Can’t, won’t, or don’t do Christmas? Grab your favorite queers and hit these suggestions for events, venues and activities on Dec. 25 so you and everyone else in the LGBTQIA Atlanta village can find your own reason for the season.
Tour Atlanta (top photo)
The lights are still on around town, and the crowds are off. What better time to play tourist in your own city? All of these and more attractions are open December 25.
Chinese Lantern Festival in Centennial Olympic Park, centennialpark.com
Garden Lights at Atlanta Botanical Garden, atlantabg.org
Fantasy Lights at Calloway Gardens, callawaygardens.com
Georgia Aquarium, georgiaaquarium.org
Go Ice Skating
The popular Park Tavern rink is closed on Christmas Day, but Astor Ice Skating is up and fabulous at St. Regis Atlanta. stregisatlanta.com. Park Tavern reopens Dec. 26. See the Queer Agenda calendar in the current issue of Q magazine for details and an LGBTQ-specific event. parktavern.com
Gather Together
Friends and fr-amily make the season bright
Hike It Up
All of Georgia’s famously fab parks and trails are open through the holidays, several within metro Atlanta. Explore and make some totally different Christmas memories. Visit Georgia State Parks, gastateparks.org
Netflix & Chill
Alone or with a buddy, binge on your own brand of holiday fare. With our recommendations, tune into “The Crown,” “Godless,” “Marvel’s The Punisher,” “Mindhunter,” “Mudbound,” “Stranger Things,” and “Wormwood.”
Get Out
movies followed by Chinese food used to be called “Jewish Christmas” because they were the only things open that day. Options have expanded, including these super-queer recommendations: “Call Me By Your Name” (photo) is among cinema offerings; Southern Art, owned by queer Chef Art Smith, serves a holiday menu all day. southernart.com; and comic Judy Gold performs live at City Winery that night, citywinery.com. Read our interview with Judy Gold in Q magazine.
Volunteer
Giving of yourself could help stave off loneliness, or just warm that cold spot you’re harboring.
Hosea Feed the Homeless Christmas Dinner, 4hosea.org
Furkids Animal Rescue, furkids.org
Other Opportunities, handsonatlanta.org
A version of this article originally ran in Q magazine. Read the full issue below.
