Your Guide to the Decatur Arts Festival Artist Market Near Atlanta

The Decatur Arts Festival Artist Market is one of the most popular outdoor art events in the Atlanta area, especially if you love handmade goods, original art, and local makers. Centered in downtown Decatur, just a few miles east of Midtown Atlanta, it turns the city streets into a walkable, open-air gallery and artisan market for a full weekend.

Whether you live in Atlanta, are visiting for the weekend, or just want to understand how this maker fair fits into the local arts scene, this guide walks you through what to expect, how to get there, and how to make the most of the Artist Market.

What Is the Decatur Arts Festival Artist Market?

The Artist Market is a juried outdoor market that’s part of the larger Decatur Arts Festival, a long-running celebration of visual arts, performances, and community creativity in metro Atlanta.

Most years, the Artist Market:

• Features regional and national artists selected through an application process
• Focuses on original, handmade work (not mass-produced items)
• Takes over streets and plazas in Downtown Decatur, a short MARTA ride from Atlanta
• Attracts people from across the Atlanta area who want to shop art, gifts, and decor directly from makers

You’ll find it in and around the Decatur Square, typically near:

• Decatur City Hall: 509 N. McDonough St, Decatur, GA 30030
• Surrounding streets and plazas in the downtown core

The exact layout can change slightly year to year, but if you can find the Square, you can find the Artist Market.

When the Artist Market Usually Happens

Dates vary each year, but the Decatur Arts Festival and its Artist Market are commonly held in late spring, often around May.

Because schedules can shift (especially due to weather, city construction, or special circumstances), it’s smart to:

• Check the current year’s festival dates and hours before you go
• Confirm which days and times the Artist Market itself is open (it may not run during every festival hour)

If you want the most accurate information, you can reach out to the organizers:

When planning from inside Atlanta, keep in mind that weekend festival traffic can be heavier than usual around Downtown Decatur.

What You’ll Find at the Artist Market

The Artist Market showcases a wide mix of fine art and handmade goods, typically including:

• Painting & drawing – original canvases, prints, illustrations
• Photography – local cityscapes, nature, travel, and abstract work
• Ceramics & pottery – bowls, mugs, vases, serving pieces, sculptural work
• Jewelry – handcrafted pieces in silver, gold, mixed metals, beads, and natural materials
• Textiles & fiber art – scarves, bags, quilts, wearable art, wall hangings
• Woodwork – furniture, cutting boards, decorative objects
• Glass & metalwork – blown glass, fused glass, garden stakes, metal sculpture
• Mixed media & printmaking – collages, block prints, layered artworks

Because the market is juried, artists are chosen based on quality and originality, so you usually see a strong, curated selection rather than a general craft fair.

For Atlanta-area shoppers, this makes it a good place to:

• Find unique gifts for holidays, weddings, and graduations
• Pick up home decor that isn’t from a big-box store
• Discover new local artists and studios you can follow year-round

Where the Artist Market Is Located (in Relation to Atlanta)

The Artist Market is in Downtown Decatur, which sits just east of the City of Atlanta and is part of the metro area.

Core Event Area

Key landmarks around the market typically include:

• Decatur Square / Decatur MARTA Station
• Decatur City Hall – 509 N. McDonough St, Decatur, GA 30030
• Streets such as Ponce de Leon Ave, Clairemont Ave, and Trinity Place, depending on that year’s layout

Most Atlanta residents can reach Decatur from:

• Downtown/Midtown: about 15–20 minutes by MARTA or car (without unusual traffic)
• East Atlanta, Kirkwood, Druid Hills: often a short drive or rideshare

Getting to the Artist Market from Atlanta

1. By MARTA (Recommended for Many Atlantans 🚆)

For many people coming from intown Atlanta, MARTA is the easiest way to reach the festival.

• Take the Blue Line
• Get off at Decatur Station
• Follow signs to street level and simply walk toward the Square – you’re essentially in the middle of the festival area

This helps you avoid:

• Limited event parking
• Street closures around downtown Decatur
• Extra time circling for a spot on busy festival days

If you need MARTA assistance:

2. By Car

Driving from Atlanta is also common, especially from neighborhoods without quick MARTA access.

Typical routes:

• From Downtown / Midtown Atlanta:
  Take I-75/85 to Freedom Parkway or I-20 East, then local roads toward Decatur
• From Buckhead:
  Take GA-400 or surface streets south, then east toward Decatur via Ponce de Leon Ave or Clairmont Rd

Parking tips:

• Look for public parking decks and paid lots around Downtown Decatur
• Expect some street closures for the festival; allow extra time
• Pay attention to time limits and residential parking restrictions in nearby neighborhoods

Typical Hours and Crowd Patterns

Exact hours can vary, but the Artist Market often runs during daytime and early evening hours across a weekend.

Common patterns seen in past years:

• Morning (opening hours): Quieter, easier to browse and talk with artists
• Midday to mid-afternoon: Busiest time, especially if weather is nice
• Late afternoon/early evening: Livelier atmosphere, more people strolling, often overlapping with performances and food vendors

If you’re coming from elsewhere in Atlanta and want more space and less waiting, aim for:

• Earlier in the day
• Less peak times on Saturday or Sunday

Is the Artist Market Family-Friendly?

Yes. The Decatur Arts Festival Artist Market is generally considered family-friendly, and downtown Decatur’s walkable streets make it easy to navigate with kids.

From an Atlanta parent’s perspective, it’s useful to know:

• Stroller navigation: Streets and sidewalks can get crowded, but they are generally manageable
• Shade and breaks: There are some shaded spots around the Square and nearby restaurants where you can sit and regroup
• Food options: Downtown Decatur has many kid-friendly restaurants and casual spots just steps from the market

If you’re coming from further out in metro Atlanta, plan an extra buffer of time for:

• Restroom breaks
• Snacks or meals near the Square
• A slower pace for kids to explore art booths

What to Bring (and What to Expect to Spend)

You can enjoy the market without spending much, but many people do end up buying at least a small piece.

Money and Payment

Most artists now accept:

• Credit/debit cards (often via mobile readers)
• Cash for faster small purchases

💡 Tip: Have a small amount of cash on hand in case a booth’s card reader has trouble with signal during busy times.

Typical price ranges:

• Small items/gifts: e.g., prints, small ceramics, jewelry – often in the $10–$75 range
• Medium pieces: framed art, larger ceramics, textiles – may range higher
• Large originals: statement paintings or sculptures can be several hundred dollars and up

Practical Items to Bring

From an Atlanta-weather standpoint, plan for:

• Sun protection: hat, sunscreen, sunglasses
• Refillable water bottle: it can get hot, especially in late spring
• Comfortable walking shoes: you’ll be on your feet on pavement for a while
• A tote bag or backpack: helpful for carrying purchases and brochures

How the Artist Market Fits into Atlanta’s Arts and Maker Scene

The Decatur Arts Festival Artist Market is one of several major metro Atlanta maker and arts markets, but it has a few distinctive traits:

• Central, walkable setting: Downtown Decatur’s layout makes it feel more like a street fair than a parking-lot event
• Strong community feel: Many Atlanta-area residents make it an annual tradition
• Curated selection: The juried process usually leads to a wide range of quality work

If you’re exploring maker fairs and artisan markets around Atlanta, this is a key event alongside other neighborhood markets and seasonal fairs.

At-a-Glance: Decatur Arts Festival Artist Market

Tips for Atlantans Planning a Visit

If you’re coming from anywhere in the Atlanta area, a bit of planning makes the experience smoother:

1. Check the current year’s schedule

   • Verify the dates and hours of the Artist Market specifically.

2. Decide how you’ll get there

   • Use MARTA if you’re near a Blue Line station.
   • If driving, map out parking decks in downtown Decatur ahead of time.

3. Plan around the weather

   • Late spring in Atlanta can be hot or occasionally stormy. Bring sun protection and keep an eye on the forecast.

4. Set a budget

   • Decide in advance how much you’re comfortable spending on art or gifts; it’s easy to find tempting pieces.

5. Explore beyond the booths

   • Build in time to enjoy Decatur’s restaurants, coffee shops, and bars while you’re already on this side of town.

Information and Local Contacts

While details like hours and participating artists change each year, a few stable local reference points can help:

• Decatur Arts Alliance / Decatur Arts Festival
  Often involved in organizing and coordinating the festival and market.
  Address commonly associated:
  113 Clairemont Ave
  Decatur, GA 30030

• City of Decatur – City Hall
  509 N. McDonough St
  Decatur, GA 30030
  Main city information lines can provide general event and downtown logistics guidance.

Before you head out from Atlanta, it’s a good idea to check the latest festival information so you know exact dates, hours, and any special instructions for that year’s Decatur Arts Festival Artist Market.