the city’s chicest restaurants, and a $25 American Express gift card for that one thing Santa forgot. The package purchase also includes 10% Visitor’s Saving Pass and complimentary shopping shuttle.

Other top holiday attractions include:
Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker
Fox Theatre
Dec. 8 - 24
One of Atlanta’s can’t-miss classics for more than 50 years, this season, each Nutcracker performance features live accompaniment by the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra and a special intermission performance by Larry-Douglas Embury on the “Mighty Mo” organ.

The Ice Rink at Centennial Olympic Park

Centennial Olympic Park

Through Jan. 29, 2012
Atlanta’s only outdoor ice rink offers theatrical lighting, a holiday soundtrack and plenty of treats. Afterward, take a stroll around the park and marvel at the Holiday in Lights display as millions of twinkling bulbs shimmer against the skyline’s silhouette.

Stone Mountain Christmas
Stone Mountain Park

Friday - Sunday only, through Jan. 1, 2012
Twinkling with more than two million lights, Stone Mountain Christmas is packed with smiles and cheer. Festive favorites include the Holly Jolly Cabaret - featuring a live pianist and all the sing-alongs you secretly adore - as well as the Wonderland Walkway and Snow Angel Palace. If Santa needs a hand, stop into the many holiday shops for hand-blown glass ornaments, seasonal décor, toys and more! End the evening with a visit from Santa and a cozy train ride around the mountain.

Be sure to check the Holiday Events Calendar for even more of the city’s can’t-miss Christmas classics!

Holiday traditions are fascinating; from the perfect present, your signature dessert and - of course - the décor! Though the seasonal celebrations differ through cultures and countries, friends, family and food are integral to everyone’s festivities. This year, join the Fernbank Museum of Natural History for tales and traditions of holidays around the world!

Winter Wonderland: Celebrations and Traditions Around the World

Fernbank Museum of Natural History

Through Jan. 8, 2012

Now in its second year, Winter Wonderland features even more festivities and cheer. Glittering, gleaming and shimmering with hand-crafted ornaments from five continents, Fernbank is filled with trees and other displays which represent the holiday more than 20 countries. Additionally, there are special weekend events which spotlight traditional dances, musical performances, storytelling and more from select countries. A few holiday highlights include arts & crafts - make ornaments from Germany and India - and storytelling from Israel, as well as Turkish and Philippine dances.

A few upcoming events include:

Martinis & IMAX Holiday
Friday, Nov. 25

6-11 p.m.

Explore the exhibit and light up your Friday night, then enjoy Martinis & IMAX with signature cocktails, two 3D films and music by Kingsized.

Caroling and Cupcakes

Saturday, Dec. 3: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 4: 12-4 p.m.

Sing along with the Georgia Boy Choir then learn a few new moves from the Atlanta Ballet. Other free holiday events include ornament-making and a special appearance by Fernbank’s holiday mascot, Santa-saurus!



Winter Wonderland Celebration Weekend

Saturday, Dec. 10: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 11: 12-4 p.m.

Explore the exhibit then enjoy performances by Salsa Belles, storytelling from Israel and crafts from Japan and France, as well as a variety of cultural games, Turkish dancers and so much more.

With the wonky weather calling for t-shirts one day and trench coats the next, you may need a little help getting into the holiday spirit. This year, Atlanta has must-have memories all season long! Read on for a few the city’s can’t-miss classics and be sure to check the Holiday Events Calendar for even more merriment:

Stone Mountain Christmas

Stone Mountain Park

Friday - Sunday only, through Jan. 1, 2012
Twinkling with more than two million lights, Stone Mountain Christmas is packed with smiles and cheer. Hot for Winter 2011, Toyrific! peeks underneath the tree to follow a group of misfit toys on their mission to save Christmas. Other family favorites include the Holly Jolly Cabaret - featuring a live pianist and all the sing-alongs you secretly adore - as well as the Wonderland Walkway and Snow Angel Palace. If Santa needs some help, stop into the many holiday shops for hand-blown glass ornaments, seasonal décor, toys and more!

Back for 2011, Stone Mountain’s classic Christmas shows include a riveting ride on The Polar Express 4D Experience, as well as the Sleigh Ride Musical Revue which features holiday celebrations across the globe. For some small-town magic, catch the old-fashioned Christmas Parade, the Simply Christmas Musical Revue and a visit from Santa himself! Relax and end the evening with a cozy, quiet train ride around the mountain.

Snow Mountain

Stone Mountain Park

Opening Nov. 23
Ready for a snow day? Wander through a winter wonderland as Stone Mountain’s Laser Lawn is coated with fresh “snow” each day. Head to the top of  Atlanta’s tallest snow drift and slide down the 400-foot tall Tubing Hill! For even more chilly thrills,visit the Snow Play Zone - thousands of feet of fresh powder, perfect for that epic snowball fight or chorus of snow angels! Engage your brain in the Igloo City and dig a tunnel, create a city or build of a fort. Snowman Valley has everything you need to make a snowfriend, from funny hats and outfits to the all-important carrot nose. Test your aim at the Snowball Shooting Gallery with tons of spinning, twisting and turning targets. Afterwards, relax by the flickering fires at SnoFire Point and chill out with S’mores and tasty drinks.

The Ice Rink at Centennial Olympic Park

Centennial Olympic Park

Nov. 19 - Jan. 29, 2012
Perfect for entertaining the family on a post-pie sugar high, Atlanta’s only outdoor ice rink offers theatrical lighting, a holiday soundtrack and plenty of treats. Afterward, take a stroll around C.O.P. and enjoy the Holiday in Lights display as millions of twinkling bulbs light up faces of all ages against the skyline’s silhouette.

Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker
Fox Theatre
Dec. 8 - 24
One of Atlanta’s can’t-miss classics for more than 50 years, this season’s Nutcracker features even more twirling fairies and swirling snowflakes. This year, the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Rat King, young Marya and the Prince are accompanied live by the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra for each performance.


Enjoy some hometown holiday traditions in East Point. Just minutes from the sights and lights of Downtown and filled with small-town hospitality, it’s easy to make merry memories all season long. A few family-friendly events include:

Downtown Tree Lighting

Dec. 2
Smiles and hearts warm each year during the annual Downtown Tree Lighting. This year’s tree will glitter and gleam with even more lights. Afterward, join in the sing-a-long of your favorite Christmas songs, have a meet-and-greet with Santa and get a head start on decorating your own tree with a seasonal arts and crafts.

East Point Holiday Farmers Market

Dec. 10
Homecooked meals are even more delicious when make with fresh, locally-grown produce! Pick up a few seasonal essentials and browse the handmade gifts sections for sumptuous jams and jellies, as well as sweet treats and crafts.

This weekend, Atlanta is once again making history with box office gold! Helping the city become the new mecca for film for people of color, the BronzeLens Film Festival is a four-day cinematic celebration featuring premiers, workshops, panel discussions, Master classes, special appearances and more.

2nd Annual BronzeLens Film Festival
Various Atlanta theaters
Nov. 10-13

Thursday-Sunday, the 2nd Annual BronzeLens Film Festival (BLFF) will debut more than 40 flicks, including shorts, music videos and feature films. Theaters city-wide celebrate cinematic storytelling with contemporary narratives and documentaries which honor African-Americans as leading characters, screenwriters and directors. In addition, the 2011 BLFF offers numerous events to enrich and educate, including 17 panels and four master classes.

This year’s screenings include a number of global films as well as major pictures. A few must-sees include:
“Lesson Before Love” – a soul-searching tale about love and lust in the age of digital relationships. (Thursday, 5:35 p.m.- Georgia Pacific Theater)

“Shanghai Hotel” - a drama which follows a young Chinese girl on her quest for a better life as an illegal alien in New York City. (Friday, 8 p.m. - Woodruff Arts Center)

"Sarabah” – a riveting documentary chronicling the life and triumphs of Senegalese hip-hop artist, Sister Fa. (Friday, 3:30 p.m. – American Cancer Society Theater)

“Destiny of Lesser Animals” – a murder/mystery film which follows a Ghanaian police officer on an investigation to retrieve his stolen passport. (Saturday, 2:05 p.m. – American Cancer Society Theater)

Fun film facts:

1. Atlanta is home to the country’s first African-American owned studio —Tyler Perry Studios— and has also become a favorite location for film makers.

2. Of this season’s seven television sitcoms which primarily feature African-American actors, six of the shows were shot in Atlanta.

Looking for food and fun to die for? Atlanta’s Dìa de los Muertos festivals have authentic dishes, drinks and more! Awaken the ghoulish gourmand in you and head to one of these Day of the Dead fiestas:

Mi Casa Su Casa - Day of the Dead Communal Dinner
The Original El Taco
Tuesday, Nov. 1; 6:30 p.m.
$30 per person, prix-fixe menu

The Mexican tradition of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrates the loved ones by sharing fond memories over laughter and dinner. Join The Original El Taco for a communal feast of seasonal staples, including chicken mole, hand-made tamales, candied pumpkin, sugar skulls and the traditional bread pan de muertos. Enjoy this prix-fixe Mexican menu for only $30/person - call 404.873.4656 for reservations.

 

No Mas! Dìa de los Meurtos FIESTA
No Mas! Cantina
Wednesday, Nov. 2; 7-10 p.m.
Free; $25 for R.I.P. Experience

The best things in life are free, including the No Mas! Dìa de los Muertos FIESTA. Head to the No Mas! courtyard for an evening of live music, a costume contest, papier-mache  demonstration and of course, authentic Mexican bites. For just $25, you can enjoy the R.I.P. experience, which includes a complimentary drink, Tarot card reading, and sugar skull decorating. Live it up with GoZon - a Latin-infused  rock band - and be sure to try a signature No Mas! margarita. Call 404.215.9708 for tickets.

 

Atlanta Day of the Dead
Atlantic Station
Sunday, Nov. 6; 12-5 p.m.
Free

The 2nd annual Atlanta Day of the Dead is an interactive, educational celebration of Mexican culture. Enjoy live musical and cultural performances while exploring hand-crafted alters and offerings left for loved ones. This family-friendly fiesta also offers activities for kids, arts and crafts for all ages and samples of authentic food and wares.