NETHERWORLD HAUNTED HOUSE TO HOST EXCLUSIVE BEHIND THE SCENES TOURS, PERFECT FOR LAST-MINUTE HOLIDAY GIFTING

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 12/19/20

Enjoy a Behind the Scenes Lights On Tour of NETHERWORLD Between Dec. 26 and Jan. 3

Spooky season might be over, but NETHERWORLD Haunted House is keeping the thrills going with an exclusive Lights On Tour, a VIP behind-the-scenes experience designed for the most diehard haunt fanatics. Between Dec. 26 and Jan. 3, NETHERWORLD will reopen for a Lights On Tour guiding guests through HALLOWEEN NIGHTMARES and CYBORG SHOCK for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

“After such a crazy year, we’re thrilled to bring another pop-up experience to our fans,” said Ben Armstrong, NETHERWORLD Haunted House co-creator. “This is the third time we’ve hosted our Lights On Tour, and for haunt fanatics, it’s an experience not to be missed. So much goes into creating and developing our haunts, and these tours offer an inside look patrons would never get to see during normal haunt visits. Just in time for the holidays, this experience is the perfect holiday gift for the haunt fanatic in your life!”

During this tour, the lights will be on, and the effects will be off, as guests are toured through all the sets by a knowledgeable guide and immersed into the rich history of NETHERWORLD. Tickets are available now, but extremely limited, for $125 per person and include:

  • A one-hour tour of HALLOWEEN NIGHTMARES and CYBORG SHOCK with a well-versed guide who will cover the themes, operations and history behind the attractions
  • Exclusive photo opportunities at preset locations inside the haunts
  • Admission to the House of Creeps Monster Museum

Each tour group has a maximum of six people allowed. If a group is larger than six, two separate time slots will need to be booked. Tours are offered Fridays and Saturdays from 2:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays from 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. To check availability and purchase tickets, click here. After clicking through, change the category to “Tours” and set the game to “any” or “Behind the Scenes Tour,” then choose a date to check availability.

Please note, temperature screenings are required at each visit, and face masks are required at all times. Read up on all of NETHERWORLD’s COVID-19 guidelines and procedures here: www.fearworld.com/wordpress/2020-netherworld-covid-19-policies.

NEW YEARS EVE BASH AT THE BATTERY ATLANTA 2020

New Year’s Eve Bash at The Battery Atlanta offers multiple ways to ring in 2021

Cobb County lifestyle destination’s open-air campus offers guests both socially distanced events and outdoor entertainment

Say goodbye to 2020 and hello to a brighter 2021 at the annual New Year’s Eve Bash at The Battery Atlanta presented by Xfinity. The community is invited to pop the bubbly at multiple safety-focused celebratory events happening throughout the Southeast’s premier entertainment destination. Select restaurant and bars – including CRÚ Food & Wine Bar, Live! at the Battery Atlanta, Park Bench, Punch Bowl Social and El Super Pan, as well as luxury Omni Hotel at The Battery Atlanta – are hosting limited capacity, advanced reservation events.

The 12South Band and DJ Jammin’ John will keep the mood festive in the Plaza starting at 9 p.m., culminating with an aerial firework display over Truist Park at midnight. Parking is free in the public decks (Red, Purple and Green) starting at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 31 until 1 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 1.

An up-to-date list of restaurant and retailer happenings is available on the website. Details and hours of operation are subject to change.  In order to provide a safe celebration for everyone, visitors are asked to observe public safety guidelines as well as the individual guidelines of retailers and restaurants.

New Year’s Eve Events:
An Intimate Affair to Ring in the New Year at CRÚ Food & Wine Bar
Thursday, Dec. 31 from 4 p.m.-midnight
The chef-driven restaurant is dishing out a prix-fixe gala dinner menu complete with four courses ($65). Space is limited so reservations are encouraged. Guests can opt for an intimate dinner or score a late seating for a sophisticated celebration with a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. Learn more here.

NYE Live! 2021 at Live! at the Battery Atlanta
Thursday, Dec. 31 at 8 p.m.
The three-venue sports bar is hosting its annual New Year’s Eve celebration with limited capacity in a safe, socially distanced environment. Packages include a masquerade themed event with local entertainment from host Blake Eason, a balloon drop and a midnight champagne toast, featuring a ball drop on the 32-foot LED screen! Learn more here.  

New Year’s Eve NYE Party at Park Bench
Thursday, Dec. 31 from 8 p.m.-2 a.m.
The well-known live music venue will host two DJs for a late night full of pop, dance and country rock party hits! A limited number of advanced tickets are available and include admission, party favors and a complimentary midnight champagne toast. Select VIP tables with bottle service available. Learn more here.

Countdown to 2021 at Omni Hotel & Resorts at The Battery Atlanta
Thursday, Dec. 31 from 11 p.m.-1 a.m.
Hotel guests can join the luxury hotel for a private, socially distanced countdown to 2021 on the rooftop pool deck. The celebration begins with party favors and a special welcome amenity, in addition to luxurious accommodations with views of The Battery Atlanta from guest rooms. Pool deck festivities include a live DJ, complimentary passed desserts and midnight champagne toast and cash bar. Package availability will be limited to ensure social distancing on the pool deck. Learn more here.

Fiesta de Fin de Año at El Super Pan
Thursday, Dec. 31 from 11 p.m.-1 a.m.
The first 50 guests will be gifted party favors at the door! Attendees can take advantage of $5 Cava all night long. Social distancing required. Learn more here.

Ring in the New Year at Good Game powered by Topgolf
Thursday, Dec. 31 from 10:30 p.m.-1 a.m.
Sip and swing into 2021! Couples can reserve a Swing Suite ($60) or make it a small group outing ($5 for each additional person) for an immersive virtual golf and gaming experience, complete with food and beverage specials. Each space includes a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. Learn more here.

New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day Brunch at Punch Bowl Social
Thursday, Dec. 31 and Friday, Jan. 1 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Say goodbye to 2020 and hello to 2021 with mimosas, a full brunch menu and non-stop entertainment. Learn more here.

SOUNDS OF THE SEASON 2020: GEORGIA AQUARIUM’S NOT SO SILENT NIGHT HOLIDAY PARTY

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 12/10/20

Thursday, December 17th

7pm to 10pm

Georgia Aquarium

Celebrate the holidays during extended hours, exclusively for our 21+ guests. Enjoy a one-of-a-kind socially distanced evening, explore our main galleries, and jingle and jam to the music of two hometown bands.

Sleigh bells ring in our atrium with Singer-songwriter Wesley Cook as he performs a set that’s merry and bright. The Bourbon Brothers, featuring American Classic sounds and holiday hits, take the stage in our Arctic ballroom with a spectacular view into our beluga whale habitat.

It’ll be a whale of a night, topped off with a stroll through Merry Lane, which will have you thinking you’re in an over-the-top, tacky, good old-fashioned Griswold family Christmas!

Holiday best attire is encouraged, along with your mask to match. Capacity is limited, face coverings are required, and the night is yours enjoy!

Tickets are $49.95 for members and $54.95 for non-members. Tickets here.

FEED THE CREW FOOD DRIVE TAKES PLACE FRIDAY 12/11

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 12/7/20

ELEKTRA GIVES BACK & ATLANTA’S CENTER STAGE HOST “FEED THE CREW!” FOOD DRIVE IN PARTNER WITH MUSICALLY FED
CONTACTLESS EVENT TO BENEFIT LIVE MUSIC INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS AFFECTED BY COVID-19 TAKES PLACE ON DECEMBER 11
10AM-6PM EST AT CENTER STAGE
Elektra Gives Back and Atlanta’s Center Stage have teamed up with Musically Fed to host the “Feed The Crew!” holiday food drive on Friday December 11, 2020. The contactless, drive-through event benefits Atlanta music industry professionals affected by the COVID-19 Global Pandemic and touring shutdown. According to NIVA, the National Independent Venue Association, the Independent Venue and Promoter Industry is experiencing 95% revenue loss, while 95% of employees are furloughed and 90% of venues are at risk of bankruptcy. Elektra Gives Back recently launched as a philanthropic, employee-led resource group at Elektra Music Group, and “Feed The Crew!” will be its first, official charitable undertaking. Musically Fed is a 501(c)(3) Organization dedicated to mobilizing the music industry in the fight against hunger by donating unused backstage meals to community organizations that feed the homeless, hungry and food insecure. Since the pandemic, Musically Fed has shifted their focus to taking care of those in the music industry who are out of work without live events.  ENTERCOM has signed on as the radio partner for the charitable event.
Adhering to all COVID-19 guidelines, safety requirements, and social distancing protocols, “Feed The Crew!” is scheduled to run 10am-6pm on December 11 at Center Stage (1374 W Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309). During this time, volunteers will accept donations of non-perishable foods to be distributed among the local music and production community responsible for live gigs in the area. Those interested in donating may pull into the garage free of charge and leave their items with staff. For completely contactless drop off, industry volunteers can alternately pick up items from your trunk. A list of items suggested for donation can be found below. Donations are set to be distributed the following Friday by Musically Fed.
As organizer for “Feed The Crew!”, Elektra Music Group Regional Director of Promotion Darrin Schnur said, “Music fans aren’t the only ones who miss live shows and concerts. Tens of thousands of support staff who bring these shows to life are missing them just as much, and they are in need of a lifeline right now. When COVID-19 put the touring business on pause, box office employees, stagehands, caterers, lighting and sound design artists, production staff, and security teams lost their chief source of income, struggling to keep food on the table. We couldn’t just sit by, so Elektra Gives Back joined forces with Musically Fed to help out our friends and family who make concerts happen. If you’re in Atlanta, we hope to see you on December 11. If not, please donate what you can. Hopefully, we’ll all be back in the crowd soon.”
 
Josh Antenucci from Center Stage adds, “2020 has been unimaginably hard on the workforce that makes live music happen. The pandemic response has prevented our workers the opportunity to work, earn and provide for themselves and their families. As the holidays approach, we are honored to partner with Elektra Gives Back and be able to work for our crews and help put food on the tables of those in most need.”
Musically Fed Founder Maria Brunner concludes, “Musically Fed is excited to partner with Center Stage to help raise much needed food items for gig workers…the staff people who are the life blood of making concerts happen. They are usually the givers, helping so much in the Atlanta Community. Now it is time to help them.”
Online donations may be submitted to Musically Fed – a $10 donation provides 5 meals! Event information and details are enclosed below.
Be on the lookout for more announcements from Elektra Gives Back.

SUGGESTED DONATION ITEMS

  • Pasta and pasta sauce
  • Oatmeal
  • Canned fish/meat
  • Canned fruits/veggies
  • Soup
  • Rice
  • Peanut Butter
  • Dry beans
  • Nuts
  • Cereals
  • Quinoa
  • Chips
  • Bottled Juice
ELEKTRA GIVES BACK PRESENTS “FEED THE CREW!” WITH CHARITY PARTNER MUSICALLY FED
Event Date: Friday, December 11th
Time: 10am – 6pm ET
Location: Center Stage (1374 West Peachtree Street. Atlanta, GA 30309)

EVENTIDE BREWING HOSTS FULL DAY OF HOLIDAY FUN 2020

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 12/5/20

Includes toy and coat drives!

Saturday, December 12 1 pm to 7 pm

Eventide Brewing, Grant Park’s favorite neighborhood brewery, is hosting a full day of family-friendly holiday fun on Saturday Dec. 12. from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. The full details are below.
  • 1 – 7 p.m.: children will enjoy festive treats and a “Dear Santa” letter writing station, along with a mailbox to drop them in. Saint Nick also will be on hand to greet the kids (from a safe distance).
  • 5 p.m.: Festive sweater contest where the winner will receive an Eventide Gift Certificate.
  • 6 p.m.: Neighborhood carolers will stop by the brewery to perform a selection of holiday favorites.
Additionally, in the spirit of the giving season, Eventide will be accepting new, unwrapped toys, and coats for all ages that will be donated to local families in need. Anyone who brings a donation item will receive a FREE BEER. 
For more information, please visit Eventide’s Facebook event page.

THE THIRD DOOR’S NOT A HOT TODDY COCKTAIL COMPETITION 2020

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 11/25/20

The Third Door

Wednesday, December 2 at 6:15 pm

Tickets here.

On December 2, The Third Door located at 131 Church St, just off the Marietta Square, will be hosting the first annual Not A Hot Toddy Cocktail Competition! Bartenders from across the square have been tasked with the challenge of creating a cold cocktail that warms the drinker, each using a different base spirit! Perhaps it’s physically warming in some way or it’s a tipple that warms emotionally! However they can make the case to the judges and guests lies with them and their creativity! The competition will be held on the patio and is B.Y.O.B (Bring Your Own Blanket!).

Bartenders will compete out of the 1959 Shasta Airflight that adorns the patio and is the leader of the fleet of bars on wheels from @temperencetrailers, the mobile arm of the beverage program at The Third Door. Tickets are $50 per person and include two cocktails of your choosing from The Third Doors menu, a taste of each competitors cocktail, a vote in naming the People’s Choice winner, and the chance to win one of three awesome giveaways form our sponsors Heaven Hill and Spiribam! Bundle up and keep warm as the community celebrates the local bartenders and restaurants who continue to provide the Marietta community with safe and wonderful dining experiences!

VININGS JUBILEE’S 35th ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 11/18/20

BRING HOLIDAY CHEER TO THE YEAR
WITH VININGS JUBILEE’S 35th ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING
Vinings’ Longest Standing Holiday Tradition to Offer In-Person and Virtual Options This Year

Virtual option: Livestream Option via Vinings Jubilee YouTube Page

Make this holiday season merry and bright by kicking it off at Paces Properties’ 2020 Vinings Jubilee Christmas Tree Lighting on Thursday, Dec. 3 from 6-8 p.m. This annual Vinings tradition is free to attend and features both in-person and virtual options, making it viewable from anywhere, including the comfort of home. The event is guaranteed to be full of festive cheer featuring a variety of entertainment and performances including carolers, a singing Santa, and so much more.

The Magnolias, a 1940s style caroling group, will be in attendance singing everyone’s favorite classics. Guests can expect a grand entrance from Singing Santa performing holiday tunes and spreading Christmas cheer from a safe distance. The fun won’t stop there! Smooth jazz hits will be played live and afterward a performance will be put on for the children by Piccadilly Puppets – complete with Santa’s elves and the famous Battle with the Mouse King from the Nutcracker. Want to continue the celebration at home? Ornament decorating bags will be distributed for families to take home and decorate on their own.

“The safety and wellbeing of our community, patrons and staff has always been the #1 priority when hosting our community events, but when planning the 35th annual Christmas Tree Lighting we had to flip the script to provide a fun and festive evening that was safe and socially distanced,” said David Cochran, CEO of Paces Properties and owner of Vinings Jubilee. “Our community has come together on this evening for the past 34 years and we just couldn’t allow this special night to be another loss during a year where so many have already lost so much. We hope this 35th year will fill the hearts of all ages with hope, joy and wonder for the holiday season and beyond.”

This open-air event will be taking plenty of safety precautions including providing hand sanitizing stations, requiring masks for entry, and encouraging social distancing. Prefer to stay home for the holidays? The Vinings Jubilee Christmas Tree Lighting will also be streaming live on their YouTube so families interested in virtually attending can easily access the festivities. For more information, stay tuned on Vinings Jubilee’s Facebook and Instagram.

PONCE CITY MARKET ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR MERRY MISFIT HOLIDAY SEASON

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 11/18/20

Featuring Misfit Wrapping Co., Fireside Roasting & Toasting Pods on The Yard, a Menorah Lighting Celebration, Holiday Pop-Ups, The Roof’s Skate the Sky, Igloos & Noon Year’s Eve Party & More

 

Ponce City Market will celebrate the most joyful time of year with mistiful happenings throughout the holiday season. Festive fun will be all around with the Misfit Wrapping Co.’s gift-wrapping conveyor belt, fireside roasting and toasting pods on The Yard, a Drive-In Menorah Lighting Ceremony & Chanukah Film, holiday pop-ups and celebrations, and The Roof’s Skate the Sky, Igloos and Noon Year’s Eve Party.

Details on this year’s festivities include:

MISFIT WRAPPING CO.:

Saturdays & Sundays, Nov. 28 – Dec. 20 – Come one, come all and stop by Misfit Wrapping Co. to jazz up gifts for giving! From 11am-6pm on Saturdays and noon-6pm on Sundays, guests will be able to bring holiday gifts purchased at PCM to a jolly assembly line on the second floor of the Central Food Hall and watch as items make their merry way down a conveyor belt and are decorated by a team of Misfit gift wrappers with complimentary, cheery wrapping. During a final inspection, each gift will be given a stamp of approval before making its triumphant return to the rightful gift-giver.

Plus, Misfit Wrapping Co. is teaming up with Creating Connected Communities (CCC) – a nonprofit organization whose mission is to bring life-enhancing programs to children in need by empowering teens to become engaged community leads and volunteers – to gather and wrap holiday gifts for donation all season long. As part of the nonprofit’s annual holiday program, Amy’s Holiday Party, PCM shoppers can purchase items for donation around the property, have them gift wrapped at Misfit Wrapping Co. from noon-6pm on Saturdays and Sundays, and delivered by CCC to 40 different charities benefiting homeless, foster and refugee children.

FIRESIDE ROASTING & TOASTING PODS ON THE YARD:

Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays, Nov. 27 – Dec. 20 – Get warm and cozy with your nearest and dearest outside on The Yard this holiday season! Guests will be able to gather ‘round toasty fires and enjoy s’mores at socially distanced fireside pods. The Firepods will accommodate small groups and can be booked by the hour, and s’more kits and reservations (available beginning in late November at www.poncecitymarket.com) are complimentary. The open-air firepods will be sanitized thoroughly between seatings and will be available from 5-9pm on Fridays, 2-9pm on Saturdays and noon-6pm on Sundays.

FESTIVE POP-UPS:

The Blitzen Room at Biltong Bar, Opening Tues., Nov. 24 – Biltong Bar at Ponce City Market is “Up to Snow Good” as they transform their space into their second annual holiday pop-up: The Blitzen Room. The restaurant will feature swanky, vintage Christmas decor and seasonally themed cocktails from Chartreuse Hot Chocolate to Frozen Egg Nog.

Holiday Social Bar on The Roof, Opening Fri., Nov. 27 – Just inside the tower lobby, the Holiday Social Bar will welcome Roof-goers with an over-the-top experience bursting with whimsical decor and holiday-inspired drinks. Check out the drink menu here.

MixMas at 12 Cocktail Bar, Opening Fri., Nov. 27 – 12 Cocktail Bar is celebrating the season with a Mixmas cocktail menu, including drinks like “Sleigh Fuel” with bourbon, cinnamon, eggnog and coffee, and the “This Christmas I Gave You a Daiquiri,” made with dark rum, lime, pineapple, allspice and cherry. Reservations here are highly recommended.

Modern Mystic Shop’s Local Makers Holiday Pop-Up Series, Sat. & Sun., Nov. 21 – Dec. 20 – The metaphysical goods shop is spotlighting favorite local makers and creators with pop-ups throughout the holiday season. Each weekend, the series will provide curated collections from local, small-batch makers who share the same values as Modern Mystic Shop, with an emphasis on goods from women-identified and POC-owned businesses. Shoppers can expect to find jewelry, bath products, candles and more from vendors including local jewelry makers Kalua Rae and Dragonstone Malas, among others.

SustainAble Home Goods Holiday Gift Box Bar, Now Open – Shoppers can stop by the store throughout the season to create a curated gift box of handmade products made by local and global makers! Each box is $60 and comes with three pick-your-own items, from wellness products and kitchen essentials to gardening kits and so much more. Additional items can be added for $8 each.

PCM GOES INSIDE OUT HOLIDAY MARKET:

Sat., Dec. 12, Beginning at Noon – Bringing the best of PCM outdoors, the Holiday Market will feature holiday shopping, festive food and drink like hot chocolate and mulled cider, holiday entertainment and more as guests safely relax and spend some time outside.

DRIVE-IN MENORAH LIGHTING CEREMONY & CHANUKAH FILM:

Sun., Dec. 13 – Join Ponce City Market and Chabad Intown for a traditional menorah lighting ceremony and screening of a short Chanukah Film! This year’s celebration will take place in the parking lot by West Elm (alongside Glen Iris Drive and Ponce de Leon Ave), and guests are invited to park their cars and enjoy a BYO car picnic starting at 4:30pm. The brief film will begin at 5:30pm, followed by the Menorah Lighting Ceremony and a feature presentation at 6pm.

SKATE THE SKY:

Opening Fri., Nov. 27 – Back for a fourth year, The Roof at Ponce City Market invites guests to “Skate the Sky.” Ten stories above Ponce de Leon Avenue and overlooking Old Fourth Ward, the Rooftop Terrace will feature a 3,500-square-foot ice skating rink for all ages to enjoy seven days a week. Family hours will be every Saturday and Sunday from noon-3pm, and during this time, visitors can skate and sing along with The Roof’s resident Ice Queen. Starting at 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays, visitors 21 and over will be able to dance the night away to music spun by local DJs. Before or after skating, skaters can warm up at outdoor fire pits at the woodland forest-themed Nine Mile Station or play mini golf at Skyline Park donning a faux fur coat provided by The Roof.

Reservations can be booked here. Ice skating is $15 for adults and $7 for kids ages 5-12 (plus admission to The Roof), and includes 50-minutes of skating, ice skate rentals and unlimited gameplay at Skyline Park. Skaters must be at least five years of age to skate, and individuals under 12 must be accompanied by an adult skater. Hours for the rink will be the same as The Roof’s regular operating hours.

IGLOOS ON THE ROOF:

Opening Fri., Nov. 27 – Cozy up this holiday season in life-size, private igloos on Ponce City Market’s Roof! Available by reservation only, igloos located alongside the ice skating rink and at 9 Mile Station seat up to six guests, allowing small groups to have an intimate and socially distanced experience with an amazing view. Family-friendly igloo experiences alongside the ice skating rink are available on Saturday and Sunday mornings from noon-3pm and include a special kid’s menu. Guests 21+ can also enjoy food and beverages – think hot cocktails, champagne and large format cocktails – in rink-side igloos until 8pm Monday through Friday, 9:30pm on Saturday and 7pm on Sunday. At 9 Mile Station, the restaurant will transform into a woodland forest with cozy igloos and outdoor seating areas overlooking views of Atlanta. Restaurant igloos will offer guests 21 and up full dining service.

Reservations for all igloo experiences are now available at www.poncecityroof.com and include general admission to The Roof, skate rentals, 50 minutes of skate time and unlimited games and rides at Skyline Park (when available). Rink-side igloos rentals are $175 for two hours, and 9 Mile Station igloos are $125 Sunday through Thursday and $175 on Fridays and Saturday for two-and-a-half hour reservations. All igloos will be sanitized manually and with fogging technology between occupants.

NOON YEAR’S EVE ON THE ROOF:

Thurs., Dec. 31, 10am-3pm – Save the date for The Roof’s fourth annual Noon Year’s Eve! Skyline Park and 9 Mile Station will host a family-friendly celebration for parents and children of all ages to ring in 2021 as guests count down to noon. Tickets are $15 for all ages (3 years and under are free) and will be sold day-of at the door; no advance tickets needed.

Ponce City Market will be closed on Thanksgiving Day (November 26, 2020) and Christmas Day (December 25, 2020).

ATLANTA FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS 2020

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 11/18/20

Atlantic Station, Pinnacle Event Space

December 1, 2020 – January 18, 2021; 6pm-11pm
(Closed Dec 31st & Jan 1st)

The 1st annual Atlanta Festival of Lights is a great way to celebrate the season with friends and family while staying safe in the comfort of your car! Atlanta Beer Festivals, Atlanta Wine Festivals and Atlantic Station have partnered to bring this event to life for the holidays.

You don’t want to miss the beautiful display of hundreds of thousands of lights displayed over six acres of land. It will be held for seven weeks starting on Tuesday, December 1st and running through Monday, January 18th. The hours are from 6pm through 11pm nightly with the exception of New Years Eve and New Years Day when it will be closed. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are designated for 30 min time slots so be sure to buy your tickets early to choose your desired time slot! This is a COVID-safe event where you aren’t permitted to get out of your car and tickets can be scanned through your car window. This is a great way to ring in the holiday season! More details on the website:  www.atlantafestivaloflights.com

Sunday – Thursday: $25/ vehicle
Friday and Saturday: $35/ vehicle
Tickets go on sale Wednesday, November 18th at 10am.

GAGIVES ON GIVINGTUESDAY 12/1/20

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 11/18/20

Strengthening Our State by Connecting Georgians with Georgia Nonprofits

GAgives on GivingTuesday, Georgia’s biggest giving campaign, is coming up quickly: This year’s campaign kicks off on Monday, November 2, and culminates on December 1, GivingTuesday, as part of the worldwide celebration that takes place each year on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.

In this time of widespread and mounting need, GAgives aims to bring attention to the work and worth of the nonprofit sector, highlighting the thousands of organizations that work tirelessly for positive and lasting change. Since its founding in 2012, the GAgives movement has rallied 284,000 individual contributions and raised more than $41.5 million for nonprofits across Georgia.

GAgives is organized by the Georgia Center for Nonprofits (GCN), with invaluable support from a range of corporate, foundation, civic and media partners.

Aprio is one of this year’s returning corporate sponsors, funding Power Hour contests that inspire outsized giving. “We’re thrilled to be supporting GAgives again this year,” said Melisa Beauchamp, Aprio’s Nonprofit and Education Industry Leader. “We couldn’t be more pleased with the results from our Power Hour investment last year, which made an incredible return on behalf of Georgia’s nonprofits.”

Also funding donation-incentivizing contests this year: longtime GAgives partner Arby’s Foundation and new partners Marshall Jones (an Atlanta-based accounting firm serving nonprofits) and Brooks, McGinnis & Company (specializing in nonprofit audits). “At Brooks, McGinnis, we have a passion for serving those who serve others,” said Partner Karen Grosvenor. “By using our donation to generate even more giving, GAgives furthers our commitment to help nonprofits grow their missions.”.

Economic impact and giving trends

Nonprofits make up Georgia’s fifth-largest industry, employing more than 277,000 people. “These people pay taxes and buy local goods and services, and so do the organizations they work for,” said GCN President and CEO Karen Beavor. “All this activity is critically important to local economies.”

Some 80% of all nonprofits operate with budgets under $500,000 annually, doing their work in neighborhoods and towns throughout Georgia, and the lion’s share of their revenue comes in small gifts from everyday people. Currently, however, only 53% of households report giving to charity, down from roughly 67% in 2002.

“On December 1, Georgians have an opportunity to support their local community by supporting the nonprofits that make them thrive,” said Beavor. “Historic places, community gathering spots like parks, river walks, and arts groups need our support. So, too, do the local people who benefit from nonprofit work – whether that’s nursing a stray animal to health so it can become a loving pet, facilitating a support group for a family member dealing with cancer, or providing job training and placement for an out-of-work friend. Where there is a need, there is a nonprofit. Your gift, no matter how small, makes a big difference to your local community.”

This year, Georgians can get engaged with the campaign by going to GAgives.org, where they can search for nonprofits, donate directly, and start their own fundraising campaigns for the causes they support; or by following @GAgives on Facebook, and using the hashtag #GAgives on Twitter and Instagram, to share the call to give.

Get in touch with GCN for exclusive, inspiring stories from nonprofit GAgives campaigners.

You can also help the movement by sharing the GAgives on GivingTuesday date and call-to-action; pointing people to the nonprofit giving portal at GAgives.org; and encouraging your audience to spread the word about GAgives, their favorite nonprofit, and why they donate. Georgia’s nonprofits, and the communities they serve, thank you.

About GAgives

Led by the Georgia Center for Nonprofits, GAgives on GivingTuesday aims to bring attention to the work and worth of the nonprofit sector. Since its founding in 2012, the GAgives movement has rallied 284,000 individual contributions and raised more than $41.5 million for nonprofits across Georgia that work tirelessly for positive and lasting change. Learn more at www.gagives.org and Facebook.

About GivingTuesday

Launched by the 92nd Street Y in 2012 and housed in its Belfer Center for Innovation & Social Impact, GivingTuesday is a global movement inspiring people to take collaborative action for their local communities and contribute to the causes they believe in. The movement reaches millions of people, with campaigns and activities in all 50 states and 150 countries, throughout the year, culminating on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.

About the Georgia Center for Nonprofits

The Georgia Center for Nonprofits builds thriving communities by helping nonprofits succeed. Through a powerful mix of advocacy, solutions for nonprofit effectiveness, and insight-building tools, GCN provides nonprofits, board members, and donors with the tools they need to strengthen organizations that make a difference on important causes throughout Georgia. Learn more at gcn.org, on Facebook and LinkedIn.