When Does the Atlanta Fair Leave? Dates, Details, and What to Know Before It Packs Up 🎡

If you’re trying to plan a visit and wondering “When do the Atlanta Fair leave?”, you’re really asking: how long is the Atlanta Fair in town, and when does it usually end each year?

Because the fair is a seasonal, temporary event, its exact closing date can change slightly from year to year. Still, there are clear patterns and practical ways to find the current year’s final day so you don’t miss it.

How Long Is the Atlanta Fair in Town?

The Atlanta Fair is a traveling-style fair that sets up in the city for several weeks, usually in late winter or early spring.

While specific dates change each year, the fair typically:

  • Opens: sometime in late February or early March
  • Closes: sometime in late March or early April
  • Runs for: roughly 4–6 weeks

The fair doesn’t stay in Atlanta all year. Once it ends its seasonal run, it packs up, leaves the city, and moves on to other locations.

Typical Atlanta Fair Season at a Glance

Use the following as a general rule of thumb (not exact dates):

DetailTypical Pattern (Varies by Year)
Event typeSeasonal traveling fair
Location (recent years)Near downtown Atlanta, close to Turner Field / Georgia State Stadium area
SeasonLate winter to early spring
Opening timeframeLate February or early March
Closing timeframeLate March to early April
Stays in town forAbout 1 to 1.5 months

Because these are general timeframes, you’ll always want to confirm the specific dates for the year you plan to attend.

How to Find This Year’s Atlanta Fair Closing Date

Since the fair is temporary and dates can shift, the best way to know exactly when the Atlanta Fair leaves Atlanta in a given year is to check current, official information.

Here are reliable ways to confirm:

1. Check the Fair’s Official Online Info

Most years, the Atlanta Fair posts:

  • Opening and closing dates
  • Daily hours
  • Ticket information
  • Special discount days

Look for the “Dates,” “Schedule,” or “Hours” section and note the final listed date – that’s when the fair is scheduled to end and leave.

2. Call or Visit Local Information Resources

If you’re in Atlanta and prefer to get information by phone or in person, you can try:

  • City of Atlanta information line (through the Mayor’s Office of Communications or general city information)
  • Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau
    233 Peachtree St NE
    Atlanta, GA 30303
    Phone: (404) 521-6600

Staff at visitor centers and city information lines are often familiar with major seasonal events like the Atlanta Fair and can tell you the current or upcoming season dates or direct you to the right source.

3. Check Local Atlanta News and Event Listings

Closer to the fair’s opening and closing dates, Atlanta-based news outlets and event calendars often:

  • Announce the fair’s opening weekend
  • Remind residents of the last weekend to visit
  • Highlight special days (e.g., student nights, discount days)

Searching for the current year plus “Atlanta Fair dates” in local news or event listings often gives you clear, up-to-date closing information.

What “Closing Day” Really Means

When the Atlanta Fair reaches its final scheduled day, here’s what you can typically expect:

  • The fair usually operates normal hours on its last day, unless weather or other conditions cause a change.
  • Once that final evening ends, the rides, games, and food stands generally begin breakdown and removal.
  • By the next several days, the fairgrounds area is usually in cleanup mode, and the fair is no longer operating.

If you want to go, plan to visit before the last weekend if possible, since:

  • Crowds can be heavier on the final days.
  • Weather or operational issues are more likely to cut into your last-minute plans.

How to Time Your Visit Around When the Fair Leaves

If you live in Atlanta or are visiting the city and trying to work the fair into your schedule, consider the following:

1. Visiting Early vs. Waiting

  • Early in the season

    • Often less crowded on weekdays
    • You have more flexibility if a day gets rained out
  • Near closing week

    • May feel more “urgent,” especially if it’s your only chance to go
    • Can be busier, especially on evenings and weekends

2. Watch for Weather Impacts

The Atlanta Fair often operates during a time of year when rainy or cool days are common in Atlanta. When bad weather hits, the fair may:

  • Open later
  • Close early
  • Close entirely for that day

If you’re planning a visit toward the end of the run, you have less backup time if poor weather cancels your plans. That’s another reason to avoid waiting until the absolute final day if you can help it.

Where the Atlanta Fair Usually Sets Up in Atlanta

While the exact setup can change, in recent years the Atlanta Fair has commonly been located:

  • In the downtown / south downtown area
  • Near Georgia State University Stadium / old Turner Field area

Because this can shift, especially as Atlanta continues to redevelop different areas, it’s always smart to:

  • Confirm the exact address or lot name on the current year’s event information
  • Check directions and parking details specific to that year

Practical Tips If You’re Going Before the Fair Leaves

If you’ve confirmed the closing date and are planning your trip, a few Atlanta-specific tips can make things smoother:

  • Plan for traffic:
    Downtown and south downtown Atlanta can get busy at rush hour, during Georgia State events, or when multiple events overlap. Build extra time into your schedule.

  • Check MARTA options:
    If you prefer not to drive, check MARTA train and bus routes that run near the fair’s current location.
    MARTA Headquarters:
    2424 Piedmont Rd NE
    Atlanta, GA 30324
    Phone: (404) 848-5000

  • Look for off-peak times:
    Weekday evenings (outside of special promotions) may be somewhat less crowded than Friday and Saturday nights, especially near the end of the fair’s run.

  • Confirm hours on the last day:
    Hours can vary by day of week, and closing times may differ from earlier parts of the season. Always double-check the last day’s posted hours so you don’t arrive too late.

Key Takeaways: When Does the Atlanta Fair Leave Atlanta?

  • The Atlanta Fair does not stay year-round; it’s a temporary, seasonal event.
  • It typically runs from late February or early March to late March or early April.
  • The fair usually leaves Atlanta right after its final scheduled day, packing up and moving on to its next stop.
  • To know this year’s exact closing date, always:
    • Check the fair’s current official information
    • Verify dates through local Atlanta event listings or visitor resources
  • If you want to go, don’t rely only on the final weekend; plan a visit earlier in the run whenever possible to avoid missing out if weather or schedule changes occur.

By confirming the current year’s schedule and planning around Atlanta’s traffic, weather, and your own calendar, you can make sure you catch the Atlanta Fair before it leaves town.