50+ Best Festivals in Atlanta: Spring and Summer 2018

Atlanta’s biggest crawfish festival featuring music performances from Gurufish, Atlanta Brass Connection and headliner Cowboy Mouth, is set to begin at 2 p.m., and includes nonstop live music, cocktails, cold brews and all the fresh crawfish, oysters and shrimp hungry guests can eat! Though it is targeted at ages 21+, children under 12 may accompany parents at no extra charge. Furry friends must stay home.

This festival showcases a great day of beer sippin’, bourbon tastin’, music listenin’, cigar smokin’, and barbeque eatin’. Your admission buys you a sampling glass so you can enjoy an ALL-YOU-CARE–TO-TASTE sampling of beer and bourbon. Some of the best barbeque vendors are on-site if you get hungry, all while enjoying seminars in the tasting theater and LIVE music all day.

The popular Atlanta St. Patrick’s Parade, an Atlanta favorite for the past 135 years, returns to the streets of Midtown. This year’s parade steps off at noon at the intersection of Peachtree and 15th street and continues down Peachtree to 5th Street. More than 2,000 dancers, musicians, llamas and Irish and local dignitaries are expected to march this year. The parade will feature one of the world’s largest Irish “walking flags,” a large flag carried — or, more accurately, worn — by dozens of participants.

Coinciding with the timing of the Cherry Blossom Festival in both Macon and Washington D.C., this event takes place over Easter weekend. Be sure to bring your four-legged friends to the Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival for a “doggone” good time at the Pet Parade. Live music, children’s village and and arts & crafts marketplace.

BaconFest will be held at Dad’s Garage’s in Old Fourth Ward. A fixture in the Atlanta community, the kitschy festival combines troughs upon troughs of cold beer and sizzlin’ bacon with hilarious carnival games like a hobo wine tasting, naughty face painting, drunken spelling bee that manned by the best improvisers in the city. Selling out every year, all proceeds benefit Dad’s Garage. This is a NO PARKING event.

The Festival on Ponce is an Atlanta arts and crafts festival set in the historic park, Olmsted Linear Park. Visitors will enjoy the gorgeous landscape designed by one of America’s most celebrated landscape architects, Fredrick Olmsted Sr. along with over 125 displays of fine arts and crafts, folk and “outsider art”. In addition to the fine arts, there will be a children’s area and local food and beverage. Attendance is Free.

Atlanta Streets Alive opens streets for people by temporarily closing them to cars to create a whole new healthy, sustainable and vibrant city street experience. This is a program inspired by open streets projects all over the world. Bring your bicycle or just your feet, and get ready to explore your community streets in a safer, healthier, more livable way.

Now celebrating a 40+-year history, the Atlanta Film Festival is the area’s preeminent celebration of cinema. One of only two dozen Academy Award-qualifying events in the country, the Atlanta Film Festival showcases over 200 films annually to nearly 25,000 attendees across a ten-day event each spring. Each year, the Atlanta Film Festival receives nearly 5,000 submissions from 120 countries across the globe. It has been distinguished as the ‘Best Film Festival’ by Creative Loafing, Sunday Paper, 10Best and Atlanta Magazine, as well as one of the ’25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World’ and one of ’50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee’ by MovieMaker Magazine.

The Atlanta Dogwood Festival is the city’s oldest fine arts festival, and it is made possible thanks to the hundreds of superb artists who comprise the Artist Market each year. This spring, we welcome 260 fine artists from all over the country, including many from the Atlanta area. The Artist Market jurors received more than 1,100 entries this year and selected the top artists in a variety of categories. Be sure to check out the Artist Winners who are literally the best of the best! Don’t miss Family Friday.

There is nothing as magical as the Renaissance Festival. Food and drink, rides and games, an artisan market, jousting, daredevils, hypnotist and more.

SweetWater 420 Fest blends music, entertainment, art and culture, all while respecting Mother Earth and has grown and evolved each and every year since 2004. Yes, 12 years ago this baby was born, at SweetWater Brewery as a small celebration and has evolved to the weekend-long, jam-packed Fest you know and love today at Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic Park.

The event will include a children’s play area, local musicians, interactive art stations, plus up to 150 arts and crafts participants in every discipline. The festival location is in the heart of Sandy Springs, near interstate access and all things Atlanta.

During the last full weekend in April each year, Inman Park proudly presents a neighborhood festival widely regarded as Atlanta’s most spirited and eclectic. The Tour of Homes Preview begins the Friday prior. Tickets go on sale in March.

The new, two-day festival will be held in the fun, vibrant and culturally diverse City of Duluth and will feature approximately 86 painters, photographers, sculptors, metalwork, glass artists, jewelers and more during its debut appearance. Festival goers will also have the opportunity to view artist demonstrations and enjoy gourmet food trucks with healthy alternatives, live acoustic music, dance performances and much more. The festival is free to attend, open to all ages and are dogs are welcome.

There is nothing as magical as the Renaissance Festival. Food and drink, rides and games, an artisan market, jousting, daredevils, hypnotist and more.

With 5 stages and more than 75 bands each year, Shaky Knees is a rock-lover’s dream. Since its inception in 2013, Shaky Knees has featured a diverse lineup ranging from world-renowned acts to up-and-coming artists. Shaky Knees is fast emerging as one of the premier mid-sized music festivals in the country. Take it from a music festival pro – these VIP tickets are worth every penny!

Get ready for the 3rd annual Chattahoochee Valley River Rally! The Chattahoochee Valley River Rally is a family-friendly, 3-mile paddle trip and community festival where all are invited to celebrate on the riverbank with live music, local food and artisan booths. The kick off with the launch of kayaks, canoes and paddle boards will be at Hardley Creek Park.

The original Sweet Auburn Springfest is one of the largest outdoor festivals in the Southeast, according to the website. It is full of food, fun and entertainment for the whole family. Enjoy a kids fantastic fun zone, and international food court and more. Free.

The Chastain Park Arts Festival will host its annual event at Chastain Park along Park Drive for approximately 185 artists and artisans. Visitors will enjoy fine art and crafts, a children’s area and local food and beverage concessions including the gourmet food trucks. Local acoustic musicians will enliven the atmosphere. This event is organized by the Atlanta Foundation for Public Spaces and volunteer artists. Best of all, it’s entirely free to attend!

Get a warm welcome to our neighborhood with all the family-friendly fun of the 14th annual Kirkwood Spring Fling & Tour of Homes. Start the day off with our 5K, stroll through our artists market, catch some live music with a bite to eat from local vendors or our BBQ competition, and let the kids go wild in the kids area. Best of all, admission is free.

MomoCon is one of the fastest growing all ages conventions in the country. Fans of Japanese Anime, American Animation, Comics, Video Games, and Tabletop Games come together to celebrate their passion by costuming / cosplay, browsing the huge exhibitors hall, meeting celebrity voice talent, designers, and writers behind their favorite shows, games, and comics and much much more over this 4 day event. Whether you are an anime fan, gamer, comic reader, or just like watching cartoons, all are welcome at MomoCon!

Fine art, kids art, an artist market, performing arts, theatre and literary arts…there is something for everyone here all weekend. The Kids Arts Festival kicks off with a parade. Lineup begins at 9:30 am at the corner of Commerce Drive and Church Street. Marching begins at 9:50. Dress up your kids and decorate your strollers, bikes and trikes. Join the parade and show your artistic spirit! After the parade, enjoy arts and crafts, music, balloons, juggling, clowns, inflatables and much more. Most activities are free or for a small donation.

Also, don’t miss the pre-festival events like the Decatur Lantern Parade and the Artwalk, or Sidewalk Saturdays all of May.

Memorial Day Weekend festival which includes international, national and local musicians live on three stages; a Kid Zone with activities for all ages; food vendors offering BBQ, burgers, salads, Caribbean foods and much more; booths with clothing, art and jewelry!

This 3-day event will host more than 90 colorful artisans from around the country will showcase their works in the Alpharetta Historic District. This much anticipated festival will feature live music, cultural arts performances, entertaining children’s activities, and a variety festival cuisine.

At this festival, there is something for everyone: fine arts and crafts, a children’s play area, local food and beverage concessions, live acoustic entertainment in the amphitheater, plus a new “Emerging Artists” pavilion for new artists and artisans. All this within the environment of Atlanta’s loveliest park, part of the celebration on the Beltline redevelopment.

The South’s oldest balloon event and the United States’ only long distance hot air balloon race will begin (weather permitting) with a mass ascension of 30 bright and colorful hot air balloons, in North Georgia’s Alpine Village – Helen.

Named “the only indispensable culinary Festival in the country,” by Josh Ozersky of Esquire and highly anticipated by guests, the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival features nearly 100 classes, carefully-curated Tasting Tents and delicious evening dinners and events, all designed to showcase Southern food, drink and culture.

There is nothing as magical as the Renaissance Festival. Food and drink, rides and games, an artisan market, jousting, daredevils, hypnotist and more.

The South’s oldest balloon event and the United States’ only long distance hot air balloon race will begin (weather permitting) with a mass ascension of 30 bright and colorful hot air balloons, in North Georgia’s Alpine Village – Helen.

Named “the only indispensable culinary Festival in the country,” by Josh Ozersky of Esquire and highly anticipated by guests, the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival features nearly 100 classes, carefully-curated Tasting Tents and delicious evening dinners and events, all designed to showcase Southern food, drink and culture.

Atlanta Streets Alive opens streets for people by temporarily closing them to cars to create a whole new healthy, sustainable and vibrant city street experience.

Atlanta Streets Alive is a program inspired by open streets projects all over the world.

Bring your bicycle or just your feet, and get ready to explore your community streets in a safer, healthier, more livable way.

The Southern-Fried Gaming Expo features more than 250 arcade, pinball and console machines, the third annual Southern-Fried Pinball Tournament, tabletop gaming, a vendor expo, exciting programs and guest speakers, movie screenings, and other special events. Almost all the games are FREE with your ticket.

Celebrating 30+ Years of Art, Food & Fun. Saturday/Sunday Events Are Open to General Public.
Free Admission, Donations Greatly Appreciated. Artist market, 5K and Kid trot, food and two music stages.

Families enjoy visiting KidsFest, a special area for younger festival attendees with games, crafts, kid-themed entertainment and activities, many of which are free. This year’s expanded KidsFest will take place on Arcadia Street and in John Howell Park adjacent to Arcadia on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. At KidsFest, families will find creative pursuits, not inflatables and jump houses because at KidsFest, it’s all about art, music and creativity!

The festival is a celebration of all things lavender and will feature the many varieties, uses, and folk remedies associated with this ancient plant. This fun event will take place on the grounds of Barrington Hall. Enjoy Demonstrations in the Carriage House, children’s activities, The Zen Zone—yoga, Pilates, aromatherapy, meditation and reflexology, music by Davin McCoy and others, lavender food samples, and a variety of vendors featuring fine art, crafts, antiques, specialty foods, plants, and garden art. There will be food trucks and booths and Lavender beer—a perennial favorite! Free parking and shuttle transportation. Free admission.

Featuring Michael W Smith this year, with Nick Hall and Chris Leader speaking.

Tunes from the Tombs, Historic Oakland Cemetery’s annual all-day music festival features musicians performing in and amongst Oakland’s extraordinary monuments, mausoleums and renowned gardens. Two main stages will host amplified artists, while buskers will perform on distinct vignette stages throughout the cemetery. From rock to folk, Americana to jazz and classical to everything in between, a variety of tunes will entice everyone to boogie down. Soothe your stomach as well as your soul with good eats from Atlanta food trucks, which will be on-site serving a variety of tasty festival fare. Keep spirits alive with beer, wine, and soft drinks, all of which will be offered for sale on-site. Festival attendees can also take a complimentary guided mini-tour of Oakland Cemetery, or have their fortunes read by Atlanta’s own, Esmere.

Fun for everyone surrounded by the sights, sounds, and smells of classic southern BBQ from metro Atlanta staples along with 7+ hours of original live blues and bluegrass music from aspiring and accomplished local/regional/and national acts to Decatur, Georgia in the heart of Oakhurst. This is a family friendly event that is fun for all ages; kids 12 and under are free.

This year’s event will feature two enormous Butterfly tents – each filled with hundreds of live butterflies. Join us for a day of great activities including a Birds of Prey show, live animal encounters, games, educational booths, crafts, music, food and drinks. Early member preview begins at 9:00 a.m. with general admission starting at 10:00 a.m.

Note: Due to the popularity of this event, pre-purchased tickets are the ONLY way to ensure admission into the event, and also save you a little money in the process.

This event will feature up to 250 painters, photographers, sculptors, leather and metalwork, glass blowers, jewelers and crafters! The Festival will also offer artist demonstrations, live acoustic music, an Emerging Artists Pavilion, a children’s play area, plus festival foods and beverages with healthy alternatives.

For more than a decade, Atlanta art and music lovers have flocked to Grant Park each August to bid adieu to summer at the Summer Shade Festival. We’ve got two days of outdoor fun planned for all ages including a 5K Run for the Park, food trucks, craft beer, an entertaining Kids Zone and a music line up that just gets better every year. You won’t want to miss the Sunday morning Grant Park Farmers Market. And did you know you can ride your bike to the festival and park it for free with the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition Bike Valet? So, bring your blanket, bring the whole family, but don’t bring any pets, and spend summer’s final weekend at the Grant Park Summer Shade Festival.