The city may be cold and rainy, but that won’t stop Atlantans from doing what we do best: festivals. We’re on the brink of the 2015 festival season and despite the weather, there are some upcoming events that will draw you out of hibernation and into party mode. Here’s your guide to upcoming winter festivals around town.
January Events
Atlanta Game Fest. Jan. 22 -25 at the Holiday Inn Atlanta Perimeter. The Atlanta Game Fest is a four day board game festival, inviting fans from across the Southeast to play. Membership for all four days is $45 each, $75 per couple and $85 per family. Event details at events.accessatlanta.com/gamefest
Ice Fest 2015. Jan. 24 – 25 at the Chattahoochee Nature Center. Presented by The Atlanta Ice Marvels, a $10 pass includes admittance to Chattahoochee Nature Center, inflatables, animal encounters, snowball fight forts, ice slide, star lab planetarium, food trucks, s'mores and ice carving demo. All proceeds benefit The Early Autism Detection Unit for Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Event details at events.accessatlanta.com/icefest
Callanwolde Arts Festival. Jan. 23 – 25 at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center. This two-day indoor arts festival is for artists by artists. The festival will feature approximately 86 painters, photographers, sculptors, metalwork, glass artists, jewelers and more. There will be artist demonstrations, live music, dance performances and gourmet food trucks. This is a ticketed event. Event details at events.accessatlanta.com/artsfest
Atlanta Cask Ale Tasting. Saturday, Jan. 24 from 3-6 p.m. at 5 Seasons Brewing Company Sandy Springs and Taco Mac Prado. Sample over 40 rare, cask-conditioned ales form the US and UK. Attendees will vote for a "People's Choice" award and receive free Monday Night Brewing souvenir pint glass just for attending. Tickets are $44. Event details at events.accessatlanta.com/caskale
Atlanta Winter Beer Fest. Saturday, Jan. 24 from 1-6 p.m. at the Masquerade. Event includes live music on five stages, games and beer sampling from dozens of breweries. Event has sold out the past four years, so buying tickets in advance is advised. Tickets are $40 after Jan. 15 and $50 on the day of the event. Event details at events.accessatlanta.com/winterbeerfest
Atlanta Jewish Film Festival. Jan. 28 – Feb. 19. Atlanta's largest film festival and the country's second-largest Jewish film festival will have 164 screenings of 60 films representing 23 countries over 23 days. This is the 15th annual event and ticket prices range from $13 for regular showings (with discounts for seniors, students, children and matinees) to $18 for opening night and closing night showings. Event details at events.accesstlanta.com/jewishfilmfest
February Events
Groundhog Day Jugglers Festival. Feb. 6 – 8 at the Yaarab Shrine Center. This extravaganza features the best jugglers in the Southeast. Admission is free to the public, with juggling shows at 2 p.m. and 10 p.m on Saturday, Feb. 7. Event details at events.accessatlanta.com/jugglers
Oysterfest. Saturday, Feb. 7 at 1 p.m. This day long festival at Park Tavern will feature tons of fresh raw, steamed, and fried oysters. Enjoy live music from local bands, DJs, cold beer and other beverages. $10 tickets include admission to the event and entertainment. Food and beverage cost extra. Event details at events.accesstlanta/parktavernoyster
Steamhouse Oysterfest. Feb. 21 – 22 at Steamhouse Lounge in Midtown. The 28th year of this two day legendary Oysterfest includes buckets of fresh oysters, live music, beer and local favorites from sister restaurants Fontaine's Oyster House, Highland Tap and Vickery's Glenwood Park. Tickets from $10- $20 and proceeds support POSITIVE IMPACT. Event details at events.accessatlanta.com/steamhousefest
Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival. Feb. 28 under the big tents at Atlantic Station. Enjoy unlimited beer and bourbon tastings as you stroll from table to table. There will be 40 bourbons and 60 beers on tap, as well as a large barbecue selection. Attendees will enjoy live music, exhibits, cigar tents and more at this year's expanded event. Tickets from $35 - $55. Event details on events.accessatlanta.com/beerbourbonbbq
Did we miss any big winter festivals? Let us know in the comments.
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