A Local’s Guide to the A3C Hip Hop Festival in Atlanta

The A3C Hip Hop Festival is one of Atlanta’s signature cultural events, bringing together music, art, tech, and community. If you live in Atlanta, are visiting, or just trying to understand how this festival fits into the city’s culture, this guide walks you through what it is, where it happens, and how to make the most of it.

What Is the A3C Hip Hop Festival?

A3C (short for “All 3 Coasts”) is a multi-day hip hop and creative culture festival that started in Atlanta and has grown into a major gathering for:

• Live hip hop performances
• Producers, DJs, and emerging artists
• Music industry, tech, and creative professionals
• Entrepreneurs and community leaders

Over the years, A3C has hosted a mix of big-name headliners and up-and-coming artists, along with conferences, panels, workshops, and networking events focused on music, business, tech, and culture.

For Atlanta, A3C functions as both a citywide music festival and a professional conference, making it especially important for locals working in creative fields.

When Does A3C Happen?

A3C is traditionally held in the fall, often around early to mid-October. Specific dates change from year to year, so it’s important to:

• Check the current year’s festival schedule close to the event
• Confirm dates for both the music festival and conference portions, since they may not always line up exactly

If you live in Atlanta, you’ll often start seeing posters, social media promotions, and local coverage in late summer as the festival approaches.

Where Is A3C in Atlanta?

A3C has used different venues and neighborhoods over the years, but it typically centers around intown Atlanta in areas known for arts and nightlife. Common patterns include:

Core Areas You’re Likely to See A3C Activity

• Downtown & Midtown

  • Conference-style events, panels, and talks often use hotel ballrooms, theaters, and meeting spaces in the downtown/Midtown area.
  • Easy access via MARTA rail (Peachtree Center, Five Points, Civic Center, Arts Center stations depending on venue).

• Old Fourth Ward & Edgewood

  • Known for hip hop, nightlife, and street art, these neighborhoods frequently host performances, showcases, pop-ups, and after-parties.
  • Walkable areas with bars, clubs, and small stages, especially along Edgewood Avenue.

• Westside / Castleberry Hill

  • This area’s lofts, galleries, and warehouses make it a natural fit for creative events, installations, or special A3C shows.

Because A3C often spreads across multiple venues, you’ll want to pay close attention to the official schedule and map for the specific year you’re attending.

What Happens at A3C? (Music, Conference, and Community)

The A3C Hip Hop Festival is usually divided into a few overlapping experiences:

1. Live Performances & Showcases

Expect:

• Headlining concerts with established hip hop artists
• Showcases for emerging talent, including local Atlanta artists
• Producer and DJ sets
• Curated lineups by labels, collectives, and media outlets

Stages might be:

• Outdoor festival-style setups
• Mid-size concert venues
• Intimate club or lounge performances

For Atlanta residents, this is often a chance to see national acts and homegrown artists share the same bill.

2. Conference: Music, Tech, and Business

A3C is known for a conference-style program alongside the music, often including:

• Panels and talks with artists, managers, executives, and entrepreneurs
• Sessions on:
  • Music business and publishing
  • Artist branding and marketing
  • Streaming and digital platforms
  • Tech startups and creative tools
  • Social impact and community work

These events frequently take place in hotel conference spaces, theaters, and event centers in downtown or Midtown Atlanta.

3. Workshops, Mentorship & Networking

Many attendees come to A3C not just to watch shows, but to make connections and learn:

• Workshops on production, songwriting, DJing, branding, or content creation
• One-on-one or small group sessions, sometimes with industry professionals
• Networking mixers and meet-and-greets

For Atlanta-based creatives, this can be a practical way to start building or expanding a local and national network without leaving the city.

4. Art, Culture & Community Events

A3C often taps into Atlanta’s broader creative scene through:

• Murals, street art, and pop-up exhibits
• Film screenings or visual storytelling events
• Community conversations about culture, equity, and the role of hip hop

You might see activity around existing arts districts and neighborhoods that already celebrate Atlanta’s creative identity.

Who Is A3C For?

A3C is designed for several overlapping audiences:

• Hip hop fans who want live music and culture-rich experiences
• Local Atlanta residents looking for a major city event to attend in the fall
• Independent artists and producers building careers
• DJs, managers, publicists, and label teams
• Tech founders and digital creators exploring the intersection of music and technology
• Students from Atlanta-area schools (like Georgia State, Georgia Tech, Clark Atlanta, Spelman, Morehouse, and others) who are interested in music, media, or business

You don’t need to be in the industry to enjoy A3C, but industry-minded attendees tend to get extra value from the conference components.

Tickets, Passes, and Registration

Ticket structures can vary by year, but you’ll commonly see some version of:

Helpful planning tips:

• Buy early: Prices often rise as the festival date approaches.
• Check what each pass covers: Some passes may focus on shows, others on conference sessions.
• Look for local options: Atlanta residents sometimes watch for special local promotions or limited access events.

Getting Around During A3C in Atlanta

Because A3C uses multiple venues, it helps to plan transportation in advance.

MARTA (Rail & Bus)

• Rail: Often the quickest way to reach Downtown and Midtown venues.
  • Key stations for typical festival activity: Five Points, Peachtree Center, Civic Center, Arts Center.
• Bus: Can help connect to neighborhoods not directly on a rail line.

MARTA Headquarters:
2424 Piedmont Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30324
Customer Service (general information): 404-848-5000

Driving and Parking

• Downtown and Midtown have numerous parking decks and lots, but they may fill quickly during big events.
• Some club or neighborhood venues may rely more on surface lots or street parking.
• Be prepared for event pricing at some parking facilities.

Rideshare and Taxis

• Rideshare services are commonly used for late-night venue hops and for areas where parking is tight.
• Good option if you plan on visiting multiple neighborhoods in one night.

Tips for Locals Attending A3C

If you live in Atlanta, you can approach A3C differently from an out-of-town visitor:

• Use your neighborhood knowledge
  Know which MARTA station or rideshare pickup point is least crowded, and which side streets are easier for parking or drop-offs.

• Pick your days strategically
  Many locals pick:

  • One or two music-heavy nights for shows
  • One or two conference days that fit their career goals

• Plug into the local scene
  Atlanta-based studios, collectives, and organizations sometimes tie their own events or showcases to A3C week. Following your favorite local venues, promoters, or artists can lead you to unofficial but related events around town.

Tips for Visitors Coming to A3C

If you’re traveling to Atlanta for A3C:

• Stay near core venues
  Areas like Downtown, Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, or near the MARTA rail line can make it easier to reach events.

• Plan for traffic
  Atlanta traffic can be heavy, especially on weekday afternoons and evenings. Build in extra travel time between events.

• Explore beyond the festival
  When you have downtime, consider:

  • Atlanta BeltLine (especially the Eastside Trail)
  • Edgewood Avenue for nightlife
  • Nearby attractions like the National Center for Civil and Human Rights or Centennial Olympic Park area

Safety, Crowd Comfort, and Practical Considerations

Events of this scale bring large crowds and late nights. In Atlanta, it’s useful to:

• Stay aware of your surroundings, especially when moving between venues at night.
• Travel in groups when possible.
• Keep valuables secure and only bring what you need for the day/night.
• Hydrate and eat—fall in Atlanta can still be warm, and festival days are long.
• Follow venue-specific rules about bags, cameras, and entry times.

For general city safety information or public updates, you can refer to:

Atlanta Police Department Headquarters
226 Peachtree St SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
Non-emergency line: 404-658-6666
Emergency: 911

How A3C Fits Into Atlanta’s Cultural Calendar

Within Atlanta’s signature festivals and citywide events, A3C sits alongside:

• Music festivals that highlight the city’s role in hip hop and contemporary music
• Film, art, and cultural festivals that showcase Atlanta as a creative hub
• College and homecoming seasons, which often overlap with A3C’s timing and contribute to the city’s energy in the fall

For many locals, A3C has functioned as a snapshot of Atlanta’s music identity, blending local talent, national stars, and industry professionals into one multi-day citywide experience.

How to Stay Updated

Because details change each year—lineup, venues, partners, and pass types—it’s important to:

• Check the current year’s official festival announcements before making firm plans.
• Confirm:
  • Dates and times
  • Exact venues and neighborhoods
  • What your pass includes
  • Any age restrictions for certain venues (21+ where alcohol sales are primary)

For Atlanta residents, local media outlets, arts organizations, and community calendars often share updated information and highlights as the festival approaches.

Understanding A3C as an Atlanta-based event means seeing it not just as a music festival, but as a citywide celebration of hip hop, creativity, and industry connection woven into the neighborhoods and culture of Atlanta itself.