Atlanta Festivals
Hot, southern summers are no match for the city's seasonal festivities. Whether you'll be celebrating The Fourth of July with fireworks at Stone Mountain Park, soaking in culture at the National Black Arts Festival, or indulging in Downtown Atlanta Restaurant Week, there is no shortage of ways to beat the heat. View a complete list of Atlanta summer festivals below.
| June Festivals | |
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Atlanta Summer Beer Fest Try a few of over 150 beers, including those from local breweries like SweetWater, Red Brick, Wild Heaven, Monday Night, and many more. While you’re at it, enjoy live music on a pair of stages, a game zone, and few surprises thrown in along the way. |
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East Point Possums Show Roll out the red carpet, for the drag queens take center stage at the East Point Commons area in June. The biggest and best drag show in the Southeast is a rollicking good time. Musical and theatrical performances raise thousands of dollars for Atlanta's non-profits. During the day-light hours the East Point Corner Tavern sponsors a field day of tug-of-war, beer barrel races and more. Once the sun goes down the “possums†come out to put on a glitzy show. The show, a celebration of be-who-you-are, is open to everyone. |
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Modern Atlanta Design Is Human Festival This citywide festival celebrates the beauty and brilliance in mankind's modern creations.This June, join Design Is Human for an in-depth look at the interior design, architecture and fashions of the city, as well as its visual and communication arts. Come enjoy exhibits, lectures and activities which showcase the allure of Atlanta! |
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Virginia Highland Summerfest Celebrate the beginning of summer with dancing, music, art and of course, delicious food. While exploring the historic avenue, peek into the eclectic shops and local-loved dining scene which give the neighborhood its quirky charm. Revered as one of the best artists' markets in the Southeast, the Virginia-Highland Summerfest features works by local artists and activities for the entire family. |
| July Festivals | |
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4th of July at Lenox Square Ending with the largest Independence Day fireworks display in the Southeast, the Lenox Square 4th of July celebration is a must-see spectacular! The day's event kicks off with the Peachtree Road Race. Afterwards, enjoy live music, street vendors, plenty of food, and a Kids' Zone. The elegant Buckhead community provides a delightful backdrop for a day of fun, family and festivities. |
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4th of July at Centennial Olympic Park Bring the entire family for a day of fun, food and the celebration of freedom! Activities and events fill Centennial Olympic Park from noon to night. Relax on the Great Lawn or splash around the Fountain of Rings, while children enjoy face painting, arts and crafts, inflatables and more. Free musical performances featuring local bands and famous headliners precede the AirTran Airways Fireworks Spectacular, Atlanta's best fireworks display synchronized to a special selection of patriotic music. |
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Asian Cultural Experience Enjoy two days of music, dancing, delicious food, fine art, fashion shows and native crafts by Atlanta's Asian communities. Created to share the Asian traditions with fellow Atlantans, this July event draws thousands of visitors to the Gwinnett Center & Arena each year. Experience the Chinese, Indian, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Taiwanese and Vietnamese cultures and more! |
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Atlanta Ice Cream Festival What treat could be better during the Southern summer heat than ice cream? In July come chill out in Piedmont Park with tons of ice cream vendors (including local artisans and national favorites) and live music. Go ahead and grab seconds (and thirds) - tons of fun and fitness activities will be offered as well! |
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Downtown Restaurant Week Every summer in Atlanta visitors & residents get to experience a variety of Downtown Atlanta's finest restaurants at an affordable rate! You can participate in one of the greatest showcases of Atlanta cuisine when you participate in Downtown Restaurant week in Atlanta this summer! |
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Fantastic Fourth Celebration at Stone Mountain Park Located on Memorial Lawn and perfect for the whole family, the Fantastic Fourth Celebration features a stunning fireworks display. Spend the weekend enjoying all of the Stone Mountain Park attractions, as well as live music, delicious food and so much more. |
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The Flying Colors Butterfly Festival at Chattahoochee Nature Center The Flying Colors Butterfly Festival fills the air with the beating wings of hundreds of beautiful butterflies as they are released during this annual family festival under butterfly banners! The new "Butterfly Encounter" exhibit allows visitors to hand-feed more than 250 free flying butterflies. Enjoy the show when butterflies land on flowers after the releases. Dave Holland drums up the music on Saturday; add live music; photography and entomology exhibits; arts and crafts; plus face painting for lots of fun. Kids can wear their butterfly costumes in butterfly parades each day. Pollinator and host plants on sale for gardeners. Food trucks will sell snacks and picnics. |
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National Black Arts Festival Experience the dance, film, theater and music, as well as visual and literary arts of Africa and the African Diaspora during the nation's only Black Arts Festival. This festival celebrates the contributions of people of African descent and their impact on world cultures. For an entire week, the African-American community joins together to celebrate the rich culture and history, sharing their traditions with the entire city. |
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Peachtree Road Race Join us for the nation's second-largest race, featuring 55,000 runners and more than 150,000 spectators. The Peachtree Road Race is made up of a 10k course starting on Peachtree Road at Lenox Square mall and ending at Piedmont Park. In addition to the 10k course, there is a wheelchair division as well as satellite races held for soldiers overseas. |
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Salute to the Red, White and Blue Hometown Fourth of July Celebration Ride to the top of the Ferris wheel, take a spin on a carousel and bite into a mustard-covered corndog at one of the oldest and largest South Fulton County celebrations. Before the fireworks big appetites meeting their match at watermelon and pie-eating contests. Vendors sell funnel cakes and bands rock the evening. When the exploding blossoms of reds, golds, blues and greens fire into the sky above East Point, all eyes are on the heavens and hearts thump to the strain of America the Beautiful. |
| August Festivals | |
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Decatur BBQ, Blues & Bluegrass Festival Harmony Park is the site of this annual festival that started as a fundraiser to save the old Decatur train depot. Now, over 5,000 music and barbecue lovers gather annually to enjoy six hours of live acts and some of the tangiest, spiciest, juiciest barbecue anywhere in Atlanta. |
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Festival Peachtree Latino Located in Piedmont Park, this totally free event includes exhibitions, parades, ethnic foods and lots of music performances! You'll also find tons of arts & crafts, family activities and sporting events as the city celebrates its Latino heritage! |
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Grant Park Summer Shade Festival The whole family can enjoy a respite from the sun in one of Atlanta’s most historic neighborhoods. A kids zone features artists, crafts, storytellers, and musicians, while live music keeps mom and dad’s heads nodding all day. Take part in the 5K, or take a relaxing stroll through the artist market. |
