-
As the autumn leaves blaze red and gold and the first holiday lights begin to twinkle, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is bracing for its familiar starring role as America’s great aerial meeting place.
Projections for Thanksgiving and Christmas 2025 are shattering records: the world’s busiest airport could welcome more than 3 million travelers on its single busiest day, drawn irresistibly to Atlanta’s gates for family gatherings, winter getaways, and those heartfelt, last-minute flights home.
Hopefully you’ve already booked your ticket for travel during the holidays.
This article will show you how to save money on travel for new year if you’re an apprehensive traveler. Here’s what you need to know about flying this holiday season.
Holiday Travel: How To Save Money And More
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) projects a staggering 19.5 million passengers will pass through U.S. security checkpoints from Tuesday, November 25, through Tuesday, December 2 – a roughly 6.5% jump from last year’s record 18.3 million, fueled by pent-up demand and stabilizing fuel costs.
Busiest days? Expect gridlock on Wednesday, November 26 (pre-Turkey Day frenzy), and Sunday, November 30 (the great return), with daily screenings topping 3.1 million nationwide.
For ATL alone, that could mean over 250,000 travelers daily, straining concourses already buzzing with Delta’s expanded holiday schedules.
For the fall, there have been some good sales, especially with Southwest Airlines, so you can save money if you want to. The real issue is whether you’re ready to risk it all to fly to a vacation destination or home for the holidays.
If you want to know what safety measures airlines have put in place, here’s what to know:
Typically, you may be asked to quarantine from 10 to 14 days, so you’d better have some vacation days to spare.
How To Save On Holiday Travel
Let’s talk about some ways you can save on holiday travel. Always check Southwest’s Fare Calendar for days with cheaper prices. If you’re traveling abroad, I love Going.com as well. Also…
1. Be Flexible With Your Travel Dates
The Sunday after a holiday weekend is always the most expensive day to travel. Make sure you remain flexible so that you can book the cheapest travel days, which are typically a few days earlier or later than the weekend.
The cheapest days to buy travel is typically a couple days before a holiday — except when those days happen to fall on any of the three weekend days. So that means buying on Tuesday through Thursday is typically your best bet.
Read about the best days to book a flight.
2. Pack One Bag Only
If you want to save money, always only take one travel bag with you. Most airlines charge between $35 to $45 for a carry-on bag. That’s up to $70 to $90 coming and going.
For example, Delta Air Lines charges $45 for a second checked bag.
Even if you have to wear the same thing for a day, it’s worth it to save on baggage fees.
3. Look For Travel Bundles
If you need a rental car, you can save money if you bundle that purchase with your airfare. The same is true for hotels, although you typically won’t need one if you’re going home for the holidays.
Travel sites like Priceline and Orbitz has deals galore on trip bundles that include flights and hotel itineraries.
4. Plan For Cancellations
The holiday travel period is the most vulnerable time for airline cancellations. The sheer volume of passengers makes it almost inevitable that cancellations will happen.
What you can do is prepare by planning alternate travel plans, including a road trip.
Final Words
If you plan on traveling for the holidays this year, now is the time to book your ticket. Airfare is likely to increase in the weeks ahead as the airline industry tries to make grow profits for the holidays.
The main thing you need to remember is that airline travel has changed drastically since early in the pandemic. You will need to pack differently, including bringing plenty of masks and gloves.
You will also need to adjust your eating habits as many restaurants close their kitchens earlier or still have limited menus.
Whatever you do, try to have fun and be safe on your travels.
Once you get your passport, you should be ready for your trip. Make sure you have found the cheapest flights from Atlanta that are on sale. And don’t forget these travel hacks to save money and time.
To Atlanta is one of the most convenient places to travel to and from. A large part of that is because Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport is so accessible.
Not only is it the world’s busiest airport, but it’s state-of-the-art in every way. If you’re interesting in traveling around Atlanta via car or even on scooter, here’s what to know.
More Articles Like This:
Traveling Soon? Check Out Our International Checklist
-
With the Turkey Day here, shoppers in the vicinity are making last-minute runs to Atlanta grocery stores for the Thanksgiving holiday. But before you go there, you should ask this question: Are they open?
This article will tell you everything you need to know about the Thanksgiving Day store hours for the major supermarket chains around Atlanta.
Is Walmart, Publix, Kroger, Whole Foods And More Open For Thanksgiving?
On holidays we know that grocery store hours tend to change. Some stores are closed, while some adjust their hours to remain open just a while.
For the latest information, you should call your local grocery store to see if they have changed their hours on any particular day.
Quick Links: Grocery Store Holiday Hours
What Are Costco’s Holiday Hours?
Costco usually stays open from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily. For Thanksgiving, the store will be closed.
What Are Publix’s Holiday Hours?
Publix locations around metro Atlanta are closed for the Thanksgiving holiday. The Florida-based store typically closes for Christmas as well.
Sam’s Club Holiday Hours
Sam’s Club has altered its operating hours during the holidays, including on Thanksgiving, The store will be closed so that store associates and other workers can enjoy the day with their families.
Here are Sam’s Club’s holiday hours in Atlanta:
- Nov. 27: Closed – (Thanksgiving Day)
Is Walmart Open On Thanksgiving?
Walmart will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. Aside from Christmas, it’s the only day of the year when Walmarts all over are shut down.
Walmart Holiday Hours:
- Nov. 27: Closed (Thanksgiving Day)
Whole Foods Holiday Hours
Whole Foods is operating on modified hours during the holidays, including on Thanksgiving,
Here are Whole Foods holiday hours in Atlanta:
- Nov 27: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. (Thanksgiving Day)
What’s Open On Thanksgiving In Atlanta?
In addition to major groceries stores, the following stores are also open for Thanksgiving:
- Big Lots
- CVS
- Dollar General
- Dollar Tree
- Family Dollar
- Rite Aid
- Starbucks
- Stop & Shop
- Walgreens
- Wegmans
Final Word
Stores are becoming packed with people shopping for what’s on sale. If you need to make your way to the grocery store, you might be wondering when the particular location near you opens and closes.
If you need any last-minute items, you can rest assured that gas stations will be open. But many drug stores, including CVS, Rite-Aid and Walgreens will all be open on Thanksgiving Day.
Again, for specific stores near you, it is best to give them a call before you get in your car and drive there.
If you’re serious about finding some deals, Atlanta has a bunch of malls as well as antique shops and consignment stores to find some great sales. Always see if you can comparison shop to find the deals.
Looking to Shop Electronics? Check Out These Deals
-
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters and operations in Atlanta, Georgia have been like a real-life X Files more times than not. So, what do you know about the agency?
In this article, we’ll explore some amazing, amusing or just plain wild facts about the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, headquartered right here in the largest city in the Peach State:
1. It Began As the Communicable Disease Center
The CDC started in 1946 as the “Communicable Disease Center” with one mission: kill malaria-carrying mosquitoes in the war-surplus army buildings on Clifton Road.
Its first employees were mostly entomologists and engineers, not doctors. The agency’s founder was Dr. Joseph Mountin, a career U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) officer who would eventually become assistant surgeon general.
His descendants donated Mountin’s microscope to the CDC in 2012.
The agency’s original budget was $10 million and it literally began as a malaria-spraying operation run out of a tiny office in downtown Atlanta (the old U.S. Public Health Service building on 15th Street).
2. The CDC Owns the World’s Deadliest Pathogens
The CDC owns one of the world’s largest collections of deadly pathogens — including live smallpox virus. Only one other place on Earth (Vector in Russia) is allowed to keep it.
The samples are stored in a ultra-secure freezer in Building 18 on the Roybal Campus, guarded 24/7 by armed officers who carry fully automatic weapons.
3. The CDC Once Employed a Full-time ‘Vomitologist’
Dr. Michael Beach (the former deputy director of the Division of Foodborne, Waterborne and Environmental Diseases) spent decades studying how norovirus and other bugs spread on cruise ships and in swimming pools. He proudly called himself the agency’s official expert on projectile vomiting patterns.
Most recently, Beach was seen protesting Trump Administration cuts to the agency.
“To cut the scientific staff to the bone, to close laboratories, to cut off all of the data coming in about maternal health, about violence, about environmental health, about prevention of HIV and STDs and TB — those sorts of things are going to have a huge impact on the health of this country,” he told NPR.
4. There’s a CDC Museum With All Types of Curiosities
The CDC Museum (officially the David J. Sencer CDC Museum) has an original iron lung, a real Guinea worm extraction pipe used in Africa, and — weirdest of all — a life-size replica of a 1918 influenza ward. It also displays the actual freezer tray that held the world’s last naturally occurring smallpox case (Ali Maow Maalin, Somalia, 1977).
5. The CDC Solved the Legionnaires Outbreak in Philly
Many don’t realize it but Legionnaires’ disease was named after a mysterious outbreak in Philadelphia that sickened hundreds of American Legion veterans in the summer of 1976.
During the outbreak in Philadelphia, CDC scientists solved the mystery by growing the previously unknown bacterium in fertilized chicken eggs — the same method used to make flu vaccine — inside a makeshift lab set up in a hotel basement.
6. The CDC Stopped a Flu Pandemic Way Back in 1957
Photo credit: Walter Sander/CDC
On April 17, 1957, Dr. Maurice Hilleman, a virologist at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, spotted the first clear warning of an impending pandemic. That morning, a short item in The New York Times described a severe influenza outbreak sweeping Hong Kong. One sentence stood out: Clinics were so overwhelmed that “women carried glassy-eyed children tied to their backs” while waiting in line.
Recognizing the telltale signs of a new, highly transmissible strain, Hilleman immediately sounded the alarm among public-health officials and began urgent work on a vaccine, aiming to have it ready before American schools reopened in September.
The virus had actually emerged two months earlier, in February 1957, in a remote area of Guizhou Province in southwestern China. By mid-April, when Hilleman read the report, the outbreak had exploded in Hong Kong: roughly 250,000 people—about 10 percent of the city’s population—were already seeking treatment.
Hilleman alerted U.S. officials to speed production of a vaccine using fertilized chicken eggs, which was the standard method at the time and is still widely used today.
By September 1957, around 40 million doses were available in the United States, produced by several pharmaceutical manufacturers across the country. This swift action is credited with saving an estimated 1 million additional lives in the U.S. and is considered the only time a flu pandemic was successfully “averted” with a vaccine.
7. The CDC Almost Caused an Anthrax Incident, but Averted Disaster
In June 2014, up to 75 CDC scientists in Atlanta were potentially exposed to live anthrax, according to news reports. This happened because a high-security lab transferred samples to lower-security labs that were not cleared to handle the live, un-inactivated pathogen due to a safety lapse in following procedures to kill the bacteria.
Although nobody died, it was determined that procedures to kill the bacteria before they were transferred were not followed. The incident prompted an internal review and the closure of some CDC anthrax and flu labs.
The CDC monitored the employees and provided them with antibiotics as a precaution.
8. The CDC’s Scary Blogs Can Cause Panic
Every year on Halloween, the CDC typically releases a fun blog post written as if zombies actually attacked. The most famous one (“Preparedness 101: Zombie Apocalypse,” 2011) was originally a joke blog post by Rear Adm. Ali Khan… and it crashed the CDC servers from traffic.
It remains the most popular public-health blog post in history and is still used to this day used to teach emergency preparedness.
Final Word
Bonus Atlanta-specific weirdness: If you walk the path behind the CDC campus at dusk, you’ll occasionally run into employees in full biosafety Level-4 suits taking out the (triple-bagged, autoclaved) trash. Nothing makes you feel quite like you’re living in a sci-fi movie set like that sight on a quiet Emory-adjacent evening.
Check Out Our Atlanta Travel Guide
-
It’s no secret that Atlanta restaurants are serving Thanksgiving meals, but you may have the notion — chef skills – to cook your own turkey this year.
In this article, we’ll show you a simple way to cook a turkey at home. Following these steps, your bird will be done in no time.
Because we’re in Atlanta, we’re going to make a “Dirty Bird” turkey, which means we’ll season it with Kosmos Dirty Bird Seasoning, one of our favorites.
Turkey can be cooked in a variety of ways, making it a versatile ingredient for many dishes. It can be roasted, grilled, smoked, or braised. It can also be used in salads, sandwiches, and soups.
How To Cook a ‘Dirty Bird’ Turkey: Atlanta Recipe
When cooking turkey, your goal is to achieve a heat that gives you a texture that is both tender and juicy. White meat, which is found on the breast, is lower in fat and therefore more prone to drying out. Dark meat, which is found on the legs and thighs, has more fat and is therefore more moist and flavorful.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to cook a turkey:
Ingredients:
- 1 turkey, thawed and patted dry
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 onion, quartered
- 1 lemon, quartered
- 1 bunch of fresh herbs, such as thyme, sage, and rosemary
Equipment:
- Roasting pan
- Roasting rack
- Meat thermometer
- Baster
- Aluminum foil
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
- Remove the neck and giblets from the turkey cavity and discard.
- Pat the turkey dry with paper towels.
- Rub the turkey with softened butter.
- Rub the turkey down with Kosmos Dirty Bird Seasoning.
- Season the turkey with salt, pepper, and herbs.
- Stuff the turkey cavity with the onion, lemon, and herbs.
- Place the turkey on a roasting rack in a roasting pan.
- Roast the turkey for 3 hours, or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the thigh reaches 165 degrees F (75 degrees C).
- Baste the turkey with pan juices every 30 minutes.
- Cover the turkey with aluminum foil during the last 30 minutes of cooking to prevent it from drying out.
- Remove the turkey from the oven and let it rest for 20 minutes before carving.
Enjoy your delicious roast turkey!
Final Word
Cooking a turkey can seem like a daunting task, but it’s actually quite simple. When cooked properly, turkey can be a very delicious and flavorful meat.
Make sure you enhance the turkey’s flavor by adding your choice of herbs and spices. Common seasonings for turkey include salt, pepper, sage, rosemary, thyme, and garlic.
More Food Coverage:
-
As Atlanta’s holiday season kicks into high gear— with Thanksgiving just two days away on November 27 and Christmas on the horizon—local restaurants are rolling out their most festive menus yet.
Whether you’re craving a traditional turkey dinner, a lavish buffet, or creative twists on holiday classics, we’ve curated a selection of standout options for dine-in and takeout across the city. From Southern staples to international flair, these spots promise memorable meals.
Atlanta Restaurants Get Merry With Holiday Menus
Starting this Friday, November 28, Culinary Dropout Perimeter and both North Italia locations (Buckhead and Perimeter) are rolling out festive cocktails, desserts, and limited-time menus guaranteed to keep your spirits bright through the new year.
Culinary Dropout Perimeter Turns Up the Holiday Cheer with ‘Bar Blitzen’
Culinary Dropout at The Works in Upper Westside and its Perimeter is transforming into a winter wonderland with the debut of Bar Blitzen – a lineup of over-the-top holiday cocktails and desserts launching Friday, November 28.
Standout sips include:
- Espress Ho Ho Ho Tini ($16) – A festive spin on the classic espresso martini made with your choice of Gran Centenario Reposado tequila or Three Olives vodka, Italian espresso liqueur, Spanish vanilla liqueur, and topped with spiced cold foam.
- Dropout & Mrs. Mint ($16) – Vanilla-infused Belvedere vodka meets white chocolate, cream, and a refreshing kiss of peppermint schnapps.
- Nochebuena Margarita ($16) – Patrón Silver tequila shaken with spiced peach, passion fruit, and fresh lime for a bright, tropical take on the holiday margarita.
These limited-time cocktails pair perfectly with Culinary Dropout’s new seasonal menu items like the Meatloaf Sloppy Joe, Caramelized Banana Bar dessert, and Sweater Weather Sangria.
North Italia Buckhead & Perimeter Welcome Guests to ‘Bar North Pole’
Both North Italia locations are decking the halls with Bar North Pole – an eight-drink holiday cocktail menu running from November 28 through December 31.
The lineup features six “Naughty List” cocktails and two “Nice List” zero-proof options, all priced at just $10 each during opening weekend (November 28–30).
Naughty List cocktails:
- Sweater Weather (Pinot Grigio)
- Jingle Bell Rock (Aperol)
- Sleigh Ride (vodka)
- Santa’s Nightcap (rye)
- Rudolph’s Replacement (tequila)
- The Naughty List (vanilla vodka)
Nice List zero-proof:
- White Elephant Gift (Seedlip non-alcoholic spirit)
- Cocoa Claus (rich dark chocolate crème)
$25 Holiday Lunch Prix Fixe at North Italia (Now – December 23)
Need a quick, delicious lunch during the holiday rush? North Italia’s nationwide Holiday Lunch Prix Fixe is back and better than ever. For just $25, guests can enjoy a small plate + entrée combo daily from open until 4 p.m. (available for dine-in and online ordering).
Menu highlights include seasonal favorites like Sunday Night Lasagna and Arancini, plus exclusive dishes such as Chicken Parmigiana Verde, Bruschetta Duo, and the Brussels Sprout & Medjool Date Pizza.
Whether you’re gathering with friends, grabbing a festive lunch, or just in need of a holiday cocktail (or three), Culinary Dropout Perimeter and North Italia Buckhead & Perimeter have you covered this season.
Bar Blitzen and Bar North Pole both kick off Friday, November 28. Reservations recommended – these specials won’t last forever!
Check out the holiday menu here.
Culinary Dropout Perimeter
3850 Roswell Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30342North Italia Buckhead
3393 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326North Italia Perimeter
4600 Ashford Dunwoody Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30346Final Word
The holidays and you go together like food and drink. The holidays are officially in full swing at some of Buckhead and Perimeter’s favorite spots.
Speaking of dining in Buckhead and Midtown, the best restaurants on the Beltline all have excellent customer service and food. What separates them from many of the other spots is that they’re on the urban playground called the Beltline.
The ATL has other cool eateries as well. If you’re gluten-free, there’s plenty of options. Same goes for keto-friendly restaurants or Asian fare in Atlanta.
-
With Thanksgiving here, it’s time to craft your Atlanta travel game plan if you’re headed here for the event-packed weekend. Consider this article a guide to getting to where you need to go this holiday season.
Thanks to Google Maps, we have some traffic and travel data to help us find our way. The site has supplied us with data to get a closer look at when, where and what to visit during Atlanta’s holiday season.
We’re also going to cover:
- Best times to get on and off the road
- Atlanta places to visit for the holidays
- Atlanta places to eat during the holidays
When To Avoid Traffic
Because we know that I-285 goes around and around, we want to make sure we don’t get caught up in gridlock. If you’re planning on leaving for a Thanksgiving road trip, here’s what to know:
- Nationally: The day before Thanksgiving between 3 and 4 p.m. is the worst time to travel (by 6 a.m., you’re good)
- In Atlanta:
- The best time to leave before Thanksgiving is Thursday at 6 a.m.
- The best time to leave after Thanksgiving is Sunday at 6 a.m.
- The worst time to leave before Thanksgiving is Wednesday at 3 p.m.
- The worst time to leave after Thanksgiving is Sunday at 3 p.m.
How To Avoid The Holiday Crowds
Who likes loud noises and throngs of people? Few adults, that’s who. Because public places are going to transform into bustling spaces full of people, you need to know when to go out and about:
To find this out, Google looked at Popular Times data at key holiday destinations during Thanksgiving week to find when the crowds tended to swell.
Google analyzed when crowds usually grow at five of the largest holiday-heavy places in Atlanta: Bakeries, grocery stores, liquor stores, movie theaters, and shopping centers.
Here’s When To Go Out & About in Atlanta
- Bakery: The best time to visit a bakery is on Thursday at 9 a.m. (least crowded). The worst time is on Wednesday at noon (most crowded).
- Grocery store: The best time to visit a grocery store is on Thursday at 7 a.m. The worst time is on Wednesday at 4 p.m.
- Liquor store: The best time to visit a liquor store is on Tuesday at 10 p.m. The worst time is on Wednesday at 5 p.m.
- Movie theater: The best time to visit a movie theater is on Tuesday at 11 a.m. The worst time is on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
- Shopping center: The best time to visit a shopping center is on Thursday at 7 a.m. The worst time is on Wednesday at noon.
- Black Friday: On Black Friday, the best time to visit a shopping center is at 8 a.m. The worst time to visit a shopping center is at 3 p.m.
Here Are Atlanta’s Popular Places
Google Maps also was able to pinpoint some of the most popular places in Atlanta during the Thanksgiving travel season.
Atlanta Falcons Vs. New Orleans Saints
Photo Credit: AtlantaFi.comThe Atlanta Falcons face the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023 in a key matchup for both teams. Kickoff is at 1:00 p.m. ET in Glendale. Get tickets.
Need streaming options? You can watch the Falcons game for free here. Watch immediately upon signup.
Not going to the game? Watch the Falcons at these Atlanta bars.
Max’s Coal Oven Pizzeria
300 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours
1133 Huff Rd NW #D, Atlanta, GA 30318
Holeman and Finch Public House
2277 Peachtree Rd NE Suite B, Atlanta, GA 30309
Want more food options in Atlanta? Here are ATL restaurants open for Thanksgiving.
Popular Atlanta Attractions Thanksgiving Week
Zoos and museums will see huge crowds over Thanksgiving weekend as people visit the city’s downtown area.
Georgia Aquarium
225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Being under water isn’t usually a good thing, unless it’s at the Georgia Aquarium. Get tickets.
Beyoncé By Candlelight
If you’re a member of the BeyHive, you’ll love this Candlelight Concert featuring all of Beyoncé’s hits. Great for date night and more. Get tickets.
World of Coca-Cola
121 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Photo credit: Youtube.com The World of Coca-Cola is a tourist magnet, and that ain’t about to change anytime soon. Here’s how to go.
Tutankhamun
Experience the tomb of Tutankhamun, a wonder of one of the oldest civilizations on Earth, in all its splendor. Get tickets.
Van Gogh
If you’re the artsy type, you’ll love this immersive Van Gogh experience being offered in Atlanta. Get tickets.
Zoo Atlanta
800 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30315
Zoo Atlanta can get wild, if you know what I mean. Here are 7 things to know before you go.
Most Popular Shopping in Atlanta
There are plenty of cozy fall activities you can get into in Atlanta. Here are a few great places to go:
- GameStop
- Barnes & Noble
- Sam Ash Music Stores
Want to know what’s on sale right now? Check out these deals in Atlanta.
For more information and to see specific data for other U.S. cities, visit www.mappingthanksgiving.com.
Explore Atlanta Proper
First, to find all the good things happening in the city this week, all you have to do is take a look at downtown Atlanta. That’s where some of the best restaurants are as well as where the visitors, namely tourists, are. CNN Center often has something cool going on! Check out these events in Atlanta today and this week and this weekend:
- For a month’s view: The Official Atlanta Events Calendar
- For a more immediate look, check Things to do in Atlanta This Week
Here are more articles from AtlantaFi.com you might like:
-
The percentage of consumers leaning on restaurants for their Thanksgiving feasts continues to rise year over year, but economic unease has them cutting back on spend whether they are ordering out or cooking at home.
More than half of U.S. consumers (53%) plan to order takeout or delivery from restaurants for Thanksgiving dinner, up from 37% in 2024 and 32% in 2023.
Another 5% expect to dine in person at a restaurant on Thanksgiving, on par with last year and below a high of 17% in 2023 as more consumers opt for comforts of home.
Thanksgiving Dinner: Dine In or Out?
That is according to a nationwide study of U.S. consumers, conducted from November 16 to November 17, 2025, by restaurant tech leader Popmenu.
A majority of consumers (59%) plan to reduce their spend on Thanksgiving dinner this year compared to 2024. On average, they expect to spend $165.
What’s behind the shift from home-cooked to restaurant-made?
When asked why they were turning to restaurants for all or part of their Thanksgiving meal, consumers said they want to spend more time celebrating the day, avoid headaches and manage costs.
- 63% want to enjoy the holiday and not worry about cooking
- 40% believe it’s cheaper or costs about the same to buy all the ingredients and cook at home
- 35% don’t want the hassle of buying the ingredients and cooking themselves
- 26% would rather have a professionally cooked meal
- 19% are too busy to prepare a meal or dish
Where are consumers cutting back?
Consumers say they are decreasing their spend on Thanksgiving this year because groceries have become too expensive (69%), their household budget is tighter (58%) or they are being more conservative with finances due to inflation and concerns over the economy (31%).
To manage Thanksgiving expenses, consumers say they are taking the following actions:
- 39% plan to reduce the number of side dishes and desserts they serve
- 33% are celebrating the holiday with fewer people
- 31% are buying less expensive brands of food and beverages
- 29% are asking guests to bring a dish
- 26% are choosing recipes with fewer or cheaper ingredients
- 19% are serving a less expensive main dish
Consumers also say they are eliminating the following to make their Thanksgiving meal more affordable:
- 31% – Mac ‘n cheese
- 28% – Cranberries
- 26% – Sweet potatoes
- 23% – Pumpkin pie
- 22% – Corn
- 19% – Green beans
- 15% – Turkey
What are consumers serving?
Turkey will continue to be the star of the show with 84% of consumers planning to serve it, followed by ham (46%) and chicken (19%). Other dishes guests can expect to see on some tables include lasagna or another pasta dish (15%) and even pizza, tacos and chili or stew. Nearly 1 in 5 consumers (19%) expect to have a fast food dish on the table this year.
“What we hear from Thanksgiving hosts every year is a growing desire to spend more time visiting with guests and enjoying the holiday than sweating in the kitchen,” said Brendan Sweeney, CEO and Co-founder of Popmenu. “This year’s study also shows elevated concern over household economics—causing consumers to cut back on some holiday favorites, hunt for special deals from restaurants and adopt other strategies to keep expenses in check.”
Popmenu offers the following tips for consumers still finalizing dinner plans:
- Align your menu and budget. Use grocery store apps to total the prices of ingredients you need to buy and compare that to what a ready-made meal from a restaurant may cost. The professionally cooked meal may be easier on your budget and stress level.
- Order directly from the restaurant’s website. Not only will you find full menus and limited-time Thanksgiving specials, you can set a preferred pickup time for your meal and skip third-party fees. You can also see dish photos, portion details, allergens and more.
- Set up an alert. Use platforms like OpenTable to view openings nearby. Automated alerts make it easy to snag a table as soon as one becomes available.
Popmenu conducted an anonymous, nationwide study of 1,000 U.S. consumers, ages 18 and older, from November 16 to November 17, 2025.
Where To Eat in Atlanta for Thanksgiving
Read our guide on Atlanta restaurants serving Thanksgiving meals.
More from AtlantaFi.com:
-
In a move that’s set to shake up the local entertainment scene, Atlanta-based social media powerhouse Fanbase is teaming up with powerhouse producer Ty Walker and executive producer Keisha Perry Walker to roll out a fresh slate of microdramas starting next year.
The collaboration, announced today, spotlights the city’s growing clout in digital storytelling, bringing high-stakes, emotion-packed shorts straight to fans’ phones.
Fanbase, the innovative platform founded by Atlanta native Isaac Hayes III — son of the legendary soul icon Isaac Hayes — is no stranger to empowering creators.
Now, it’s diving headfirst into the booming world of microdramas: ultra-short, scripted series crafted for on-the-go viewing, think gripping tales that hook you in under 10 minutes.
Launching exclusively on the app in Q1 2026, these series will champion diverse voices and multicultural narratives, creating a pipeline for indie filmmakers and production outfits to shine.
At the helm is Ty Walker, the veteran producer behind hits like Imperium and Kevin Hart’s Die Hart franchise, leading the charge through his Braveheart Entertainment banner. Joining him is Keisha Perry Walker of Wild Peach Studios, a key executive producer whose expertise in nurturing bold, inclusive content aligns perfectly with Fanbase’s mission.
Together with Hayes, they’re not just producing — they’re building an ecosystem that could put more Atlantans back to work amid Hollywood’s ongoing challenges, from strikes to streaming shifts.
“This partnership with Fanbase lets us introduce a new kind of storytelling that delivers maximum emotion in minimal time,” Walker said in a statement. “We’re excited to push creative boundaries and spotlight compelling voices in this evolving space.”
Hayes echoed the enthusiasm, highlighting how Fanbase’s built-in tools for short-form video, creator subscriptions, and app development make it the ideal launchpad. “The microdrama genre is scaling fast, and Fanbase is the perfect home,” he added. “
Development is already underway inside the app, and we are excited to partner with Ty and Keisha at Braveheart and Wild Peach.”
As microdramas explode globally — captivating audiences from Seoul to São Paulo — this Atlanta-rooted venture positions the Peach State as a frontrunner in the U.S. market.
It’s a win for local talent, too, offering fresh gigs for actors, writers, directors, and crew in a format that’s as accessible as it is addictive.
For more on Fanbase and upcoming series, download the app or visit fanbase.app. Stay tuned to Atlanta Daily Buzz for updates on how this homegrown project unfolds.
Final Word
The vast majority of dramas filmed in Atlanta, won’t be done on an app. Georgia has been a favorite location for TV productions since the state instituted generous tax breaks for film companies that agree to shoot locally. Projects from CBS, NBC, HBO, BET and more are slated to shoot in the latter part of the year and the foreseeable future.
Because of the steady flow of movie and TV productions, Atlanta has been called the Hollywood of the South and it’s not just a label.. If you want to be an actor, the city has classes you can take as well as places that provide headshots and more. You can also audition at numerous casting calls to build your movie and TV reel.
Coming 2 America is just one of many films filmed in Atlanta. See our Movies Page for more.
Are you interested in becoming an actorin Atlanta? You’re in the right place!
With more than 900 movie and TV projects just in the last few years, the film industry has generated more than $9 billion for the state of Georgia.
There are so many movies filmed in Atlanta these days that it’s hard to keep up with it all. That’s why I suggest you subscribe to AtlantaFi.com to get all the freshest movie casting calls, celeb sightings and Atlanta happenings delivered to your inbox.
See Atlanta Casting Calls And Auditions Available Right Now
Want to work in Georgia film & TV? Here are the latest Atlanta casting calls
Read More From AtlantaFi.com:
-
Atlanta’s own Elle Duncan is poised to redefine streaming sports coverage as the new face of Netflix’s burgeoning sports division, according to The Athletic.
The Emmy-nominated anchor, who cut her teeth in the Peach State’s bustling media scene, is reportedly leaving her prominent role at ESPN to helm the streaming giant’s push into live sports and analysis, sources confirmed to The Athletic.
Elle Duncan: The New Face of Netflix Sports?
For Atlantans, Duncan’s ascent feels like a homecoming story on steroids. Born and raised in the city she now calls home, Duncan launched her broadcasting career right here in 2003 as a 20-year-old intern for the syndicated sports talk radio show 2 Live Stews on 790/The Zone.
What started as fetching coffee and screening calls quickly evolved into on-air contributions, where her sharp wit and infectious energy caught the ear of producers. “Atlanta gave me my first break, and I’ll always be grateful for the grit and grind of starting out in a city that demands excellence,” Duncan reflected in a 2021 interview, crediting the local airwaves for honing her unfiltered style.
By 2005, Duncan had leveled up to a seven-year gig at V-103 (WVEE-FM), Atlanta’s powerhouse urban radio station, where she juggled traffic reporting with entertainment anchoring.
Listeners tuning in for morning rush-hour updates on I-85 snarls were just as likely to hear her dishing on the latest Falcons drama or Hawks highlights. She even moonlighted as a sideline reporter for the Atlanta Hawks, bringing her charisma courtside during the team’s gritty playoff runs.
espnpressroom.com It was a far cry from the polished ESPN sets she’d later command, but those early days in Atlanta’s competitive media market — sandwiched between radio booths and traffic choppers — built the foundation for her national stardom.
Elle Duncan: From Atlanta To Bristol
A University of West Georgia journalism grad, Duncan carried her Southern roots to Boston in 2012, joining NESN as a sports anchor and reporter. There, she covered everything from Red Sox heartbreak to Bruins triumphs, earning her stripes before ESPN came calling in 2016.
Since then, she’s been a fixture on SportsCenter, co-hosting the 6 p.m. edition and launching hits like the YouTube series First Take Her Take alongside Andraya Carter. Her bold takes on women’s sports, social justice in athletics, and unapologetic commentary have made her a fan favorite — and occasionally a lightning rod, as seen in recent backlash over an on-air quip.
Now, at 42, Duncan is betting on the future of sports media with Netflix, a platform that’s aggressively expanding beyond binge-worthy docs like The Last Dance into live events. Think NFL games, tennis majors, and perhaps even a slice of the NBA — all under her steady hand. While details of her exact title and start date remain under wraps, insiders say she’ll oversee content strategy, on-air talent, and the streamer’s signature blend of storytelling and spectacle.
sports.yahoo.com Her departure leaves ESPN’s SportsCenter lineup in flux, but for Duncan, it’s a chance to pioneer in a space where streaming meets sports like never before.From dodging potholes on 11 Alive’s traffic desk to anchoring Netflix’s sports empire, Elle Duncan’s journey is peak Atlanta: resilient, innovative, and impossible to ignore.
As the city that launched her watches with pride, one thing’s clear — the girl from Georgia is about to take the world stage by storm. Stay tuned, folks; this is just the tip of the binge.
-
Oh, honey, grab your popcorn because the queen of Old Lady Gang just dropped a bombshell that’s got the entire Peach State buzzing! Kandi Burruss, one of the most loved alums of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, finally broke her silence on her impending divorce from husband Todd Tucker during a raw and real Amazon Live session.
And let us tell you, it’s messier than a Bravo reunion twist.
In the emotional clip that’s already racking up views faster than a Cynthia Bailey wig reveal, Kandi gets candid with her “Amazon family,” admitting she’s been riding an emotional rollercoaster.
Kandi Burruss Breaks Silence on Divorce
“I’m up and down,” she confesses, her voice cracking just enough to remind us she’s human under all that glam. “Going through a divorce is definitely not the easiest thing.” But the real gut-punch? She confirms she filed papers this Friday—yes, the same week we’re all supposed to be thankful—but stresses this split has been simmering like a pot of her famous burrata for months.
“This has been brewing for a while,” Kandi reveals. “All the times you’ve seen me online like… all of it means nothing. I have been going through it. Life has been lifing.”
Watch the video here to see her tell her side:
For those living under a rock (or just binge-watching RHOA reruns), Kandi and Todd tied the knot back in 2014 in a fairy-tale Bahamian wedding that had us all ugly-crying. The power couple built an empire together—think Bedroom Kandi toys, that iconic restaurant empire, and raising their blended fam of four kids like total pros.
But whispers of trouble have been floating around ATL’s elite circles for ages: financial flubs with restaurant ventures, those shady RHOA storylines hinting at bedroom woes, and Mama Joyce’s not-so-subtle side-eyes that could curdle sweet tea.
Fans have long speculated if Todd’s “yes-man” vibes turned into something more sinister, especially after Kandi’s recent lawsuits over unpaid rents on her spots. Coincidence? Or the final straw in paradise lost?The video, shared by celeb gossip mavens
Users on social media quickly offered support as Kandi has done to others in the past.
Social Media Reacts
@graciejones730, urged, “Kandi you got this. But if you need to cry go for a ride, a walk, cry in the shower… Don’t hold your tears in.” Others weren’t so gentle—
@Sweetfancyface dragged up old RHOA beef, wondering if Kandi regrets how she shaded Phaedra Parks during her Apollo divorce: “She said the same thing… kicking it with friends made it lighthearted but she still hurt.” And let’s not forget the prayer warriors:
@toyaluvxo quipped, “Mama Joyce and her prayer warriors about to have Todd ass fighting every weapon. And they will prosper! Poor Kandi, she don’t deserve that!”Speculation is running wild— is this the end of an era for RHOA Season 16? Will Andy Cohen swoop in for an emergency sit-down? (
@StaceyRuschQVC is already calling for it: “I need Andy and a camera.”) And
@Jaycee761060 went full detective: “Tbh I think money is a big part… those businesses Todd kept pushing to open failing was the final straw.” Ouch. But through the drama, Kandi’s resilience shines—Taurus stubbornness at its finest. As
@IAmKingTez put it, “That’s why I love @Kandi she so real… Stay strong kandi hope it all gets better.”
Kandi, if you’re reading this (and girl, we know you are), Atlanta’s got your back. You’ve slayed bigger dragons than this. Now spill more tea on the next Live—we’re tuned in, mics hot, and ready for the full download. What’s your take on this RHOA earthquake? Hit the comments and let’s gossip!
More From AtlantaFi.com:
