Greater Atlanta
Annual Events

Greater Atlanta's annual events range from boat shows, festivals and cultural happenings to major sporting extravaganzas including auto racing, golf, and collegiate football classics.

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Below is an overview of major annual events, some with links to more information on venues and related activity. To go directly to today's events, click here.

January: College Baseball; From the crack of the bat to the slide on into home, NCAA baseball packs a wallop of home run frenzy for what's oft called America's favorite pastime. Diamond action starts in January, continuing through most of June.; Georgia State Panthers, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, Mercer Bears; Atlanta Boat Show; Boating enthusiasts have a field day at Georgia World Congress Center looking over the best in boats, accessories and more. Call (770) 951-2500 for more information.; Georgia Bridal Show; Top bridal merchants showcase the classic and trendy. Call (770) 736-1979 for more information.; Metro Montage; This juried exhibition of Metro Atlanta artists working in a variety of media. Call (770) 528-1444 for more information.; YMCA's Pinewood Derby; Catch the action at Kennesaw's Town Center Mall. Call (770) 424-9486 for more information.; Vegas in Vinings; Proceeds for Vegas in Vinings benefit the Vinings Historical Preservation Society. Call (770) 432-3343 for more information.; Peach Bowl; Atlanta's Peach Bowl pits teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Southeastern Conference. Fans warm up at a New Year's Eve Peach Bowl parade. Call (404) 521-6600 for more information.; Martin Luther King Jr. Week; The Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday has grown into an entire week of concerts, performances, religious services and educational events. Call (404) 524-1956 for more information.; Epilepsy Foundation's Taste of Love Gala; At the end of January, enjoy an evening of wine and food at this black tie event to support the Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia, featuring wine pairings, live music, silent and live auctions, and dancing at the Ritz-Carlton Buckhead. Reservations required. Call (404) 527-7155 for more information.
February: Black History Month; Black History Month activity takes place at varied locations including the Atlanta Exposition Center. Call (404) 526-8900 for more information.; Groundhog Day; Yellow River Game Ranch hosts this day focusing on groundhog doings. Call (770) 972-6643 for more information.; Art Papers Art Auction; During the first week in February, the Mason Murer Fine Art gallery hosts a silent auction and collectors' preview featuring 300 artists from around the world, to benefit Art Papers magazine and the Art Papers Live lecture series. Call (404) 588-1837 for more information.; Atlanta Terrier Club Competition; Terriers compete at Marietta's Jim R. Miller Park. Call (770) 590-1007 for more information.; Southeastern Antique & Collectible Arms Show; Cobb County Civic Center becomes an arsenal for antique and military weapons. Call (770) 664-5015 for more information.; Best of Atlanta; More than 60 top restaurants provide food and wine samples at the Cobb Galleria Centre. Call (404) 527-5500 for more information.; Atlanta Garden & Patio Show; Blooms abound at Cobb Galleria Centre. Call (770) 998-9800 for more information.; Southeastern Flower Show; Promoting the Atlanta Botanical Garden, this show at the Atlanta Hall Exhibition Center features floral workshops, demonstrations, displays and children's activities. Call (404) 888-5638 for more information.; All 4 Kids Consignment Sale; Marietta's Jim R. Miller Park becomes a magnet for bargain hunters at this huge kids clothing and toy sale. Call (770) 973-7758 for more information.
March: NASCAR Nextel Cup Series: Atlanta 500; The Atlanta Motor Speedway in Morrow is the site for this annual March competition between champion racers.
To make reservations and purchase tickets to the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series: Atlanta 500, click here.; Atlanta Passion Play; First Baptist Church of Atlanta's pageant , extending into April, portrays Christ's life, death and resurrection on stage at the Atlanta Civic Center. Call (770) 234-8400 for more information.; Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival; The month-long festival at Conyer's International Horse Park includes a road race, music and a beauty pageant. Call (770) 602-2606 for more information.; Six Flags Over Georgia Opening Day; Warm weather can't be far away with opening day of Six Flags Over Georgia. Call (770) 948-9290 for more information.; Junior League Tour of Kitchens; More than a dozen of Atlanta's finest residential kitchens are opened for touring to benefit Community Partners of the Junior League of Atlanta. Call (770) 948-9290 for more information.; St. Patrick's Day; A nationally known grand marshal leads floats, bands, pipes & drums, Irish dancers, clowns, and more. Call (404) 748-5979 for more information.; Cracker Barrel 500; Atlanta Motor Speedway hosts NASCAR action. Call (770) 946-4211 for more information.
April: Major League Baseball; Nothing signals advent of spring more than baseball with a capital B, tightly meshed into American culture with historic firsts, icon performances, record-setting events, and traditions from hot dogs slathered in mustard to unexpected curveballs, and seventh-inning stretches. Books and movies about baseball are fine and dandy, but nothing beats Major League Baseball action, playing out each season from April through the World Series.; Atlanta Braves - To purchase seats to root for your Atlanta Braves, click here.; Easter Sunrise Services; The faithful gather on top of Stone Mountain in the predawn darkness of Easter Sunday. Call (770) 498-5690 for more information.; Atlanta Dogwood Festival; Hot-air balloon racing, dog frisbee championships, concerts and children's parades are part of the action at Peidmont Park. Call (404) 329-0501 for more information.; Swing into Spring; The Cobb Symphony Orchestra provides entertainment, dinner, dancing, and silent auction action to help underwrite the orchestra. Call (770) 426-1509 for more information.; Atlanta Spring Home Show; Georgia World Congress Center showcases what's new for the home and garden with furnished and landscaped model homes open for tours, seminars, and more. Call (770) 998-9800 for more information.; Humane Society Spring Yard Sale; At the Cobb Antique Mall, the Spring Yard Sale benefits the Cobb County Humane Society. Call (770) 428-9882 for more information.; Kennesaw State University's Annual Benefit Gala; Kennesaw State University's College of Arts stages a gala evening to support endowed scholarships and learning initiatives. Call (770) 499-3214 for more information.; Battle of Kennesaw; Kennesaw's Southern Museum of Civil War & Locomotive History provides backdrop for thunderous noise of a Civil War battle reenactment. Call (770) 422-9714 for more information.; Georgia Renaissance Festival; From April through early June, events include knights jousting on horseback, strolling musicians, minstrels and other costumed characters. Call (770) 242-4895 for more information.; Concerts by the Springs; From April through August, Concerts by the Springs is a five-part series of free outdoor concerts at the Sandy Springs Society Entertainment Lawn at Heritage Green, 6110 Bluestone Road, Sandy Springs. Music ranges from Bluegrass to Salsa. Although smoking and dogs are not allowed, concert-goers are encouraged to bring blankets, chairs, coolers, and refreshments. Call (404) 851-9111 for more information.; Masters Golf Tournament; The prestigious Augusta National Golf Club draws the world's top golfers, all competing for the coveted green jacket. Call (706) 667-6000 for more information.; Alive! Expo; At Georgia World Congress Center, Alive! Expo provides a weekend of family fun with lectures by prominent health experts, cooking tips, yoga / pilates demos, and more than 100 companies promoting organic foods, healthy footwear, and benefits of wine. Call (770) 935-8456 for more information.
May: Decatur Arts Festival; Art exhibits, pony rides, international music and dance unfold on the Decatur Town Square and other locations on Memorial Day Weekend. Call (404) 371-8262 for more information.; Georgia Mineral Society's Gem & Mineral Show; Cobb County Civic Center is the scene for the Georgia Mineral Society's free Mother's Day Gem & Mineral Show. Call (770) 634-6232 for more information.; Relay for Life; Marietta's Jim R. Miller Park provides the setting for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life. Call (770) 429-0089 for more information.; Marietta Bluegrass Festival; Leading area and regional bands take the stage at Marietta's Jim R. Miller Park. Call (770) 961-5974 for more information.; Atlanta Jazz Festival; Memorial Day weekend at Grant Park brings local and national jazz talent to entertain. Call (404) 233-2227 for more information.; Spring Jonquil Festival; At the Village Green in Smyrna, this annual spring arts & crafts festival features more than 150 artists / crafters from coast to coast. Call (770) 434-6600 for more information.; Big Shanty Festival; Big Shanty, in downtown Kennesaw, is one of north Georgia's largest arts and crafts festivals. Call (770) 422-9714 for more information.; Yaarab Shrine Circus, Carnival & Flea Market; Marietta's Jim R. Miller Park is the scene for this action packed circus, carnival and flea market. Call (770) 425-2331 for more information.; Notoberfest; Presented by Sweetwater Brewing & the East Atlanta Village, Notoberfest Beer Festival features nearly 100 beers from around the globe. One entry fee includes sampling glassware, koozie, and specialty, microbrew and longtime favorite beers. Grassy grounds are tree-lined for day-long relaxation. Must be 21, no youngsters, please. Call (404) 308-1271 or (404) 691-2537 for more information.; Spring Caribbean Festival; Spring Caribbean Festival, with free admission, features a carnival, pony rides, live entertainment, authentic Caribbean food, silent auction and more to benefit the Renaissance Montessori School. Call (404) 775-1915 for more information.; Midtown Music Festival; The outdoor Midtown Music Festival features musicians on six stages. Call (770) MID-TOWN for more information.; Laser Show; From May through Labor Day, a nightly laser show is accompanied by music on the face of Stone Mountain, a natural gigantic screen at Stone Mountain Park. Call (770) 498-5690 for more information.; Who Fest; Anything goes from hubcaps to silver spoons at Who Fest, with works by Who-Ha Da-Da (odd-duck artists borrowing from Dadaism). Whimsy of 75 artists at The Spruill Gallery also features the world's largest Moon Pie. Call (770) 993-7660 for more information.
June: Georgia Shakespeare Festival; Various Shakespeare productions are staged through October at Oglethorpe University. Call (404) 264-0020 for more information.; Avondale in Bloom GardenWalk & Marketplace; Avondale Estates' tour celebrates the artistic spirit, realized both in traditional media and that which grows and flowers. A tour highlight for each of six gardens includes an artist painting live on sight. Call (404) 288-8500 for more information.; Atlanta Fest; In mid-June, Atlanta Fest Christian Music Festival stretches over three days of fun, music, and fellowship at Stone Mountain Park. Call (800) 965-9324 for more information.; Lesbian and Gay Pride Festival; Commemorating the modern liberation movement, Atlanta's Lesbian and Gay Pride Festival at various locations has entertainment, speeches and a parade. Call (404) 688-0055 for more information.; Battle Anniversary; Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park hosts battle anniversary commemorative events including artillery, cavalry and infantry demonstrations. Call (770) 427-4686 for more information.
July: Black Arts Festival; The 10-day National Black Arts Festival is one of the largest celebrations of the arts and artists of African descent. Call (404) 730-7315 for more information.; Braselton Summer Concert Series; In Braselton, a series of summer concerts begins with an early Fourth of July concert on July 3 and wraps with a Vineyard Fest featuring more than 100 wines at the Chateau Elan Winery & Resort. Call (404) 520-4269 for more information.; Fantastic Fourth Celebration; A four-day party at Stone Mountain Park includes concerts and nightly fireworks. Call (770) 498-5690 for more information.; Independence Day; Atlanta's Peachtree Street celebrates with a parade, Decatur Town Square stages fireworks, Lenox Square has entertainment for kids along with fireworks, and Turner Field has fireworks after the Brave's Game. Call (404) 521-6600 for more information.; Roswell's July 4th Extravaganza; On July 4th bands play throughout the afternoon and evening, with fireworks at nightfall. Call (770) 641-3705 for more information.; All 4 Kids Consignment Sale; Marietta's Jim R. Miller Park becomes a magnet for bargain hunters at this huge kids clothing and toy sale. Call (770) 973-7758 for more information.
August: Jewish Festival; Piedmont Arts await at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta's MJCCA, with food, entertainment and vendors. Call (770) 396-3250, ext. 345 for more information.; Latino Festival; Underground Atlanta is the scene of dancing in the streets with Latin music, costumes, food, and more. Call (770) 523-2311 for more information.; Atlanta Underground Film Festival; This week-long celebration of underground cinema, live music, and visual arts promotes talented, emerging artists worldwide while seeking to elevate cinema from mere entertainment to a prestigious art form. Call (404) 520-4269 for more information.; Montreaux Atlanta International Music Festival; Piedmont Park and other venues host jazz, blues, country and other music. Call (404) 817-6851 for more information.
September: National Football League; If it's fall and you're ready for some football, count on the National Football League to deliver non-stop grid action, leading to playoffs, and the incomparable Super Bowl. The NFL has come a long way since its 1920 founding in Canton, Ohio at Ralph Hay's Hupmobile dealership. NFL action was first televised in 1939 when NBC broadcast within New York City. The NFL's Longest Day was on Christmas, 1971, in a playoff between the Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins, and Miami's 17-0 Perfect Season unfolded the following year. But that's history, and prospects for new milestones start in September.; Atlanta Falcons - To purchase seats for cheering on your Atlanta Falcons, click here.; College Football; NCAA Football, created in 1997 to promote college football ideals, makes no bones about the importance of each game. Losing at any time during the season can thwart a team's chances for postseason action or an NCAA Championship. No wonder NCAA Football marketers have adopted a tagline of "NCAA Football: Every Game Counts."; Georgia Bulldogs - To cheer on your favorites and book seats for the Georgia Bulldogs, click here.; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets - To book seats for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, click here.; Atlanta Greek Festival; Greek fare from souvlaki and gyros to baklava accompanies music, dancing and more in this celebration of Greek culture at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Call (404) 633-5870 for more information.; Atlanta Book Festival; For 10 days, the literati of Atlanta celebrate the written word with programs at the Fox Theatre, Phipps Plaza Centennial Olympic Park, the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library and bookstores. Call (404) 228-1950 for more information.; Charity Bass Fishing Tournament; In Buford, more than 200 two-person teams compete in a bass fishing tournament to benefit Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Games for kids, nature walks, face painting, and more are part of the fun. Call (770) 614-4080 for more information.; Dream Mile 5K Run / Walk; In mid-September, the Atlanta Chapter of VIBHA sponsors a run/walk to benefit underprivileged children and the future of India, starting from the BioTech Courtyard of Georgia Tech in downtown Atlanta. Call (770) 609-6268 for more information.; Grant Park Tour of Homes & Mothball; The Grant Park Tour of Homes provides access to architectural styles from Folk Victorian, Shotgun, and Double Shotgun to Queen Anne. Grant Park's Mothball celebrates renaissance of what became a Historical District in 2000. Call (404) 483-9449 for more information.; Sandy Springs Festival; After nearly two decades, the Sandy Springs Festival has grown from a small, picnic-style gathering into the community's largest annual celebration. Call (404) 851-9111 for more information.; Yellow Daisy Festival; More than 450 artists from across the nation and elsewhere converge on Stone Mountain Park to display their work amid a flower show. Call (770) 498-5690 for more information.; Duluth Fall Festival; Hundreds of arts and crafts booths and food vendors highlight the Duluth Fall Festival. This family-friendly event includes a parade, music, dancers, puppeteers, and a 5K road race. Held the last weekend in September at the Duluth Town Green. Call (770) 476-0240 for more information.
October: National Hockey League; The National Hockey League's rough and tumble world packs a motherlode of milestones, from 1917's NHL opener, to when Maurice Richard was first to score 50 goals in one season in 1944-45, to when Clint Benedict was the first goalie to put on a mask after a shot knocked him unconscious, to when Manon Rheaume made headlines in 1992 as the first woman playing in one of the four major sports leagues, goaltending for the Tampa Bay Lightning against the St. Louis Blues. From October on, it's non-stop action in the world of hat tricks -- three goals in a game by a player -- and sudden death overtime.; Atlanta Thrashers - To book for the Atlanta Thrashers, click here.; NASCAR Nextel Cup Series: Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500; The Atlanta Motor Speedway in Morrow is the site for this late October competition between champion racers.; To make reservations and purchase tickets to the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series: Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500, click here.; Tour Championship Golf Tournament; The East Lake Golf Club is the site for this series of games held during October and November.
To make reservations and purchase tickets to the Tour Championship Golf Tournament, click here.; Autumn Oaks Festival; Fiddlers from all over gather for this rally at Jonesboro's Stately Oaks Plantation with bluegrass jams, quilt displays in the old schoolhouse, and open-hearth cooking. Call (770) 473-0197 for more information.; Georgia Apple Festival; For three decades, Gilmer County's Ellijay has staged the Georgia Apple Festival with food and more than 300 vendors with handcrafted items. Call (706) 635-7400 for more information.; Latin America Film Festival; The festival features recent Latin American feature films at Rich Auditorium of the Woodruff Art Center. Call (404) 521-6600 for more information.; National Healthy Leg Day; With the Georgia House proclaiming Oct. 15 as National Healthy Leg Day, seminars on venous disorders, losing the mummy tummy, and healing wounds with compression therapy are on tap at the Westin Peachtree Plaza. Call (770) 632-2930 for more information.; Strut for Mutts; In Marietta, the Spay and Neuter Team of Atlanta (SANTA) puts on the dog with Strut for Mutts, a walk-a-thon to benefit canines in need, with prizes, raffle awards, vendors and on-site adoptions. Call (678) 354-7200 for more information.; Scottish Festival and Highland Games; Stone Mountain Park stages a celebration of Scottish heritage with parades, folk dancing bagpipe music and athletic events. Call (770) 498-5690 for more information.; Harvest Moon Bluesfest; The Gwinnett County Fairgrounds near Lawrenceville hosts Georgia's premier blues festival with three days of music, food, and drink with RV camping and more. Call (770) 963-6522 for more information.; Georgia National Fair; The 10-day fair at Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter celebrates agricultural heritage with exhibits, food, midway rides, circus, nightly fireworks, and concerts in Reaves Arena. Call (800) 987-3247 for more information.; Taste of Atlanta; Over a weekend in mid to late October, Tech Square at Spring and 5th in Midtown hosts a festival of food, provided by more than 70 area restaurants and prepared by nationally renowned chefs, featuring cooking demonstrations, programs on sustainable agriculture, tasting tents, and live entertainment. Call (770) 977-5908 for more information.; Intergalactic Bead & Jewelry Show; Gwinnett Center is the place to shop for beads and gemstones just before Halloween; wholesale trades also are available. Hall C, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. Call (678) 924-0818 for more information.; Pumpkin Festival; Stone Mountain Park hosts this annual celebration of all things pertaining to pumpkins, from pies to jack-o-lanterns. Call (770) 498-5690 for more information.; Halloween Hoorah; Over Halloween weekend, Jula Jane & Keith Coggins present a festival to benefit Operation G.I. Jane in support of deployed single moms in the military, featuring cocktails, sweets, live and silent auctions, and a costume contest with a prize, at the Terminus-Buckhead. 3280 Peachtree Road Northeast. Call (404) 389-1460 for more information.
November: National Basketball Association; Toronto, Canada was the site of the National Basketball League's first game on Nov. 1, 1946, with the Huskies hosting the New York Knickerbockers at Maple Leaf Gardens. Thirteen original rules were drafted by Dr. James Naismith, creator of basketball. Pro basketball suffered in popularity in the early 1950's, but one rule change -- that of the 24-second clock -- transformed the sport from a dull, stalling game to an exciting, offensive showcase. Icons along the way, from Bob Cousy and Wilt Chamberlain to Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Michael Jordan, have immortalized what's now the National Basketball Association's game, creating long-standing rivalries from coast to coast.; Atlanta Hawks - To book seats to root for your Atlanta Hawks, click here.; College Basketball; First devised by James Naismith in 1891, with the first recorded collegiate game in 1893, legions testify there's no sound so soothing as a basketball whooshing through the net after a flick of the wrist. NCAA basketball brings grass roots hoop dreams to an entirely new level each fall, building toward March Madness, the NCAA Division Basketball Championships.; Georgia Bulldogs - To book seats for the Georgia Bulldgos, click here.; Georgia State Panthers - To book seats for the Georgia State Panthers, click here.; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets - To book seats for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, click here.; Mercer Bears - To book seats for the Mercer Bears, click here.; Furr Ball Auction; Good Mews Animal Foundation, a non-profit no-kill shelter for cats serving metro Atlanta, stages its Furr Ball Auction, with fine art, plus dinner and entertainment. Call (770) 499-2287 for more information.; Fantasy In Lights at Callaway; Fantasy In Lights, along a five-mile drive through the woodlands, features larger-than-life scenes, each with a dedicated sound system for music tailored for the scene, from Santa's Workshop to the Twelve Days of Christmas. Call (706) 663-2281 for more information.; Lighting of the Holiday Tree; On Thanksgiving night, crowds gather at Underground Atlanta to sing carols and watch the lighting of a giant tree decorated with ornaments the size of soccer balls. Call (404) 523-2311 for more information.
December: City of Riverdale Tree Lighing and Holiday Celebration; Early in December, kick off the holiday spirit with a tree lighting and holiday ceremony at an outdoor event featuring local celebrity entertainers. Amphitheater at Riverdale Town Center, 7210 Church Street, Riverdale. Call (770) 909-5300 for more information.; Festival of Trees & Lights; Through early January, the Festival of Trees and Festival of Lights add holiday zest to Centennial Olympic Park and the Georgia World Congress Center. Call (404) 521-6600 for more information.; Atlanta Botanical Garden Country Christmas; Entertainment, dancing, storytelling and a visit from Santa enhance a holiday decorated garden and conservatory at the The Prado on Piedmont Avenue. Call (404) 876-5859 for more information.; Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Holiday Concerts; Holiday favorites are performed at Symphony Hall in the Woodruff Arts Center on Peachtree Street. Call (404) 521-6600 for more information.; Christmas at Callanwolde; Callanwolde, former home of the Coca Cola founder's eldest son, is festively decorated, with holiday music emanating from an imposing pipe organ. Call (404) 872-5338 for more information.; Firstnight Atlanta; Firstnight Atlanta, an alcohol-free family-oriented New Year's Eve party on Midtown streets, has music, theater, dance and more. Call (404) 521-6600 for more information.; The Nutcracker; The Atlanta Ballet's annual production of The Nutcracker with a full orchestra unfolds at Theatre Atlanta. Call (404) 817-8700 for more information.; Festival of the Nativity; In Norcross, Festival of the Nativity highlights hundreds of international nativity scenes, accompanied by concerts, theatrical presentations, plus toddler and older children's activity centers. Admission is free. Call (770) 246-0393 for more information.; Peach Bowl Parade; Downtown Atlanta's New Year's Eve parade serves as a warm-up for the Georgia Dome's Peach Bowl collegiate gridiron showdown. High school marching bands from across the U.S. take part. Call (404) 521-6600 for more information.; Underground Atlanta New Year's; Underground Atlanta welcomes the New Year on the plaza while crowds watch the "Big Peach" drop. Call (404) 523-2311 for more information.; Matzo Ball; From a humble start in a Boston bar, Matzo Ball bashes in more than a dozen cities including San Francisco and Washington D.C. have arrived at the Atlanta Compound as a holiday party for Jewish singles on the night before Christmas. Call (404) 872-4621 for more information.

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Greater Atlanta Annual Events

Greater Atlanta
Annual Events