Enjoy some Mardi Gras magic: 16 exciting events in Atlanta this weekend

Join the Mardi Gras parade this weekend in Decatur.

Credit: COURTESY OF DECATUR EDUCATION FOUNDATION

Credit: COURTESY OF DECATUR EDUCATION FOUNDATION

Join the Mardi Gras parade this weekend in Decatur.

Whether you're looking for a little relaxation or a night under the Big Top, you're sure to find fantastic events perfect for everyone in your family around Atlanta this weekend.

More on what to do this weekend:

Check out these top 16 events in CobbDeKalbGwinnett and North Fulton

Cobb

2017 Special Olympics Polar Plunge. 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 25. Free to watch, $50 to take the plunge. Acworth Beach at Cauble Park. 4425 Beach St. NW, Acworth. 770-414-9390. www.specialolympicsga.ejoinme.org.

Help support your local Special Olympians while taking an invigorating plunge into Lake Acworth this weekend. Hosted by the Law Enforcement Torch Run For Georgia, the 2017 Special Olympics Polar Plunge takes place at Acworth beach on Saturday to help spread awareness for the over 27,000 Special Olympians in Georgia.

Beatlemania Now! 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25. Admission starting at $35 per person. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta. 800-745-3000. www.travelcobb.org.

Brick Fest Dec 05, 2014 in West Palm Beach. (Bill Ingram / Palm Beach Post)

Credit: Bill Ingram

icon to expand image

Credit: Bill Ingram

Flashback to a time of peace, love and rock-n-roll this Saturday in Cobb with Beatlemania Now! This Beatles tribute band will perform your favorite Beatles classics to a backdrop of historic imagery from the 60's.

Brick Fest Live LEGO Fan Experience. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25 and 26. Admission starting at $24.50. Cobb Galleria Centre. Two Galleria Parkway, Atlanta. 866-442-4433. www.events.brickfestlive.com.

Calling all LEGO enthusiasts - Brick Fest Live will give your whole family the ultimate LEGO experience this weekend at the Galleria with YouTube LEGO sow hosts, a LEGO derby, inspiration stations, a video game arena, LEGO mini golf, shopping and more.

Taj Express. 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26. Prices starting at $35 per person. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta. 770-916-2800. www.cobbenergycentre.com.

Bollywood comes to Cobb County this Sunday, featuring dances by top choreographer Viabhavi Merchant and directed by Shruti Merchant. With dazzling costumes and uplifting live music, you won't want to miss this vibrant cultural performance.

DeKalb

Which Witch? 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 24, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25. $5 per person. Agnes Scott College. 141 East College Ave., Decatur. 404-471-6248. www.visitdecaturgeorgia.com.

Get out and see a theatrical production of Which Witch this weekend at Agnes Scott College, put together by senior theater major, Caroline Cañas. This children's production follows Tom and Ivy, who both make a deal with a witch in order to have their new baby daughter.

Mead Road Mardi Gras. 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25. Free to watch, drink tokens start at $5. Parade begins at 4/5 Academy at Fifth Ave., Decatur. 404-377-0641. www.decatureducationfoundation.org.

Celebrate Mardi Gras with a parade on Mead Street this Saturday in Decatur. The whole event starts on Fifth Avenue, meanders through Oakhurst and ends with live music, great Cajun food and activities for the kiddos. Proceeds from drinks and food will benefit music education in local DeKalb schools.

Peach State Opera: Tosca. 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26. Cole Auditorium. Perimeter College at Georgia State University. 3735 Memorial College Ave., Clarkston. 678-775-8445. www.peachstateopera.org.

Don't miss the Peach State Opera's performance of Tosca this Sunday at the Cole Auditorium. This family-friendly version of a classic opera follows Tosca in a passionate and dramatic love story.

Love Run 5K. 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 25. $35 per racer, free to watch. Decatur Square. 101 East Court Square, Decatur. runningmanwest@bellsouth.net. www.active.com.

Get fit while supporting awareness around domestic violence this Saturday at the 2nd Annual Love Run 5K. in celebration of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, the proceeds will go to help programs for the Women's Resource Center to End Domestic Violence.

Gwinnett

Ceramic Show. 10 a.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 24 and 25. $5 per person. Gwinnett County Fairgrounds. 2405 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville. 479-409-4000. www.events.exploregwinnett.org.

Whether you love to work with clay, or simply enjoy collecting hand-thrown pottery, don't miss the Ceramic Show taking place in Lawrenceville this weekend. You'll get a chance to talk to experts, see demonstrations, shop for supplies and purchase handmade pieces.

121605 met clown ( 1 of 4) Staff photo by Greg Lovett/The Palm Beach Post/??0016431A CLO--Lake Worth--Rik Gern, cq, known as Bonzo Crunch, visited the drama students at Palm Beach Community College Friday afternoon to conduct a workshop. Gern, an advance clown for Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus, travels to cities where the circus is scheduled to perform Dec. 17-Jan. 1 at the South Florida Expo Center to drum up support and ticket sales . On Friday, though, it was all about the art of performing as he shared his knowledge with drama students. During the workshop, he conducted exercises to help the actors to work together as an ensemble and to point out the nuances, personal characteristics and rhytms of people around them and to incorporate those into their performances. ORG XMIT: MER0512161817089542 ORG XMIT: MER0706201653394475

Credit: Greg Lovett

icon to expand image

Credit: Greg Lovett

Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus presents Circus Xtreme. 7:30 p.m. Friday, 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24 through 26. Tickets starting at $28 per person. Infinite Energy Center. 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. 770-626-2464. www.events.exploregwinnett.org.

Don't miss seeing the Greatest Show on Earth, which hits the Infinite Energy Center all weekend long before it permanently closes in May. The Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus presents "Circus Xtreme," a celebration filled with exotic animals,, acrobatics and daring performers.

Run The Reagan. 8 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 25. $20 to $50 per racer, free to watch. Ronald Reagan Parkway and Presidential Circle. 1800 Tree Lane, Snellville. 770-789-0044. www.events.exploregwinnett.org.

Run to help support three local charities this weekend at the Run the Reagan 1 mile, 5K, 10K and half-marathon. All proceeds benefit the Lilburn Cooperative Ministry, the Brookwood Schools Foundation, and The Southeast Gwinnett Cooperative Ministry.

The Peach Classic Cheer and Dance Championship. Saturday, Feb. 25. $15 per person. Infinite Energy Center. 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. 844-377-6884. www.deepsouthspirit.com.

If you enjoy watching a great cheer competition, come out and see some of the best local cheer and dance teams in the South compete in the Peach Classic Cheer and Dance Championship this Saturday. This award-giving competition will inspire any young athlete interested in cheering.

North Fulton

AnachroCon. 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24 through 26. $75 per person. Atlanta Marriott Century Center. 2000 Century Blvd. NE, Atlanta. questions@anachrocon.com. www.anachrocon.org.

If you love all things related to historical reenactment, theatrical costuming, Steampunk fashion, etiquette and fabrication, make sure to stop by AnachroCon, a total celebration of Creative Anachronism. This not-to-miss event has you covered, whether you love the Victorian Era or Star Trek.

Nuit Belge Atlanta. 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25. Tickets starting at $99. The Foundry at Puritan Mill. 916 Joseph East Lowery Blvd. NW, Atlanta. 404-962-8702. www.nuitbelge.com.

Surround yourself with the tastes of Belgium this Saturday at the Foundry at Puritan Mill. You'll sample some of the best Belgian beers and small plate fare while learning a little it about Belgian culture.

Roswell Ghost Tour Tour starts at 8:30 p.m., Friday through Sunday, Feb. 24 through 26. $15 for adults, $10 for children ages 12 and under. Roswell Town Square. 617 Atlanta St., Roswell. 770-649-9922. www.visitroswellga.com.

Join other daring souls by experiencing the Roswell Ghost Tour, where you'll hear interesting facts about Roswell history, find out about haunting local lore and see if you can detect actual paranormal phenomena.

Johns Creek High School Orchestra Ensemble Concert. 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26. Free with registration. Northeast Spruill Oaks Library. 9560 Spruill Road, Johns Creek. 770-360-8820. www.calendarwiz.com.

Support the Johns Creek High School Orchestra Ensemble by attending their concert this Sunday at the Northeast Spruill Oaks Library. Free with advanced registration, this performance honors Volunteer Jackie Christman and ESL Instructor Terry McManus.

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