Woodstock is unexpected to people who remember it as the sleepy little bedroom community it was in the 1980s. Lately, it’s more like the bustling whistle stop it was in the 1880s because of the respectable maker scene. This town, just thirty minutes north of Atlanta, is where you’ll find something wonderful for everyone on your Christmas list.
There are a number of fledgling makers selling their goods and growing their brands at events like the Maker’s Mash taking place at Reformation Brewery on December 13th and also at spaces like Made Mercantile, a coworking brand incubator with a retail space that launched just weeks ago.
There are mixologist makers like Jordan at Truck & Tap crafting smashing good seasonal cocktail menus. With selections like the Cinnamon Tequila Sour and the Pumpkin Spice White Russian, there are plenty of original tastes to get you in the holiday spirit as you shop.
And the culinary makers are represented as well. Everything at Vingenzo’s is made from scratch and there’s no better day to experience the tastes than Christmas Eve. The Feast of the Seven Fishes is a southern Italian tradition that Woodstock has embraced as its own. There are two seatings and they sell out quickly.
The Woodstock Visitors Center is hosting a number of safe holiday shopping events this season and signs along Main Street encourage masking and distancing. Woodstock’s small businesses mean a lot to the community and the visitors center is helping to show them love after a tough year. The Holiday Sip + Shop is a ticketed event on December 10th that offers exclusive deals, seasonal refreshments, and a holiday tote full of even more offers to Woodstock shoppers. On Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, the visitors center is giving an entry in a Downtown Dollars Giveaway for every $10 spent at a shop or restaurant in downtown. They’re even helping people #shopsmall and #shoplocal on Cyber Monday with a daylong virtual “live” shopping event on the Downtown Woodstock Facebook page.
The Outlet Shoppes at Atlanta is transforming into a winter wonderland this holiday season. It’s the nearest and nicest outlet shopping to Atlanta and is home to nearly 100 luxury brands. There is a full schedule of holiday happenings like family movie nights, snowy family photo opportunities, carolers and strolling holiday characters, and, of course, deals like up to 70% off COACH and others on Black Friday.
Don’t forget to shop for all the trimmings of the season in Woodstock like theater tickets, cookies for Santa, and even the perfect tree. Enjoy an open-air concert production of A Christmas Carol on the Elm Street Event Green, running December 18-24. Take in a stationary lighted parade as Woodstock reverses its annual tradition at the Drive Thru Parade of Lights on December 5th. Up your cookie game with pignoli, amaretti, or cranberry white chocolate cookies from Alpine Bakery. Cut down your own tree at Berry Patch Farms, then recover from all that work sipping cider on the farmhouse porch with a hot funnel cake.
Plan more shopping with the full guide to a fantastic and safe holiday in A City Unexpected!
