Atlanta Festivals
Get back to school but not back to the grind. Find free time festivities at the Yellow Daisy Festival in Stone Mountain Park. And for the foodie in all of us, Taste of Atlanta is a smorgasbord of local fare, followed by the Atlanta Greek Festival - an authentic taste of tradition. View a complete list of Atlanta fall festivals below.
| September Festivals |
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Music Midtown Finally, Atlanta’s favorite music festival returns! On September 24, Music Midtown is back and better than ever with two stages, 11 bands and hot headliners. This year, top talents such as Coldplay, The Black Keys and Atlanta’s own Manchester Orchestra amp up Piedmont Park for a full day of sun and sound. |
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The Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic (presented by Bank of America) One of the most intense college football rivalries in the nation, the Bank of America Atlanta Football classic pits Florida A&M University against Tennessee State University. Making Atlanta ground zero for its gridiron battle, this event is one of the country's largest Black college football games! What originated a massive fundraising effort has become one of Atlanta's most anticipated events. |
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Atlanta Arts Festival On Sept. 17 and 18, Piedmont Park is filled with more than 200 of the nation’s top artists. A can’t-miss for collectors and enthusiasts alike, the 5th Annual Atlanta Arts Festival features original paintings, photographs and sculptures, as well as hand-crafted works of leather, metal and blown glass blowers. Visitors can also enjoy artist demonstrations, hands-on activities and festival foods. |
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JapanFest This festival examines the aspects of modern American and Japanese culture, as well as the lasting effects of tradition. Here you'll find a modern kimono fashion show, anime screenings, fun foods and ethnic dishes, and the latest technological innovations. Music and traditional dance performances and martial arts demonstrations are just a few of the other events included in this extraordinary culture extravaganza. |
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Yellow Daisy Festival The Yellow Daisy Festival, voted #1 Arts & Crafts show in the nation, features more than 500 artists and crafters from 38 states and two countries. This event truly has something for the entire family! Visit the Men's Den, full of recliners and big screen tvs for watching sports or the Children's Corner, which offers crafts, rock walls, face painting and more. Live music and tons of vendors line the paths of Stone Mountain, providing constant entertainment. |
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DragonCon Mingle among the Klingons and a few Stormtroopers at DragonCon, the nation's largest multi-media, multi-genre pop culture convention. Here you'll find panel discussions, artwork, costuming and more centered around sci-fi, fantasy, comics, gaming and film. The DragonCon Parade on Saturday morning is a can’t miss event, where attendees dress in costumes representing anything from Star Wars to Harry Potter, pirates, fairies or even hobbits from Middle Earth, and join the walk down Peachtree Street. |
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EPIC Outdoor Game Fair September 23-25, explore the outdoors and challenge your friends and family at the Southeast’s largest outdoor game fair. Get back to basics with hiking trails and canoe rides or test your aim at skeet shooting and archery competitions. Great for all skill levels, demos and novice activities are offered, while ATV trials and kayak races are perfect for the more adventurous and experienced. |
| October Festivals | |
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A3C Hip Hop Festival Now in it's 7th year, Atlanta's own A3C Hip Hop Festival has become the nationwide gathering place for anyone that creates Hip Hop music or is a fan of the culture. The festival returns to the Masquerade October 6-8, 2011 and features more than 200 performing artists in addition to turntable, producer and breakdance competitions as well as educational and community programming including panel discussions, tutorials and workshops. A few of the artists to perform are 9th Wonder, Random Axe (Sean Price, Black Milk and Guilty Simpson), Freeway, Aleon Craft, MURS, Elzhi (of Slum Village) and Jean Grae.. |
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Pumpkin Festival at Stone Mountain Park (every weekend in October) Don your costumes and fall into the Autumn spirit! One of Atlanta's favorite fall festivals, this event is fun for the entire family. Costume contests, Puppet Parades and a Trick or Treat Scavenger Hunt are just a few highlights. Enjoy story-telling, pie-eating contests and more in one of the city's most beautiful parks. |
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Little 5 Points Halloween Festival & Parade Searching for some alternative family fun? The Little 5 Points Halloween Festival and Parade is a unique event, showcasing the most dynamic, creative community in Atlanta. Pumpkin decorating, street vendors and live performances fill this two-day event. And the sweetest treat of all is that it's totally free! |
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Stone Mountain Scottish Festival and Highland Games Be a 'Scot for the Day' at the Stone Mountain Scottish Festival and Highland Games. Authentic Highland music fills the park while tartan-clad families participate in Clan Challenge athletic events. Dancing demonstrations, heritage info booths and eclectic shops are just a few of the weekend's highlights. |
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Atlanta Pride Festival and Parade Support and celebrate the city's alternative lifestyle community at the Atlanta Pride Festival and Parade. Two days fill Piedmont Park with live entertainment, a Pride Market for local GLBT crafters, and tons of restaurant and bar promotions. Wrap up the weekend with the Pride Parade, one of the South's largest celebrations! |
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Atlanta Celebrates Photography Festival Looking for a creative evening on the town? Come experience this captivating and intriguing city-wide photography exhibit. Featuring art from all skill-levels, the month-long Atlanta Celebrates Photography is a free event and includes a variety of galleries, critics and participants. |
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Atlanta Greek Festival Just for the day, be miles away! Experience the rich 2000-year old culture and history of Greece at the Atlanta Greek Festival. Enjoy authentic dishes and music performances, history chats, traditional dances and more. |
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Taste of Atlanta Atlanta’s best chefs join forces for the tastiest celebration of the year! This can't-miss festival of flavors features a hands-on introduction to the city’s sustainable dining movement, celebrity chef demos and delicious dishes from more than 80 local restaurants. |
| November Festivals | |
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BronzeLens Film Festival November 10-13, celebrate Atlanta’s history of box office gold! Helping the city become the new mecca for film for people of color, the BronzeLens Film Festival is a four-day cinematic celebration featuring premiers, workshops, panel discussions, Master classes, special appearances and more. |
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Indian Festival and Pow-Wow at Stone Mountain Park Celebrate the nation's first civilization with dance and drum competitions. Get lost in the ancient art of storytelling, or enjoy authentic dishes and craft demonstrations. Teach a new dog old tricks with primitive skills workshops, including pottery, open-fire cooking and bow-making! |
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Cabbagetown Chomp and Stomp Come to the Cabbagetown Chomp and Stomp for their annual chili cook-off along the streets of this old mill-workers community. Now a beautiful, artsy neighborhood full of restored homes, Cabbagetown highlights individual and local restaurant entries in this yearly festival. The streets get crowded in the afternoon, so plan to come early, then relax in the park while listening to live local bands. |
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Veterans Day Parade Rally your troops and come out for a day of support and celebration! The Veterans Day Parade is the kickoff event for the evening's military Ball. Featuring floats, marchers and live bands, this parade honors all who have served, fought for, died and are still missing defending our country. Bring the entire family for a day of fun and freedom. |
