What’s Happening in Atlanta This Weekend? Your Local Guide to Events, Activities & Things To Do

Looking for what’s happening in Atlanta this weekend? Whether you live here, you’re in town visiting, or you’re planning ahead, Atlanta almost always has something going on: festivals, live music, sports, family events, and low-key neighborhood activities.

Below is a practical, Atlanta-focused guide to help you figure out what to do this weekend—and how to quickly find up-to-date options any time.

Quick Snapshot: Weekend in Atlanta at a Glance

Use this as a starting point, then read on for details and how to track what’s current.

How to Find Atlanta’s Big Weekend Events Fast

Because specific events change every week, the best way to know what’s happening this particular weekend is to check a few reliable, Atlanta-based sources:

• City of Atlanta / Downtown event calendars – Often list festivals, parades, and major downtown events.
• Major venues (by name) – Check what’s scheduled this weekend at:
  • State Farm Arena (downtown) – concerts, NBA games, large shows
    1 State Farm Drive, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Mercedes‑Benz Stadium (downtown) – NFL, MLS, concerts, special events
    1 AMB Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
  • Fox Theatre (Midtown) – Broadway shows, concerts, comedy
    660 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
  • Truist Park / The Battery Atlanta (Cobb) – Braves games, concerts, family activities
    755 Battery Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30339

📝 Tip: If your question is literally “What’s happening in Atlanta this weekend?” and you don’t know where to start, checking the schedule at Fox Theatre, State Farm Arena, and Mercedes‑Benz Stadium will instantly tell you if there’s a big concert, game, or show in town.

Festivals, Markets & Seasonal Events

Atlanta’s weekend scene often revolves around neighborhood festivals, food truck events, and pop-up markets. These rotate by season, but you can expect:

Common Types of Weekend Festivals in Atlanta

• Food & drink festivals
  Often hosted in Piedmont Park, Old Fourth Ward, or around Grant Park. Expect local restaurants, breweries, and music.
• Art & maker markets
  Look for events in Ponce City Market, Atlanta BeltLine trail areas, or neighborhood squares like Virginia-Highland or Inman Park.
• Cultural celebrations & parades
  Downtown streets, Midtown, and the Atlanta University Center area frequently host cultural festivals and community events.
• Holiday & seasonal events
  • Spring: garden tours, cherry blossom themes, outdoor concerts
  • Summer: Juneteenth celebrations, Fourth of July fireworks, music festivals
  • Fall: neighborhood festivals (Inman Park, Cabbagetown, Little Five Points), Halloween events
  • Winter: holiday lights displays, seasonal markets, New Year’s celebrations

⭐ How to check what’s live this weekend:
Search for “Atlanta festival this weekend” or look up the event calendars for Piedmont Park, the Atlanta BeltLine, and Downtown Atlanta—these areas host a high concentration of weekend events.

Live Music, Nightlife & Entertainment

If you’re asking what’s happening in Atlanta this weekend, there’s a good chance you’re interested in music or nightlife. Atlanta’s scene changes nightly, but several areas consistently offer something:

Popular Nightlife & Live Music Areas

• Edgewood Avenue (Old Fourth Ward)
  Known for bars, DJs, and small clubs. Crowded and energetic on weekends.
• East Atlanta Village (EAV)
  Bars, music venues, and a laid-back, local feel. Good for live bands and DJ sets.
• Midtown
  Mix of bars, lounges, LGBTQ+ nightlife, and dance clubs within a walkable area.
• West Midtown / Westside
  Trendy restaurants, breweries, and some music venues in industrial-style spaces.
• Buckhead
  Lounges, hotel bars, and higher-end nightlife options.

Most venues post this weekend’s lineups on their own calendars or social pages. Look up established spots by name if you already have a neighborhood in mind.

Sports: Games, Matches & Watch Parties

Atlanta is a big sports town, and a major game can easily define “what’s happening this weekend.”

Where Major Games Happen

• Mercedes‑Benz Stadium – Atlanta Falcons (NFL) and Atlanta United FC (MLS), plus large college football games and major events.
  1 AMB Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
• State Farm Arena – Atlanta Hawks (NBA) and large concerts.
  1 State Farm Drive, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Truist Park – Atlanta Braves (MLB), plus concerts and festivals at The Battery Atlanta, the surrounding mixed-use district.
  755 Battery Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30339

Even if there isn’t a home game, many sports bars and neighborhood restaurants host watch parties on weekends, especially during football season.

📝 Tip: If you’re near Downtown or Midtown, you’ll often find game-day crowds walking to or from MARTA stations and venues. If you want to join the buzz, plan to arrive early; if you’re trying to avoid traffic, you may want to stay out of the immediate stadium areas on game days.

Family-Friendly Things to Do This Weekend

Families in Atlanta have plenty of weekend options that don’t depend on a specific special event.

Core Family Attractions Open Most Weekends

These major attractions typically operate every weekend (check hours before visiting):

• Georgia Aquarium
  225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
  One of the city’s most visited spots; often requires timed tickets on busy weekends.
• World of Coca‑Cola
  121 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
  Interactive exhibits and brand history near Centennial Olympic Park.
• Children’s Museum of Atlanta
  275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
  Designed for younger kids; hands-on exhibits and weekend programs.
• Zoo Atlanta
  800 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30315
  Located in Grant Park; often hosts themed family weekends or animal encounters.
• Fernbank Museum of Natural History & Fernbank Forest
  767 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30307
  Dinosaurs, science exhibits, and nature trails; some weekends include special programming.

Easy, Low-Cost Family Activities

• Atlanta BeltLine walks or bike rides
  The Eastside Trail (connecting Krog Street Market, Ponce City Market, and Piedmont Park) is especially popular.
• Playgrounds and splash pads in city parks
  Most neighborhoods have at least one park with a playground; larger parks sometimes add splash features in warmer months.
• Library events
  The Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System branches frequently offer weekend story times, craft activities, and teen programs.
  Central Library: 1 Margaret Mitchell Sq, Atlanta, GA 30303

Outdoors: Parks, Trails & Scenic Spots

If your idea of the perfect weekend in Atlanta is more fresh air and green space, there are reliable go‑to spots.

Top Atlanta Outdoor Areas for Weekends

• Piedmont Park
  1320 Monroe Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
  Great for walking, picnics, free exercise, and often the site of festivals and races.
• Atlanta BeltLine
  Multiple access points; the Eastside Trail is the most popular
  Ideal for walking, jogging, biking, and people-watching. Lots of art installations and BeltLine-adjacent restaurants.
• Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
  Popular access points near the Atlanta metro offer trails and river views; many people go for walking, kayaking, or just relaxing by the water.
• Stone Mountain Park (east of Atlanta)
  Known for hiking up the mountain and recreational areas; often hosts weekend events and seasonal attractions.

🧺 Weekend tip: Pack a blanket and snacks and build your day around a park stop—Piedmont Park and the BeltLine are especially convenient because you can easily add nearby coffee shops or restaurants to your plan.

Arts, Culture & History

Atlanta’s cultural attractions are active on weekends, with exhibits, tours, and sometimes special events or talks.

Major Cultural Stops

• High Museum of Art
  1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
  Midtown museum with rotating exhibits and permanent collections; many weekends include family activities or themed experiences.
• Atlanta History Center
  130 W Paces Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30305
  Exhibits on Atlanta and Southern history, plus historic homes and gardens.
• Center for Civil and Human Rights
  100 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
  Focused on the U.S. Civil Rights Movement and global human rights.
• Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park
  450 Auburn Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30312
  Includes King’s birth home area, Ebenezer Baptist Church, and visitor center exhibits. Weekends can be busy but very meaningful for visitors.

🎨 Local art & performance:
Beyond the big institutions, you’ll often find gallery walks, small theater shows, improv, and spoken word events in neighborhoods like Little Five Points, Old Fourth Ward, and West Midtown. Many of these are announced locally during the week and finalized close to the weekend.

Eating & Drinking: Neighborhoods to Explore

Even when there’s not a major event, simply exploring a neighborhood can be the answer to “What should we do in Atlanta this weekend?”

Neighborhoods Known for Food & Weekend Vibes

• Westside / West Midtown – Breweries, modern restaurants, and rooftop bars.
• Inman Park & Krog Street Market area – Walkable cluster of eateries, plus mural-covered Krog Street Tunnel nearby.
• Ponce City Market & Old Fourth Ward – Food hall, rooftop amusements (seasonal), and BeltLine access.
• Buford Highway corridor (northeast, just outside city limits) – Known for diverse international cuisine and casual weekend dining.

You don’t need a special event—these areas are usually lively on Friday and Saturday nights and increasingly busy during weekend brunch hours.

Budget-Friendly & Free Things to Do

You don’t have to spend much to have a full weekend in Atlanta.

Low-Cost or Free Options

• Walk the Atlanta BeltLine and explore public art and murals.
• Visit neighborhood farmers markets (in season) for browsing and local goods.
• Relax in city parks like Piedmont Park, Grant Park, or Historic Fourth Ward Park.
• Window-shop and people-watch at spots like Ponce City Market or The Battery Atlanta (free to walk around; you only pay for what you buy).
• Attend community events
  Local schools, community centers, and churches often host fairs, performances, and markets—especially in spring and fall.

Practical Tips for Navigating Atlanta on Weekends

Because major events can affect traffic and transit, a few local planning habits can make your weekend smoother.

Transportation & Parking

• MARTA (rail & bus)
  Helpful for reaching Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and stadiums without driving. Main rail lines run north–south and east–west through the city.
• Event parking near major venues
  Expect higher prices and heavier traffic around State Farm Arena, Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, and Truist Park on game or concert days.
• Rideshare zones
  Large venues usually designate specific pickup/drop‑off areas; check maps or signage to avoid long walks after events.

Safety & Timing

• Plan extra time when there’s a large event (concert, game, festival) near where you’re going.
• Many family attractions are busiest late morning to midafternoon; arriving earlier can shorten lines.
• Popular nightlife corridors (Edgewood, Midtown, Buckhead) peak late evening into night, especially on Fridays and Saturdays.

How to Answer “What’s Happening in Atlanta This Weekend?” Anytime

For any given weekend, you can quickly build a plan by:

1. Checking major venues (Fox Theatre, Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, Truist Park) to see if there’s a big game or show.
2. Scanning festival & park calendars for Piedmont Park, the Atlanta BeltLine, and Downtown/Old Fourth Ward for pop-up events.
3. Picking a neighborhood (like Inman Park, West Midtown, or Edgewood) if you want food + nightlife without a fixed agenda.
4. Adding one core attraction (Aquarium, Zoo Atlanta, High Museum, MLK National Historical Park) if you’re visiting or planning a structured day.
5. Filling in with parks and free options like BeltLine walks and city parks if you’re on a budget or want flexibility.

Using this approach, you can quickly customize your weekend around your interests—sports, food, nightlife, family activities, or just exploring Atlanta’s neighborhoods—no matter which weekend it is.