What’s Going On in Atlanta Right Now? Your Up-to-Date Guide to Things To Do

Atlanta almost always has something happening, whether you’re into live music, festivals, food, sports, or quiet neighborhood exploring. While specific events change week to week, certain types of things to do in Atlanta are consistently available and reliably active throughout the year.

This guide walks you through what’s typically going on right now in Atlanta, how to find current events quickly, and what to expect in different parts of the city.

How to Quickly See What’s Happening in Atlanta Today

If you want a fast snapshot of what’s going on today or this weekend, here are practical starting points:

• Major venues and districts:

  • State Farm Arena (downtown) – concerts, NBA games, major shows
  • Mercedes-Benz Stadium (downtown) – NFL, soccer, stadium tours, large concerts
  • Fox Theatre (Midtown) – Broadway tours, comedy, live performances
  • Atlanta Symphony Hall / Woodruff Arts Center (Midtown) – classical music, special performances
  • Atlanta Botanical Garden (next to Piedmont Park) – seasonal exhibits, evening events

• City-run cultural hubs (often host festivals, markets, and free or low-cost events):

  • Woodruff Park – 91 Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Historic Fourth Ward Park – 680 Dallas St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
  • Atlanta Civic Center area / Central Library – downtown cultural programming

• Transit-accessible areas with frequent activity:

  • Midtown MARTA Station area – arts, nightlife, walkable dining
  • Peachtree Center & Five Points – downtown events, conventions, pop-ups
  • Buckhead (Lenox and Buckhead MARTA stops) – shopping, dining, nightlife

If you’re already in the city, checking event boards at MARTA stations, hotel lobbies, visitor centers, and major parks is one of the fastest ways to see what’s going on right now.

Big Things To Do in Atlanta Right Now (Any Time of Year)

1. Explore the Heart of Downtown

Downtown Atlanta is where you’ll find many of the city’s most recognizable attractions clustered together and busy most days of the week.

Common things happening downtown:

• Tours, exhibits, and special programs at:

  • Georgia Aquarium – 225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
  • World of Coca-Cola – 121 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
  • National Center for Civil and Human Rights – 100 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

• Centennial Olympic Park (265 Park Ave W NW, Atlanta, GA 30313):

  • Seasonal festivals and concerts
  • Food trucks and family activities on weekends
  • Fountain of Rings shows and public art

• Events at big venues:

  • State Farm Arena – 1 State Farm Dr, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Mercedes-Benz Stadium – 1 AMB Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313

These venues often host:

• Pro sports games (Hawks, Falcons, Atlanta United)
• Major concerts and tours
• College football events, special sports tournaments, and conventions

If you’re downtown and unsure what’s going on that day, it’s usually worth walking around Centennial Olympic Park and the nearby venues—you can often see banners, box-office boards, and crowds that point you toward what’s active right now.

2. Midtown: Arts, Culture, and Nightlife

Midtown is one of the most consistently busy areas in Atlanta, day and night. It’s a good bet if you want current things to do without needing a car.

Key cultural spots with ongoing events:

• High Museum of Art – 1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
  • Special exhibitions, evening events, family days
• Alliance Theatre (at Woodruff Arts Center) – 1280 Peachtree St NE
  • Stage productions, readings, workshops
• Atlanta Symphony Hall – 1280 Peachtree St NE
  • Symphony performances and guest artists

Piedmont Park – 400 Park Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30306

• Frequent festivals, charity walks, outdoor concerts, and art shows
• Regular activity around the dog parks, athletic fields, tennis center, and running trails
• Seasonal events (outdoor movies, food-and-drink festivals, cultural festivals)

Midtown nightlife and dining corridors:

• Along Peachtree St NE (near the Midtown MARTA Station)
• Around 10th St NE, 11th St NE, and Crescent Ave NE

These streets are usually active with:

• Bars, lounges, and live music
• Late-night food options
• Weekend crowds, especially Friday and Saturday evenings

3. The BeltLine: Walking, Biking, Food, and Pop-Up Events

The Atlanta BeltLine is one of the most reliable places to find something happening almost any day, especially on the Eastside Trail.

Eastside Trail highlights (roughly from Inman Park to Midtown):

• Public art installations and murals
• Pop-up markets, small performances, fitness classes
• Direct access to neighborhoods like Inman Park, Old Fourth Ward, and Virginia-Highland
• Easy access to Ponce City Market – 675 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30308

Ponce City Market itself often has:

• Rooftop games and seasonal attractions
• Indoor retail and food hall activity
• Holiday and weekend-themed events

Other active BeltLine areas:

• Westside Trail (Lee St SW to Marietta Blvd NW) – more residential but growing restaurant and brewery scene
• Southside and Northside segments – quieter but used for biking, running, and community events

When in doubt, start at Ponce City Market or Historic Fourth Ward Park and walk the Eastside Trail; you’ll likely encounter something happening, especially on weekends and evenings.

4. Neighborhood Festivals and Community Events

Atlanta’s neighborhoods regularly host block parties, art walks, food truck nights, parades, porch concerts, and cultural festivals. These vary by season but follow certain patterns.

Some neighborhoods that frequently have events:

• Old Fourth Ward – markets, food events, music near the BeltLine and Edgewood Ave
• Inman Park – historic home tours, festivals in and around Euclid Ave
• Virginia-Highland – street fairs, bar crawls, and local markets near N. Highland Ave NE
• Grant Park – festivals near the park and Oakland Cemetery (248 Oakland Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312)
• West End – cultural events, BeltLine-related activities, and community markets

If you live in Atlanta, it’s worth checking your neighborhood association, local rec center, or community bulletin boards—they’re often how residents find out what’s going on that may not be widely advertised.

5. Sports and Live Games

Atlanta is a major sports city, and games are happening much of the year across different leagues.

Typical live sports options:

• Atlanta Hawks (NBA) – State Farm Arena, 1 State Farm Dr, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Atlanta Falcons (NFL) – Mercedes-Benz Stadium, 1 AMB Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
• Atlanta United FC (MLS) – also at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
• College sports:
  • Georgia Tech (Midtown area, around Bobby Dodd Stadium, 150 Bobby Dodd Way NW)
  • Nearby universities frequently have basketball, baseball, and other sports in season

Even when no pro game is scheduled, stadiums often host:

• Stadium tours
• Large-scale events like concerts, conferences, and specialty sports (soccer friendlies, college championships)

6. Music, Theater, and Live Shows

Atlanta’s live entertainment scene is active year-round. Any given week, you can usually find:

• Concerts at:

  • Tabernacle – 152 Luckie St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Variety Playhouse – 1099 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
  • Coca-Cola Roxy Theatre (at The Battery near Truist Park, just outside city limits)
  • Smaller clubs and venues in Little Five Points, East Atlanta Village, and Midtown

• Theater and performing arts:

  • Fox Theatre – 660 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
  • Alliance Theatre – 1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
  • Local and experimental theaters across Midtown, Little Five Points, and West Midtown

• Comedy:

  • Clubs and bars in Buckhead, Midtown, East Atlanta, and downtown host weekly stand-up nights and open mics

For visitors or new residents, checking venue marquees while walking or driving by is a quick way to see what’s on that night.

Seasonal Patterns: What’s Going On in Atlanta By Time of Year

Atlanta’s activities follow a seasonal rhythm. While exact dates change, you can expect the following types of events:

If you’re planning a visit, timing your trip around spring or fall often gives you the widest range of outdoor things to do without extreme heat.

Family-Friendly Things Going On Right Now

Atlanta is generally family-friendly, with many attractions and public spaces running ongoing programs for kids and families.

Popular options:

• Zoo Atlanta – 800 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30315
  • Animal exhibits, keeper talks, seasonal events
• Fernbank Museum – 767 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30307
  • Science exhibits, natural history, outdoor forested trails and play areas
• Children’s Museum of Atlanta – 275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
• Atlanta Botanical Garden – 1345 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
  • Children’s garden, seasonal lights and displays

Parks with active playgrounds and regular community use include:

• Piedmont Park – central meeting spot with playgrounds, open fields
• Grant Park – near Zoo Atlanta, with big green spaces and playgrounds
• Chastain Memorial Park – 140 W Wieuca Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30342

Free or Low-Cost Things To Do in Atlanta Right Now

If you’re looking for cheap or free activities, Atlanta usually has several options at any given time:

• Walk the BeltLine – free access; pay only for food or rentals if you choose

• Stroll Piedmont Park or Grant Park – free to enter and explore

• Explore downtown public spaces:

  • Centennial Olympic Park
  • Woodruff Park
  • Public art and murals in downtown and along the BeltLine

• Historic Oakland Cemetery – 248 Oakland Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312

  • Free to walk (tours or events may have a fee)

• Public libraries:

  • Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System – Central Library
    • 1 Margaret Mitchell Sq, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Many branches host free story times, workshops, talks, and community programs

Indoor Things To Do When Weather Isn’t Great

When it’s too hot, rainy, or chilly, Atlanta still offers plenty of indoor options:

• Museums and attractions (many clustered downtown or Midtown):

  • Georgia Aquarium
  • World of Coca-Cola
  • National Center for Civil and Human Rights
  • High Museum of Art
  • Fernbank Museum

• Indoor entertainment:

  • Bowling alleys, escape rooms, gaming lounges across the city
  • Movie theaters in Midtown, Buckhead, and surrounding areas
  • Indoor sections of Ponce City Market and Krog Street Market

• Shopping districts:

  • Lenox Square – 3393 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326
  • Phipps Plaza – 3500 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30326
  • Smaller boutiques in Virginia-Highland, Inman Park, and West Midtown

How Locals Stay Updated on What’s Going On Right Now

Because Atlanta events change daily, locals often combine a few habits to stay current:

• Check venue calendars for places they visit often (Fox Theatre, State Farm Arena, High Museum, local bars and clubs)
• Follow neighborhood social media and community boards (especially for block parties, local markets, or small concerts)
• Pay attention to MARTA and downtown signage, which often advertises big events, parades, and festivals
• Use visitor centers if they’re near downtown hotels or Centennial Olympic Park for up-to-date print guides

If you’re new to Atlanta, you can adopt the same approach—pick a few areas you like (Midtown, BeltLine, downtown, a favorite neighborhood) and track what’s happening there week by week.

Quick Tips for Enjoying What’s Going On in Atlanta

• Plan around traffic and parking 🚗
  Big events near downtown, Midtown, or The Battery can create heavy traffic. MARTA is often the easier choice for major concerts and games.

• Check hours and entry requirements
  Attractions sometimes change hours for special events or private rentals. Some require timed tickets or clear bags for entry.

• Hydrate and dress for the weather
  Atlanta can be hot and humid in summer and unpredictable in spring and fall. Light clothing, comfortable shoes, and a water bottle go a long way.

• Have a backup plan
  If a festival is crowded or sold out, nearby areas (like Midtown around Piedmont Park or Old Fourth Ward near Ponce City Market) usually have plenty of alternative options.

If you’re in Atlanta right now, the most reliable strategy is to pick a busy district—downtown, Midtown, the BeltLine, or a festival-heavy neighborhood—and explore on foot. Between major venues, parks, neighborhood events, and year-round attractions, you’ll almost always find something active, interesting, and distinctly Atlanta happening nearby.