Atlanta’s Holiday Traditions: Celebrating the Past with Rich’s Great Tree and the Pink Pig

Atlanta’s Holiday Traditions: More Than Just a Walk Down Memory Lane

Ah, Atlanta! A city that thrives on both modern innovation and time-honored traditions. As the holiday season approaches, Atlanta natives can’t help but feel a rush of nostalgia for the cherished customs of yesteryear. From childhood memories of a crying encounter with a Santa Claus who seemed not nearly as jolly as anticipated, to the unforgettable glint of a historically emblematic event—a piece of Atlanta history comes to life once again.

The Illustrious History of Rich’s Great Tree

In days gone by, you’d find the crowds gathered around Rich’s department store, a once-magnificent spectacle gracing downtown Atlanta. Here, eagerly awaited by locals and visitors alike, was the legendary lighting of the Great Tree, a tradition that started back in 1948. Year after year, each climbing the ranks of city lore, a towering 70- to 90-foot white pine would crown the Crystal Bridge. Imagine it! A massive pine delicately balanced five stories up, decked in vibrant lights stretching a jaw-dropping 13 miles long.

Locals and songbirds from near and far would fill the sparkling walkways of this glass-encased bridge, their voices echoing through the winter air. It’s a memory etched in time: A choir bathed in ethereal light singing “O Holy Night,” just before the night’s climax—when the Great Tree awoke in a dazzling explosion of light and color, painting the Atlanta night sky. Few experiences could capture the magic and wonder of the holiday spirit like that scene of shimmering ornaments and its star snowflake centerpiece.

Transition and Transformation

As true as the saying goes, “Even the best traditions change or fade away.” The iconic department store melded into the national Macy’s chain, and so did the tradition morph and adapt. Relocated over the years—first to Underground Atlanta, then to Lenox Square since 2000—the tree’s legacy persists though slightly altered. Its stunning view from the city skyline may be a thing of the past, but the artificial tree in a bustling Lenox parking lot brings a new charm of its own. One can’t forget the dramatic crash of 2012 when the tree took a perilous tumble, the accident prompting changes to ensure safety and continued enjoyment for everyone.

The Enduring Pink Pig Tradition

But let’s not overlook another beloved tradition—the delightfully quirky Pink Pig! Piloted through generations of Atlanta families, this whimsical ride finds its home, this year, at the Georgia Festival of Trees at the Gas South Convention Center in Duluth. It’s only fitting that the Pink Pig would ride high on our radar in the annual Atlanta “Best” round-up; one might say it’s a veritable “best” itself.

A Walk Through Atlanta’s Nostalgic Lane

These vibrant events offer us, even decades later, glimpses of seasons past. They are echoes, albeit transformed, of richer colors, laughter shared, and wide-eyed wonder captured forever in the glow of flickering holiday lights. Even in their current forms, these traditions maintain a powerful hold on our hearts. Look to the Great Tree and the Pink Pig, which stand today not merely as relics, but as resplendent reminders of a city’s cherished cultural tapestry. Atlanta, after all, continues to write its story, one tradition at a time.