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What an exciting holiday week! Atlanta Ballet's Nutcracker runs through Monday with Handel's Messiah Thursday-Friday, Sinatra Christmas Under The Stars featuring a 17-piece big band beneath laser-projected stars Friday, and Celtic Woman with the ASO Saturday-Sunday. Add in Winter Solstice Market Saturday and major sports with Hawks facing the Spurs Friday and Bulls Sunday, plus Falcons at Arizona Sunday.

Atlanta continues transforming with Forge Atlanta closing on a 10-acre site near Garnett MARTA—the city's largest mixed-use development at 8.4 million square feet featuring a 300-room hotel, 600 condominiums, and no height limit, expected to create 3,000 jobs and $7.37 billion economic impact. Trilith LIVE opens January 15 with a 2,800-seat theater 30 minutes south, while At Arbeta cafe takes over JavaVino in Poncey-Highland and iconic Daddy D'z BBQ closes end of month seeking a new location.

From SweetWater 420 Fest returning to Shirley Clarke Franklin Park in 2026 to Rudolph's Rink opening Saturday through January 4, Atlanta's Peach Drop replaced by "Countdown Over ATL" drone display, and Glydways launching autonomous shuttles at Hartsfield-Jackson by 2026—this week captures our momentum.

What will we see in the real estate market in 2026? We're already seeing an influx of clients ready to buy, with appointments booked into late January. Check your instant home value here. We'll be taking next week off from Your Real Atlanta but are here for your house hunting needs! Have a Happy Holiday season! ✨ Ready to explore the ATL?

Atlanta Ballet: The Nutcracker | Classic holiday ballet with multiple daily showtimes
📍 Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre | 📅 Thu, December 18 - Mon, December 22

Handel's Messiah | Orchestral performance with Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Chorus
📍 Atlanta Symphony Hall | 📅 Thu, December 18 - Fri, December 19

Elf (Musical) | Family-friendly comedy based on the beloved film
📍 Fox Theatre | 📅 Now - Sun, December 21

Irving Berlin's White Christmas | Holiday musical with weekend matinees and evenings
📍 Legacy Theatre, Tyrone | 📅 Now - Sun, December 21

Sinatra Christmas: Under The Stars | Tommy Ward with 17-piece big band and strings performing Sinatra holiday classics beneath 50 million laser-projected stars
📍 Atlanta History Center Grand Overlook Ballroom | 📅 Fri, December 19

Motown Christmas | Cabaret-style show with Motown hits and holiday classics
📍 Roswell Cultural Arts Center | 📅 Fri, December 19

Christmas with the Georgia Boy Choir | Carols, classics, and holiday favorites
📍 Peachtree Road United Methodist Church | 📅 Fri, December 19 - Sat, December 20

Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings | String quartet in intimate candlelit setting
📍 The Wimbush House | 📅 Fri, December 19 and Sun, December 21

Atlanta Vocal Project's Ringin' in the Holidays | A cappella holiday performance
📍 Roswell Cultural Arts Center | 📅 Sat, December 20

Celtic Woman Symphony Christmas Tour with the ASO | Irish ensemble with full orchestra
📍 Atlanta Symphony Hall | 📅 Sat, December 20 - Sun, December 21

Joe Gransden's Christmas & All That Jazz | Jazzy arrangements of holiday standards
📍 Roswell Cultural Arts Center | 📅 Sun, December 21

Winter Solstice Market | Local vendors with handmade goods, art, home decor, crochet, tarot readings, herbal remedies, candles, live DJ, and food truck
📍 EAV Community Park, 572 Stokeswood Ave SE | 📅 Sat, December 20

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer | Puppet show
📍 Center for Puppetry Arts | 📅 Now - Sun, December 28

Snow Days | Winter hands-on activities
📍 Children's Museum of Atlanta | 📅 Now - Mon, December 30

Stone Mountain Christmas | Lights, drone shows, and festivities
📍 Stone Mountain Park | 📅 Now - Early January

Holidays at Georgia Aquarium | Festive displays, Santa photos, and shows
📍 Georgia Aquarium | 📅 Now - Sat, January 4, 2026

IllumiNights: A Lantern Festival | Nightly lantern lights and seasonal treats
📍 Zoo Atlanta | 📅 Now - Sat, January 18, 2026

🏀 Atlanta Hawks vs. San Antonio Spurs – Friday, December 19 (Home)
🏒 Atlanta Gladiators vs. Jacksonville Icemen – Friday, December 19 (Home)
🏀 Georgia Tech Men's Basketball vs. Lafayette – Saturday, December 20 (Home)
🏈 Atlanta Falcons at Arizona Cardinals – Sunday, December 21 (Away)
🏒 Atlanta Gladiators vs. Greenville Swamp Rabbits – Sunday, December 21 (Home)
🏀 Atlanta Hawks vs. Chicago Bulls – Sunday, December 21 (Home)

🎭 Trilith LIVE opened January 15 with a 2,800-seat theater, luxury 9-screen Georgia Theatre Company cinema featuring LED Samsung Onyx screens and full-service bar, and 51,000-square-foot communal plaza. Located 30 minutes south of Atlanta in Fayette County, the 530,000-square-foot entertainment complex will create hundreds of jobs and kicks off with concerts from 38 Special, Dwight Yoakam, Michael W. Smith, and Randy Travis, plus family shows like Gabby's Dollhouse Live!

🏗️ Webstar Technology Group closed on a 10-acre site at Ted Turner Drive SW and Whitehall Street SW, launching Forge Atlanta—the city's largest mixed-use development at 8.4 million square feet adjacent to Garnett MARTA station. Phase I includes a 300-room hotel, 600 luxury condominiums, and 60,500 square feet of retail connecting South Downtown, Castleberry Hill, and Westside. The project features no height limit for Atlanta's skyline and is expected to create 3,000 jobs and generate a $7.37 billion economic impact.

🏛️ A historic former church at 597 Auburn Ave., built in 1900 and located at the vibrant intersection of Old Fourth Ward, is currently on the market for $700,000. Originally planned for redevelopment into offices for the nonprofit Remerge, the property now offers a unique opportunity for creative redevelopment, residential conversion, or restoration of its architectural charm, with potential plans for a future Atlanta Streetcar extension nearby.

🏗️ A significant redevelopment effort is underway in Atlanta's Vine City area as Invest Atlanta selects Prestwick Development to transform the former Morris Brown Student Center and surrounding vacant structures into a vibrant mixed-use site. This revitalization plan includes new housing, a conference center, and facilities for Morris Brown College, promising to breathe new life into a key historic section of the city nestled near several HBCUs.

☕ A new European cafe named At Arbeta is set to take over the former JavaVino space in Poncey-Highland, transforming it into a modern Scandinavian hub designed for work-from-home residents. With a focus on community and sustainability, At Arbeta will offer a work-friendly atmosphere alongside delicious breakfast, lunch, and coffee sourced responsibly, as JavaVino co-owner Steve Franklin expresses confidence in the new team’s vision.

🍖 Daddy D’z BBQ Joynt, an iconic Atlanta establishment known for its rich barbecue history and appearances on the Food Network, will close its doors at the end of the month due to the sale of the building it occupies. Owner Christianah Coker-Jackson, who transformed the restaurant into a family business, is actively seeking a new location to continue its legacy, making this closure a bittersweet moment for devoted customers and the local community.

🍰 After an impressive 25-year tenure, beloved Aria pastry chef Kathryn King is set to transition out of her role, marking the end of an era. As she prepares for her next chapter, she expresses excitement for the future while searching for her successor to maintain the cherished dessert offerings at the restaurant, which has seen her craft beautifully simple and rich creations over the years.

🎶SweetWater 420 Fest, a beloved Atlanta music festival known for its lively atmosphere, will return to its roots in 2026 at the newly developed Shirley Clarke Franklin Park, offering increased capacity and accessibility for festival-goers. This exciting move marks the festival's 21st year, promising a vibrant two-day celebration with multiple artist performances in an expansive greenspace. Read more about the upcoming changes and festival details.

🛒 Atlantic Station is set to lose its Publix grocery store by December 27, marking another closure in the mixed-use development that has struggled with tenant retention over the years. This significant hit to the area follows the recent announcements of several other beloved restaurants closing their doors, highlighting ongoing challenges in the local dining scene.

⛸️ Brookhaven’s upgraded ice-skating rink, Rudolph’s Rink, opens on Saturday, Dec. 20, offering daily sessions with real ice until Jan. 4, creating a festive family-friendly atmosphere. Enjoy various activities like “Santa’s Village” and “Grinch Games” as part of the larger Holidays in the 'Haven celebration, promising fun for all ages this season.

🎆 Atlanta's traditional Peach Drop at Underground Atlanta will not return for New Year's Eve 2026, replaced by "Countdown Over ATL" featuring a 12-minute peach drone countdown display visible from Downtown and Midtown plus fireworks. Mayor Andre Dickens says the reimagined celebration decentralizes festivities for equity and accessibility, allowing residents to watch from neighborhoods, rooftops, or backyards. The Peach Drop, part of Atlanta's history since 1989, was previously canceled multiple times including 2023 for hip-hop's 50th anniversary and 2020-2021 for COVID.

🚍 Glydways is set to launch an innovative autonomous transportation shuttle project at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport by 2026, connecting the airport to key destinations like the Georgia International Convention Center and Gateway Arena. This pilot initiative aims to enhance accessibility and improve transit connectivity for surrounding areas, ultimately addressing long-standing passenger complaints regarding airport transportation challenges.

What will we see in the real estate market in 2026? 

Great question! We wish we had the crystal ball 🔮- alas, we don’t. However, we’re already seeing an influx of clients who are ready to buy their next home. We’re booking appointments well into late January.

If you’re curious about what your home could sell for, check your instant value here.

PS. Unlike Zillow, we actually pull in data from 3 different sources.

We will be taking the week off of Your Real Atlanta next week but of course are here for your house hunting needs! Have a Happy Holiday season! ✨

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