Ice skating in Dunwoody is now a holiday tradition thanks to the rink at High Street, and it is one of several wins from Discover Dunwoody’s Holiday HQ push. In Podcast 314, Mark Galvin joined me to recap the season and look ahead to 2026.
Ice skating in Dunwoody happens at the seasonal outdoor rink at High Street, which opened for the 2024 holidays. It is part of Discover Dunwoody’s Holiday HQ campaign, along with holiday lights at Brook Run Park and Ravinia, pop-up bars, and events listed at holiday-hq.com.
Listen on Apple Podcasts or watch the full episode above.
Is Dunwoody the New Holiday Headquarters?
Mark wants Dunwoody to own the title of Atlanta’s Holiday Headquarters, and honestly, we are close. Between the lights at Brook Run Park, ice skating at High Street, and the display at Ravinia, the season felt like Dunwoody went full Hallmark movie.
Black Friday is consistently Dunwoody’s busiest day of the year, and that data shaped the Holiday HQ campaign. holiday-hq.com pulled local events, restaurant specials, and retail into one place, and QR codes on street banners sent people right to it.
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.
Ice Skating in Dunwoody at High Street
If you haven’t laced up skates at High Street yet, you are missing out. It almost didn’t happen. High Street planned to wait until 2026 to launch the rink, but after lobbying from Discover Dunwoody and city leaders, it opened for the 2024 holidays. Despite a warm start, ice skating in Dunwoody has become a seasonal staple.
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.
Holiday HQ by the Numbers
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.
The ReDiscover Dunwoody Trolley Tour
The ReDiscover Dunwoody Trolley Tour was another big win, running monthly in 2026. It blends local education and pride with food and drinks at stops around town. Mark hinted they may add a small fee, with proceeds supporting Create Dunwoody.
I have served as tour guide on a few rides, and once brought my son Micah along. These tours connect people: residents find new spots, visitors get a taste of Dunwoody, and business owners gain customers. Book at whatsupdunwoody.com/tour.
Behind the Scenes: Discover Dunwoody’s Sales Team
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.
I saw it firsthand when I brought a group of real estate agents to town. Discover Dunwoody found the rooms, booked the meeting space, and made it seamless. Book enough rooms and you may even get free meeting space.
Whiskey Raffle and Louisiana Bistreaux
The Rotary Club of Dunwoody’s annual whiskey raffle had its best year yet, giving away a $600 bottle of Boss Hog. Tastings were held at spots like Louisiana Bistreaux, which became a surprise highlight.
Neither Mark nor I are big on Cajun food, but Louisiana Bistreaux won Mark over with the Ribeye Orleans, a steak topped with crawfish and crab. Add live music and strong cocktails and you have a date night spot. Pro tip: enter the State Farm parking deck from Hammond and hang a left.
The Reindeer Room and State Farm Hangouts
The Reindeer Room, a holiday pop-up bar at High Street, got the stamp of approval from my wife Sasha and her friends. Pair it with ice skating in Dunwoody for an easy holiday night out.
And while you’re over there, check out nearby gems like Yao and Mikata, 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 office workers, but locals are catching on. Two hours of free garage parking doesn’t hurt either.
Why Holiday HQ Matters for Dunwoody
Discover Dunwoody started as a hotel booking organization. Now it is a full community brand supporting trolley tours, restaurant launches, and holiday events. That helps Dunwoody feel like a destination people choose, not just a suburb.
As a Dunwoody REALTOR®, I see how these experiences sell the city. Buyers want a place with things to do, and ice skating, holiday lights, and a busy restaurant scene make Dunwoody an easy choice.
My Take: Grab skates at High Street, then dinner at a spot you have never tried. That is how you support local during the holidays. Start at Discover Dunwoody for what is next.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ice Skating in Dunwoody
Where can I go ice skating in Dunwoody?
High Street Dunwoody hosts a seasonal outdoor ice skating rink during the holidays.
When did the High Street ice rink open?
The High Street rink first opened for the 2024 holiday season after Discover Dunwoody and city leaders encouraged an earlier launch.
What is Holiday HQ?
Holiday HQ is Discover Dunwoody’s campaign to brand Dunwoody as Atlanta’s holiday headquarters, with events listed at holiday-hq.com.
Can Discover Dunwoody help book hotel rooms for events?
Yes. Discover Dunwoody’s sales team helps book hotel blocks and meeting space for weddings, reunions, and business groups.
What is the ReDiscover Dunwoody Trolley Tour?
A monthly trolley tour with stops at local restaurants and bars, run by Discover Dunwoody and guided at times by Matt Weber.