What’s Going On in Atlanta Next Weekend? Your Local Guide to Things To Do

Atlanta almost always has something happening on any given weekend—festivals, food events, concerts, neighborhood markets, and family-friendly activities. Even if you’re not sure of the exact dates yet, you can use this guide as a practical roadmap for figuring out what’s going on in Atlanta next weekend and how to choose the best things to do.

Below you’ll find:

• Common types of Atlanta weekend events and where they usually happen
• How to find current listings quickly
• Ideas for families, couples, groups, and budget-conscious plans
• Atlanta neighborhoods that are especially active on weekends

How to Quickly Find Out What’s Going On Next Weekend in Atlanta

Because events change week to week, the most reliable way to see what’s happening next weekend is to combine a few local sources.

1. Check Atlanta’s Major Event Hubs

These areas almost always have something going on on weekends:

• Downtown & Centennial Olympic Park area
  Often hosts big festivals, expos, concerts, and sports events at:

  • State Farm Arena (1 State Farm Dr, Atlanta, GA 30303)
  • Mercedes-Benz Stadium (1 AMB Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313)
  • Georgia World Congress Center (285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313)
  • Tabernacle for concerts (152 Luckie St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303)

• Midtown Atlanta
  Great for art, nightlife, and family attractions:

  • Piedmont Park (many festivals and 5Ks) – 1320 Monroe Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
  • Atlanta Botanical Garden – themed weekends and seasonal exhibits
  • High Museum of Art – special exhibits and occasional evening events

• Atlanta BeltLine (Eastside & Westside Trails)
  On any given weekend, you’ll often find:

  • Pop-up markets and art walks
  • Brewery events and live music
  • Fitness classes and group runs

• Old Fourth Ward & Poncey-Highland
  Around Ponce City Market and Historic Fourth Ward Park you’ll find:

  • Food pop-ups
  • Vintage markets
  • Outdoor seasonal events and performances

2. Use Local Event Calendars and Venue Schedules

To see what’s happening specifically next weekend, look up:

• Schedules for major venues like State Farm Arena, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and Fox Theatre (660 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308)
• The weekend calendar for cultural spots such as:
  • Fernbank Museum (767 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30307)
  • Zoo Atlanta (800 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30315)
  • Center for Puppetry Arts (1404 Spring St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309)

These places regularly update their event listings and are good anchors to build a weekend around.

Typical Types of Events You’ll Find in Atlanta on Weekends

While exact events change, certain types of things to do are consistently available in Atlanta on almost any weekend.

Festivals and Special Events

Atlanta is known for frequent:

• Music and cultural festivals – often at Piedmont Park, Central Park (Old Fourth Ward), Centennial Olympic Park, or neighborhood streets
• Food, beer, and wine festivals – regularly pop up in Midtown, Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, and around the BeltLine
• Neighborhood festivals – places like Inman Park, Virginia-Highland, Little Five Points, and Grant Park host street fairs and local celebrations throughout the year

➤ If you hear about a festival, check:

• Location (parking and transit options vary a lot by neighborhood)
• Admission (some are free to enter with paid food/drink; others are ticketed)
• Family-friendliness (late-night versus daytime focus)

Sports and Major Games

Most weekends, you can expect at least one of Atlanta’s professional or college teams to be playing, depending on the season:

• Atlanta Falcons (NFL) – at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• Atlanta United FC (MLS) – also at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• Atlanta Hawks (NBA) – State Farm Arena
• Atlanta Braves (MLB) – Truist Park (755 Battery Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30339, in nearby Cobb County)
• College football and basketball – Georgia Tech (North Ave NW) and other local schools

If you’re not going to the game, nearby areas—like The Battery Atlanta at Truist Park—often have live music, watch parties, and family activities tied to game days.

Live Music, Comedy, and Nightlife

Atlanta’s music and nightlife scene is active year-round:

• Mid-size concert venues:
  • Tabernacle (Downtown)
  • Variety Playhouse (Little Five Points)
  • The Eastern (Reynoldstown)
• Smaller venues and clubs:
  • Smith’s Olde Bar (Morningside)
  • Aisle 5 (Little Five Points)
  • Various spots along Edgewood Ave, East Atlanta Village, and the Westside

For comedy, check clubs and theaters in Midtown, Buckhead, and the Edgewood/Little Five Points area, which frequently host weekend stand‑up and improv shows.

Family-Friendly Things To Do Next Weekend in Atlanta

If you’re planning for kids or multigenerational groups, you have a steady rotation of weekend-friendly options.

Classic Atlanta Attractions

Most weekends, you can count on:

• Georgia Aquarium – 225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
• World of Coca‑Cola – 121 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
• Zoo Atlanta – 800 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30315
• Fernbank Museum of Natural History – 767 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30307

These often offer:

• Special weekend programs
• Seasonal exhibits or themed days
• Extended hours on certain days of the week

Outdoor and Low-Cost Family Fun

• Piedmont Park – multiple playgrounds, walking paths, dog park, and frequent festivals
• Atlanta BeltLine – easy for strollers and bikes, with murals and public art to explore
• Historic Fourth Ward Park – green space, playground, and pond, near Ponce City Market
• Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (north of Atlanta) – river walks, picnic areas, and sometimes ranger-led activities

For next weekend, check:

• Whether a festival is scheduled at one of these parks
• If there’s a farmers market or pop-up fair nearby (see next section)

Markets, Food, and Local Shopping

Food and markets are a big part of Atlanta weekends, and they’re great even if you’re planning last minute.

Farmers Markets and Community Markets

Around the metro, you’ll regularly find:

• Freedom Farmers Market (often at the Carter Center, 453 Freedom Pkwy NE, Atlanta, GA 30307) – typically Saturday mornings
• Grant Park Farmers Market – near Grant Park and Zoo Atlanta
• Peachtree Road Farmers Market – in Buckhead, often near the Cathedral of St. Philip

Local farmers markets typically feature:

• Fresh produce and baked goods
• Local crafts and prepared foods
• Occasional live music or kids’ activities

Food Halls and Dining Districts

You don’t need a special event to make these feel like a weekend outing:

• Ponce City Market – 675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
• Krog Street Market – 99 Krog St NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
• The Works ATL – 1295 Chattahoochee Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
• The Battery Atlanta – at Truist Park, with restaurants, bars, and entertainment

These areas often layer on:

• Pop-up vendors
• Live music or DJs on weekends
• Special themed nights or tastings

Free or Budget-Friendly Things To Do Next Weekend

You don’t have to spend much to enjoy Atlanta on a weekend.

Outdoor and Cultural Options

• Walk or bike the Atlanta BeltLine – see street art, stop at parks and overlooks
• Explore neighborhood districts:
  • Little Five Points – street art, quirky shops, cafés
  • Virginia-Highland – walkable streets, small boutiques
  • Inman Park – historic homes and tree-lined sidewalks
• Self-guided civil rights history stops around:
  • Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park – 450 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312
    • Visitor Center
    • Ebenezer Baptist Church
    • King Center outdoor areas

Some city museums and attractions offer discounted or free admission days on select weekends, so it’s worth checking their calendars if your timing is flexible.

Neighborhoods Where Something Is Almost Always Happening

If you just want to “go where the action is” next weekend without a strict plan, aim for these areas:

On a typical weekend, these areas have:

• High foot traffic
• Open businesses and restaurants
• A good chance of stumbling onto live music, pop-ups, or street performances

How to Plan Your Atlanta Weekend Efficiently

To make the most of next weekend:

1. Decide your “home base” area

   • Downtown, Midtown, BeltLine-adjacent, or The Battery are good starting points.

2. Check 2–3 key venue calendars

   • Look up main stadiums, arenas, theaters, and major attractions to see if:
     • There’s a concert or game you want to attend
     • There’s a festival that might affect traffic and parking

3. Layer in food and walking time

   • Plan to walk or rideshare between events in dense areas like Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, and Inman Park.

4. Consider transit and parking

   • MARTA rail and bus service can help you reach:
     • Downtown (Five Points, Peachtree Center, GWCC/CNN Center stations)
     • Midtown (Midtown and Arts Center stations)
     • Buckhead (Lenox, Buckhead stations)
   • On big event weekends, parking near stadiums and major venues can be limited and expensive, so plan ahead.

Quick “Next Weekend in Atlanta” Ideas by Situation

If you’re short on time and just want a simple plan, use these templates and swap in specific events once you check current listings.

For Families

• Morning at Georgia Aquarium or Zoo Atlanta
• Lunch at a nearby food hall or family-friendly restaurant
• Afternoon at Piedmont Park, the BeltLine, or a farmers market
• Optional early evening ice cream or treats in Midtown or Old Fourth Ward

For Couples

• Saturday afternoon BeltLine walk (start at Ponce City Market or Krog Street Market)
• Drinks and dinner at a Midtown, Inman Park, or West Midtown restaurant
• Evening show at Fox Theatre, a concert venue, or comedy club

For Groups or Friends

• Brunch in Midtown, Inman Park, or Virginia-Highland
• Activity such as:
  • Brewery crawl in West Midtown or along the BeltLine
  • Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, or Truist Park
• Late-night bar hopping in Midtown, Edgewood, East Atlanta Village, or Little Five Points

For Budget-Conscious Plans

• Explore Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park
• Walk the Atlanta BeltLine and visit nearby parks
• Browse Little Five Points or Virginia-Highland
• Pack a picnic for Piedmont Park or Historic Fourth Ward Park

To find exact events for next weekend, combine:

• Major venue calendars,
• Neighborhood event listings, and
• Your preferred area of town.

Once you know where you’ll be staying or starting from in Atlanta, you can quickly narrow down what’s going on next weekend and build a weekend that fits your interests, budget, and schedule.