Discover Dunwoody's Big Holiday Push and What's Next in 2026
In this episode of the What’s Up Dunwoody podcast, host Matt Weber talks with Mark Galvin from Discover Dunwoody about all the holiday magic, city happenings, and community wins happening around town. Learn how Dunwoody is positioning itself as Atlanta's Holiday Headquarters and what you can expect in the coming year.
Is Dunwoody the New Holiday Headquarters?
Mark Galvin isn't shy about his mission: he wants Dunwoody to own the title of “Atlanta's Holiday Headquarters.”
And honestly? We're kinda there already.
Between the new light displays at Brook Run Park, the ice skating rink at High Street, and the glow-up at Ravinia Gardens, this past season felt like Dunwoody decided to go full Hallmark movie.
Mark shared that Black Friday is consistently Dunwoody's busiest day of the year. That little nugget of data helped shape Discover Dunwoody’s Holiday HQ campaign—a seasonal push to make our city the go-to spot for festive fun. Their website, holiday-hq.com, pulled together all the local events, restaurant specials, and retail happenings into one click-friendly home base. And they didn’t stop there: they also secured the domain “holidayheadquarters.com” because… branding.
You could scan a QR code from a street pole banner and instantly find out where to catch live music, meet Santa, or sip spiked cider. That’s not just good marketing. That’s good community building.
And it worked. Even folks from Sandy Springs and Chamblee were spotted flocking to our events. That ripple effect is how a suburb becomes a destination.
ReDiscover Dunwoody: Trolley Tour + Free Booze
Yeah, you read that right.
The Rediscover Dunwoody Trolley Tour was another big win for Mark and team. Held monthly in 2026, it blends education, local pride, and a touch of bar crawl energy. It’s free (for now), and it features stops at some of Dunwoody’s best restaurants and bars—complete with food and drinks at every stop.
Host Matt Weber even played tour guide emcee for a few of the rides, dragging his 10-year-old son Micah along for the adventure (despite it being an adult tour). Real dad move right there.
The vibe was festive, the food was flowing, and the booze hit a little harder than expected by the end. Mark hinted they might charge a nominal fee in the future, with proceeds supporting Create Dunwoody. Smart pivot.
These tours do more than just feed you—they connect people. Residents discover spots they’ve never tried. Visitors get a taste of Dunwoody charm. And business owners? They get new customers and loyal fans.
High Street Ice Skating: A Win for Everyone
If you haven’t laced up skates at High Street yet, you’re missing out.
It almost didn’t happen. High Street initially planned to wait until 2026 to launch their holiday rink, but after some heavy lobbying from Discover Dunwoody and city leaders, they made it happen in 2024. Despite a warm start (hello, Georgia Decembers), the rink has since become a seasonal staple.
So yes, go skate. It’s fun. It’s festive. And it’s another example of how Dunwoody is stepping up its game.
The rink is also a proof point. It shows what can happen when the city and developers align around creating experiences—not just structures. Dunwoody’s growth isn’t just about what’s being built. It’s about what we’re building toward.
Big Numbers, Bigger Buzz: Holiday HQ's Impact
Website traffic to Holiday HQ jumped 30% year-over-year. Ravinia’s lights event saw 600 more attendees than the previous year. And let’s be honest, people were already talking about Dunwoody. This just turned up the volume.
Mark also gave props to Rachel Waldron and the city team for continually leveling up Brook Run Park’s holiday lights. They’ve added more budget each year, and the payoff is clear. Residents noticed the step up. Social media noticed. Visitors definitely noticed.
In a world where AI and social feeds compete for attention, the real-world sparkle still wins.
And that matters. Because real-world experiences turn into memories. And memories turn into return visits. That’s the magic formula for community-driven tourism.
Behind the Scenes: Discover Dunwoody's Sales Engine
Most people think of Discover Dunwoody as an events promoter or social media account. But their core mission is hotel bookings.
That’s where sales team members like MJ and Treasure come in. If you’re hosting a wedding, a family reunion, or even a board meeting and need 10+ hotel rooms, these are your go-to people.
Host Matt saw it firsthand when he brought a group of real estate agents to town. Discover Dunwoody found the rooms, booked the meeting space, and made the whole thing seamless. Sometimes you even get a free meeting space if you book enough rooms. It’s a great under-the-radar service that more locals should know about.
The best part? This brings real dollars into the Dunwoody economy. More heads in beds means more people exploring the Perimeter area, shopping local, and maybe—just maybe—falling in love with Dunwoody enough to move here.
Whiskey Raffles and Ribeye Orleans
Quick shoutout to the Rotary Club of Dunwoody’s annual whiskey raffle. This year was their best yet, raising big bucks and giving away a $600 bottle of Boss Hog. The tastings were held at spots like Louisiana Bistro, which became an unexpected highlight of the episode.
Neither Mark nor Matt are big on Cajun food, but Louisiana Bistro won over Mark. He hyped the Ribeye Orleans—a steak topped with crawfish and crab—as the must-order dish. Add in live music and strong cocktails, and you’ve got yourself a new date night spot. (Pro tip: enter the State Farm parking deck from Hammond and hang a left.)
This is a perfect example of hidden gems hiding in plain sight. If we want Dunwoody’s restaurant scene to keep thriving, we’ve got to spread the word about places like this.
The Reindeer Room at High Street and State Farm Hangouts
Another holiday gem? The Reindeer Room—a pop-up bar at High Street that gives off serious Christmas-in-a-cocktail-vibe. Mark hadn’t been yet, but Matt's wife Sasha and her friends gave it their stamp of approval.
And while you're over there, check out other nearby gems like Yao and Mikata. These two are tucked away in the State Farm complex, just across the street from High Street. It might feel like that part of town is just for out-of-towners or office workers, but locals are starting to catch on. Two hours of free garage parking doesn’t hurt either.
We talk about “supporting local”—this is how you do it. Find new favorites. Tell your friends. Show up. That's how neighborhoods grow strong.
Why This Stuff Matters
Host Matt wrapped the episode with a reflection on how far Discover Dunwoody has come.
Back in the day, it was just about hotel bookings. Now? It’s a full-blown community brand that supports everything from trolley tours to restaurant launches.
By showing up consistently, promoting our neighborhoods, and listening to what residents actually want, they’ve helped Dunwoody grow into something bigger than just a suburb. It feels more like a destination now. A place people choose to visit, not just somewhere they end up.
And when you combine events, great food, and smart partnerships—it’s not just about tourism anymore. It’s about civic pride. And that ripple effect makes Dunwoody stronger for everyone.
Call to Action
Want to know what’s happening next in Dunwoody? Start with Discover Dunwoody. Whether you're planning a stay, a party, or just a Saturday afternoon, they’ll help you find the best of what our city has to offer.
And if you need help planning an event or booking hotel blocks, reach out to MJ and Treasure through the website. They’re friendly, fast, and know all the best spots.
If you're thinking about relocating to Dunwoody—or know someone who is—I’m around. Call me at 404-502-8683 or grab a time here.
Show Notes
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Dunwoody named “Atlanta’s Holiday Headquarters”
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Trolley tours return monthly in 2026
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High Street ice skating rink becomes a seasonal favorite
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Louisiana Bistro and Reindeer Room highlight hidden gems
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Discover Dunwoody offers free hotel booking help for events
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Holiday HQ site sees 30% YoY traffic growth
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Ravinia lights event sees 600+ more attendees
About What’s Up Dunwoody
What’s Up Dunwoody is hosted by REALTOR® Matt Weber, spotlighting local businesses, events, and neighbors across Dunwoody, Georgia. Follow along at whatsupdunwoody.com for new episodes and community updates.
Meta Description
Discover how Dunwoody became Atlanta’s Holiday Headquarters in this What’s Up Dunwoody podcast episode. Host Matt Weber talks with Discover Dunwoody’s Mark Galvin about holiday events, restaurants, ice skating at High Street, and what’s next for the community.
Focus Keyphrase
Discover Dunwoody Holiday HQ
