Atlanta Weekend Concerts: How to Find the Best Shows Every Week

Atlanta’s weekend concert scene is one of the busiest in the Southeast. From major tours at State Farm Arena to intimate jazz in Old Fourth Ward, there is almost always live music happening from Friday through Sunday.

This guide walks you through where to look, what venues to know, how tickets usually work, and local tips so you can reliably find great Atlanta weekend concerts—whether you live here or are just in town for a couple of days.

Where Atlanta Weekend Concerts Usually Happen

Atlanta’s concerts are clustered in a few key areas: Downtown, Midtown, West Midtown, Eastside neighborhoods, and suburban amphitheaters. Knowing the main venues helps you quickly scan what’s on any given Friday–Sunday.

Major Arenas & Large Venues

These are where you’ll typically catch big-name national and international acts on weekend nights:

• State Farm Arena – 1 State Farm Dr, Atlanta, GA 30303
  Type: Large indoor arena (NBA’s Hawks home court)
  Typical shows: Major pop, hip-hop, R&B, rock, Latin tours
  Good to know: Many Friday/Saturday night concerts; parking garages nearby and direct MARTA access via GWCC/CNN Center station.

• Mercedes-Benz Stadium – 1 AMB Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
  Type: Stadium
  Typical shows: Stadium-level pop/rock, major tours, festivals
  Good to know: Concerts here are less frequent but tend to be massive events, often on Friday or Saturday nights.

• Fox Theatre – 660 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
  Type: Historic theater in Midtown
  Typical shows: Classic rock, soul, R&B, special performances, plus Broadway shows
  Good to know: Many weekend events; assigned seating; parking decks along Peachtree and Ponce.

Popular Indoor Concert Venues (Mid-Size & Clubs)

These venues are where many weekend concerts in Atlanta regularly take place, especially for touring artists that are past the club phase but not arena-level:

• Tabernacle – 152 Luckie St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  Style: Converted church, standing-room floor with some balcony seating
  Typical shows: Rock, alt, electronic, R&B, comedy
  Neighborhood: Downtown, near Centennial Olympic Park

• Coca-Cola Roxy – 800 Battery Ave SE #500, Atlanta, GA 30339
  Style: Modern theater-style concert venue
  Typical shows: Rock, hip-hop, country, pop
  Neighborhood: The Battery Atlanta (next to Truist Park)
  Weekend pattern: Many Friday and Saturday night shows when the Braves are not playing.

• The Eastern – 777 Memorial Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30316
  Style: Newer multi-level venue with balcony and rooftop
  Typical shows: Indie, electronic, alternative, hip-hop
  Neighborhood: Reynoldstown, near the BeltLine

• Variety Playhouse – 1099 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
  Style: Historic theater with seated/standing mix
  Typical shows: Jam bands, folk, indie, Americana, classic acts
  Neighborhood: Little Five Points

• Center Stage Atlanta / Vinyl / The Loft – 1374 W Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309
  Style: Three venues in one complex
  Typical shows: Rock, hip-hop, singer-songwriter, local showcases
  Neighborhood: Midtown

Smaller Clubs, Bars, and Local Music Spots

If you’re looking for more intimate weekend concerts, emerging artists, or late-night sets, these kinds of venues are common go-tos:

• Terminal West – 887 W Marietta St NW C, Atlanta, GA 30318
  Neighborhood: West Midtown
  Typical weekend vibe: Electronic, jam, funk, indie; many Friday/Saturday shows.

• Aisle 5 – 1123 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
  Neighborhood: Little Five Points
  Typical weekend vibe: Local bands, hip-hop showcases, experimental sets.

• Smith’s Olde Bar – 1578 Piedmont Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30324
  Neighborhood: Piedmont Heights
  Typical weekend vibe: Rock, cover bands, singer-songwriters, local showcases.

• Eddie’s Attic – 515 N McDonough St, Decatur, GA 30030
  Just east of Atlanta in Decatur
  Typical weekend vibe: Acoustic shows, songwriter rounds, quieter listening room.

• Jazz & lounge-style spots often host late-night Friday/Saturday sets in neighborhoods like Buckhead, Midtown, and Downtown, featuring jazz, soul, and R&B.

Outdoor & Seasonal Weekend Concerts in Atlanta

Atlanta’s climate supports a strong spring, summer, and fall outdoor concert schedule, especially on weekends.

Amphitheaters & Large Outdoor Stages

• Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park – 4469 Stella Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30342
  Style: Outdoor amphitheater in Buckhead
  Typical shows: Legacy acts, adult contemporary, R&B, pop
  Season: Warm months, especially May–September, often Friday/Saturday nights.

• Cellairis Amphitheatre at Lakewood – 2002 Lakewood Way SW, Atlanta, GA 30315
  Style: Large outdoor amphitheater
  Typical shows: Rock, country, hip-hop, big summer tours
  Season: Mainly late spring through early fall weekend shows.

• Ameris Bank Amphitheatre – 2200 Encore Pkwy, Alpharetta, GA 30009
  Technically outside Atlanta but popular with metro-area residents
  Typical shows: Big touring acts; many Friday/Saturday concerts in summer.

Neighborhood Concert Series & Free Weekend Music

Many Atlanta neighborhoods host seasonal weekend music series, often family-friendly:

Common types include:

• Park concert series (often on Friday nights or Sundays)
• Downtown or Midtown plazas with Saturday evening performances
• BeltLine-adjacent stages and pop-up events

Because dates and lineups change annually, it’s best to:

• Check the City of Atlanta Parks and Recreation announcements.
• Review neighborhood-specific calendars (for example, for Piedmont Park or Grant Park events).
• Look at major mixed-use developments’ event pages (such as The Battery Atlanta or Atlantic Station) for outdoor weekend concerts and festivals.

How to Find Atlanta Weekend Concerts Quickly

To see what’s playing this Friday–Sunday, most locals use a mix of:

• Venue calendars – Searching the venue’s name plus “events” or “calendar” usually shows upcoming shows.
• City and entertainment listings – Local media and event-listing sites tend to have “This Weekend in Atlanta” sections.
• Artist searches – If you have a specific artist in mind, search their name plus “Atlanta” and check official tour dates.
• Neighborhood event calendars – Areas like Downtown, Midtown, West Midtown, Little Five Points, East Atlanta Village, and Buckhead often promote local shows.

When scanning listings, focus on:

• Date and time (weekend nights often have later start times).
• Age restrictions (18+ or 21+ is common at some clubs).
• Door vs. show time (doors may open an hour or more before music starts).

Typical Music Styles You’ll Find on Atlanta Weekends

Atlanta’s music culture is broad. On any given weekend, you can usually find:

• Hip-Hop & R&B – A core part of Atlanta’s identity, especially near Downtown, Midtown, and in certain clubs and lounges across the city.
• Trap and Southern rap – At select clubs and special events.
• Rock & Alternative – At mid-size venues like Tabernacle, The Eastern, Variety Playhouse, and smaller rooms like Terminal West or Aisle 5.
• Pop & Top 40 – At arenas, theaters, and festival-style events.
• Country & Americana – At amphitheaters and certain Midtown/Buckhead venues.
• Jazz, soul, and blues – At lounges, hotel bars, and specialty spots, often with late-night Friday and Saturday sets.
• EDM & electronic – In clubs and mid-size venues, especially in West Midtown and along major nightlife corridors.

If you have a preferred genre, narrow your search by adding it to “Atlanta concerts this weekend.”

What to Expect With Tickets, Prices, and Seating

Ticket Basics for Atlanta Weekend Concerts

For most concerts:

• Tickets are sold online through official box offices and recognized ticket platforms.
• Fees are commonly added on top of base prices, especially for larger shows.
• Presales sometimes start midweek, with general public sales opening shortly after.

For smaller venues, you might see:

• Lower advance prices and slightly higher door prices.
• Cash or card at the door for local-band shows.

Seating vs. Standing

Atlanta venues vary a lot in layout:

• Arenas and theaters (State Farm Arena, Fox Theatre, Coca-Cola Roxy) – Often have assigned seating, with some floor standing-only sections depending on the show.
• Clubs and smaller venues (Terminal West, Aisle 5, Smith’s Olde Bar) – Usually have general admission standing, sometimes with limited seating along the sides or balcony.
• Amphitheaters – Often a mix of reserved seats and a lawn section where you can bring blankets or low chairs (check each venue’s specific rules).

Getting Around: Transportation Tips for Weekend Concerts

Atlanta traffic and parking can affect your concert experience, especially on weekends.

MARTA and Public Transit

For major venues, MARTA can be a practical option:

• State Farm Arena & Mercedes-Benz Stadium
  • Closest MARTA stations: GWCC/CNN Center, Vine City, or Five Points
• Fox Theatre
  • Closest MARTA station: Midtown or North Avenue on the Red/Gold lines
• Midtown and Downtown venues often sit within walking distance of a MARTA station.

If you plan to ride MARTA:

• Check last train times, especially after late-night Friday or Saturday shows.
• Consider purchasing your fare before the event to avoid lines afterward.

Driving and Parking

• Downtown and Midtown: Expect paid decks and limited street parking, especially during big events.
• Neighborhood venues like those in Little Five Points or East Atlanta Village: Often rely on a mix of small lots and street parking; arrive a bit early on weekend nights.
• Amphitheaters: Usually offer large paid parking lots; build in time for traffic before and after big weekend shows.

Rideshare is widely used, but pickup zones near stadiums and arenas can be crowded after events; follow posted signs and traffic officers’ directions.

Simple Overview: Common Atlanta Weekend Concert Options

Below is a quick at-a-glance look at how different types of venues usually function on weekends:

Practical Tips for Enjoying Atlanta Weekend Concerts

A few local habits can make your night smoother:

• Buy in advance when possible – Big Atlanta shows can sell out quickly, especially weekend dates.
• Check venue rules – Bag policies, clear bag requirements, camera rules, and prohibited items vary.
• Plan your timing – On busy weekends, aim to arrive 30–60 minutes before showtime, or earlier for general admission if you want to be near the front.
• Watch the weather for outdoor shows – Summer storms and heat are common; check if your event is rain-or-shine.
• Factor in Atlanta traffic – Friday rush hour and weekend events around Downtown, Midtown, and The Battery can slow you down.

If You’re Visiting Atlanta for the Weekend

For visitors who want to pack in concerts around sightseeing:

• Stay near your venue cluster – Downtown and Midtown hotels put you close to many major venues and MARTA.
• Combine a concert at State Farm Arena, Fox Theatre, or The Eastern with daytime visits to places like Centennial Olympic Park, the BeltLine, or Piedmont Park.
• If your show is at The Battery Atlanta or an amphitheater, consider planning your afternoon nearby to avoid extra driving.

By focusing on the main venues, checking weekend-focused event listings, and planning your transportation and timing, you can reliably find and enjoy Atlanta weekend concerts across every genre and budget level.