40+ BEST FESTIVALS IN ATLANTA: SPRING AND SUMMER 2023

The South is known for fun, which is why some of the most popular events are spring and summer festivals typically held in Atlanta.

We’ve got the perfect list of festivals in Atlanta, Georgia, for your spring and summer, with dates, places and hints about their family-friendliness. Take note of those marked with “365 Favorite!“ as it notates the festivals we love the most!

Whether you’re in the mood for a food festival, live entertainment, or lounging in the sun with a few thousand of your closest friends…with kids or without…we’ve got your best bets below.

MARCH FESTIVALS

ST PATRICKS DAY PARADE

🌎 More Information | 🚸 Family-friendly| 📍Midtown| 🏆 365 Favorite

The popular Atlanta St. Patrick’s Parade, an Atlanta favorite for the past 135 years, returns to the streets of Midtown in 2023. The 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. Date: Saturday, March 11, 2023, from 12 pm until 1:30 pm, rain or shine.

SUWANEE BEER FEST

🌎 More Information | 🍹 21+ Only | 📍Suwanee

Recognized as one of the biggest and best craft beer festivals in the Southeast, the Suwanee American Craft Beer Fest attracts people from all over the country to claim their share of unlimited tastings of over 350 craft beers. The event offers live music, games, local food vendors, and a home brew contest in Suwanee Town Center Park. Date: Saturday, March 18, 2023.

BROOKEHAVEN CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL

🌎 More Information | 🚸 Family-friendly| 📍Brookhaven

Coinciding with the Cherry Blossom Festival's timing in 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, a children’s village, and an arts & crafts marketplace. Dates: Saturday, March 25, and Sunday, March 26, 2023.

APRIL FESTIVALS

ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL

🌎 More Information | 📍 Various Locations

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. Dates: April 20-30, 2023.

ATLANTA DOGWOOD FESTIVAL

🌎 More Information | 🚸 Family-friendly| 📍Piedmont Park | 🏆 365 Favorite

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. Welcoming approximately 250 artists selected by a jury of esteemed visual arts professionals, the fine art Artist Market raises the bar on outdoor arts festivals in the city. The Artist Market features works in 12 types of media and even more genres. The festival also features entertainment, food events, a Mimosa 5K, high school art, a kids village, and a crowd favorite -- the Disc Dogs! Dates: April 14-16, 2023

SWEETWATER 420 FEST

🌎 More Information | 📍Centennial Olympic Park | 🏆 365 Favorite

SweetWater 420 Fest blends music, entertainment, art, and culture, all while respecting Mother Earth, and has grown and evolved 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. Dates: Check back for 2023 dates.

FESTIVAL ON PONCE

🌎 More Information | 🚸 Family-friendly| 📍Druid Hills

The ninth annual Spring Festival on Ponce is be held in Atlanta’s historic Olmsted Linear Park. The two-day event will feature over 125 displays of local and regional fine art and crafts, utilizing the gorgeous landscape designed by one of America’s most celebrated landscape architects, Fredrick Olmsted, Sr. In addition to the abundance of unique art, there will be a children’s area, gourmet food trucks, beverages and a stage for acoustic musical performances. The event is free, open to all ages, and dogs are welcome.
DATES:
Spring Festival: April 1-2, 2023
Fall Festival: October 7-8, 2023.

DOGWOOD DAYS ANTIQUE SHOW AND SALE

🌎 More Information | 🚸 Family-friendly| 📍Leslie

Antique show with lots of different antiques for everyone. A variety of antique merchandise, from coin collections and Civil War memorabilia to furniture, can be purchased at this annual festival. Stop by the tearoom for our famous chicken salad. Check the site for 2023 dates.

SANDY SPRINGS ARTSAPALOOZA

🌎 More Information | 🚸 Family-friendly| 📍Sandy Springs

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.

DATES:
Sandy Springs Artsapalooza Spring Arts Festival: April 8-9, 2023
Sandy Springs Fall Arts and Craft Festival: September 23-24, 2023

INMAN PARK FESTIVAL AND TOUR OF HOMES

🌎 More Information | 🚸 Family-friendly| 📍Inman Park | 🏆 365 Favorite

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 occurs the Friday before the festival. Tickets go on sale in March. Dates: Friday, April 28 through Sunday, April 30, 2023.

AMERICUS HOT GLASS CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL

🌎 More Information | 🚸 Family-friendly| 📍Americus

Tapping Americus’ rich history of artisan glass blowing and combining it with Georgia’s innovative craft brewing culture, Hot Glass Craft Beer means to bring these two artisan worlds together in one epic event. This event will feature at least 20 regional breweries with three to four different beers from each. There will be glass blowing demonstrations, live music, food vendors, and more! Kids 17 and under are free with a paying adult. DATE: Saturday, April 8, 2023.

ANNUAL BLUE RIDGE TROUT FEST & OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

🌎 More Information | 📍Blue Ridge

Fly-tying, fly-casting, casting pond, conservation, and more! Visit your favorite vendors, including fishing and outdoor gear, pottery, jewelry, clothing, and more. Cast the latest fly-fishing rods and reels. Learn about trout fishing in Fannin County with local trout-fishing experts. Discover hiking, kayaking, and cycling in Fannin County. Date: Saturday, April 39, 2023.

SPRING FESTIVAL PRESENTED BY WOLF CREEK PLANTATION VINEYARDS & WINERY

🌎 More Information | 🚸 Family-friendly| 📍Americus

Join the festival for a day full of wine, vineyard, and winery tours, shopping through awesome vendors and fun for the whole family. There will be live music and, as always, free tastings, free winery tours and free vineyard tours along with great case discounts. DATE: Saturday, April 15, 2023, from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m.

EVERETT'S MUSIC BARN SPRING FESTIVAL

🌎 More Information | 📍Buford

The Historic Everett’s Music Barn annual spring festival & fundraiser. Music starts at noon with an old-fashioned, covered dish dinner on the grounds at 5 pm…Bring your favorite main, side, or special treat—raffle drawings between bands. Also, don't miss their monthly line-up of musical entertainment. It's always a good time. Check the site for 2023 dates.

DULUTH ARTS FESTIVAL

🌎 More Information | 🚸 Family-friendly| 📍Duluth

The two-day festival will be held in the fun, vibrant, and culturally diverse City of Duluth; recognized as one of the fastest-growing communities in the North Atlanta region and home to one of the largest and most enthusiastic art buying communities. Created for artists by artists, the festival will feature more than 85 painters, photographers, sculptors, metalwork, glass artists, jewelers, and more. Festival-goers will also have the opportunity to view artist demonstrations and enjoy gourmet food trucks, live acoustic music, dance performances, and much more. The festival is free to attend, open to all ages, and dogs are welcome. Check site for 2023 dates and times.

SHAKY KNEES MUSIC FESTIVAL

🌎 More Information | 📍Central Park, Atlanta | 🏆 365 Favorite

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! Dates: Friday, May 5, until Sunday, May 7, 2023.

LEMONADE DAYS FESTIVAL

🌎 More Information | 🚸 Family-friendly| 📍Brook Run Park, Dunwoody

The Lemonade Days Festival is returning to Dunwoody August 18-22, 2021. Admission to the festival is free.

Featuring more than 30 full-scale carnival rides (daily wristbands for unlimited rides are available ($20/day Wednesday; $25/day Thursday-Sunday), more than 20 fabulous food and beverage vendors, a 5K race, three days of center stage performances and the popular Dunwoody Idol contest, Lemonade Days has become a highlight of the city’s calendar and its most popular family event of the year. DATES: Wednesday April 19 – Sunday April 23, 2023.

MAY FESTIVALS

BREW AT THE ZOO

🌎 More Information | 🍹 21+ Only | 📍Zoo Atlanta

Atlanta’s wildest beer festival tradition is back with the return of Brew at the Zoo. Following a hiatus in 2020, the signature event is back on tap with a few updates in place for 2022 only, including four chances to attend this summer.

Brew at the Zoo events will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., and reservations are required for all four, as each will have a limited capacity. Back by popular demand are beer sampling from some of Atlanta’s favorite breweries; live music; free carousel and train rides; and evening animal viewing for guests ages 21 and up. All four 2022 events will take place exclusively on the Zoo’s outdoor pathways. Check the site for 2023 dates.

CHATTAHOOCHEE VALLEY RIVER RALLY

🌎 More Information | 🚸 Family-friendly| 📍Hardley Creek Park, Atlanta

Get ready for the 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 paddleboards will be at Hardley Creek Park. Paddlers must provide their own boat. Inflatable boats are not allowed. Check the site for 2023 dates.

CHASTAIN PARK ARTS FESTIVAL

🌎 More Information | 🚸 Family-friendly| 📍Chastain Park

The Chastain Park Arts Festival will host its annual event at Chastain Park along Park Drive in May. Celebrating its 12th year, the award-winning event will feature 175 artists and artisans painters, photographers, sculptors, leather and metal craft artisans, glass blowers, jewelers, and more. Festival-goers are also invited to enjoy live acoustic music, an array of bites and beverages including fare from local food trucks, and take advantage of a fun-filled children’s area. The festival is free to attend, open to all ages, and dogs are welcome. This event is organized by the Atlanta Foundation for Public Spaces and volunteer artists.

DATES:
Spring Festival: May  13-14, 2023
Fall Festival: November 4-5, 2023

SWEET AUBURN SPRINGFEST

🌎 More Information | 🚸 Family-friendly| 📍Historic Auburn Avenue District

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, an international food court, and more. Free. Dates: May 13-14, 2023.

KIRKWOOD SPRING FLING

🌎 More Information | 🚸 Family-friendly| 📍Kirkwood

Get a warm welcome to our neighborhood with all the family-friendly fun of the 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. DATE: Saturday, May 13, 2023.

MOMOCON

🌎 More Information |🚸 Family-friendly| 📍Georgia World Congress Center

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! DATES: May 25-28, 2023.

ATLANTA JAZZ FESTIVAL

🌎 More Information | 🚸 Family-friendly| 📍Midtown

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 is billed as the largest free jazz festival in the US. Check site for 2023 dates.

DECATUR ARTS FESTIVAL

🌎 More Information | 🚸 Family-friendly| 📍Downtown Decatur | 🏆 365 Favorite

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. 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. Check site for 2023 dates.

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

ALPHARETTA ARTS STREETFEST

🌎 More Information | 🚸 Family-friendly| 📍Alpharetta

Alpharetta will explode in full color this Memorial Day Weekend as nearly 100 artists from around the U.S. showcase their imaginative works at Alpharetta Arts Streetfest, May 27 & 28, 2023. The event will take place in a new location at The Grove at Wills Park, the beautiful greenspace behind the Alpharetta Community Center, which offers festival goers plenty of room to spread out and enjoy the incredible artists and vendors. This much anticipated festival will feature live music, cultural arts performances, entertaining children’s activities, and a variety festival cuisine.

ROSWELL SPRING ARTS AND CRAFTS FESTIVAL

🌎 More Information | 🚸 Family-friendly| 📍Roswell

The Atlanta Foundation for Public Spaces is delighted to announce the return of the Roswell Spring Arts and Crafts Festival. Located in Historic Roswell, the two-day outdoor event celebrates the city’s rich history and features approximately 100 artists including painters, photographers, sculptors, metalwork, glass artists, jewelers, and more. Event-goers are also invited to dive into bites from gourmet food trucks, enjoy live acoustic music and artist demonstrations along with entertaining music and dance performances. Free to the public, the event is open to all ages and dogs are welcome. Check site for 2023 dates.

JUNE FESTIVALS

CHATTAHOOCHEE NATURE CENTER BUTTERFLY FESTIVAL

🌎 More Information | 🚸 Family-friendly| 📍Roswell

The 23rd Annual Flying Colors Butterfly Festival will delight everyone as we celebrate all things pollinators in June 2023! The Butterfly Festival is an important fundraiser event for CNC. Celebrate pollinators with butterfly school, partner booths, the migration game, native gardens, and the grand opening of the Butterfly Encounter. The Butterfly Festival is a great way to kick off summer for all ages. Advanced, timed tickets required. Dates: June 3-4, 2023.

HELEN BALLOON FESTIVAL

🌎 More Information |🚸 Family-friendly| 📍Helen | 🏆 365 Favorite

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. Check site for 2023 dates.

VIRGINA HIGHLAND SUMMERFEST

🌎 More Information | 🚸 Family-friendly| 📍Virginia Highland

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. At KidsFest, families will find creative pursuits, not inflatables and jump houses because at KidsFest, it’s all about art, music and creativity! Check site for 2023 dates.

TUNES FOR THE TOMBS

🌎 More Information | 📍Oakland Cemetery

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. Here are 6 Reasons You Should Visit Oakland Cemetery Before You Die. Check site for 2023 dates.

BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS WINE AND JAZZ FESTIVAL

🌎 More Information | 📍Blue Ridge

Enjoy delicious food prepared locally and listen to top jazz performers also from the region. Purchase wine by the glass or bottle and bring your blanket and lawn chairs to relax in while listening to great music.

The focus of the Blue Ridge Mountains Wine & Jazz Festival is for the North Georgia Mountains to be recognized as “A Cultural Tourism Destination”, to feature regional wines being produced locally,  provide financial support and opportunities for area students of Jazz music, and awareness to the community as to the importance of this legendary American music style. DATE: June 24, 2023.

RIDE THE RAILS FESTIVAL

🌎 More Information | 🚸 Family-friendly| 📍Blue Ridge

A five-mile round-trip ride by railroad motor car, traveling through the Iron Bridge over the beautiful Toccoa River and then back to the Historic Mineral Bluff Depot. Take a ride on a genuine railroad hand car. Visit the large HO Scale model railroad inside the depot. Check site for 2023 dates.

CANDLER PARK MUSIC FESTIVAL

🌎 More Information | 📍Candler Park

Enjoy two days of live music, great food, and an artists market at Candler Park.

This festival features a great musical lineup, dozens of the best food trucks, and a crafts and artists market that can't be beaten. DATES: Friday, June 3 and Saturday, June 4, 2023.

JULY FESTIVALS

PLAINS, TRAINS AND FIREWORKS

🌎 More Information | 🚸 Family-friendly| 📍Americus

This new-ish Sumter County festival has grown to approximately 3,000 people… and other groups have gotten involved in providing children activities, face painting, etc. It has become a fun family event with a band, dancing and beautiful professional fireworks. Sam Shortline brings in passengers and it has a wonderful time. Check site for 2023 dates.

SOUTHERN-FRIED GAMING EXPO

🌎 More Information |🚸 Family-friendly| 📍Marriott Renaissance Waverly

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. Dates: July 28-30, 2023.

AUGUST FESTIVALS

DECATUR BBQ, BLUES & BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL

🌎 More Information | 🚸 Family-friendly| 📍Downtown Oakhurst

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.

The barbeque pitmasters that have partnered with the festival are some of the area’s best, including Dunc’s BBQ Kitchen, Taylor’d Bar-B-Q, Ford’s BBQ, and Lake & Oak Neighborhood BBQ. There are plenty of activities and games for the kids too! Check site for 2023 dates.

PIEDMONT PARK ARTS FESTIVAL

🌎 More Information | 🚸 Family-friendly| 📍Piedmont Park

Recognized as one of the best outdoor festivals in Atlanta, the Piedmont Park Arts Festival returns to the heart of Midtown. Presented by the Atlanta Foundation for Public Spaces in picturesque Piedmont Park, features approximately 250 artists including painters, photographers, sculptors, leather and metalwork, glass blowers, jewelers, and crafters. Festival enthusiasts are also invited to enjoy live acoustic music, a children’s play area, and a variety of festival food and drink. Free to the public, the event is open to all ages and dogs are welcome. DATES: August 19-20, 2023.

DUNWOODY BUTTERFLY FESTIVAL

🌎 More Information | 🚸 Family-friendly| 📍Dunwoody Nature Center | 🏆 365 Favorite

The event features 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. 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. Check site for 2023 dates. Here are 22 Other Things To Do at Dunwoody Nature Center.

SUMMER SHADE FESTIVAL

🌎 More Information | 🚸 Family-friendly| 📍Grant Park

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. DATES: Check the site for dates 2023 dates.

MERCIER ORCHARDS HARD CIDAR & CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL

🌎 More Information | 📍Blue Ridge

Beautiful outdoor setting in the center of Mercier Orchards with beautiful panoramic mountain views. See all your favorite brewers and get some great food. Live music and more. DATES: Check the site for the 2023 date.

LOOKING FOR MORE?

Do not miss our list of the best Fall Festivals in Georgia like Music Midtown in the city, the Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade in East Point or the Georgia Apple Festival in Ellijay. (There are even a few Halloween festivities thrown in there.) Fall is one of the state's most gorgeous seasons, so we have a post just for those special events.

If music is your thing, then check out our post about noteworthy Music Festivals in Atlanta, guaranteed to rock your weekend. We're listing everything from hip hop to alternative to country.

WHERE TO STAY

MORE INFORMATION FOR YOUR GEORGIA VISIT:

• YOUR GEORGIA VACATION
• MORE ATLANTA: 53+ THINGS TO DO IN ATLANTA
• ATLANTA MUSIC FESTIVALS: A NOTEWORTHY LIST OF 43+ OF METRO’S BEST
• ATLANTA FALL FESTIVALS: THE 50+ BEST FALL FESTIVALS IN GEORGIA THAT YOU’LL LOVE

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