Events Near Atlanta: Your Guide to What’s Happening In and Around the City

Atlanta almost always has something going on—festivals, concerts, sports, family activities, and neighborhood events. If you’re searching for events near Atlanta, it helps to know the main hubs, typical types of events, and how to find what’s happening this week or next.

This guide focuses on Atlanta and nearby areas (usually within about a 45–60 minute drive), so you can quickly figure out what to do, where to go, and how to plan.

How Events “Near Atlanta” Are Usually Organized

When people talk about events “near Atlanta,” they generally mean:

• In-town neighborhoods (Midtown, Downtown, Buckhead, Westside, Old Fourth Ward)
• Close-in suburbs (Decatur, Sandy Springs, Brookhaven, Smyrna, East Point, College Park)
• Metro-area cities and towns (Marietta, Roswell, Alpharetta, Stone Mountain, Duluth, Lawrenceville)

Most recurring and larger events are centered around:

• Major venues (stadiums, arenas, theaters)
• Parks and outdoor spaces
• Downtown squares and historic districts in nearby cities

If you’re staying in central Atlanta, you can often reach many of these by MARTA, rideshare, or a short drive.

Major Event Hubs In and Near Atlanta

Downtown & Midtown Atlanta

These areas host many of the city’s largest and most visible events:

• Georgia World Congress Center
  285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
  Large conventions, expos, corporate events, and fan gatherings.

• Mercedes-Benz Stadium
  1 AMB Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
  NFL and MLS games, major concerts, national events, and large festivals.

• State Farm Arena
  1 State Farm Dr, Atlanta, GA 30303
  Basketball games, big-name concerts, comedy tours, and family shows.

• Fox Theatre (Midtown)
  660 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
  Touring Broadway shows, concerts, comedy, and special film events.

• Atlanta Symphony Hall (Woodruff Arts Center)
  1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309
  Classical music, pops concerts, and special performances.

Events near Atlanta often start here, especially if you’re looking for concerts, sports, conventions, or big-name tours.

Nearby City Centers (Within ~30 Minutes)

Several metro-area downtowns have their own busy event calendars:

• Decatur Square (City of Decatur)
  Centered around E Court Square, Decatur, GA 30030
  Known for book festivals, art shows, outdoor concerts, and food events.

• Historic Marietta Square
  50 N Park Square NE, Marietta, GA 30060
  Regular weekend festivals, holiday events, farmers markets, and art walks.

• Alpharetta City Center & Avalon Area
  Downtown Alpharetta, GA 30009
  Live music, food and wine events, holiday celebrations, and family activities.

• Roswell Historic District
  Canton St & Atlanta St area, Roswell, GA 30075
  Street festivals, art events, and outdoor concerts along a walkable stretch.

These areas are popular if you want events near Atlanta but outside the core city, often with easier parking and a smaller-town feel.

Common Types of Events Near Atlanta

1. Festivals & Fairs

In and around Atlanta, festivals happen almost every weekend in spring, summer, and fall. Common types include:

• Food & drink festivals (barbecue, beer, wine, international foods)
• Arts & crafts festivals (local artists, handmade goods, live music)
• Cultural and neighborhood festivals (parades, performances, community vendors)
• Seasonal fairs and carnivals (rides, games, fair food)

Popular festival sites near Atlanta include:

• Piedmont Park – 400 Park Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30306
• Grant Park – 537 Park Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30312
• Historic Fourth Ward Park – 680 Dallas St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308
• Brook Run Park (Dunwoody) – 4770 N Peachtree Rd, Dunwoody, GA 30338
• Jim R. Miller Park (Marietta) – 2245 Callaway Rd SW, Marietta, GA 30008

💡 Tip: Many Atlanta-area festivals are free to attend, but food, beverages, and certain activities may cost extra.

2. Sports & Game-Day Events

If you’re searching for sports events near Atlanta, the main home bases include:

• Mercedes-Benz Stadium
  NFL (Atlanta Falcons), MLS (Atlanta United FC), large college games, and special sporting events.

• State Farm Arena
  NBA (Atlanta Hawks), plus college tournaments and special events.

• Truist Park & The Battery Atlanta
  755 Battery Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30339
  MLB (Atlanta Braves) and a mixed-use development with regular concerts, watch parties, and pop-up events.

• Local colleges and universities

  • Georgia Tech (Bobby Dodd Stadium, McCamish Pavilion)
  • Georgia State University (Center Parc Stadium, campus arenas)
    These host college football, basketball, and other NCAA sports, often with tailgating and campus events.

Near Atlanta, many youth leagues and adult rec leagues also hold tournaments at regional parks, especially in Cobb, Gwinnett, and Fulton counties.

3. Music, Theater, and Performing Arts

Atlanta’s entertainment scene extends well beyond Downtown:

• Variety Playhouse – 1099 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307 (Little Five Points)
• Tabernacle – 152 Luckie St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303 (Downtown)
• Coca-Cola Roxy Theatre – 800 Battery Ave SE #500, Atlanta, GA 30339 (The Battery Atlanta)
• Center Stage / The Loft / Vinyl – 1374 W Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309
• Alliance Theatre (Midtown) – 1280 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30309

Nearby cities frequently host smaller concerts and theater productions at:

• Roswell Cultural Arts Center – 950 Forrest St, Roswell, GA 30075
• Jennie T. Anderson Theatre (Cobb County Civic Center) – 548 S Marietta Pkwy SE, Marietta, GA 30060
• Gwinnett arts venues around Lawrenceville and Duluth

If you’re willing to drive 20–40 minutes from central Atlanta, you’ll find a steady mix of national tours and local performers.

4. Family-Friendly Activities Near Atlanta

Families living in or visiting Atlanta often look for weekend events within an easy drive:

• Zoo Atlanta (Grant Park)
  800 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30315
  Regular family days, themed weekends, and seasonal evening events.

• Georgia Aquarium (Downtown)
  225 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
  Special programs, themed nights, and educational events.

• Fernbank Museum of Natural History
  767 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30307
  Science days, family events, and occasional outdoor festivals in the surrounding forest.

• Children’s Museum of Atlanta
  275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
  Scheduled programs and kid-focused events, often tied to holidays or themes.

Near Atlanta, outdoor destinations like Stone Mountain Park (1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd, Stone Mountain, GA 30083) regularly host shows, seasonal attractions, and festivals that draw families from across the metro area.

5. Outdoor & Nature Events

Atlanta’s nickname as the “city in a forest” shows up in its outdoor event calendar:

• Atlanta BeltLine (various entrances, including near 1000 Robert E Lee Dr SE off Memorial Dr)
  Fitness classes, fun runs, art events, and pop-ups happen on and near the trail.

• Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA)
  Multiple units near Sandy Springs and Roswell (e.g., Island Ford at 1978 Island Ford Pkwy, Sandy Springs, GA 30350)
  Ranger-led walks, paddling events, and volunteer days.

• Atlanta-area parks and nature centers

  • Blue Heron Nature Preserve – 4055 Roswell Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30342
  • Clyde Shepherd Nature Preserve – near Decatur
    These often host guided hikes, bird walks, and educational programs.

If you’re looking for free or low-cost outdoor events near Atlanta, start with city or county park systems and nature centers.

Seasonal Highlights: What to Expect Throughout the Year

While exact dates change, the pattern of events near Atlanta follows a fairly steady cycle.

Spring (March–May)

Expect:

• Neighborhood festivals and art shows
• Food and drink events
• Outdoor concerts and 5Ks
• Opening weekends for many farmers markets

Weather makes this a popular time for Piedmont Park and in-town street festivals, as well as events in Decatur, Roswell, and Marietta.

Summer (June–August)

You’ll see more:

• Outdoor concerts and movie nights
• Evening events to avoid the heat
• Fireworks and Independence Day celebrations
• Water-themed family events (parks, rivers, splash pads)

Near Atlanta, many cities host summer concert series in their town squares or amphitheaters, especially on Friday or Saturday nights.

Fall (September–November)

Around Atlanta, fall is packed with:

• Major festivals and food events
• Halloween and fall-themed activities
• College and professional football game days
• Outdoor markets and art walks

Nearby areas like Stone Mountain, Marietta, and Alpharetta often hold large fall festivals and holiday kickoff events.

Winter (December–February)

Expect:

• Holiday lights and seasonal markets
• New Year’s celebrations
• Indoor concerts, theater, and comedy
• Fewer outdoor festivals, but more museum and venue-based events

Many “near Atlanta” events during winter cluster around The Battery Atlanta, Atlantic Station, Ponce City Market, and local town centers like Decatur and Duluth, which host light displays and seasonal gatherings.

Quick Reference: Main Types of Events Near Atlanta

How to Find Current Events Near Atlanta

Because schedules change often, it’s useful to know where to check right before you go:

1. City and county event calendars

   • City of Atlanta (Parks & Recreation, Office of Cultural Affairs)
   • Nearby cities: Decatur, Marietta, Roswell, Alpharetta, Sandy Springs, Duluth, Lawrenceville

2. Venue calendars
   Look up the schedule for places like:

   • Mercedes-Benz Stadium
   • State Farm Arena
   • Fox Theatre
   • Major suburban amphitheaters and civic centers

3. Parks and recreation departments
   Fulton, Cobb, DeKalb, and Gwinnett counties often list community events, classes, and festivals at local parks.

4. Museums and attractions
   Check the event sections for Zoo Atlanta, Georgia Aquarium, Fernbank, and others to see special programming.

📝 Practical tip: When planning around Atlanta traffic, allow extra time if your event starts around weekday rush hours (roughly 4–7 p.m.) or near major game days.

Planning Your Day: Transportation & Parking Near Atlanta Events

When you’re choosing events near Atlanta, factor in how you’ll get there:

• MARTA rail and buses
  Helpful for events in Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and near the Perimeter. Many major venues are within walking distance of MARTA stations.

• Driving and parking

  • In-town neighborhoods can have tight parking; event parking lots and garages may charge a fee.
  • Suburban city centers (e.g., Marietta, Alpharetta, Roswell) typically offer more accessible parking but can still fill up for major events.

• Rideshare
  Convenient for late-night events or when you want to avoid parking near stadiums and arenas. Look for designated pick-up/drop-off zones.

If you’re coming from outside the city, many events near Atlanta are clustered close to interstates I‑75, I‑85, I‑20, and I‑285, which can simplify travel but may be congested at peak times.

Making the Most of Events Near Atlanta

To get the best experience:

• Decide your radius: Are you staying inside the city, or are you open to a 30–45 minute drive to suburbs and nearby towns?
• Match the vibe:
  • In-town: bigger crowds, more nightlife, more walkable.
  • Near Atlanta suburbs: often more family-focused, with roomier parks and town squares.
• Check the weather for outdoor events and have a backup indoor option nearby.
• Look for recurring series like weekly concerts, seasonal markets, or monthly art walks in city centers around the metro.

Whether you live in Atlanta or you’re just visiting, thinking about “near Atlanta” as a ring of neighborhoods and small cities around the core opens up a wide range of festivals, concerts, sports, and family events—usually within an easy drive or MARTA ride from wherever you are in the metro area.