The beautiful city capital of Georgia, Atlanta is known for the significant role it played during the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. You can learn more about it when you visit the Atlanta History Center, which will tell you everything you want to know about the city’s past. Another historical attraction here is the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, where you’ll gain knowledge about the life of the famous African-American leader. But aside from the usual must-visit locations in the city, Atlanta is also boasting with many events that will surely charm you to attend. In case you want to know more about it, read on, and discover our list of the popular festivals in Atlanta, Georgia.
1. Atlanta Arab Festival [Last event in 2019]
An event promoting Arab and Arab-American culture, Atlanta Arab Festival is a perfect way to learn about Arab heritage while having fun. During the festival, you’ll find numerous stalls and booths offering Arab cuisine, arts and crafts, as well as activities like face painting, Arabic calligraphy, and carnival games. Also, there are live performances, showcasing traditional music and dances. The event is becoming more popular as years go by, which you can see by the number of attendees—from 300 in its early years up to 5,000 in 2017. Make sure to bring the whole family when you visit for everyone will surely enjoy everything the fair has to offer.
Atlanta Arab Festival
Address: 3288 Marjan Dr, Atlanta
Website: Atlanta Arab Festival
Takes place: September
Price: 5 USD
2. Shaky Beats Music Festival [Last event in 2019]
Taking place at Central Park in Atlanta, Georgia, Shaky Beats Music Festival is the sister festival of Shaky Knees Music, which is a celebration of indie music in the city. The goal of this music event is to fill the shoes of two former EDM festivals in Atlanta, which are TomorrowWorld and Counterpoint. In case some of you don’t know what EDM means, it is electronic dance music, which is a popular genre among the youths. A few of the local and international EDM acts that already graced the festival include Major Lazer, Carnage, and Odesza.
Shaky Beats Music Festival
Address: Central Park, Atlanta
Website: Shaky Beats Music Festival
Takes place: May
3. Atlanta Brunch Festival
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Because brunch is so popular in Atlanta, they have here a festival honoring this mealtime between breakfast and lunch. Atlanta Brunch Festival gathers the best restaurants that serve delectable brunch menus and has them made tasting-size copies of those meals. Apart from the food, there are brunch drink favorites too, such as cocktails like mimosas and bloody marys, as well as selections of beers and wines. Just a heads-up, this event is for adults only, with ages of 21 and up—strictly no kids allowed. Additionally, while eating, you’ll be entertained by live music to make the experience more fun.
Atlanta Brunch Festival
Address: Atlantic Station, 241 20th St NW, Atlanta
Website: Atlanta Brunch Festival
Takes place: October
Price: 65 USD
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4. Atlanta Bourbon Festival
Are you a fan of bourbon and other spirits? If so, then you’ll be dying to attend Atlanta Bourbon Festival. It features more than 50 varieties of bourbon as well as whiskey, beer, wines, and cocktails. Apart from the drink, the festival also features a live band and a DJ. And when you get hungry, you can buy food from the available food vendor—City Winery. The gate opens at noon for VIPs and 1pm for general admission. Additionally, the ticket includes a free souvenir tasting glass.
Atlanta Bourbon Festival
Address: City Winery Atlanta, 650 N Ave, Atlanta
Website: Atlanta Bourbon Festival
Takes place: November
Price: 75 USD
5. Buckhead Fine Arts Festival
A two-day event in Atlanta, Buckhead Fine Arts Festival is an open-air fine arts celebration in the heart of Buckhead, which is an upscale neighborhood in the city and home to the most passionate art-buying community. The festival is attended by more than a hundred artists and creators, including painters, sculptors, photographers, glass artists, metalworkers, jewelers, and more. Another great thing you’ll see here are live art demonstrations, which will make you learn more about the creative processes. Additionally, there are food, drinks, and live music to complete the usual festival scene.
Buckhead Fine Arts Festival
Address: 135 Chastain Park Ave NW, Atlanta
Website: Buckhead Fine Arts Festival
Takes place: September
6. Atlanta Dogwood Festival
One of the oldest festivals in the city, Atlanta Dogwood Festival was originally celebrated for nine days during spring—which coincides with the blooming of the dogwood trees. Now, the festival happens one weekend in April, on the grounds of Piedmont Park. You’ll find the park filled with food stalls, art booths, and carnival games and attractions, as well as live music with genres like bluegrass, country, rock, and soul. One of the highlights of the event is the juried art competition, with categories such as painting, sculpture, jewelry making, and photography. And the winner gets artistic recognition and, of course, a special prize. Another event at the festival is U.S. Disc Dog Southern Nationals, which is a contest entered by the best Frisbee dogs in the world.
Atlanta Dogwood Festival
Address: 887 West Marietta St NW, Atlanta
Website: Atlanta Dogwood Festival
Takes place: April
Price: 20 USD
7. Flying Colors Butterfly Festival
A family-friendly event in Atlanta, Flying Colors Butterfly Festival is a delightful celebration focusing on these beautiful and colorful winged creatures—whose proceeds go to Chattahoochee Nature Center. The festival features many highlights that revolve around these pollinators, such as butterfly encounters, butterfly releases, and migration games—which will tell you about Monarch butterfly migration. Also, to complete the festival vibe, there will be food stands featuring King of Pops, Gotta Have It, and Let’s Taco Bout It, along with live music brought to you by Cadyn Lexa as well as fun and games by Xtreme Airballs.
Flying Colors Butterfly Festival
Address: Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Rd, Roswell
Website: Flying Colors Butterfly Festival
Takes place: June
Price: 12 USD
8. Atlanta Film Festival
One of the largest festivals in Georgia, Atlanta Film Festival is an international film festival that features independent films with genres that include experimental, sci-fi, and horror. Also, this award-giving body gives special recognitions, including the Pink Peach prize for the best LGBT movie and short films. Another highlight of the festival is the New Maverick shorts block, which are movies made by female filmmakers and starred by a strong female protagonist. This film festival is so diverse and has a strong presence of the minorities, giving voice to the not-so-privileged and conveying the message of equality.
Atlanta Film Festival
Address: 25 Park Pl NE #1000, Atlanta
Website: Atlanta Film Festival
Takes place: April to May
9. Atlanta Grilled Cheese Festival
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
If you love cheese, especially on grilled bread, then you shouldn’t let Atlanta Grilled Cheese Festival pass by without attending it—and sampling a few of the best versions of the sandwich in Atlanta. It is a two-day celebration, which is attended by the best local restaurants in the area, showcasing their tasty grilled cheese recipes. Apart from the grilled cheese contest, there will be games, live music, frosty brews, contests, and other entertainments to keep you from getting bored. As for the ticket, it includes three free grilled cheese samples and access to music performances, as well as admission to the adult game zone and Bloody Mary Garden.
Atlanta Grilled Cheese Festival
Address: Atlantic Station Parking, Atlanta
Website: Atlanta Grilled Cheese Festival
Takes place: April
10. Atlanta Ice Cream Festival
Another meaningful and worthwhile event in the city, Atlanta Ice Cream Festival is a celebration of the United States’ favorite dessert. Apart from the overflowing of these delightful treats that come in many flavors and shapes, the fair also encourages people to have a balanced and healthy lifestyle, which you can see in the many activities on offer—including fitness routines, yoga, Chinese exercises, and more. Also, in the morning, there is a 5K Fight Cancer Walk. Additionally, you’ll find here food vendors, handicrafts and souvenir booths, and local live music.
Atlanta Ice Cream Festival
Address: 10th St NE & Charles Allen Dr, Atlanta
Website: Atlanta Ice Cream Festival
Takes place: July
11. Atlanta Fringe Festival
A festival to watch out for all theater lovers, Atlanta Fringe Festival is an entertainment event that features experimental and professional theater. What makes this different from the rest is that it is non-juried, and the acts that will perform are drawn by lottery. This festival attracts many performers—from actors and actresses to dancers, aerialists, comedians, and more. Another highlight here is Radio Fringe. Atlanta Fringe Festival is the first-ever fringe in the world to include a radio drama in its rosters.
Atlanta Fringe Festival
Address: 1105 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta
Website: Atlanta Fringe Festival
Takes place: May
Price: 10 USD
12. Oktoberfest Atlanta [Last event in 2019]
Happening at Historic Fourth Ward Park, Oktoberfest Atlanta is one of the biggest beer festivals in Georgia, drawing many people from all over the state. This German-themed beer fest offers varieties of local brews and German beers, as well as German food, live music, and fun games, which will make your experience a lot more memorable. So what are you waiting for? Put on your lederhosen and join the fun at Oktoberfest Atlanta. You’ll surely have one of the best nights here, so make sure you come with your friends. And just a gentle reminder, don’t drink and drive.
Oktoberfest Atlanta
Address: Historic Fourth Ward Park, 680 Dallas St NE, Atlanta
Website: Oktoberfest Atlanta
Takes place: October
Price: 10 USD
13. Atlanta Korean Festival
Are you a Kpop fan? Do you love watching Korean films and dramas? If you answered yes to both questions, you need to come to Atlanta Korean Festival. It is the biggest festival of its kind in the southeastern region, which draws over 30,000 people every year. It also features more than 80 vendors and food trucks that will provide refreshments. Aside from the food and beverages, you can also watch here live performances of traditional Korean musicians as well as local acts. Additionally, there will be lots of games and giveaways to make the festival more exciting and fun.
Atlanta Korean Festival
Address: Korean Community Center, 5900 Brook Hollow Pkwy, Norcross
Takes place: September
14. Atlanta Summer Beer Festival
Georgia is known to have lots of beer festivals, and one of these is Atlanta Summer Beer Festival. It is a drinking event that features over 200 beers, ranging from local brews to micro beers, American craft beers, and more. Apart from beer, you can also have wines and ciders. To make the event more alive, the host hires live performers and a DJ to keep you entertained and set the mood of the party. Included in the ticket are free beer samples, entertainment, and the souvenir cup. As for the food, you have to buy it for an additional cost.
Atlanta Summer Beer Festival
Address: Historic Fourth Ward Park, 665 North Ave NE, Atlanta
Website: Atlanta Summer Beer Festival
Takes place: June
Price: 40 USD
Party in Atlanta
Aside from offering many historical attractions, Atlanta also has other things in store for its tourists, which include a vibrant food scene, natural sites, and a rich and colorful culture. And let’s not forget about the many events that happen here throughout the year. In case you’re wondering what festivities you can attend, check out our list of the popular festivals in Atlanta, Georgia, as your guide.
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