Grant Park Summer Shade Festival Art Market: Your Guide to Atlanta’s Late-Summer Art Fair

Every August, Grant Park’s Summer Shade Festival turns one of Atlanta’s oldest neighborhoods into a lively mix of art, music, food, and community. At the heart of it is the Art Market—a curated outdoor marketplace where local and regional artists line the shady paths of Grant Park with tents full of handmade work.

If you live in Atlanta, are visiting for the weekend, or just want to understand how this event fits into the city’s arts scene, this guide walks you through what to expect and how to make the most of the Grant Park Summer Shade Festival Art Market.

What Is the Grant Park Summer Shade Festival Art Market?

The Art Market is the fine arts and crafts portion of the annual Grant Park Summer Shade Festival, held in and around Grant Park near Zoo Atlanta, just southeast of downtown.

It’s typically a juried art market, meaning artists apply and are selected based on the quality and originality of their work. You’ll usually find:

  • Fine art: paintings, photography, mixed media
  • Crafts and design: jewelry, ceramics, textiles, glass
  • Functional art: handmade home goods, candles, decor
  • Prints and illustration: posters, cards, art prints

For Atlantans, it’s a chance to support working artists, discover new talent, and pick up one-of-a-kind pieces that feel very rooted in the city’s culture and neighborhoods.

Where It Happens and How to Get There

Location (Park & Neighborhood)

  • Grant Park
  • General area: around 800 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30315
  • Neighborhood: Grant Park, just south of I-20 and east of downtown Atlanta

The Art Market tents are typically set up along the park’s interior paths and open lawn areas. Event layouts can shift slightly year to year, but look for signage directing you to the artist market or artist booths once you arrive.

Getting There from Around Atlanta

By Car:

  • From Downtown/Midtown: Head south/east toward I-20, then exit near Boulevard SE or Hill Street, following signs to Grant Park.
  • From East Atlanta / Kirkwood / Decatur: Use I-20 westbound or surface streets like Moreland Ave then cut over to Boulevard SE.

Parking near the festival can be limited on neighborhood streets. Most visitors use a mix of:

  • Neighborhood street parking (pay close attention to signs and driveways)
  • Paid lots or decks in the area if available
  • Rideshare to a nearby cross street like Cherokee Ave SE or Boulevard SE

By MARTA: There isn’t a MARTA rail station directly at the park, but common approaches include:

  • King Memorial Station (Blue/Green Line): Then a short rideshare or bike/scooter to the park.
  • Garnett or Five Points Stations: Transfer to a bus line heading toward Grant Park/Boulevard, then walk in.

If you don’t know the area, many locals pair MARTA with a short ride share to avoid parking stress.

When the Art Market Takes Place

The Grant Park Summer Shade Festival is usually held on a late-August weekend (often the weekend before Labor Day). The Art Market generally runs during main festival hours, which commonly include:

  • Saturday: Late morning through early evening
  • Sunday: Late morning through late afternoon

Because hours can change year to year, Atlantans typically check current-year details through the festival’s official information channels before heading out, especially if they want to catch specific artists, avoid heat, or plan around kids’ schedules.

What You’ll Find in the Art Market

The Art Market is one of the most popular areas of the festival. It’s especially appealing if you:

  • Like shopping local and supporting independent artists
  • Enjoy walking, browsing, and people-watching under the trees
  • Want art and gifts that reflect Atlanta’s culture, landmarks, and neighborhoods

Types of Art and Vendors

You can usually expect a wide range of mediums:

  • Local Atlanta artists with work inspired by the BeltLine, skyline, neighborhoods, and music scene
  • Regional makers from across Georgia and the Southeast
  • Handmade jewelry and accessories
  • Pottery and ceramics for everyday use or display
  • Original paintings and prints at different price points
  • Textiles such as hand-printed shirts, bags, and fabric art
  • Photography of iconic Atlanta sights and Southern landscapes

Many booths are staffed by the artists themselves, so you can ask questions about:

  • Their process
  • Custom commissions
  • How to care for a piece
  • Whether prints or smaller versions are available

Family-Friendly and Pet Considerations

Grant Park is a neighborhood park, so the atmosphere is generally family-friendly and relaxed, even when the crowds get busy.

For families with kids:

  • Strollers can navigate most paths, but it may get crowded in peak midday hours.
  • Some artists display small, sturdy items near the front of their booths and more fragile works further back—helpful if you’re browsing with curious kids.
  • The broader Summer Shade Festival often includes kids’ activities and live music, so you can easily mix a visit to the Art Market with other family fun.

For dog owners:

  • Dogs are typically welcome in Grant Park, but:
    • Expect crowds, noise, and heat on pavement and grass.
    • Bring water and a bowl, and check pavement temperature for paws.
  • Not every artist may want dogs inside small booths—most visitors keep pets beside or just outside tent openings.

What to Bring (and What to Expect)

Because this is an outdoor Atlanta event in late summer, conditions are often hot and humid, with strong afternoon sun.

Essentials to Pack

  • Comfortable walking shoes – you’ll be on your feet on grass and paved paths
  • Refillable water bottle – many Atlantans bring water and refill as needed
  • Hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen – shade from the trees helps, but not everywhere
  • Small bag or backpack – for holding small purchases and keeping hands free
  • Payment options – most artists accept cards or mobile pay, but a bit of cash can be useful

If you’re planning to buy larger framed pieces or multiple items, some locals bring:

  • A sturdy tote or reusable shopping bag
  • A small foldable cart for larger art or multiple purchases

Budgeting and Price Range

Prices vary widely, but you can usually find something at nearly any budget:

  • Smaller items and prints: often in the “impulse buy” range
  • Original paintings, ceramics, and jewelry: typically more, depending on size and materials
  • Large statement pieces or commissions: higher-end pricing

Many Atlanta shoppers treat the Art Market like a mix of:

  • Gift shopping opportunity – birthdays, housewarmings, holidays
  • Home upgrade moment – adding local art to walls or shelves
  • Support-local practice – putting money directly into the local arts ecosystem

A common approach for locals is to set a ballpark budget beforehand (for example, one higher-priced piece plus a few smaller items) so it’s easier to make decisions in the moment.

How the Art Market Fits with the Rest of the Festival

The Grant Park Summer Shade Festival is more than just the Art Market. While you’re there, you can also typically enjoy:

  • Live music stages featuring local and regional performers
  • Food trucks and food tents with a mix of festival favorites and local vendors
  • Beverage stations (including adult beverages in designated areas, depending on the year’s setup)
  • Community and nonprofit booths highlighting Grant Park and Atlanta organizations

This makes the Art Market ideal for:

  • A full day out – art browsing in the morning, music and food later
  • A half-day visit focused on shopping, with a snack or meal on-site
  • Meeting up with friends from other parts of metro Atlanta, since the park is fairly central

Tips for First-Time Visitors

1. Go earlier in the day if possible
Morning and late morning often mean cooler temperatures and easier browsing in the Art Market before crowds peak.

2. Map a general route
Once you arrive, note where the artist booths, stages, and food areas are so you can loop through the market without missing sections.

3. Take photos of booth cards 📷
If you’re undecided on a piece, many locals snap a photo of the artist’s card or sign so they can find the booth again later in the day.

4. Ask about care and hanging
If you’re buying art for your Atlanta home (especially in older homes with plaster walls), ask about:

  • Hanging hardware
  • Weight of the piece
  • Whether it’s okay near sunlight or humidity

5. Plan your exit strategy
If you buy larger works, consider how you’ll get them home—especially if you arrived by MARTA or rideshare. Some visitors time big purchases closer to when they plan to leave.

Accessibility and Comfort Considerations

Grant Park’s terrain is generally flat to gently sloping, with:

  • Paved paths that can be suitable for wheelchairs and mobility aids
  • Grassy areas that may be less even, especially after rain

If accessibility is a concern, many Atlantans:

  • Arrive earlier to secure closer parking or drop-off near an entrance
  • Stick to the more paved paths and wider walkways through the Art Market
  • Bring lightweight folding stools if standing for long periods is difficult

Because this is outdoors in late summer, be prepared for:

  • Heat and humidity – especially mid- to late-afternoon
  • Possible brief thunderstorms – common in Atlanta summers

A lightweight poncho and a small umbrella can be helpful if you plan to stay regardless of a quick shower.

Contact and Local Reference Points

While the festival itself is organized by event and neighborhood partners, it takes place entirely within Grant Park, which is managed as a city park by:

  • City of Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation
    • 233 Peachtree St NE, Suite 1700
    • Atlanta, GA 30303
    • Main information line: 404-546-6813 (general parks inquiries)

For event-specific questions, Atlantans usually rely on the festival’s official channels (announced each year) for:

  • Exact dates and times
  • Vendor lists
  • Artist application details
  • Weather or schedule updates

If you’re an Atlanta-based artist, the festival typically opens applications for Art Market vendors in advance of the event, with guidelines on booth sizes, fees, and requirements.

Is the Grant Park Summer Shade Festival Art Market Worth a Visit?

For many Atlanta residents, the Grant Park Summer Shade Festival Art Market is a late-summer tradition: a mix of neighborhood pride, local creativity, and relaxed browsing under big trees.

It’s especially worthwhile if you:

  • Enjoy local art and handmade goods
  • Want a walkable, outdoor alternative to indoor malls or big-box shopping
  • Are visiting Atlanta and looking for souvenirs that aren’t generic
  • Live in the city and want to connect more deeply with the local arts community

With a bit of planning for heat, parking, and timing, the Art Market can be one of the most enjoyable ways to experience Atlanta’s creative side right in the historic heart of Grant Park.