Mother’s Day weekend events play out like a large brood of children. Each has its own personality, style and direction, whether festive, flowery or flavorful. Yet, deep down, it’s all about pleasing mama, and these go-and-do options keep their individual eyes on the maternal prize.
Mommy’s Time Out: A Night in Paris
The 444 Theatre will double as an all-inclusive oasis for mothers, with Ariane Davis of VH1’s “Love & Hip Hop Atlanta” serving as hostess. Mom can nibble on a light pasta dinner and desserts with a French flair. Bartenders will pour select signature cocktails and wine. Vendors, including clothing boutiques and a mobile spa, will spotlight their wares. DJ Toni K will spin a relaxing playlist, and an artist will do complimentary caricatures.
6 p.m. May 8. $20. 444 Theatre, 444 Highland Ave. N.E., Atlanta. 404-931-9436, eventbrite.com/e/mommys-time-out-tickets-15715233687.
Sweet Auburn Springfest
Give mom a heaping helping of food, shopping and live tunes with a trip to this annual festival. Don’t worry about a gift. Buy her one on the spot from a vendor, be it jewelry or a piece of art. Break bread in the international food court, and catch a performance by one of the many musicians in the lineup. For mom’s sake, tots likely will rest easy after visiting the Fun Zone.
5-9 p.m. May 8; 11 a.m.- 9 p.m. May 9; 2-8 p.m. May 10. Free. 230 John Wesley Dobbs Ave., Atlanta. sweetauburn.com.
Gardens for Connoisseurs Tour
Does mom like playing in the dirt? Or maybe she simply appreciates expertly maintained flora? Either way, consider the 31st edition of this Mother’s Day weekend tradition. The Atlanta Botanical Garden’s annual fundraiser features 12 private gardens located around metro Atlanta, from Decatur to Dunwoody. They are close enough together that guests can easily explore all of them across two days. Spots include the lush pocket gardens tucked behind Ray Rubin and Jeff Shelton’s Ansley Park bungalow, and the tropical growth and water features at Shellie and David Christman’s digs near Garden Hills. The Atlanta Botanical Garden website has a map for this self-guided tour.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. May 9-10. $25 advance, $20 for Atlanta Botanical Garden members; $30 on the days of the tour. 404-876-5859; atlantabg.org.
Mother’s Day Weekend at Barnsley Resort
This plush getaway, about an hour north of Atlanta, is known for its sculpted gardens, Southern mansion ruins and indulgent amenities. Its Mother’s Day Weekend event gives guests the opportunity to spoil mom. Bunk in one of Barnsley’s snazzy, quaint cottages and score a $50 credit for the spa, horseback riding and more. A Fairy Garden container class takes place at 1 p.m. May 9 in the Rice House Kitchen Garden. On Mother’s Day itself, guests have two holiday dining options: a buffet at the Pavilion or a luncheon menu at the Rice House. Resort and dining guests get on-the-house, first-come, first-served carriage rides 11 a.m.-3 p.m. May 10.
Barnsley Resort, 597 Barnsley Gardens Road, Adairsville. 770-773-7480, barnsleyresort.com.
9th annual Mothers Day Weekend Celebration at Wolf Creek Amphitheater
Rhythm and blues-loving moms may appreciate this outdoor concert instead of the standard bouquet. Soulful crooner Anthony Hamilton will share the bill with funky divas En Vogue. Hamilton likely will perform “Charlene” and other faves, while En Vogue keeps promising “My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It).”
7 p.m. May 9. VIP table seats $110-$115; reserved seats $70-$75; general admission lawn seating $45-$50. Wolf Creek Amphitheater, 3025 Merk Road S.W., Atlanta. 404-613-9653, wolfcreekamphitheater.com.
Mother’s Day Brunch Cruise
Set sail with a unique Mother’s Day weekend experience aboard a 100-foot luxury houseboat. Reserved guests will depart at 10 a.m. May 9 from the Sam’s Club parking lot on Clairmont Road and take a shuttle to Lake Lanier. Next, they will hop aboard the tricked-out Fantasy for a three-hour cruise. Complimentary bloody marys and mimosas will flow while visitors nosh on a brunch buffet. Singer-songwriter Christopher Glenn will perform and prizes will be given away to lucky moms. Choice views can had from the top deck.
11 a.m.-3 p.m. May 9. $95 per person. Sam's Club, 2901 Clairmont Road N.E., Atlanta. 678-304-6484, workhardplayhardatl.com/mdbc2015.
Adopt a Senior for Mother’s Day
Not everyone gets showered with affection on Mother’s Day. Neighbor Love, a faith-based nonprofit, does something about it by holding Adopt a Senior events for holidays. On May 9 and 10, volunteers will visit nursing homes in Snellville, Buckhead, Roswell and Austell. They stuff gift bags decorated by area school children and distribute the gifts and kid-made cards to female residents. Together, everyone will eat a professionally catered lunch. After the meal, volunteers will socialize with the guests and those who couldn’t make it to the meal. Visit the website to register or donate funds.
Neighbor Love, 404-919-9165, neighborlove.org/adoptaseniormother.
Duathlon and 5K at Callaway Gardens
Pavement-pounding moms will be among those participating in the Duathlon on Mother’s Day at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain. Bring your own mother and cheer on the participants as they start with a 5K run, bike for 30K and wrap up the race with another 5K. Or you can sign up for the regular 5K. Other weekend highlights include a Mystery Dinner Theater event May 9; special meals in the Gardens Restaurant and a brunch buffet in the Plant Room May 10; and the always opulent gardens.
May 10. Free to watch. $45 for 5K. Callaway Gardens, 17800 U.S. 27, Pine Mountain. 1-800-463-6990, callawaygardens.com.
Makan
If Mom begs you to save money on Mother’s Day, you can oblige by taking her to Makan, the uber hip Chinese-meets-Korean eatery in downtown Decatur. They will show motherly love with gratis dinners for moms May 10 featuring their family-style grub, small plates and signature ramen. The freebie must be of equal or lesser value to other diners’ meals.
5-9 p.m. May 10. Makan, 130 Clairmont Ave., Decatur. 404-996-6504, makanatl.com.
Nitro Circus Live
Not every matriarch wants a feminine celebration. Moms who dig motorcycles might enjoy watching Nitro Circus Live, an event based on the popular DVD series and MTV program. The brainchild of Travis Pastrana, a 10-time X Games gold medalist in freestyle motocross, Nitro Circus has BMX and skateboarding daredevils joining motocross maniacs who perform off-the-wall tricks on everything from a bath tub on wheels to a shopping cart. They all catch white-knuckle air on a 50-foot-high ramp. Somebody call their mamas.
7:30 p.m. May 10. $39-$99 plus Ticketmaster fees. Georgia Dome, 1 Georgia Dome Drive N.W., Atlanta. 1-800-653-8000, ticketmaster.com.
