atlanta
weekend guide
Atlanta weekend guide:
january 12 - 14, 2024
all the arts:
- “Aladdin” is on stage at the Fox Theatre through Sunday.
- After selling out last time, David Nihill is back at City Winery with his new show, Shelf Help.
- Come play with the magic of watercolors, and join The Atlanta Watercolor community as you release expectations, and let the water do the work! Attendees will be painting a bright pink Camellia flower. The instructor will guide the group through a step-by-step method to recreate this peaceful floral.
- Garden Lights, Holiday Nights, the award-winning light extravaganza at Atlanta Botanical Garden, is open through Sunday.
- Friday Night’s Fernbank After Dark brings after-hour access to Fernbank’s exhibits including WildWoods: AGLOW, themed activities and music by Ansley Stewart. Her music echoes 1960s’ soul singers combined with the Athens, Ga., college radio waves of the 1990s.
- At 7 p.m. Saturday, The Breman presents the Afro-Semitic Experience, a band that celebrates diversity, promotes social justice and inspires hope and joy. The music blends Jewish and African American music and draws from influences including traditional Jewish melodies, gospel, blues and jazz.
- The Cirque du Soleil show “Echo” is open under the big top at Atlantic Station.
- See “Pericles: Prince of Tyre” at Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse Saturday through Jan. 27.
- The exhibit, “Beatrix Potter: Drawn to Nature” is on display at the High Museum of Art and runs through Sunday. And The High Museum of Art also presents the exhibit, “A Long Arc: Photography and the American South since 1845.”
- Atlanta’s CDC Museum has opened the exhibit, “Ghosts of Segregation: Photographs of Rich Frishman.” The exhibit explores the lingering presence of segregation, slavery and institutional racism hidden in everyday American architecture.
More fun things!
- MLK Weekend is Here. Celebrate the life and legacy of MLK at one of several events in town. Remember to make MLK Day “a day on, not a day off.”
- The King Center plans a number of activities in January, including the Beloved Community Awards on Jan. 13 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta.
- On Jan. 12, The King Center will rally educators, students, educational institutions and learning organizations across the world to participate in our Beloved Community Teach-In.
- The HBCU Culture Battle of the Bands is planned for Jan. 14 at State Farm Arena.
- Georgia Tech will commemorate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the 13th Annual MLK Lecture from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 17 featuring Maya Wiley, lawyer, professor and civil rights activist.
- On Jan. 15, Ebenezer Baptist Church plans the Martin Luther King Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service with featured speaker the Rev. Shavon Arline Bradley. president and CEO of the National Council of Negro Women.
- Hands on Atlanta presents MLK Day 2024 Jan. 11-15. Thousands of Atlantans will unite in service in celebration of the King Holiday.
- The Atlanta History Center commemorates Dr. King’s legacy from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Jan. 15, with a variety of public activities including civil rights-themed trivia, crafts, kids activities, panel discussions and more.
- In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., admission to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights will be free on Jan. 13. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so book yours online.
- Oakland Cemetery is planning a morning of service on Jan. 15 as a way of honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Volunteers may help the cemetery with tree planting, garden beautification and clean up from 9 a.m. until noon. Check Oakland’s website for sign up and further details.
For the family:
- The Children’s Museum of Atlanta will celebrate Martin Luther King Weekend Jan. 13-15. mong the scheduled events are: watercolor portraits and quotes in the art studio. The Morph Gallery will be laid out as a timeline through Dr. King’s life, with 39 steps (footprints) through the area to symbolize his 39 years of life with fun activities. Children will also be invited onto the Children’s Museum stage to celebrate MLK’s birthday and boogie on down for a Birthday Dance Party and walk around the museum together in a Birthday Parade.
- Join a FREE Sing Along of Frozen at the Plaza theater! Bring the family for an afternoon party with free popcorn and drink.
- Do you remember the story of the Ant and the Grasshopper, where the hard-working ants are preparing for winter while the fun-loving grasshopper plays? Members of your Atlanta Symphony will bring this fable to life during an interactive program that is aimed at children ages 3 to 8, which includes a storyteller and classical music you’ll recognize.
- Stop in at Fernbank Museum of Natural History to discover how rocks and minerals form and change over time with a little help from water, volcanoes and the movement of Earth itself. This event, recommended for ages 6 and older, runs from 2 until 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Also on Sunday, from 11:30 a.m. until noon, drop into Fernbank to meet a Fernbank forest ranger to learn more about the outdoors.
- IllumiNights: A Chinese Lantern Festival is open at Zoo Atlanta through Sunday.
- Wildwoods: AGLOW at Fernbank Museum of Natural History will remain open on select nights through Feb. 25.
- Emotions at Play with Pixar’s “Inside Out” is open at the Children’s Museum of Atlanta through Sunday.
- Westside Sports League is a Year-round program for youth in grades 3rd to 12th. Youth participate in sports such as baseball, lacrosse, soccer, and volleyball.
Sports, fitness & outdoors:
- To honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., all national parks, including Atlanta’s Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area and Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park offer free entry on Jan. 15. And, of course, the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park is always free.
- Join Tissot, the Official Timekeeper of the NBA at Dillard’s (Perimeter Mall) on January 14th, 2024, from 4:00PM until 5:30PM ET for a chance to meet legendary basketball player, Clint Capela!
- Enjoy the Avondale Estates Farmer’s Market this Sunday.
- It’s time for the Discover Boating Atlanta Boat Show at the Georgia World Congress Center.
- The Atlanta Hawks host the Indiana Pacers at 7:30 p.m. Friday and the Washington Wizards at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. See both games at State Farm Arena. The Friday game will feature a special halftime performance by Tasha Cobbs Leonard.
- Watch amateur basketball at Atlantic Station’s Overtime Elite Arena this weekend.
- Join BikeChurchAtl for a Bike Ride this Sunday. We meet at 10:00am at Finca to Filter in Wild Heaven at Lee and White. Come early and grab a coffee. Stay after for tacos and cycling camaraderie!
- Skate the Station is still at Atlantic Station, and all are invited to skate under the stars through Jan 15th!
- Want to get more active this year? Check out these pickleball courts around Atlanta.
- The College Football Hall of Fame and Coca-Cola are embracing the giving spirit of the holiday season, partnering once again to present the annual college student ID promotion. With this promotion, the first 500 students who provide a valid college student ID between now and January 8, will receive complimentary admission to the Hall of Fame
Plan ahead for these upcoming events:
Upcoming:
- Mark your calendars for Lanta Gras 2024! The parade and festival will be held in Downtown Kirkwood.
- Join Amy Poehler and Tina Fey on Jan 19th to celebrate their thirty years of friendship with an evening of jokes, stories, and conversational entertainment.
- Decatur’s Lunar New Year festival at Ebster Rec Courtyard
Saturday, February 3rd, 2024 from 1:00pm-5:00pm - A Decatur tradition- the Mead rd Mardi Gras parade is back!
Sign up as a Krewe to walk in the parade or sign up as a sponsor to help us raise money for music and arts education in Decatur.
As always, watching from along Mead Rd is free and encouraged! Wear your purple, green, and gold.More info at meadrdmardigras.org
