Love is in the air, but that's not the only thing going on this weekend around Atlanta. Join your community for some of these family-friendly events and activities happening this weekend, including not-to-miss celebrations, dance lessons, Black History Month events and hikes.
With this lineup, you'll learn new skills and enjoy culturally rich experiences all weekend long. Check out what's happening around you:
Cobb
Great Backyard Bird Count. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17. Included with admission. Smith Gilbert Gardens. 2382 Pine Mountain Road, Kennesaw. 770-919-0248. www.smithgilbertgardens.com.
Join Smith Gilbert Gardens for the Great Backyard Bird Count, which will include bird-watching tours, bird-themed crafts, scavenger hunts and more.
Smyrna Arbor Day Celebration. 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 17. Free. North Cooper Lake Park. 4201 North Cooper Lake Road, Smyrna. 678-631-5394. www.smyrnacity.com.
Smyrna celebrates Arbor Day with ribbon cutting of the new playground and free family event that will feature tree planting demonstrations, photo opportunities and refreshments.
Pop-In for Family Fun: Black History Month. 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 17. $5 per person, $20 family cap. Marietta Museum of History. 1 Depot St. #200, Marietta. 770-794-5710. www.mariettahistory.org.
Teach your children about Black History Month with a visit to the Marietta Museum of History. This Saturday they will offer a Pop-In showcasing significant figures in local black history, themed activities and crafts for kids.
Kennesaw Mountain Guided Assault Trail Hike. 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 17. Free. Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. 900 Kennesaw Mountain Drive, Kennesaw. 770-427-4686. www.home.nps.gov.
Find out about local Civil War history and the Guided Assault Trail with a guided, ranger-led hike through Cheatham Hill.
DeKalb
Chinese New Year Celebration at the Carlos Museum. Noon. Friday, Feb. 16. Free. Michael C. Carlos Museum. 571 South Kilgo Circle NE, Atlanta. 404-727-4282. www.arts.emory.edu.
It's the Year of the Dog, and the Carlos Museum will celebrate with music by Tan Dun and the Vega String Quartet.
Credit: Jonathan Phillips
Credit: Jonathan Phillips
2018 Atlanta Chinese Lunar New Year Festival. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 17 and 18. $5 per person. Culture Center of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Atlanta. 5377 New Peachtree Road, Chamblee. 770-451-4456. www.overseas.ocac.gov.
The Culture Center of Taipei will host a celebration for Chinese Lunar New Year this weekend with live performances including the lion and dragon dances, traditional food and cultural displays.
Keep Calm and Marry On: Wedding Planning Workshop. 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17. Free. Wesley Chapel Library. 2861 Wesley Chapel Road, Decatur. 855-253-5928. www.prestigedesigns.org.
Plan the perfect wedding with the help of experts this Saturday at the Keep Calm and Marry On wedding planning workshop. You'll learn tips and tricks to save money, taste food, see samples and more.
English Country Dancing. 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18. $9 per person. Decatur Recreation Center Studio. 231 Sycamore St., Decatur. ecdatlanta@gmail.com. www.ecdatlanta.org.
Experience the fun of an old-fashioned English Country Dance this Sunday with traditional music from the British Isles. No partners needed.
Gwinnett
Speaker on Key Issues Before Georgia Legislature. 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16. Free. Temple Beth David. 1885 Mc Gee Road SW, Snellville. 770-978-3916. www.gwinnetttemple.com.
Listen to a speaker from Tzedek Georgia this Friday, who will talk about important issues before the Georgia Legislature. At this community event, you'll find out how to get your voice heard by the State Senate and House.
3hr Salsa Boot Camp and Salsa Party. 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17. $50 per person, $90 per couple. Dancing 4 Fun Dance Studio. 6025 Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree Corners. 678-304-7343. www.salsaatl.com.
Discover a new talent this Saturday at the 3hr Salsa Boot Camp and Salsa Party. You'll learn dance moves and experience an evening of fun. No partner necessary.
It's in the Bag Art Supplies for Charity Event. 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 17. Free. Gwinnett County Public Library Suwanee Branch. 361 Main St., Suwanee. 770-978-5154. www.gwinnettpl.org.
Young Rembrandts celebrates 30 years with a charity event. Kids will decorate and fill bags with much-needed art supplies for local students.
The Rise of Civil Rights Film Series. 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17. Free. Gwinnett County Public Library Five Forks Branch. 2780 Five Forks Trickum Road SW, Lawrenceville. 770-978-5154. www.gwinnettpl.org.
Celebrating Black History Month, the Gwinnett Public Library Five Forks Branch will screen the movie "Southside with You" this Saturday.
North Fulton
Heritage Sandy Springs Outdoors Club Hike: Island Ford. 8 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 17. Free, $3 parking, registration recommended. 1998 Island Ford Parkway, Sandy Springs. 404-851-9111. www.heritagesandysprings.org.
Enjoy a refreshing hike through Island Ford in Sandy Springs with the HSSOC. This 3-mile hike will include moderate terrain, views of the Chattahoochee River and lots of chit-chat.
Rose Reading Course with Kisha Lee Crawford. 10 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 18. $200 per person. Phoenix & Dragon Bookstore. 5531 Roswell Road NE, Atlanta. 404-255-5207. www.phoenixanddragon.com.
Discover how to use a rose to interpret energy and improve psychic readings. Kisha Lee Crawford will lead this course, which follows the fundamental and next level Energy Tools course.
Radio Swap Meet. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17. Free. American Legion Post 201. 201 Wills Road, Alpharetta. 770-475-9023. www.sarsradio.com.
Find old, vintage and antique radios, both in working order and to fix up, at the Radio Swap Meet this Saturday.
Untold Stories of Native Roswell. 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18. Free. Roswell Visitors Center. 617 Atlanta St., Roswell. 770-640-3253. www.visitroswellga.com.
Learn as local residents share some of their stories about growing up in Roswell's black community at the Roswell Visitors Center this Sunday.
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