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Welcome to December! While we have a roundup of holiday bars to check out this month, there are seasonal dinners, high teas, and other festive events to attend. Our December events roundup is loaded with food-related things to do. Read more below.
On Sat., Dec. 7 beginning at noon, the holidays are back at Buckhead Village. Featuring live acoustic music, shopping pop-ups, and storytime with Santa, there will also be Livable Buckhead’s annual Miracle on Peachtree Hot Chocolate Crawl.
On Sun., Dec. 8, Talat Market is offering two seatings – one at 6 p.m. and one at 8 p.m. – for a family-style feast with 2024 James Beard finalist Chef Jarrett Wrisley of Shan. Inspired by food from the mountains of Northern Thailand and Southwest China, starting dishes include Shan’s smoked tofu and kou shu ji, with mains of bison mapo tofu and cumin lamb noodles, followed by pandan tres leches for dessert. Spaces are limited, so be sure to make your reservations here.
Celebrate the season with Holiday High Tea at Thompson Atlanta Buckhead starting at noon on Sat., Dec. 14. Led by a tea expert, this event features premium loose-leaf teas and traditional brewing methods. For more details follow their Instagram here.
Speaking of tea, The Waldorf Astoria in Buckhead is offering two options beginning on Dec. 7. The Winter Wonderland Tea will be available on Saturdays and Sundays during the month, spotlighting festive bites like eggnog crème brûlée, smoked salmon tartare, and cranberry maple orange scones. An additional caviar experience is also available. The Children’s Afternoon Tea with Santa offers a kid-friendly holiday-themed tea menu, cookie decorating station, and photos with Santa. Visit here for more information and to make reservations.
Related Story: 10 holiday pop-up bars for making merry in Atlanta
The Candler Hotel is introducing Sips with Santa on Thurs., Dec. 12 and Thurs. Dec. 19 starting at 6 p.m. The holiday pop-up will front seasonal cocktails including The Christmas Cosmopolitan (a blend of vodka, cranberry cinnamon orange syrup, lime, and white chocolate syrup, topped off with sprinkles) or a Wish List (gin, St-Germain, and a berry mix topped with vegan foam). Reservations can be made here.
Buena Vida Tapas Bar will celebrate Colombian traditions on Thurs., Dec. 12 with a One Night in Colombia: Holiday Cocktail Dinner. Showcasing a four-course Colombian menu and festive cocktails, Executive Chef Jaime Guzmán and owner Juan Calle will share personal stories behind each dish, offering guests an authentic taste of their heritage. Tickets can be purchased here.
Ready to break out the sprinkles and frosting? NaanStop’s Atlantic Station and Buckhead locations are hosting a holiday cookie decorating party on Sun., Dec. 14, starting at 11 a.m. Complimentary chai-spiced sugar cookies will be available for adorning with frosting, sprinkles, and sparkles. For updates, follow their Instagram here.
Drawing a blank on which festive drinks to make for your seasonal gatherings? Check out Lingering Shade Social Club’s holiday cocktail class on Sun., Dec. 15, starting at 5 p.m. Guests will make three cocktails and be served a three-course round of appetizers. You can find out more details and purchase tickets here.
Bibliophiles take note. Buckhead’s Lucian Books and Wine is hosting a Books and Bubbles event on Sun., Dec. 15, from 1-4 p.m. Books will be available for purchase, along with complimentary bubbles and gift wrapping.
It’s a first-ever pop-up for Gwinnett’s Pickle and Social. Stop by The Reindeer Room for pickleball fun and enjoy a menu of holiday-themed drinks – Santa’s Eggnog, Mistletoe Margarita, Rowdy Rudolph, Scrooge You, and the Grinch Mimosa. The Reindeer Room is open Thursday through Sunday, starting at 6 p.m., for adults 21 and over. More information can be found on their Instagram here.
Santa is coming to Boone’s! On Sun., Dec. 22 the Northside Drive restaurant is hosting Holiday Brunch with Santa from 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. Next to Bobby Jones Golf Course, the celebration will offer cookie decorating and photos with Santa in addition to brunch. Guests can also purchase engraved bricks for the Bobby Jones Golf Course Memorial Plaza during the event. Make your reservations here.
Ponce City Market has a host of holiday events and pop-ups this month – from photos with Santa and wrapping parties, to Skate the Sky and holiday toy drives. While you can see the entire list here, check out these highlights:
- 12 Cocktail Bar is featuring both a pop-up holiday bar in addition to Friday night cocktail classes starting Dec. 13. You can make your reservations here.
- Full-service dining Igloos are now open on The Roof at 9 Mile Station. Seating up to six, reservations can be made here,
- The Hot Chocolate Competition kicks off Sat., Dec. 14 at noon. Featuring hot chocolate selections from restaurants in Central Food Hall – think French Broad Chocolate, Spiller Park, Minero, and more – participants will receive a hot chocolate passport and vote on their favorite recipes. Proceeds from the event will go to the Hot Chocolate Competition winner’s charity of choice. You can find out more details here.
Give back this holiday season with the “It’s Givin’ Brunch” at Tesserae on Sun., Dec. 29, starting at 11 a.m. A modern American brunch will be served alongside live music, and 10% of all sales will be donated to Terminus Ballet Company. Visit here to make a reservation and include “IT’S GIVIN BRUNCH” in the reservation notes.