Atlanta Science Festival: Your Guide to Atlanta’s Biggest Celebration of Science

The Atlanta Science Festival is one of the city’s signature annual events, bringing science, technology, engineering, arts, and math to life across metro Atlanta. If you live in Atlanta, are visiting during the festival, or are just curious about what it is and how it works here, this guide walks you through what to expect, where to go, and how to make the most of it.

What Is the Atlanta Science Festival?

The Atlanta Science Festival (ASF) is a multi-day, citywide science celebration that usually takes place in early spring. Instead of being in one building or one day, it spreads out across dozens of venues in Atlanta and nearby communities.

You’ll find:

• Hands-on activities for kids and families
• Talks, panels, and demos with scientists and educators
• STEM-themed performances, art installations, and films
• A large outdoor Exploration Expo with booths, experiments, and live demonstrations

Events are designed to be accessible, fun, and welcoming whether you’re a science enthusiast or just looking for something interesting to do in Atlanta.

When and Where It Happens in Atlanta

While exact dates vary each year, the Atlanta Science Festival typically:

• Runs for about two weeks, often in March
• Culminates in a one-day Exploration Expo on a Saturday
• Uses locations across Atlanta and metro-area cities (Decatur, Sandy Springs, and more)

Common festival locations include:

• Piedmont Park – Often the site of the big Exploration Expo
• Georgia State University (Downtown campus) – Talks, demos, and student-led events
• Georgia Tech (Midtown) – Engineering and robotics activities
• Fernbank Science Center & Fernbank Museum of Natural History – Astronomy and natural history programs
• Atlanta public libraries & schools – Community-centered activities in neighborhoods
• Local museums and cultural centers – Special science-themed programming

Because the festival is spread across the city, it’s smart to review the event schedule in advance and plan which neighborhoods you’ll visit on which days.

Who Runs the Atlanta Science Festival?

The festival is organized by Science ATL, a nonprofit dedicated to building a stronger science culture in metro Atlanta. They partner with:

• Universities and colleges (like Georgia Tech and Georgia State University)
• Local school systems (Atlanta Public Schools, DeKalb County, and others)
• Museums and science centers
• City departments and community organizations

Their offices and mailing address may change over time, but the organization typically operates from central Atlanta locations and works closely with city institutions and schools.

If you need general information by phone or mail, look for Science ATL or the Atlanta Science Festival through official city and civic listings, or by contacting your local Atlanta-Fulton Public Library branch for current details.

What to Expect: Types of Events

Events are grouped to appeal to different ages and interests. You’ll often see:

Family & Kids’ Activities

These are some of the most popular events, especially for Atlanta parents looking for weekend or after-school activities.

Typical examples:

• Hands-on experiments with slime, robotics, magnets, or simple chemistry
• STEM storytimes at neighborhood libraries
• Nature walks in parks like Piedmont Park or Sweetwater Creek State Park (in the metro area)
• Star-gazing nights with telescopes hosted by local astronomy groups

Many of these are free or low-cost, which makes them a budget-friendly option for Atlanta families.

Adult & Teen Events

For older teens and adults, you’ll find events like:

• Talks on AI, biotech, climate, public health, and space exploration
• Science & art mashups, including music, visual art, and performance
• Science of food and drink events, sometimes hosted at local restaurants or breweries
• Panel discussions featuring Atlanta-based researchers and professionals

These are often held at universities, cultural centers, and sometimes at private venues around Midtown, Downtown, and Decatur.

Neighborhood & Community Programs

One of the festival’s strengths is how it reaches into Atlanta neighborhoods, not just the city center. You may see:

• Events at community centers in areas like Southwest Atlanta or East Atlanta
• Programs hosted by local nonprofits, environmental groups, and health organizations
• Workshops focused on urban agriculture, air quality, or local ecosystems

This makes it easier to participate even if you don’t want to travel far from your part of town.

The Exploration Expo: The Big Finale

The Exploration Expo is often the largest event of the Atlanta Science Festival and the one locals talk about most.

What It’s Like

The expo usually:

• Takes place on a Saturday, most often at or near Piedmont Park in Midtown
• Features dozens (sometimes hundreds) of booths
• Includes live demonstrations, short performances, and interactive shows
• Attracts families, school groups, and curious visitors from across metro Atlanta

You’ll see tables staffed by:

• University researchers and students
• Local businesses and startups with science or tech angles
• Museums, libraries, and nonprofits
• Government agencies focused on health, environment, or transportation

Many activities are hands-on: building simple circuits, exploring fossils, playing with VR headsets, trying small engineering challenges, and more.

Tips for Attending the Expo

• Arrive early: Parking in Midtown and around Piedmont Park can fill up quickly.
• Use MARTA:
  • Rail stations such as Midtown Station and Arts Center Station are often within walking distance.
  • Several bus routes serve the Piedmont Park area.
• Bring water and snacks: Food vendors are often present, but lines can be long.
• Dress for the weather: The expo is typically outdoors, and Atlanta’s spring weather can vary from cool and windy to warm and sunny.
• Have a meetup point: If you’re coming with kids or a group, pick a visible landmark in case you get separated.

Typical Costs and Registration

The Atlanta Science Festival is designed to be widely accessible.

• Many events are free to attend.
• Some programs require advance registration, especially for workshops with limited space.
• A few special events may charge a modest ticket fee (for example, performances, lab tours, or food-related programs).

To avoid day-of disappointment:

• Note whether an event is “free but ticketed” (you still need to sign up).
• Check age recommendations if you’re bringing young children or teens.
• Plan a few backup options in nearby neighborhoods in case something is full.

Getting Around: Transportation & Parking in Atlanta

Because the festival is spread across metro Atlanta, your transportation strategy matters.

Using MARTA

MARTA rail and bus can be a practical way to reach central festival venues:

• Downtown & Midtown events: Use Peachtree Center, Five Points, Georgia State, Midtown, or Arts Center stations.
• Decatur-area events: Use Decatur Station on the East/West (Blue) Line.

From these stations, some events will be within walking distance, while others may require a short bus ride or rideshare.

Driving and Parking

If you’re driving:

• Downtown & Midtown: Expect paid decks and limited street parking. Look near Georgia State University, Georgia Tech, and Piedmont Park.
• Neighborhood events: Street parking may be easier, but always check local signs and time limits.
• Family strategy: Consider dropping passengers closer to the venue and then parking to avoid long walks with small children.

Planning Your Festival Experience

Because there can be hundreds of events over multiple days, a little planning goes a long way.

Step-by-Step Planning Approach

1. Check the dates early

   • Mark the festival window and the Exploration Expo date on your calendar as soon as they’re announced.

2. Filter by your situation

   • Families with young kids: Look for “family,” “elementary,” or “K–5” tags and events at museums, parks, and libraries.
   • Teens & college students: Seek out robotics, coding, health sciences, and career-oriented panels.
   • Adults & professionals: Flag lectures, panel discussions, and evening events.

3. Cluster events by location

   • Spend one afternoon in Midtown (Georgia Tech, Piedmont Park).
   • Another day in Downtown (Georgia State, museums).
   • Another in Decatur or neighborhoods closer to where you live.

4. Build in travel time

   • Atlanta traffic can be unpredictable. Leave buffers between events, especially during weekday rush hours.

5. Have indoor backups

   • For rainy or hot days, prioritize indoor venues like universities, museums, and libraries.

Sample Ways an Atlantan Might Use the Festival

To make it more concrete, here are a few realistic scenarios:

• Parents in East Atlanta

  • Attend a weekday afternoon library event near home.
  • Spend Saturday at the Exploration Expo in Piedmont Park.
  • Finish with a Friday night star-gazing event hosted by a local astronomy group.

• Georgia Tech or Georgia State student

  • Check out campus-hosted talks or lab open houses.
  • Volunteer at a booth during the Exploration Expo for experience.
  • Network with professionals at evening panels downtown.

• Visitor staying in Downtown Atlanta

  • Walk or use MARTA to reach Midtown and Downtown events.
  • Pick one or two evenings for talks or performances.
  • Reserve the final Saturday for the Exploration Expo.

Quick Reference: Atlanta Science Festival at a Glance

Ways to Stay Connected in Atlanta

If you want to stay informed about future Atlanta Science Festival dates or related science activities in the city, you can:

• Ask your child’s school or PTA if they participate and how to get involved.
• Check science-related programming at:
  • Fernbank Science Center (Atlanta Public Schools facility in DeKalb County)
  • Fernbank Museum of Natural History (Clifton Road NE, Atlanta)
  • Local branches of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System
• Watch for flyers and announcements at universities, museums, and community centers around the city.

By planning ahead and using Atlanta’s transit, parks, and institutions to your advantage, you can turn the Atlanta Science Festival into a yearly tradition that helps you (and your family or friends) explore the science and innovation happening right here in metro Atlanta.