What’s Going On In Atlanta This Weekend? Your Local Guide to Events, Festivals, and Fun

Looking for what’s happening in Atlanta this weekend? Whether you live in the city, you’re visiting for a few days, or you’re helping someone plan their time here, Atlanta usually has a full lineup of festivals, concerts, sports, and neighborhood happenings.

Below is a practical, evergreen-style guide to help you figure out what’s going on in Atlanta on any given weekend, plus the types of events you’re most likely to find and where they usually happen.

Quick Ways to Find What’s Going On in Atlanta This Weekend

Since specific events change every week, the most reliable strategy is to combine a few Atlanta-focused sources:

1. Check major event districts and venues

These parts of town almost always have something going on on weekends:

• Downtown & Centennial Olympic Park Area
  Often hosts large festivals, conventions, and family events.
  Typical attractions nearby:

  • State Farm Arena (concerts, NBA games)
  • Mercedes-Benz Stadium (NFL, soccer, concerts)
  • Georgia World Congress Center (conventions, expos)
  • Centennial Olympic Park (outdoor festivals, public events)

• Midtown Atlanta
  Strong for arts, nightlife, and cultural events:

  • Fox Theatre – touring Broadway shows, concerts, comedy
  • Woodruff Arts Center – High Museum of Art, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Alliance Theatre
  • Piedmont Park – festivals, fitness events, outdoor markets

• Westside & Atlantic Station
  Good for pop-up markets, outdoor movie nights, and seasonal events.
  Atlantic Station frequently hosts outdoor skating rinks (in winter), holiday events, and weekend activities on the green.

• Buckhead
  Tends to have nightlife, upscale dining events, and some art gatherings, especially around Peachtree Road and the Buckhead Village area.

• Eastside Neighborhoods (Old Fourth Ward, Inman Park, Little Five Points)
  Great for street festivals, live music, and local markets, especially along the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail and in neighborhood business districts.

2. Use Atlanta’s “go-to” weekend patterns

You can almost always find:

• A festival or fair somewhere in the metro, especially in spring and fall
• Live music in Midtown, East Atlanta, Little Five Points, and along Memorial Drive
• At least one sports game (Braves, Falcons, Hawks, Atlanta United, college teams, or minor leagues) in season
• Farmers markets on Saturday and Sunday mornings
• Pop-up markets and food truck events in major neighborhoods

3. Check official and stable information sources

While exact lineups change, these are consistently useful:

• City of Atlanta – Parks & Recreation
  Often lists official city events in parks and recreation centers.

  • City Hall: 55 Trinity Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Main line: (404) 330-6000

• Georgia World Congress Center / Mercedes-Benz Stadium / State Farm Arena calendars
  Good for big concerts, sports, and conventions.

Big Categories of Atlanta Weekend Events

Festivals and Fairs

Atlanta is known for neighborhood festivals and seasonal events. On most weekends (especially March–June and September–November), you’ll find at least one festival somewhere in the metro area.

Common types of festivals you might find:

• Food & Drink Festivals

  • BBQ, wings, and “taste of” neighborhood events
  • Beer, wine, and cocktail festivals (often 21+ and ticketed)

• Arts & Culture Festivals

  • Juried art festivals in parks (Piedmont Park, Chastain Park, Old Fourth Ward)
  • Neighborhood arts celebrations in places like Inman Park or Decatur
  • Cultural heritage festivals highlighting music, dance, and food from different communities

• Music & Street Festivals

  • Multi-stage outdoor music events
  • Street fairs with bands, DJs, and vendors in areas such as Little Five Points or East Atlanta

💡 Tip: Festivals near MARTA stations (like Downtown, Midtown, and some Eastside events with bus connections) can be easier to reach on busy weekends with limited parking.

Concerts and Live Music

Atlanta’s weekend music scene is usually busy, with options ranging from major headliners to local acts.

Common places to look:

• Arenas and Large Venues

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

• Historic & Mid-sized Venues

  • Fox Theatre – 660 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
  • Tabernacle – near Centennial Olympic Park (Downtown)
  • Variety Playhouse – 1099 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307 (Little Five Points)

• Smaller Clubs and Neighborhood Spots

  • East Atlanta Village, Little Five Points, and the Westside regularly feature local bands and DJs
  • Bars and restaurants around Edgewood Avenue, Poncey-Highland, and Old Fourth Ward often host live sets on Friday and Saturday nights

If you’re staying in a hotel in Downtown or Midtown, it’s common to find walkable nightlife and live performances within a few blocks.

Sports and Game-Day Events

Depending on the season, weekend events in Atlanta often center around professional and college sports:

• NFL – Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (fall and early winter)
• MLS – Atlanta United FC at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (spring through fall)
• NBA – Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena (fall through spring)
• MLB – Atlanta Braves at Truist Park (in nearby Cumberland; spring through early fall)
• College Football on Saturdays in the fall (Georgia Tech in Midtown; various special games in Atlanta’s major stadiums)
• Occasional college basketball tournaments, bowl games, and championship events in the Downtown stadiums and arenas

Game days often come with:

• Tailgating near the stadiums
• Pre- and post-game events at nearby bars and restaurants
• Heavier traffic and crowded MARTA trains around GWCC/CNN Center, Vine City, and Five Points stations

Arts, Theater, and Culture

If you’re more interested in indoor, cultural, or family-friendly events, Atlanta has a steady lineup:

• Theater & Performing Arts

  • Fox Theatre – touring Broadway, large live shows
  • Alliance Theatre at the Woodruff Arts Center – professional regional theatre
  • Smaller theatre companies across Midtown, Inman Park, and West Midtown offer plays, improv, and comedy

• Museums and Exhibitions

  • High Museum of Art – 1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
    Often has weekend tours, family days, or special exhibitions.
  • Atlanta History Center – 130 W Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305
    Period events, living history, and rotating exhibits.
  • Fernbank Museum of Natural History – 767 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30307
    Good for science, nature, and family activities on weekends.
  • Center for Civil and Human Rights – 100 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
    Located near Centennial Olympic Park, often active with visitors on weekends.

• Comedy & Improv

  • Comedy clubs and improv theaters throughout Midtown, Buckhead, and East Atlanta typically run Friday/Saturday shows.

Family-Friendly Things Going On This Weekend

Families in Atlanta typically look for parks, kid-friendly attractions, and hands-on events. These spots often have special weekend programming:

• Zoo Atlanta – 800 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30315
  Located in historic Grant Park; weekends often feel lively with animal encounters and seasonal activities.

• Georgia Aquarium – 225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
  Near Centennial Olympic Park; expect more visitors and extended hours on weekends.

• Children’s Museum of Atlanta – 275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
  Especially popular for younger children.

• Fernbank Museum & Fernbank Forest – Educational exhibits, giant screen films, and outdoor nature experiences.

• Parks and Playgrounds

  • Piedmont Park – large playgrounds, dog park, walking trails
  • Grant Park, Chastain Park, and Westside Park – walking, picnics, and casual recreation

Weekend family events often include:

• Story times, crafts, and kid workshops at museums or libraries
• Outdoor movie nights in parks (especially spring–fall)
• Nature walks and ranger-led activities at regional parks

Outdoor Activities and BeltLine Events

If the weather is good, Atlanta’s outdoor scene is usually busy on weekends:

• Atlanta BeltLine
  The Eastside Trail, Westside Trail, and Southside segments are popular for:

  • Walking, biking, and scootering
  • Outdoor fitness classes
  • Pop-up art, markets, and performers
  • Restaurants and breweries with patios along the trail

• Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (just outside the city core)
  Many Atlantans head to the river for:

  • Kayaking and tubing (seasonal)
  • Hiking along river trails
  • Picnic spots with river views

• Stone Mountain Park (east of the city, but commonly part of weekend plans)
  Hiking, family attractions, and seasonal events like laser shows or holiday festivals.

Markets, Food Trucks, and Local Shopping

For a more laid-back weekend, you might plan around markets and local food:

• Farmers Markets
  Common weekend options in and around Atlanta:

  • Neighborhood farmers markets (often Saturday or Sunday mornings)
  • Seasonal markets featuring local produce, baked goods, and crafts

• Atlanta Food Truck Events
  Rotating food truck gatherings often appear:

  • Near major parks
  • At breweries
  • In suburban town centers around the metro

• Pop-up Markets and Vintage Fairs
  Expect vintage clothing, local artists, handmade goods, and collectibles in:

  • West Midtown warehouses
  • BeltLine-adjacent spaces
  • Parking lots and plazas in the city’s in-town neighborhoods

Nightlife, Bars, and Late-Night Events

If you’re looking for after-dark activities in Atlanta this weekend, typical hotspots include:

• Midtown – Clubs, dancing, LGBTQ+ bars, rooftop lounges
• Buckhead – Lounges, high-end bars, and late-night restaurants
• Edgewood Avenue & Old Fourth Ward – Trendy bars, live DJs, lively street atmosphere
• East Atlanta Village & Little Five Points – Dive bars, indie venues, and casual nightlife

Weekend nightlife often features:

• DJ sets and themed dance nights
• Trivia, karaoke, and open mic events
• Special parties tied to holidays, game days, or festivals

Sample Weekend Planning Cheat Sheet

Use this simple overview to sketch out what might be going on around Atlanta on a typical weekend and where to look:

Practical Tips for Enjoying Atlanta This Weekend

To get the most out of whatever is going on:

• Consider MARTA or rideshare for major events Downtown or in Midtown; parking can be expensive or limited near big venues.
• Plan extra time if a pro game or large concert is happening at Mercedes-Benz Stadium or State Farm Arena; traffic and security lines can be longer.
• Check hours and tickets in advance, especially for:
  • Museums and attractions
  • Festivals that require admission
  • Popular restaurants for brunch or dinner reservations
• Watch the weather. Atlanta weather can change quickly; outdoor events sometimes adjust schedules if storms roll through.
• Keep an eye on neighborhood events. Many of the best things to do—like small markets, block parties, or local concerts—are promoted locally and may not show up on national event lists.

On any given weekend in Atlanta, you can usually choose between big-city experiences (arena shows, professional sports, major museums) and neighborhood-style fun (festivals, live music, markets, BeltLine walks). Build your plans around the areas and activities above, and you’ll have a solid handle on what’s going on in Atlanta this weekend.