When Is Atlanta Carnival? Dates, Locations, and What to Expect

If you’re trying to figure out when Atlanta Carnival happens, especially so you can plan travel and get around the city more easily, there’s one key thing to know first:

There are now two major Caribbean-style carnivals in metro Atlanta most years, usually on Memorial Day weekend in late May.

• Atlanta Caribbean Carnival – typically in the city of Atlanta, often around Downtown/Midtown
• Atlanta Dekalb Carnival – typically in DeKalb County, often along Stonecrest/Decatur areas

Exact dates and locations can shift year to year, so it’s always smart to confirm before you go. But if you’re planning ahead, you can safely assume that Atlanta Carnival events generally take place over Memorial Day weekend, with the main parade day on Saturday.

Quick Overview: When Is Atlanta Carnival?

Use this as a fast reference for planning:

Important:
Exact dates, routes, and start times change. Always check the current year’s schedule before booking flights, hotels, or making detailed transportation plans.

How Atlanta Carnival Timing Generally Works

Memorial Day Weekend Focus

Both major Atlanta carnival celebrations are usually scheduled around Memorial Day weekend, which is:

• The last Monday in May
• A long weekend when many locals and visitors are off work
• A popular time for Caribbean-style carnivals across the U.S.

Because of this:

• Expect events from Thursday or Friday through Sunday, with:
  • Parade and street festival on Saturday
  • Parties (“fetes”) and cultural events on multiple days
• Monday (Memorial Day itself) is usually quieter for carnival-specific events, but traffic leaving the city can be heavy.

One Weekend, Two Carnivals

Atlanta’s carnival scene is unique because there are often two separate large carnival organizations hosting events on the same weekend:

1. Inside the city of Atlanta
2. In nearby DeKalb County

Locals sometimes pick one based on:

• Where they live (city vs. East side/DeKalb)
• Which bands (costume groups) they want to join
• Preferred parade route or vibe

Visitors can choose either or sample both, but it’s important to know which event you’re headed to when planning transportation and parking.

Where Carnival Happens and How It Affects Getting Around

Since your question sits under “Getting Here and Around,” here’s what matters most for navigating Atlanta Carnival.

Typical Areas for Atlanta Caribbean Carnival (City of Atlanta)

While locations can change, the city-based carnival has historically used areas in or near:

• Downtown Atlanta
• Midtown
• Major streets or venues closer to the city core

What this means for getting around:

• Traffic delays and road closures are likely along the parade route and nearby streets.
• MARTA rail and buses can be a smart choice to avoid parking stress.
• If you’re staying in Downtown or Midtown, you may be able to walk to parts of the route or festival village.

Typical Areas for Atlanta Dekalb Carnival

The DeKalb carnival is usually held in or around:

• Stonecrest area (east of Atlanta)
• Nearby DeKalb County corridors and commercial areas

For this event:

• You’re more likely to be driving or using rideshare from central Atlanta.
• Parking is often set up near the main festival grounds.
• Some streets may be blocked off during the parade window, so follow posted detours.

Getting to Atlanta for Carnival Weekend

Whether you’re a local planning logistics or a visitor flying in, timing matters.

Flying In ✈️

Most out-of-town visitors arrive through:

• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
  6000 N Terminal Pkwy, Atlanta, GA 30320

For carnival weekend:

• Arrive at least a day early (Thursday or Friday) if you want to:
  • Pick up costumes
  • Attend fetes
  • Avoid last‑minute travel stress
• Depart Tuesday if you want to avoid the heaviest Memorial Day return traffic and enjoy the full weekend.

Transit from the airport:

• MARTA rail (Airport Station, at the end of the Red and Gold lines) goes directly to:
  • Downtown
  • Midtown
  • Buckhead
• For DeKalb-area events, you may:
  • Take MARTA eastbound rail (toward Indian Creek)
  • Or use rideshare/rental car to reach Stonecrest and surrounding areas.

Driving Into Atlanta 🚗

If you’re driving from other parts of Georgia or nearby states:

• Main highways into Atlanta:
  • I‑75, I‑85, I‑20, and the I‑285 Perimeter
• Traffic is often heaviest on Friday evening and Monday afternoon of Memorial Day weekend.
• On parade day (Saturday), expect:
  • Localized closures around the parade routes
  • Slower-moving traffic near the festival grounds

Tip: Build in extra travel time if you’re trying to reach Downtown or DeKalb during peak parade hours.

Getting Around Atlanta During Carnival

Using MARTA

For many carnival-goers, MARTA is the easiest way to avoid traffic and parking headaches, especially for the city-based carnival.

Key points:

• Rail lines connect the airport, Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and several East/West neighborhoods.
• Bus routes can get you closer to specific festival sites if they’re not right on the rail line.
• Stations like Five Points, Peachtree Center, Garnett, and Civic Center are commonly used for Downtown events; Midtown and North Avenue help for Midtown-adjacent activities.

Buy your fare in advance when possible—machines can get busy during large events.

Rideshare and Taxis

Rideshare (and to some degree taxis) are common ways to reach both city and DeKalb carnival sites.

Plan for:

• Pickup/drop-off zones away from road closures
• Slightly longer wait times during peak parade hours or late-night fetes
• Surge pricing during high-demand periods

It’s helpful to pin exact meeting points on a map, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the area or moving between events.

Driving and Parking

If you decide to drive:

• Check the official carnival information for:
  • Recommended parking lots
  • Shuttle services (if offered)
• For the city-based carnival:
  • Use Downtown and Midtown parking decks away from closed streets.
  • Expect higher parking rates during the main parade day.
• For DeKalb carnival:
  • Look for designated lots or fields near the main festival grounds.
  • Follow instructions from on-site staff and posted signage.

Bring cash or card for parking; payment options can vary.

How Far in Advance Should You Plan?

Because both carnivals land on a popular holiday weekend, timing your planning matters:

• 3–6 months ahead
  • Good window for booking flights and hotels, especially near Downtown or East side.
• 2–3 months ahead
  • Many people choose and pay deposits for mas bands (costume groups) and fetes.
• 2–4 weeks ahead
  • Finalize transportation plans:
    • Airport arrival and departure
    • How you’ll get to the parade
    • Where you’ll park or which MARTA lines you’ll use

Locals sometimes wait longer to commit, but visitors benefit from earlier planning, especially for lodging close to the event sites.

What Else Happens Around Carnival Time?

While your core question is “When is Atlanta Carnival?”, it’s helpful to know what that weekend looks like overall so you can time your travel and movement.

Most years, you’ll find:

• Thursday/Friday
  • Welcome parties and smaller fetes
  • Costume pick-ups for people playing mas
• Saturday (main parade day)
  • Morning to afternoon: road parade with bands, music trucks, and masqueraders
  • Afternoon to evening: concerts, food vendors, marketplace at the festival site
• Sunday
  • Brunches, cooler fetes, and sometimes cultural or family events
• Monday (Memorial Day)
  • Many visitors travel home
  • Some smaller gatherings, but carnival activity is much lighter

If your priority is seeing the full-costume parade and big crowds, plan to be in Atlanta or DeKalb on Saturday and in town by Friday at the latest.

How to Confirm the Exact Carnival Dates Each Year

Because event details can change, the most reliable way to answer “When is Atlanta Carnival this year?” is to:

• Check the current year’s calendar for Memorial Day weekend
• Look up:
  • The official Atlanta Caribbean Carnival dates
  • The official Atlanta Dekalb Carnival dates
• Verify:
  • Parade start time
  • Festival gate open/close times
  • Exact route or venue address

You can also:

• Call or visit Atlanta-area visitor information desks, such as:
  • Downtown Atlanta Visitor Information Center (commonly located near major attractions)
• Ask hotels in Downtown, Midtown, or DeKalb/Stonecrest areas about expected road closures and best ways to reach the events that year.

In summary, Atlanta Carnival is typically held over Memorial Day weekend, with two major celebrations—one in the city of Atlanta and one in DeKalb County—and the main parade day usually falling on Saturday. If you time your trip around that weekend, plan your route with MARTA or driving and parking in mind, and confirm the current year’s official dates, you’ll be well positioned to enjoy carnival and move around Atlanta smoothly.