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February is reaching its peak in Atlanta, and love—along with some major city shifts—is definitely in the air! This week, we’re diving into a calendar overflowing with everything from cheeky drag cabarets at Park Tavern to the soulful, candlelit strings of a Celine Dion tribute. Whether you’re planning a romantic "Winter Square" movie night at Colony Square or grabbing your besties for a wine-chocolate pairing at The Works, there is a vibe for every version of Valentine’s (and Galentine's!) Day across the A.

Beyond the festivities, our city’s landscape is undergoing some incredible transformations. We’re watching major progress on the residential front with affordable senior housing debuting near MARTA and the "topping out" of new O4W apartments, while the Upper Westside is bracing for a massive 2.2-million-square-foot expansion at The Works. Plus, the city just secured a huge win for greenspace with the acquisition of the 50-acre Tatum Lakes property, ensuring a brand-new nature preserve for Southwest Atlanta is officially in the works.

We’ve also got the inside track on the latest local flavors and real estate gems, including a second Chops Lobster Bar heading to Centennial Yards and some high-style Reynoldstown listings that put you right on the Beltline. From the high-energy "Spirit of '96" Atlanta United kit reveal to the latest updates on breeze card balance transfers, we’ve curated the essential news you need to stay in the know. Ready to explore what’s happening in Atlanta? Let’s dive in!

🥂 Galentine’s Day Wine Party – Celebrate friendship with wine-chocolate pairings and local pop-up vendors.
📍 Taste Wine Bar and Market (The Works) 📅 Thursday, Feb 12

📽️ Hearts on The Green – Cozy up for a free outdoor screening of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days with a bouquet station and popcorn.
📍 High Street/DeKalb 📅 Thursday, Feb 12

✨ Fernbank After Dark x WildWoods: AGLOW – An adults-only evening featuring cocktails, live music, and an immersive illuminated forest walk.
📍 Fernbank Museum 📅 Friday, Feb 13

🦈 Sips Under the Sea – Grab a cocktail and a date for this 18+ after-hours dive into the aquarium with a live DJ.
📍 Georgia Aquarium 📅 Friday, Feb 13

🍸 Love in the Square – Reserve a private "Winter Square" for a movie night under twinkle lights with a complimentary bottle of red wine.
📍 Colony Square 📅 Friday, Feb 13 – Saturday, Feb 14

🎺 Love in the Key of Swing – A soulful Valentine's night featuring jazz royalty Karla Harris and Joe Gransden.
📍 Byers Theatre, Sandy Springs 📅 Saturday, Feb 14

🕯️ Candlelight: Valentine's Day Special – Experience a romantic string quartet performance of hits by Celine Dion and Elvis in a stunning historic venue.
📍 The Wimbish House 📅 Saturday, Feb 14

🌹 Valentines in the Garden – Dance the night away with Sinatra-style music and elegant dining amidst the blooms.
📍 Atlanta Botanical Garden 📅 Saturday, Feb 14

🍳 Valentine’s Brunch Cooking Class – Learn to whip up a romantic brunch together in this interactive hands-on culinary date.
📍 Vino Venue 📅 Sunday, Feb 15

👠 Bad Dates – A sweet and hilarious one-woman journey through self-discovery, shoes, and the Romanian mob.
📍 Stage Door Players (Dunwoody) 📅 Now – Feb 22

🎭 Elixir of Love – An immersive "theatrical cocktail experience" blending classic literature and curated drinks in an intimate setting.
📍 The Cigar Cellar 📅 Now – Feb 15

🎪 Duel Reality – A high-flying circus-style performance that reimagines a classic rivalry with breathtaking acrobatics.
📍 Alliance Theatre 📅 Saturday, Feb 14

🩰 Atlanta Ballet: The Sleeping Beauty – A special one-hour premiere of the timeless fairy tale, perfect for families and fans alike.
📍 Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre 📅 Saturday, Feb 14

Dylan Earl Live📍 Eddie's Attic 📅 Wednesday, Feb 11
Grant Green Jr. Live 📍 The Roswell River Landing 📅 Thursday, Feb 12
KC Johns Live📍 Spondivits 📅 Thursday, Feb 12
Alex Sampson📍 Vinyl at Center Stage 📅 Friday, Feb 13
B2K & Bow Wow: Boys 4 Life Tour📍 State Farm Arena 📅 Friday, Feb 13
Live Jazz Fridays📍 Taste Wine Bar and Market 📅 Every Friday

🏀 Wake Forest vs. Georgia Tech (M) – Thursday, February 12 (Home)
🎾 Mississippi State/Rutgers vs. Georgia Tech (W) – Saturday, February 14 (Home)
⚾ Bowling Green vs. Georgia Tech – Feb 13–15 (Home)
🎾 North Alabama/Samford vs. Georgia Tech (M) – Friday, February 13 (Home)

🏗️ Selig Enterprises is gearing up for a significant expansion at The Works, potentially adding 2.2 million square feet of mixed-use space, including residential, retail, and office developments. This ambitious second phase aims to nearly triple The Works' footprint, with a completion target set for 2031.

🌳 Mayor Andre Dickens announces the acquisition of the 50-acre Tatum Lakes property, transforming it into a public park and nature preserve that enhances access to one of Southwest Atlanta's vital ecological landscapes. The initiative aims to protect habitats and provide outdoor recreation opportunities, affirming the city’s commitment to investing in greenspaces for future generations.

🏗️ The City Lights North Block project in the Old Fourth Ward reaches its pinnacle, set to provide 187 affordable apartments designed for those earning 60% or less of the Area Median Income. With an array of amenities and public transport access, this transformative development celebrates progress in one of Atlanta's key neighborhoods.

🎨 Spruill Studios will open in June at the former Chamblee City Hall, providing affordable creative space for Northern Metro Atlanta artists amidst a challenging funding landscape. Renovations begin in March, and applications for studio spots open on March 9.

🏙️ The City of Refuge proudly unveils "The 1343," a $15 million Transformation Center in Bankhead, dedicated to fostering stability and opportunity through affordable housing and essential community services. This innovative 37,000-square-foot complex features mixed-use facilities, including a fresh market and an entrepreneurship incubation hub, aimed at revitalizing the Westside neighborhoods.

🦞 Buckhead Life Restaurant Group announces the opening of a second Chops Lobster Bar location in South Downtown, set to debut by the end of 2026. This new venue will occupy 13,000 square feet in the Centennial Yards entertainment district and feature a similar menu to its Buckhead counterpart, including favorites like the "Chilled BLT" wedge salad and prime-aged steaks.

❤️ Celebrate love this Valentine’s Day in Metro Atlanta with exclusive dining specials from local favorites. Valentine’s Day in Atlanta isn’t just for the couples—it’s for anyone who has a deep, committed relationship with great food. From high-end tasting menus and themed "cocktail omakase" to DIY truffle-making classes and simple cookie boxes, local favorites across the city are rolling out the red carpet. Below is a list of restaurants where to Celebrate in Metro Atlanta:

🍽️ The City of Tucker heats up winter with its sixth annual Restaurant Week from Feb. 24 to March 1, featuring over 30 local eateries offering discounts and unique culinary experiences. Discover beloved favorites and hidden gems showcasing diverse cuisines while supporting the local economy by exploring the full list of participating restaurants on the city's Restaurant Week website.

🍽️ The highly anticipated dinner service, Wyld Bird Miami Chicken opened last Wednesday the 11th, welcoming guests to experience a fresh culinary journey. Be among the first to enjoy a delightful menu designed to tantalize your taste buds.

🍹 Inman Park's open-container district is undergoing a major refresh, led by Jamestown and TriBridge Residential, enhancing the mixed-use hub with upgraded public spaces, new dining experiences, and improved amenities for visitors. Exciting changes, including an elevated multi-use deck and fresh landscaping, aim to elevate the overall visitor experience while maintaining the area's charm.

🏃‍♀️ Atlanta's iconic Peachtree Road Race, a staple of the Fourth of July since 1970, announced a new title partner for the first time in 50 years, now named the Northside Hospital Peachtree Road Race. This partnership aims to enhance health initiatives not just on race day but throughout the year, with the next race scheduled for July 4, 2026.

🚗 Lyft introduced its new teen profile program in Atlanta, enabling parents to create profiles for teenagers aged 13 to 17, enhancing safety features such as ride tracking and driver details. Families are weighing the pros and cons of this rideshare option, reflecting changing attitudes towards teen independence and mobility.

🎽 Atlanta United unveils its new 2026 community kit, inspired by the 1996 Olympic Games and designed for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, featuring vibrant green and gold elements that celebrate the city’s landscape and rich history. The "Spirit of '96" jersey debuts on March 21 against D.C. United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, marking a significant connection between Atlanta's Olympic legacy and its role in this summer's global tournament.

🚌 MARTA is set to enable Breeze fare balance transfers as it transitions to a new fare payment system, encouraging customers to utilize their stored balances by May 2 and offering transfer options from May 2 through October 30, 2026. This upgrade includes new fare media and a convenient tap-to-pay feature, ensuring a smooth transition for riders.

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