Planning your spring weekends in advance? Try one of the many festivals in Atlanta that are coming up. Music, art, history, food & adult beverages—Atlanta has a festival celebrating just about everything. Here are ten spring festivals throughout Atlanta to put on your list.
Mardi Gras, February
Where ever you are, there is a Mardi Gras celebration happening close by. Enjoy New Orleans-inspired drinks, food, and music at the Midtown Mardi Gras Block Party, Virginia Highlands’Mardi Gras Bar Crawl –Beads & Booze –or ride the Mardi Gras Streetcar Adventure in Sweet Auburn. Dress up, grab your gang, and head out for Mardi Gras fun in Atlanta.
The Annual Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival, March
Beer, Bourbon & BBQ—what more do you need? Bluegrass? Bacon? Biscuits? This festival has all of that and more. Use your souvenir glass for the tastings of more than 40 bourbons and 60 beers on tap. And, don’t forget the BBQ: pulled pork, ribs, brisket, chicken and sausages! And of course, there will be live music and exhibits.
The Georgia Renaissance Festival, April
Each weekend in April, you can step back in time to a 16th-century England at the Renaissance Festival. Mingle with 1,000+ characters roaming the grounds in period costumes as you wander through this Renaissance village. There are activities and entertainment for the whole family: jousting contests, acrobats and jugglers, magicians, and wandering minstrels. A 32-acre Artisans’Market hosts arts and craft demonstrations, including glass-blowing and coin mining. Get your fill of giant roasted turkey legs, ale, and mead for the year at the Georgia Renaissance Festival!
Atlanta Film Festival, April
One of the longest-running film festivals in the country, the Atlanta Film Festival offers thousands of film enthusiasts a wide variety of film genres for viewing. Mingle with film professionals, attend workshops, and watch films from around the world. Founded in 1976, this festival is a great way to see a film or documentary you might have missed otherwise.
Atlanta Dogwood Festival, April
In the spring, Piedmont Park comes alive with music, arts & crafts, food and beverage booths, and explosions of beautiful blooming dogwoods. Artists from around the country come to sell their art and compete in a juried Fine Arts Market. The festival has plenty of kid-friendly activities too, with face painting, inflatables, and rock climbing to keep them busy. And the entire family can watch the country’s top Frisbee-catching dogs compete in the US Disc Dog Southern Nationals. There really is something for everyone at the Dogwood Festival.
Inman Park Festival, April
Inman Park, one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods, is showcased during this colorful festival. Stroll through the street market, run in the 5K (in costume please), watch the quirky Inman Park Festival Parade, tour restored Victorian homes from the late 1800s, listen to live music and watch dance performances. Come be a part of this spirited neighborhood at the Inman Park Festival.
Sweet Auburn Springfest, May
Spend Mother’s Day Weekend exploring the historic Sweet Auburn District during this spring celebration. Stroll past Ebenezer Baptist Church, where Martin Luther King, Jr. served as pastor. Enjoy live music on ten stages, and over a mile of vendors with art, jewelry, and other items. Sweet Auburn Springfest is another enjoyable festival showcasing one of Atlanta’s historic neighborhoods.
Shaky Knees Music Festival, May
Head downtown to Central Park for the Shaky Knees Music Festival. With over 60 bands performing, music is the focus. A wide range of music is performed by up-and-coming artists as well as world-renown bands;2019 will include Tears for Fears. And with food trucks from around the country offering your favorite local cuisine and some new soon to be favorites, you won’t go hungry.
Chastain Arts Festival, May
A two-day event in Chastain Park, The Chastain Arts Festival emphasizes art by local and Georgia artists. While local musicians play, you can browse through over 185 booths of art and head for the food trucks. If you are looking for an arts festival with great local art, this is it.
The Atlanta Jazz Festival, May
Held over Memorial Day weekend, the Atlanta Jazz Festival is one of the country’s largest free jazz festivals. This festival has been going strong since 1997 and showcases jazz legends as well as up-and-coming artists. Held throughout the month in venues across the city, it winds up over Memorial Day weekend in Piedmont Park. It’s a great way to spend your holiday weekend.
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Regardless of the season, there are endless opportunities in Atlanta for you to explore. With summer in full swing, now is the time to attend some of the best festivals in Atlanta and events that come through every year. Regardless of your interests, you are sure to find a festival that caters to them in the coming months.
Festivals in Atlanta in August
There is something for everyone in August. Film lovers will not want to miss the Bronzelens Film Festival running from August 22nd through the 26th. During this time, visitors can enjoy screenings of highly anticipated films and shorts along with film workshops, classes, lunches with the cast and directors and much more. Find it at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis at 265 Peachtree Center Ave.
The Decatur BBQ, Blues, and Bluegrass Festival is the ultimate melding of food, music and community. Some of Atlanta’s most celebrated BBQ joints will be out in full force whipping up classic southern BBQ, which pairs wonderfully with over seven hours of live music from local and national acts. Get the flavor of Atlanta at Harmony Park on August 11th from 1 pm to 9 pm.
The Grant Park Summer Shade Festival is one of the most prominent celebrations of the arts throughout the year. On August 25th and 26th, art comes alive in amazing live music, painting, photography, sculpture, and practically any medium you can imagine. Pair this with a Kids’ zone, a 5K race, and plenty of food and beer for an unforgettable time.
Festivals in September
For the lovers of fantasy and sci-fi, there will be an unprecedented event in Dragon Con from August 30th through September 3rd. This is a celebration of sci-fi and fantasy in the form of video games, film, literature, art, music, and so much more. Even those who do not realize they are geeks yet will not be able to help having a good time at the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta.
The Imagine Music Festival is taking place September 21st through the 23rd and combines camping and music for one of the best community events of the year. This electronic music festival features some of the hottest artists in the world like Armin van Buuren, Alesso, and so many more. Check out this once in a lifetime event at The Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Music Midtown is another great music festival for those that are more into hip-hop, rock, and pop music. Among the top-billed artists are Kendrick Lamar, Imagine Dragons, Post Malone, and many more. On September 15th and 16th, Piedmont Park will be home to the hottest party in Atlanta, and you will not want to miss it.
Fall Festival in Chandler Park is an all-in-one experience that has something for everyone. There is a 5K to begin the festivities, which is followed by artist markets, great live music, yoga, and the best food trucks in the city. Above all, it provides a great opportunity to celebrate with members of this awesome community. You will not want to miss this on September 29th and 30th at Chandler Park.
One Music Fest is the place to go for the lovers of hip-hop, R&B, and soul music. These are the sole focus of this classic festival in Central Park. Enjoy amazing performances from classic artists like Nas, Cardi B, Big Sean, and more. This iconic experience is taking place on September 8th and 9th in Central Park.
Festivals in October
The A3C Hip-Hop Festival has all of the trappings of an amazing hip-hop festival with great performers and artists. But it goes a step further in providing lectures and classes to help young artists shape hip-hop culture in the future. This is an amazing event if you want to see the young community of Atlanta come out and try to make a difference. The festivities are happening October 3rd through the 7th at numerous locations throughout downtown Atlanta.
The Atlanta Pride Festival is an amazing experience in that it paints an accurate picture of the loving community of this city. At the heart, it is a celebration of the LGBTQ community, but it is really meant for everyone. There is amazing live music, vendor booths, activities, and much more. The party is at Piedmont Park on October 12th through the 14th.
Festivals in January
While there are many festivals in Atlanta in January, the one getting the most attention right now is the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl on January 1st. This event always provides some amazing football matchups, but this year, it is taking place at the brand new Mercedes Benz Stadium making for festivities unlike any other year. Get tickets to the game or just show up for some tailgating and great activities.
Make Sure you have a Great Place to Stay
With so much action constantly taking place around Atlanta, it is important to have a cozy place to lay your head at night. You will find endless opportunities to find the perfect place for you throughout the listings provided by Atlanta Luxury Rentals. All of the vacation rentals they provide are of the utmost quality, but you will also find great variation in the specifics of what each home and condo provides. Check out the best vacation rentals in the city and find the perfect one!