Things to do in and around Atlanta on Thursday, Oct. 25 (and this weekend)

The Hickey family (mom Linda and dad Grant, along with Jonny and his beloved four-legged companion Xena) at the Jonny and Xena "Spread the Words" 5k, which returns this weekend.

Credit: R. Craig Wood and Luxum Studios

Credit: R. Craig Wood and Luxum Studios

The Hickey family (mom Linda and dad Grant, along with Jonny and his beloved four-legged companion Xena) at the Jonny and Xena "Spread the Words" 5k, which returns this weekend.

It looks like fall is finally here to stay, with the morning chill sticking around a little longer as the days get shorter. The trees still have some catching up to do, but that’s no reason to stay home. Get out and enjoy the Atlanta autumn. Here are a couple of ways to spend the day, and one to plan on for the weekend.

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra does Britten’s War Requiem

November marks the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, a conflict also known as the War to End All Wars. Sadly, that name would prove inaccurate. One of the casualties of that war was Wilfred Owen, a young British poet who was killed in action one week before the end of the war. In the early 1960s, British composer Benjamin Britten used Owen's poetry (along with the Latin Mass for the Dead) to create his astounding, heart-wrenching War Requiem. The requiem, written to mark the consecration of the new Coventry Cathedral, is a modern choral masterpiece. The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus is joined by soloists and the Gwinnett Young Singers for two performances of Britten's War Requiem. 8 p.m. Oct. 25 and 27. $17-$93. Symphony Hall, 1280 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta. 404-733-5000, www.atlantasymphony.org.

Georgia Ensemble Theatre’s “I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti”

Jennifer Levinson, better known to many soup-loving Atlantans as restaurateur Souper Jenny, stars in this one-woman comedy-drama about good food and bad boyfriends. It's based on the memoir by Giulia Melucci. The show opens Oct. 25 and continues through Nov. 11. $26-$38. Georgia Ensemble Theatre at Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., Roswell. 770-641-1260, get.org.

Jonny & Xena Spread the Words 5k, Fun Run, Walk, Fall Fest and Concert

Looking ahead to the weekend, bring the family for a day of fun that benefits the local special needs community, including autism programs and animal rescue. The 5K/walk begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, the fun run at 10 a.m. and the festival happens 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Concert begins at noon with Head Games, a tribute to Foreigner, followed by Bon Jovi tribute band Slippery When Wet at 2 p.m. Concert and festival are free. 330 Town Center Ave., Suwanee. xenathewarriorpuppy.com.

Check the weather before you head out.

If you’re looking for more ideas about things to in and around Atlanta, listen to the accessAtlanta podcast.