Top Eight Things to Do in Atlanta in January and February

January and February are brilliant months for scheduling a getaway. The busy holiday season is over and a few days away is a great means to decompress from all the gifts, décor, and obligations. Winter can be a cold and dark time of year for much of the country. Exploring a city that rarely sees much snow can put some real pep in your step. And the best part? Atlanta is a city of events and activities. Check out our list of top things to do in the first two months of the year and schedule your getaway to Stonehurst Place today.

1. Go see a Broadway hit at the Fox Theater. The historic theater hosts more than 150 performances each year and it is a quick 16-minute walk from Stonehurst Place. This winter there are two not-to-be-missed musicals. The magic of Disney’s Aladdin comes to life on the stage January 9-14, 2024. Visit Atlanta in February for your chance to see the show that won 11 Tony Awards; the epic biography Hamilton will be on stage January 30 – February 25, 2024. If comedy is more your style, Saturday Night Live alums Tina Fey and Amy Poehler will be in town with their Restless Leg Tour on January 19 and 20. You do not need to find a magic lamp to see any of these shows; tickets are available on the theater website. 
2. Honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for the holiday that celebrates his birth on January 15 or commemorate him during February’s Black History Month. The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Park is 1.7 miles away from Stonehurst Place. The park features multiple historic and educational opportunities. Visit the D.R.E.A.M. Gallery to see “Georgia’s Global Peacemakers: The Carter and King Legacy.” The exhibit illustrates the strong relationship between President Jimmy Carter and Dr Martin Luther King, Jr.  The Behold Monument was unveiled by Coretta Scott King in 1990 as a tribute to her late husband. Go to Fire Station No. 6 to learn about the desegregation of the Atlanta Fire Department. The Ebenezer Baptist Church is where King was baptized and ordained as a minister. It is also where his funeral was held. Atlanta is home to many important civil rights locations. You can plan an entire Civil Rights Itinerary by visiting the Sweet Auburn Historic District, the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame, Hammonds House Museum, and much more. 
3. Celebrate Mardi Gras Atlanta style.  The fun begins with Lanta Gras. The New Orleans inspired parade and festival will be held on January 27 in Kirkwood, which is about 20 minutes from the inn. One of the fun things about this event is that some of the “floats” never move. Businesses and homes transform their building with decorations and fun. Check out a sample of the decorations from a previous year.
4. The SCAD TVfest comes to Atlanta February 7-10, 2024. SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) has a campus in Atlanta in the heart of midtown. Students there have access to a world-famous sculpture studio, a cultural arts and writing center, and an expansive digital media center. In February, it becomes the international hub for celebrating the latest in television, streaming, and digital media. The schedule of speakers and performances will be announced soon and tickets will go on sale Thursday, January 25. Previous honored guests include Laurence Fishburne, Ed Helms, Christina Ricci, and Kim Cattrall. 
5. From February 9 until February 11, 2024, the ATL Comic Convention is the center of all things comic and pop culture. The star-studded line-up of famous guests this year includes: Katee Sackhoff (The Mandalorian), Anthony Daniels (Star Wars), Ron Perlman (Hellboy), Soneque Martin-Green (Star Trek: Discovery), and Robert Englund (Nightmare on Elm Street). Attendees have opportunities for celebrity photos and autographs, panels (schedule coming soon), cosplay, and an exhibit floor filled with vendors. Dress up as your favorite character or come as you are. Tickets are available for single day or the entire weekend. 
6. The metro Atlanta theaters will be showcasing world-class international and independent films, documentaries, and shorts during the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival. February 13-26, visitors will be able to see films at Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center, Tara Theatre, The Historic Plaza Theatre, Georgia Theatre Company Merchants Walk, and Springs Cinema & Taphouse. Create an itinerary to see a film in each location or pick your favorite and watch multiple in the same location. The collective energy of watching a film in a room full of other people is a unique joy. However, after you find a film that you really love, select titles will be available to stream from February 27 until March 7 to give you the opportunity to relive the fun. Participate in the Audience Awards by voting for your favorites.
7. The Atlanta Botanical Garden is always a beautiful place to visit. Somehow it becomes even more beautiful during the Flower Show. Primavera, the 2024 show, will be hosted February 23-25, 2024. The show is actually a judged competition of floral design, horticulture, photography, and botanical arts. It is colorful celebration of the beauty and creativity of plants. Alongside the judged competition is a display of Ikebana which is the Japanese art of floral design. Included in the price of admission to the show is access to the gardens as well as the Orchid Daze exhibit.

Your taste buds will savor the Beer, Bourbon, and BBQ Festival on February 24. Attendees receive unlimited tastings of 60+ beers and 40+ bourbons. When you need a break from the drinks and food there are games like giant Jenga and cornhole. Wear comfortable shoes to dance along with the bands. Make sure to stop by all the vendors to pick up hot sauces, accessories, and more. Atlantic Station is only two miles from Stonehurst Place so it is an easy Uber or Lyft ride after you partake in the festival.