Throw on your shorts and slide into your flip-flops for a season full of quintessential summer Atlanta festivals you won’t want to miss.
We’ve compiled a collection of metro Atlanta’s best festivals that span various interests.
Set aside some time on your Google calendar for some of these exciting summer festivals that will surely entice you to brave the heat this summer.
Here’s the lineup for eight of the can’t-miss summer festivals in metro Atlanta:
Duluth Arts Festival
Nearly 90 artists will participate in the inaugural Duluth Arts Festival this weekend. Painters, sculptors, jewelers and other artists will join musicians and performers on the Duluth Town Green for this free, two-day festival.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Free. Duluth Town Green, 3142 Hill St., Duluth. DuluthArtsFestival.com.
Atlanta Streets Alive
The streets of Atlanta become car-free for an afternoon when Atlanta Streets Alive takes over Marietta Street and Howell Mill Road this Sunday. It all starts off with a bicycle parade, followed by fun activities like hula hooping, yoga, dancing, biking, skating and strolling at this community-centered event.
4-8 p.m. Sunday. Free. Marietta Street and Howell Mill Road, Atlanta. www.atlantastreetsalive.com.
Coca-Cola Summer Film Festival
Nothing beats taking in a movie under the starlit blue sky at the Fox Theatre. All summer long, the Coca-Cola Summer Film Festival will feature classic, vintage and new movies, including pre-show cartoons and singalongs with Mighty Mo, all projected onto the big screen at the Fox.
July 16-Sept. 3. Dates and times vary. $8-$12. Fox Theatre. 660 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta. www.foxtheatre.org.
Atlanta Ice Cream Festival
Start saving up those calories, because the Atlanta Ice Cream Festival takes over Piedmont Park on July 22. This exciting (and tasty) event not only features delicious frozen treats, but also a 5K Fight Cancer Walk, live music, vendors and health and wellness education.
11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, July 22. Piedmont Park. 400 Park Drive NE, Atlanta. www.atlantaicecreamfestival.com.
Decatur BBQ, Blues and Bluegrass
Originally created to raise money to relocate and preserve the Decatur train depot, the Decatur BBQ, Blues and Bluegrass festival has become a summer staple since its inaugural year in 2000. Head to Harmony Park on Aug. 12 to enjoy more than seven hours of live music, barbecue, beer and more.
2-9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12. $12-$20 (adults), free (kids under 12). Harmony Park, Oakview Road and East Lake Drive, Decatur. Decaturbbqfestival.com.
Piedmont Park Arts Festival
This year’s Piedmont Park Summer Arts & Crafts Festival will feature up to 250 artists, including glass blowers, painters, sculptors and others, throughout the two-day festival. Visit the children’s area with your family, indulge in festival food and enjoy live music during this Aug. 19-20 event.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Aug. 19-20. Free. Piedmont Park, 400 Park Drive NE, Atlanta. Piedmontparkartsfestival.com.
Grant Park Summer Shade Festival
If you’re looking for a great summer festival that the whole family will enjoy, make sure to mark your calendar for the Summer Shade Festival this August. Along with an artist market and live entertainment, families will also enjoy a Kids Zone, 5K run, food vendors and more.
10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Sunday. Aug. 26-27. Free. Grant Park, 700 Boulevard Ave. SE, Atlanta. www.summershadefestival.org.
Music Midtown
Get ready to rock your socks off, because Music Midtown will hit Atlanta again this September with a lineup of music like no other. From rock ‘n’ roll to hip-hop, the party won’t stop with over 30 artists performing on four stages. As you listen, enjoy tasting a variety of local fare and riding the Ferris wheel overlooking the event.
TBD. Sept. 16-17. Piedmont Park, 400 Park Drive NE, Atlanta. www.musicmidtown.com.
Staff writer Jewel Wicker contributed to this article.
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