Furry Weekend Atlanta: Your Local Guide to Atlanta’s Biggest Furry Convention

Furry Weekend Atlanta (FWA) is one of the largest furry conventions in the Southeast, and it takes place right in the heart of downtown Atlanta, Georgia. Whether you’re a local curious about what’s happening at the Georgia World Congress Center, a visitor planning a trip, or someone wondering how Furry Weekend “works” in Atlanta, this guide walks you through what to expect and how to make the most of it.

What Is Furry Weekend Atlanta?

Furry Weekend Atlanta is a multi-day fan convention celebrating anthropomorphic (humanlike) animals and the broader furry fandom. Attendees may:

• Wear fursuits or partial costumes
• Enjoy art, comics, games, and music centered on animal characters
• Attend panels, workshops, dances, and meetups
• Connect with artists, writers, and other fans

In Atlanta, FWA typically runs over a long weekend (often in the spring) and draws thousands of attendees from across Georgia, the Southeast, and beyond.

Where Furry Weekend Atlanta Happens in Atlanta

Furry Weekend Atlanta is usually centered in downtown Atlanta, using a combination of:

• Convention space – often large halls and meeting rooms at or near:

  • Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC)
    285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW
    Atlanta, GA 30313

• Host hotels – large hotels in the Peachtree Center / Centennial Park area, commonly including:

  • Hotels along Courtland St NE, Peachtree Center Ave NE, and Baker St NW, within walking distance of MARTA Peachtree Center Station and GWCC.

Exact venues, hotel blocks, and addresses can vary by year, so it’s important to check the current year’s official event details. However, you can reliably expect everything to be located within central downtown, close to:

• Centennial Olympic Park
• State Farm Arena
• Mercedes-Benz Stadium

This makes the convention easy to reach using public transit and walkable from many major Atlanta landmarks.

Getting to Furry Weekend Atlanta

Using MARTA

For most attendees, MARTA is the easiest way to reach Furry Weekend Atlanta without worrying about parking.

Key MARTA stations for FWA:

• Peachtree Center Station (Red/Gold lines)

  • Ideal for host hotels and Peachtree Center-area events
  • Direct access via escalators/elevators into the Peachtree Center complex

• GWCC/CNN Center Station (Blue/Green lines)

  • Convenient for the Georgia World Congress Center, State Farm Arena, and Centennial Olympic Park area

Tips for MARTA use:

• Buy a Breeze Card at any rail station.
• Trains from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport run directly to Peachtree Center on the Red/Gold line, making it simple for out-of-town visitors.
• Late-night service runs on a reduced schedule, so check last train times if you’re staying off-site.

Driving and Parking

If you’re driving into Atlanta:

• Expect heavy traffic on I-75/85 through downtown, especially during rush hours, sports events, and other conventions.
• Look for parking near:
  • Georgia World Congress Center decks
  • Centennial Olympic Park garages
  • Private downtown parking garages and lots

Parking costs can add up, so many attendees staying at host hotels choose to park once and walk or use MARTA for the rest of the weekend.

What Happens at Furry Weekend Atlanta?

While schedules change year to year, you can expect a mix of:

Panels and Workshops

• Fandom 101 – introductions for newcomers
• Art and design workshops – drawing, digital art, character design
• Costuming and fursuit building – materials, construction, maintenance
• Community panels – discussion spaces, meetups by interest, identity, or region

Dealers Den and Artist Alley

These are major attractions for most attendees:

• Dealer’s Den
  • Vendors selling art prints, badges, comics, plushies, pins, props, and more
• Artist Alley
  • Individual artists taking commissions, sketching live, and selling smaller runs of prints or handmade items

Bring a budget and consider some cash, though many vendors accept cards or contactless payments.

Fursuit Activities

You’ll see plenty of fursuits around the convention hotels and halls:

• Fursuit parade – a large, organized walk-through where fursuiters show off costumes
• Fursuit photo shoots – group and individual photos
• Designated “headless lounges” – quiet, cooler spaces where costumers can take breaks, hydrate, and remove heads/parts comfortably

Even if you’re not in costume, you can watch, take photos (always ask when possible), and enjoy the spectacle.

Dances, Raves, and Night Events

Evenings often include:

• DJ sets and dances
• Game rooms with tabletop and video games
• Karaoke and open mics

Nightlife is a big part of the convention, but quiet spaces and family-friendly programming are typically available during daytime hours.

Registration and Badges

To enter most convention spaces, you’ll need a badge.

Typical Badge Types

Exact options, pricing, and age policies change yearly, so always review the latest registration information directly from event organizers.

On-Site vs. Pre-Registration

• Pre-registration
  • Usually cheaper and faster at check-in
  • Recommended if you know you’re going
• On-site registration
  • Available while the convention is running, space permitting
  • Lines may be long at peak times (Friday morning/afternoon)

Bring:

• A government-issued photo ID (for adults)
• Any necessary guardian or consent paperwork if attending as a minor
• Payment method that you’re comfortable using in a crowd (card, phone wallet, etc.)

Staying in Atlanta for Furry Weekend

Host Hotels vs. Nearby Options

FWA typically partners with host hotels that:

• Offer discounted room blocks
• Are physically connected or close to convention space
• Host many of the late-night events and social activity

If rooms sell out or you prefer alternatives, consider:

• Nearby hotels along Peachtree St NE, Courtland St NE, or Spring St NW
• Hotels around Midtown Atlanta (access via MARTA Red/Gold line to Peachtree Center)

Staying within walking distance of the main venues is a major convenience, especially for night events.

Safety and Local Awareness

Downtown Atlanta is used to hosting large conventions, from Dragon Con to professional conferences. For personal safety:

• Travel with friends or in small groups, especially at night
• Stick to well-lit, main streets around Peachtree Center, Centennial Park, and the GWCC
• Keep your badge visible in convention areas but put it away when leaving the event spaces
• Save the location of your hotel in your phone for easy navigation

What to Wear and Pack

Atlanta’s weather can be unpredictable, especially in spring.

Clothing

• Layers – hotel ballrooms and convention centers can be cold, even when it’s warm outside
• Comfortable walking shoes – you may walk several miles a day between hotels, venues, and food options
• An extra outfit – especially if you plan to attend dances or late events

For fursuiters:

• Plan for heat and humidity when moving between buildings
• Use cooling vests, fans, or ice packs as appropriate
• Take breaks in headless lounges and hydrate regularly

Essentials to Bring

• Reusable water bottle 💧
• Snacks (granola bars, nuts, small items you can keep in a bag)
• Phone charger and/or power bank
• Small emergency kit (bandages, pain reliever, blister care – nothing prescription unless it’s yours)
• Cash and card for vendors, food, and tipping hotel staff

Food and Dining Around the Convention

One advantage of being in downtown Atlanta is easy access to food.

Nearby options typically include:

• Fast-casual chains in and around Peachtree Center and along Peachtree St NE
• Food courts inside Peachtree Center and nearby office towers (weekday hours can vary)
• Casual sit-down restaurants around Centennial Olympic Park, Marietta St NW, and Luckie St NW
• Coffee shops in hotel lobbies and along main streets

Tips:

• Lines get long at peak times (noon–2 p.m.), especially during big events.
• Consider eating slightly off-peak or grabbing quick snacks in advance.
• Many attendees also bring non-perishable food to keep in their rooms.

Accessibility and Accommodations

Atlanta’s major convention venues and large hotels are generally designed with accessibility in mind, including:

• Elevators and accessible restroom facilities
• Ramps and accessible pathways to main event spaces
• Priority seating for some events, where clearly marked

If you have specific needs:

• Contact the host hotel in advance regarding room accessibility.
• Reach out to the convention organizers before the event to ask about any accessibility services, quiet spaces, or mobility support available that year.
• Use MARTA’s elevators (marked on station maps); Peachtree Center and GWCC/CNN Center stations both have accessible routes to street level.

Tips for Locals vs. Out-of-Town Visitors

For Atlanta Locals

• Day passes (if offered) can be a good option if you don’t plan to stay overnight.
• MARTA from neighborhoods near Red/Gold or Blue/Green lines is usually simpler than downtown parking.
• You can limit your visit to panels, dealers, and public areas if you’re just curious about the fandom.

For Visitors to Atlanta

• Flying in? MARTA from the airport to Peachtree Center is often faster than rideshares during peak traffic.
• If you plan to explore the city beyond the convention:
  • Nearby attractions include the Georgia Aquarium, World of Coca-Cola, and College Football Hall of Fame.
• Consider a day or two before/after the con to see more of Atlanta without juggling con schedules.

Respectful Participation and Etiquette

Furry Weekend Atlanta is generally known for being welcoming and diverse. To help keep it that way:

• Ask before hugging or taking close-up photos, even of fursuiters.
• Follow the convention’s code of conduct, which is posted on-site and in event materials.
• Use designated areas for anything loud (like musical instruments or speakers).
• Remember that downtown hotels and sidewalks are shared with other guests, families, and business travelers – be mindful of noise and blocking hallways.

If you run into a concern:

• Look for convention staff or volunteers (often clearly badged or uniformed).
• Hotel front desks can help with building-related issues (noise, elevators, room problems).
• For emergencies, call 911; for non-emergency public safety in the City of Atlanta, you can use the Atlanta Police Department non-emergency line at 404-658-6666.

How Furry Weekend Atlanta Fits Into Atlanta’s Convention Culture

Atlanta is already home to major fan gatherings like Dragon Con, MomoCon, and various comic and game events. Furry Weekend Atlanta:

• Adds a specialized, community-driven event focused on the furry fandom
• Brings noticeable costumes and color to downtown streets and hotel lobbies
• Contributes to the tourism and hospitality economy in early- to mid-year months

For nearby residents and businesses, this means:

• Increased foot traffic in and around Peachtree Center and Centennial Park
• More visitors using downtown restaurants, hotels, and transit
• A weekend where seeing people in animal costumes in hotel lobbies and on sidewalks is completely normal

By understanding where Furry Weekend Atlanta is held, how to get there, what happens during the event, and how it fits into Atlanta’s downtown environment, you can decide how you’d like to participate—whether that’s buying a full weekend badge, dropping in for a day, or simply planning your downtown visit around the extra crowds and colorful costumes.