Holiday HQ is Discover Dunwoody’s new way of branding the city for the holidays, and in Podcast 303 Mark Galvin joined me for his monthly update to explain why. We covered Black Friday, live music, the World Cup, holiday traditions, and new places to eat and shop.
Holiday HQ is Discover Dunwoody’s holiday campaign that brands Dunwoody, Georgia as metro Atlanta’s holiday headquarters. It promotes Perimeter Mall shopping, Light Up Dunwoody, holiday markets, light displays, and live music, with events listed at Holiday-HQ.com.
Listen on Apple Podcasts or watch the full episode above.
Why Black Friday Is the Biggest Day in Dunwoody
If you live in Dunwoody, it may not surprise you that Black Friday is the busiest day of the year in the city. Perimeter Mall and the shopping centers around it bring a huge wave of visitors over Thanksgiving weekend. That spike led Discover Dunwoody to brand the city as Holiday HQ.
Check out Holiday-HQ.com for events, shopping, holiday lights, and music. Mark and I are also working on bringing back a holiday light tour map through neighborhoods like Dunwoody North, Redfield, and Village Mill.
Live Music Spots in Dunwoody
From lobby concerts to outdoor lawn shows, Dunwoody is becoming a hotspot for casual live music. Mark highlights Campus 244, located behind the Marriott near the State Farm buildings, as one of the city’s premier venues. It offers a public lawn space and regular live music events, all set against a colorful mural backdrop with beautiful buildings and great food.
Le Méridien Hotel also hosts live music every Tuesday and Thursday night, usually featuring local talent like Michael Magno. According to Mark, it’s a great low-key spot for a drink, a burger (which he claims is one of the best burgers in Dunwoody), and some mellow tunes.
Your One-Stop Shop for Dunwoody Events
Looking for things to do? Visit whatsupdunwoody.com/events, which goes to Discover Dunwoody’s official calendar, with live music, city meetings, festivals, and restaurant openings. Holiday HQ events are listed there too.
World Cup Excitement Hits Dunwoody
Atlanta will be a host city for the World Cup in 2026, and Dunwoody is already feeling the excitement. Three international teams are expected to set up training facilities in the Atlanta area, and Mark Galvin shares that they’re hoping Argentina will train here.
The Argentinian Consulate in Dunwoody has teamed up with a local nonprofit called Passion Soccer, a youth outreach organization that encourages kids to get involved in soccer instead of idle activities. Dunwoody residents can support this initiative by booking hotels through dis-dun.me/futbol. Five percent of each booking supports Passion Soccer’s mission.
Why Visitors Stay in Dunwoody for Big Atlanta Events
Hotels within walking distance of MARTA make Dunwoody a top choice for visitors who want big Atlanta events without staying downtown. Add a safe, family-friendly feel, great restaurants, and shopping, and it is clear why Dunwoody draws both tourists and families moving here.
Holiday HQ Traditions: Lights and Light Up Dunwoody
Remember the Dunwoody Holiday Lights Map? Matt’s brother-in-law Justin Dike created a hyperlocal holiday tradition by mapping out the best light displays across East, Central, and West Dunwoody. Now that Holiday HQ is official, they’re planning to bring it back.
Expect banners, snowflake decorations, and events like Light Up Dunwoody. If you are new to Dunwoody, these are traditions you will not want to miss.
Festivities on the Farm and Holiday Markets
In addition to Light Up Dunwoody, new seasonal traditions are emerging. Donaldson-Bannister Farm will host “Festivities on the Farm,” a multicultural holiday market with international foods, handmade gifts, live entertainment, and photos with Santa. The DHA Holiday Farmers Market also pops up in December, giving locals more opportunities to shop small while enjoying seasonal treats.
Holiday Art Trees, Lantern Parade, and Hanukkah Events
The Holiday Art Trees Program turns Dunwoody hotels into showcases of local creativity. Professional artists decorate trees in unique styles, blending traditional holiday décor with modern artistic flair. For families relocating to Dunwoody, this program is a fun way to connect with the city’s creative community while enjoying the festive season.
One of Dunwoody’s most charming traditions is the Village Holiday Celebration and Lantern Parade. This event features live music, kids’ crafts, hot cocoa, and a festive lantern walk through Dunwoody Village. It’s an inclusive celebration that brings together residents of all ages and is a favorite for families in neighborhoods like The Branches and Georgetown.
The holiday season in Dunwoody is about more than just Christmas lights. “Glow Strong: A Family Hanukkah Celebration” offers hands-on activities, creative crafts, and games for children. Later in the season, the “Donuts, Drinks & Dinks” party combines Hanukkah traditions with a fun pickleball twist, making it one of the most unique holiday events in the metro area.
Chubby Cattle and New Spots Near Perimeter Mall
Chubby Cattle opened at the front of Perimeter Mall, adding to what I jokingly call Dunwoody’s “Asian District,” alongside P.F. Chang’s, 26 Thai Kitchen & Bar, and more. For a quieter vibe, Mark recommends Steak and Grace nearby.
Perimeter Mall keeps adding new stores, which makes it an easy one-stop trip for holiday gifts.
High Street and Privately Funded Events
High Street keeps growing, with Rosetta Bakery, Varuni Napoli, and Ben & Jerry’s. My son’s birthday at Puttshack ended with a surprise concert on the lawn.
What’s unique? These events are not city-funded. The individual complexes like High Street, Ashford Lane, Campus 244, and Park Place are investing their own money to organize concerts, DJs, family activities, and seasonal celebrations. Discover Dunwoody, What’s Up Dunwoody, and Create Dunwoody then step in to help promote the events, which creates a win-win for both the businesses and the community. The complexes get strong marketing support, and residents benefit from a steady calendar of fun activities without any burden on taxpayer dollars.
Mark is especially excited that some of these complexes are already planning soccer watch parties for next summer’s World Cup. With Dunwoody’s international connections and growing soccer culture, these gatherings are expected to bring the community together in a big way, while giving local restaurants and retailers a boost in visibility and foot traffic.
How Hotel Taxes Pay for Holiday HQ
Much of Dunwoody’s growth and beautification, especially during the holidays, is funded by the hotel tax. With an 8% tax on all hotel stays, 3.5% supports Discover Dunwoody, while 1.5% goes to tourism product development. Another 3% is allocated directly to the City of Dunwoody’s general fund, where it helps cover city services and infrastructure improvements. That’s how new snowflake decorations, events, and even social media campaigns get funded, all without raising local taxes.
As Matt puts it, if you’re living in Dunwoody, you’re not paying for the lights. Visitors are. And that’s a win-win.
ATL Eyecare and Other New Businesses
Dunwoody’s business community continues to thrive. Matt highlights ATL Eyecare, a new optometry practice run by Dr. Thomas Koepke, who personally sees each patient. Dr. Koepke grew up in Dunwoody, studied at Wesleyan School and Wake Forest, and later returned home with years of experience in treating complex eye conditions.
The office has a welcoming, family-owned feel, managed by Dr. Koepke and his wife, Laura Mahone. With a full optical center and a focus on personal care, ATL Eyecare offers glasses, contacts, and eye health management in a way that feels both professional and neighborly. Matt shared that his own visit there was fantastic, praising the friendliness and attention to detail.
What Holiday HQ Means for Living in Dunwoody
As a Dunwoody REALTOR®, I like telling buyers that the holiday decorations and events here are largely paid for by visitors through the hotel tax. You get a festive city without the bill, and that is a nice perk of living in Dunwoody.
My Take: Holiday HQ is a smart move. Shop at Perimeter, catch Light Up Dunwoody, and keep your holiday dollars local.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dunwoody Holiday HQ
What is Holiday HQ in Dunwoody?
Holiday HQ is Discover Dunwoody’s campaign branding Dunwoody as metro Atlanta’s holiday headquarters, with events listed at Holiday-HQ.com.
What is the busiest day of the year in Dunwoody?
Black Friday, thanks to Perimeter Mall and the surrounding shopping centers.
Who pays for Dunwoody’s holiday decorations?
Much of it is funded by Dunwoody’s 8% hotel tax, so visitors help pay for the decorations and events.
Where can I find Dunwoody events?
Visit whatsupdunwoody.com/events, which links to Discover Dunwoody’s official event calendar.
Where can I hear live music in Dunwoody?
Campus 244 hosts lawn concerts, and Le Méridien has live music on Tuesday and Thursday nights.