Updated March 13th, 2025

Featured image photo credits left to right clockwise: 1. Decatur Book Festival – TW Meyer. 2. Atlanta Dogwood Festival 3. Little Five Points Halloween Parade – Tiffany Powell 4. Viva Tequila Festival 5. DragonCon 6. Atlanta Food & Wine Festival 

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Are you wondering what to do this weekend in Atlanta, Georgia? You’re sure to find an event or festival in Atlanta happening soon. Anyone who claims there are not a lot of things to do in Atlanta must not know about all the events and festivals. While there are many music, food, and art festivals there are also a lot of unique ones. From a festival all about juggling to touring holiday homes in Virginia Highland, there is an event or festival in Atlanta for everyone.

If you are planning a trip and deciding when to visit Atlanta, you may want to visit when one of these Atlanta festivals take place. I update and add to this list of festivals in Atlanta every season to give you a variety of options.

Click the links below if you are specifically looking for more information about:

• Spring Festivals in Atlanta 
• Fall Festivals in Atlanta
• Christmas Activities & Events in Atlanta

Festivals in Atlanta by Season

When: Dates are accurate as of the latest update noted above.

Where: A few bigger events and festivals located in nearby cities, OTP (out of the perimeter) are included in this post. Unless otherwise noted, the majority of the festivals take place ITP (in the perimeter) of Atlanta. Most take place in one of Atlanta’s great neighborhoods or parks. The park or neighborhood is listed as the festival location.

How Much: Note that ticket prices are the cheapest general admission price for one day for one adult to enter the festival. Other ticket options may be available. Prices may be more for different times, day amounts, etc. Food and additional activities may come at an extra cost.

Atlanta Spring Festivals & Events

Spring is a great time of the year to visit Atlanta. The city is in full bloom and the temperatures are ideal. Plus there are a lot of spring festivals in Atlanta.

Atlanta Brunch Festival

Atlantans love to go for brunch. There are some excellent brunch places in Atlanta. You can sample some of the best brunch items in the city and your favorite brunch drinks at this festival. Live music and a DJ will be playing all afternoon.

When: March 1st, 2nd & 8th, 2025

Where: Atlantic Station

How Much: $65

Phoenix Flies

Phoenix Flies is a month long event by the Atlanta Preservation Center. It celebrates the history and culture of the city by giving free tours of many historical buildings and sites in the city.

When: March 3rd – 28th, 2025

Where: Varies

How Much: Free

Atlanta Science Festival

This two week science festival has hands-on events for both children and adults. They include discovery walks, scavenger hunts, films, and workshops.

When: March 8th – 22nd, 2025

Where: Piedmont Park

How Much: Free

St Patrick’s Day Parade

The Atlanta St. Patrick’s Parade is the city’s longest running event. This family friendly parade has been filling the Midtown streets with green since 1858.

When: March 15th, 2025

Where: Midtown

How Much: Free

Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival

All festivities here are great for the whole family. It includes music, food vendors, a Kidz Zone, and other community activities.

When: March 29th – 30th, 2025

Where: Blackburn Park, Brookhaven

How Much: Free

Spring Festival on Ponce

Spring Festival on Ponce is one of the many art festivals presented by the Atlanta Foundation for Public Spaces. In addition to the art displays, there are children’s areas and food vendors.

When: April 5th – 6th, 2025

Where: Olmsted Linear Park (Druid Hills)

How Much: Free

Atlanta Dogwood Festival

The Atlanta Dogwood Festival is not only one of the most popular spring festivals in Atlanta, but one of the best Atlanta festivals overall. This art festival has been going on in Atlanta for 85 years now. The focus is on the hundreds of artists who display their artwork. There’s also live music, kids activities, food vendors, and a 5K run.

When: April 11th – 13th, 2025

Where: Piedmont Park

How Much: Free, but donations are appreciated

Georgia Renaissance Festival

Who doesn’t love a Renaissance festival? If you have never been to one, you need to go! There’s a variety of entertainment including jousts, comedy shows, acrobats, magicians, and musical performers. The artisan market includes shops and demonstrations of different types of art. There are games, rides, and a lot of food.

When: April 12th – June 1st, 2025

Where: Fairburn, about 25 minutes southwest of Atlanta.

How Much: $35.09

Ilumine at Oakland Cemetery

The trees and landscaping at Oakland Cemetery make it one of the nicest places to walk in Atlanta. You’ll gain a whole new perspective of the well-preserved cemetery at Ilumine. This annual after dark event features light installations from local artists.

When: April 17th – 20th & 24th – 27th, 2025

Where: Oakland Cemetery

How Much: $24.39

Sweetwater 420 Fest

This music festival sponsored by Sweetwater brewery also includes a food village and artist market.

When: April 18th – 20th, 2025

Where: Pullman Yards

How Much: $93.89

Atlanta Film Festival

Over a ten day period the Atlanta Film Festival shows about 200 creative films to thousands of viewers.

When: April 24th – May 4th, 2025

Where: Varies

How Much: Varies

Inman Park Festival

Inman Park is one of the most walkable neighborhoods in Atlanta. The Inman Park Festival is your opportunity to go inside some of the beautiful victorian homes in the neighborhood. There is a also a parade, dance festival, kids activities, and more. As Inman Park is one of my favorite neighborhoods, I really loved this Atlanta spring festival. 

When: April 25th – 27th, 2025

Where: Inman Park

How Much: Free (tour of homes $25)

Atlanta Oyster Festival

I’m not a fan of oysters so I am going to stay away from this one, but if you are don’t miss out! In addition to oysters tickets also include alcohol samples and live music.

When: April 26th, 2025

Where: Atlantic Station

How Much: $35 advance tickets (food not included)

Druid Hills Tour of Homes

You know all those gorgeous homes in Druid Hills? This is your chance to tour the inside of the homes! About 10 – 15 homes are included in your ticket to tour on your own over the weekend.

When: May 2nd – 4th, 2025

Where: Druid Hills

How Much: $40

Jane Walk’s

Jane Walk’s is a global festival held the first weekend of May in cities around the world. Citizens lead free walks in honor of Jane Jacobs. Author of The Death and Life of Great American Cities, she was an urban activist with strong ideas on city planning to make walkable communities. It’s a fascinating way to see and learn more about city planning in Atlanta as well as history and art.

When: May 2nd – 4th, 2025

Where: Various locations

How Much: Free

Decatur Arts Festival

An evening ArtWalk Kicks off the festival on Friday night. Visit ArtSpots downtown while enjoying light refreshments. The rest of the weekend includes a large artist market, live music and performances, a kids fest, and local food vendors.

When: May 2nd – 4th 2025

Where: Around Decatur Square

How Much: Free

Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade

One of the most popular fall festivals in Atlanta was the afternoon Old Fourth Ward Fest followed by the evening lantern parade. At night the Eastside BeltLine trail was illuminated with thousands of handmade lanterns. Now the festival takes place in the spring on the Westside BeltLine trail. You can watch alongside the trail or join in with your own lantern.

When: May 3rd, 2025

Where: Atlanta Beltline – Westside Trail

How Much: Free

Georgia State Fair

You will find everything you love about a state fair at the Georgia State Fair. In addition to the rides there are a lot of acrobatic, magician, stunt, and animal shows. There’s also all that delicious fair food that isn’t that good for you, but sure tastes good.

When: May 9th – 18th, 2025

Where: Atlanta Motor Speedway

How Much: $10

Sweet Auburn Springfest

Sweet Auburn is the historic neighborhood in Atlanta where MLK Jr called home. This spring festival in Atlanta brings awareness to the history and culture of the neighborhood. There is music, food, vendors, and family friendly events

When: May 10th – 11th, 2025

Where: Sweet Auburn

How Much: Free

Chastain Park Spring Arts Festival

This is a large fine arts festival that focuses on the visual arts. You’ll find booths with art from local painters, sculptors, photographers, glass blowers, jewelers, and leather and metal crafts people. Most of the artists are from the metro Atlanta area and the rest of the state. Live entertainment and healthy food vendors are also part of the festival.

When: May 10th – 11th, 2025

Where: Chastain Park (Buckhead)

How Much: Free

Kirkwood Spring Fling & Tour of Homes

This is a neighborhood festival with a tour of homes, artist market, music, 5K race, BBQ contest, food, and more.

When: May 17th, 2025

Where: Kirkwood

How Much: Free (tour of homes $35.05)

Virginia Highland Porchfest

This festival has a unique spin on live music. Listen to various local bands performing from neighborhood porches! Like any of the good community festivals in Atlanta there are food and art vendors. There’s also a Rock n Run jog in the morning.

When: May 17th, 2025

Where: Virginia Highland

How Much: Free

MomoCon

MomoCon is a large multi-day gaming convention. It is for anyone who loves anime, gaming, and comics. Many celebrity guests are involved in the convention.

When: May 22nd – 25th, 2025

Where: Downtown

How Much: $58.19

Atlanta Caribbean Carnival

You don’t have to hop on a plane to experience the Caribbean. Celebrate the Caribbean at the annual carnival in Atlanta. The festival includes a parade, dancing, music, food, and more.

When: May 24th, 2025

Where: Downtown

How Much: $40 (some free events)

Atlanta Jazz Festival

Another one of the most popular Atlanta spring festivals is the Atlanta Jazz Festival. The free jazz festivals culminates in Piedmont Park. Both up and coming and well known jazz musicians take part.

When: May 25th – 27th, 2025

Where: Piedmont Park (Midtown)

How Much: Free

Old Fourth Ward Art Festival 

The Atlanta Foundation for Public Spaces brings several art festivals to different parts of Atlanta every year. The fine arts festival in Old Fourth Ward Park showcases local artists from various disciplines including photography, sculpting, jewelry making, glass blowing, and more. Live entertainment and healthy food vendors are also part of the festival.

When: May 31st – June 1st, 2025

Where: Old Fourth Ward Park

How Much: Free

Atlanta Summer Festivals & Events

It is hot out but these summer festivals in Atlanta will make you want to go outside anyway.

Juneteenth Parade & Festival

Juneteenth is now a federal holiday that celebrates the ending of slavery. The festival includes a Black history parade, music, and vendors.

When: June 14th – 15th, 2025

Where: Centennial Park (downtown). The parade starts downtown and ends at Piedmont Park.

How Much: Free

Southern Fried Gaming Expo

This three day convention is all about gaming. There are arcade games, pinball machines, tabletop games, and console systems to play. Almost all the games are included with the price of admission. Guest speakers, vendors, tournaments, and other activities take place as well.

When: Jue 20th – 22nd, 2025

Where: Marriott Renaissance Waverly

How Much: $30

Atlanta Summer Beer Fest

Try over 150 types of different beers, many from local breweries. Wine, ciders, mimosas, and hard seltzers are also available. Ticket price includes samples and live music.

When: TBD

Where: Historic Fourth Ward Park

How Much: TBD

Atlanta Ice Cream Festival

What would be a better summer festival in Atlanta than an ice cream festival? It’s a festival where you eat ice cream, need I say more!?

When: July 26th, 2025

Where: Piedmont Park

How Much: Free

Piedmont Park Arts Festival

This visual arts festival is by the Atlanta Foundation for Public Spaces. It features a variety of local and regional artists.

When: August 16th – 17th, 2025

Where: Piedmont Park

How Much: Free

Grant Park Summer Shade Festival

This is a fundraiser for the Grant Park Conservancy which maintains the beautiful Grant Park. It involves an artist market, food trucks, and live music.

When: August 23rd – 24th, 2025

Where: Grant Park

How Much: Free

Food-O-Rama

Try the best food truck food from top southeast food trucks. This is a great food festival for foodies who don’t want to pay a high admission fee. You only need to pay for the food you eat. They have different events around the city including Grant Park and Piedmont Park.

When: TBD

Where: Grant Park & Piedmont Park

How Much: Free

Atlanta Fall Festivals & Events

As you can see fall festivals in Atlanta are not lacking.

DragonCon

The Atlanta fall festivals begin every year with DragonCon over Labor Day weekend. DragonCon is a pop culture convention focused on science fiction, fantasy, gaming, comics, literature, art, music, and film. Various ticket options are available, including one day, five day, and lifetime! It takes place downtown Atlanta in different hotels.

When: August 28th – September 1st, 2025

Where: Downtown

How Much: 5 days for $115

Atlanta Food & Wine Festival

One day and three day weekend tickets can be purchased to this annual food and wine festival. Tickets start at $125 for one general admission. They include unlimited food, beer, wine, and cocktails. In addition to all the southern foods, there is also live entertainment.

When: September 11th – 14th, 2025

Where: Tasting Tents at Historic Fourth Ward Park (other events located elsewhere)

How Much: TBD

Georgia State Fair

The Georgia State Fair also has a fall fair with all the same great shows, foods, and rides as in the spring. Read my full review in my fall festivals in Atlanta post.

When: September 18th – 28th, 2025

Where: Atlanta Motor Speedway

How Much: $10

Shaky Knees Festival

Shaky Knees is a rock music festival with over 60 bands. One day and three day tickets are available for purchase.

When: September 19th – 21st, 2025

Where: Piedmont Park (Midtown)

How Much: $160

Elevate ATL Art

Elevate is a public art program that provides a variety of performances, art installations, and other art events to Atlanta. Local, national, and international artists are involved to bring these free cultural experiences to the city.

When: TBD

Where: Various Locations

How Much: Free

Atlanta International Fashion Week

A week full of runway shows, fashion workshops, trunk shows, live entertainment, and celebrity events. The mission is to connect continents through fashion.

When: TBD

Where: Downtown

How Much: TBD

Atlanta Design Festival

This year’s Atlanta Design Festival is a mix of in person and virtual events. They include architectural tours, presentations, and bike tours.

When: September 27th – October 5th, 2025

Where: Varies

How Much: Varies (some free events)

Old Fourth Ward Art Festival 

This is the fall version of the the Old Forth Ward Art Festival.

When: September 27th – 28th, 2025

Where: Old Fourth Ward Park

How Much: Free

Sweet Auburn Music Fest

A lot of the music festivals in Atlanta come with high admissions. The Sweet Auburn Music Fest has free admission! In addition to the music, the majority of the events are free. Bring some cash for the international food vendors though.

When: September 28th – 29th, 2024

Where: Sweet Auburn

How Much: Free

Imagine Festival

Imagine is one of the best festivals in Atlanta. This three day electronic dance music festival takes place in Kingston Downs. There are even pool parties with performers. You can buy single day tickets or three day tickets and camp on site.

When: September 2025

Where: Kingston downs (OTP)

How Much: TBD

Music Midtown

A large music festival featuring artists from various genres including rock and roll, hip hop, pop, and electronic.  The festival takes place in Piedmont Park.

When: September 2025

Where: Piedmont Park (Midtown)

How Much: TBD

A3C Festival & Conference

A3C is a tech, film, music, and culture festival and conference. The ticket price covers the two day conference.

When: September/October 2025

Where: The Gathering Spot ATL (Downtown)

How Much: TBD

Decatur Book Festival

Book panels will discuss picture books, young adult books, and adult books. There are also food and book vendors.

When: October 3rd – 4th, 2025

Where: First Baptist Church (Decatur)

How Much: Free

Candler Park Fall Fest

This is a community festival with a full music line-up of musicians from a variety of genres. There are also food vendors, a 5K, and a variety of family friendly games and activities. There is a tour of homes on September 28th. Check out my fall festivals in Atlanta post for more information.

When: TBD

Where: Candler Park

How Much: Free

Fall Festival on Ponce

Fall Festival on Ponce is an arts and crafts festival that showcases a variety of types of visual arts. In addition to the art displays, there are children’s areas and food vendors.

When: October 10th -11th, 2025

Where: Olmsted Linear Park (Druid Hills)

How Much: Free

Atlanta Pride

The Atlanta Pride festival is a huge event for LGBTQ+ people and allies. It includes music, art, food, and a parade. There are also three marches: a trans march, a bi and pan march, and a dyke march.

When: TBD

Where: Midtown

How Much: Free

Taste of Atlanta

This is a tasty food event where you can try samples of the best bites from restaurants around the city. Find out everything you need to know about Taste of Atlanta and how it works here. There are also other events around the metro area throughout the year.

When: October 16th, 2025

Where: Midtown

How Much: TBD

Capturing the Spirit of Oakland Halloween Tours

Oakland Cemetery in Grant Park is one of the nicest places to walk in Atlanta. The weekly tours and numerous yearly events that take place throughout the year are excellent as well. One of the most popular events is the Halloween tours. The guided tours, led by a costumed docent, will be full of tales of the cemetery’s residents. These special nighttime tours sell out fast so don’t wait until October to buy tickets. Tickets go on sale to non-members in the middle of July.

When: October 16th – 26th, 2025

Where: Oakland Cemetery

How Much: TBD

Decatur BBQ, Blues & Bluegrass

Summer festivals in Atlanta mean good food and good music. You can have your fill of music and BBQ at this Decatur festival. Tickets purchased raise funds for the Community Center of South Decatur. Tickets do not include food or drinks.

When: October 18th, 2025

Where: Decatur

How Much: TBD

Little Five Points Halloween Festival & Parade

Another popular Atlanta fall festival takes place in Little Five Points every year. The annual Halloween parade is one of the biggest in the southeast! There will also be live music, a market, Halloweenville, ghost tours, and more.

When: October 18th – 19th, 2025

Where: Little Five Points

How Much: Free (except ghost tours)

Chastain Park Fall Arts Festival

The Atlanta Foundation for Public Spaces holds another one of their art festivals in Chastain Park every year.

When: November 1st – 2nd, 2025

Where: Chastain Park (Buckhead)

How Much: Free

Chomp & Stomp

This Atlanta fall festival begins with a Romp & Stomp 5k run. The day continues with an amateur and professional chili cook off. As the name implies there is a lot of chili to chomp on and bluegrass music to stomp along with. Plus there are games and artist booths. Read all about it in my fall festivals in Atlanta post.

When: November 8th, 2025

Where: Cabbagetown

How Much: $10

Viva Tequila Festival

This is your opportunity to try hand crafted Mexican tequilas that you can’t find in the US. Small plates by Atlanta’s best chefs will be paired with the tequilas. The day long festival includes live music. There is an after party as well.

When: TBD

Where: Truist Park

How Much: TBD

Oktoberfest Atlanta

The largest Oktoberfest celebration in Atlanta is in the Historic Fourth Ward Skatepark. Enjoy German food, music, games, and other Oktoberfest themed activities.

When: TBD

Where: Historic Fourth Ward Skatepark

How Much: TBD

Atlanta Winter Festivals & Events

Due to Atlanta’s mild winters, this time of year is perfect for festivals. For more holiday events, check out my post dedicated to all the Christmas activities in Atlanta.

Garden Lights, Holiday Nights

One of the best winter festivals in Atlanta happens every year at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. The beautiful gardens turn into a magical oasis in the evenings. You will be mesmerized by all the twinkling lights.

When: November 16th, 2024 – January 12th, 2025

Where: Atlanta Botanical Gardens (Midtown)

How Much: $29.95

Virginia Highland Winterfest

Tour the beautiful homes of the historic Virginia Highland neighborhood. It is your opportunity to admire these Victorian homes all decked out for the holidays. This year the self-guided Tour of Lights takes place on Friday night and does not include going inside the homes.

On Saturday there will be a jingle jog and parade in the morning. An artist market and live entertainment will finish out the festival in the afternoon. This is one of the winter festivals in Atlanta that I enjoyed the most last year.

When: December 13th – 14th, 2024

Where: Virginia Highland

How Much: $25 (Tour of Lights)

Groundhog Day Jugglers Festival

This is a fun festival with juggling shows, workshops and lessons. There are games and vendors as well.

When: January 31st – February 2nd, 2025

Where: Yaarab Shrine Center (Midtown)

How Much:Free, $10 Cabaret

Lanta Gras

You don’t need to go to New Orleans to celebrate Mardi Gras. Atlanta has it’s own annual celebration in downtown Kirkwood every year. This family friendly event includes a parade, lots of music and dancing, and many southern food trucks.

When: January 2025

Where: Kirkwood

How Much: Free

Beer, Bourbon & BBQ

This festival is just as the name implies, a lot of beer, bourbon, and BBQ. There is also live music and a cornhole competition.

When: February 22nd, 2025

Where: Atlantic Station

How Much: $45

Atlanta Winter BeerFest

Out of all the winter festivals in Atlanta, Beerfest is a favorite for many people. There is a lot of beer, wine, and cider as well as food and music.

When: February 2025

Where: Atlantic Station

How Much: TBD

Black History Month Parade

This entertaining parade celebrates Black history month in the historic Sweet Auburn neighborhood.

When: February 2025

Where: Sweet Auburn

How Much: Free

Atlanta Jewish Film Festival

The mission of the festival is to use film to both entertain and educate audiences about Jewish history and culture. In 2015 it became the biggest Jewish film festival in the world!

When: February 19th – March 6th, 2025

Where: The Home-Depot Backyard Mercedes Benz Stadium and virtual screenings

How Much: $14 for early bird virtual, $40 for in person

Purim Parade and Festival

Celebrate the Jewish holiday of Purim with this family friendly festival. There are kids activities, food, and a parade.

When: TBD

Where: Beth Jacob Synagogue (North Druid Hills)

How Much: Free

Which events and festivals in Atlanta do you want to make sure to attend? Did I forget any of your favorite Atlanta festivals or events? 

More in Atlanta

ACTIVITIES:

• 3 Day Itinerary
• Date Ideas
• Explore the Best Neighborhoods
• When to Visit
• Why to Visit

ART:

• Murals
• Tiny Doors

DAY TRIPS:

• North Georgia

FESTIVALS & HOLIDAY:

• Christmas Activities
• Fall Festivals
• Spring Festivals

FOOD:

• BBQ
• BeltLine Restaurants
• Breakfast Spots
• Brunch Places
• Burger Restaurants
• Casual Restaurants
  
• Chicken & Waffles
• Donut Shops
• Food Halls
• Healthy Restaurants
• Mystery Picnic

OUTDOORS: 

• Chattahoochee River Trails
• Hiking Near Atlanta
• Places to Walk
• Walkable Neighborhoods

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