HOLIDAY EVENT: Holiday Gardens Lights (I'm in!) - until Jan. 7, 2012

Holiday Garden Lights

at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens

Experience a dazzling extravaganza featuring nearly 1 million lights crafted into displays inspired by nature. Highlights include a galaxy of stars in the woodlands; whimsical bees, butterflies, and other lighted pollinators in the Edible Garden; and 200 show-stopping, color-changing topiary forms choreographed to holiday music on the Great Lawn.

This intown experience features elegant, traditional elements such as wrapped trees and cones up to 30-feet-tall. Staying true to the Garden’s history of blockbuster art exhibitions, the show design emphasizes stunning, innovative, and artistic light installations as well as fun, whimsical elements.

In addition, the Garden is decked in holiday favorites such as an 18-foot poinsettia tree, holiday displays of unusual plant material (tillandsias, bromeliads, alternathera), and, of course, hundreds of poinsettias!

“It’s going to be a joyful, exhilarating outdoor experience – and so much more fun than being smooshed up against your relatives peering out car windows,” said Mary Pat Matheson, the Garden’s executive director.


For more info: http://www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org/

EVENT: L5P's Halloween Festival & Party - Oct. 22

Atlanta’s Largest Halloween Party  - Saturday, October 22nd, 2011 from Noon-Midnight

The Little 5 Points Halloween Festival & Parade is the signature Halloween festival in the southeast and one of the top ten Halloween events in the country. It is staged in Little 5 Points, Atlanta’s premiere business, arts and music district. Each October, countless thousands of  people flock to Little 5 Points to enjoy great food and drink, live entertainment and the best Halloween parade in the South!

Two main stages of music beginning at Noon and going til 11:00pm.  The Famous Halloween Parade begins at 4:00pm on Euclid & Moreland Avenues in Little 5 Points!
Link: http://www.l5phalloween.com/

Celebrate the Red, White & Blue - July 4th

Celebrate the Red, White & Blue

July 4th is one of those holidays where you can usually find me at a friend’s house enjoying BBQ and beverages and indulging in some childhood fun with sparklers. But if you like to go out and go big for this fireworks-filled holiday, here are some cool places in Atlanta to check out!

Fireworks Shows:

Lenox Square - 7/4 - FREE! Fun activities for kids/adults all day starting at noon, Fireworks show starts at 9:40pm. Lots of great restaurants in the area so make a day of it!

Stone Mountain - 7/2 - 7/4 - $10 parking, additional $ for activities. Family of 4’s best bet is the Family Value Pass $119+. Lasershow includes a fireworks display all three nights!!

Centennial Olympic Park - 7/4 - FREE! Fun begins at 2pm when the park opens. Family activities like face painting, stilt walkers, Fountain of Rings, live music and more! Fireworks display starts after last 8:30pm musical performance.

Decatur Celebration - 7/4 - FREE! The annual Pied Piper parade begins at 6pm, followed by a live concert by the Callanwolde Concert Band and a fireworks display.

For the ultimate list of fireworks and more in ATL, check out Jennifer M’s amazing article from Atlanta on the Cheap!!

Other cool food/local events:

Peachtree Road Race - A 4th of July tradition! Starts at Lenox Square at 7:30am. Cheer on the runners as they make their way through Atlanta!

Centennial Olympic Park: 4th of July Celebration

Monday, July 4, 2011: Centennial Olympic Park’s 4^th of July Celebration offers a full day of fun and entertainment for the entire family, including downtown Atlanta’s best fireworks display. The highlight of Centennial Olympic Park’s 4th of July Celebration is theAirTran Airways Fireworks Spectacular which will broadcast live by 11Alive WXIA-TV as well as simulcast on All The Hits Q100.

Arrive at the Park early to secure a good seat and enjoy fun for the whole family! Park gates open at 2 p.m., with activities including face painting, stilt walkers, and more! Visitors can also relax on the Great Lawn and cool off in the world famous Fountain of Rings. Q100 personalities will be broadcasting live from the Park.

For more info log onto: http://www.centennialpark.com/index.php/plan-your-visit/event-calendar/springsummer-events/4th-of-july#.TgDSen2WQ_c;facebook

Kick Off Your Holiday Weekend With the Wish-I-Was-in-Destin Block Party

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND: Four of Crescent Avenue's hottest bars -- Flip Flops, Koo Koo Room, Tin Lizzy's and Sutra Lounge -- host this Midtown Memorial Day weekend block party, featuring a complimentary drink and live music from three different DJs and a band. Along with drink specials at each venue, your ticket includes a raffle entry for a grand prize featuring two round-trip tickets to Destin, Florida.  Price $20 or $10 using this link: http://www.goldstar.com/events/atlanta-ga/wish-i-was-in-destin-block-party