atlanta
weekend guide
THings to do in atlanta this weekend:
august 4th - 6th, 2023
Art & comedy
- John Oliver is at the Fox Theatre on Sunday
- “Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley: Let the World See,” opens at the Atlanta History Center on Saturday and runs through Sept 17.
- This month’s High Frequency Friday at the High Museum of Art features DJ sets from Empress Rah, Boogie Lov, Sofa King and Jay Envy. It’s your night for music and art from 6 until 10 p.m.
- Concerts this week include: Sunset Jazz Festival with David Sanborn, Robert Glasper at Cadence Bank Amphitheatre, MoneyBagg Yo at State Farm Arena, Post Malone at Lakewood Amphitheatre, and Bop to the Top at Buckhead Theatre
- The “Pullman Pops: Broadway Spectacular!” is a two-night (Thursday and Friday), 45-piece pop orchestra concert led by composer Larry Blank at Pullman Yards. The event brings together musicians from across the region. Doors open at 5 p.m.; the concert begins 7 p.m. in AlcoHall.
- If you want a crash course on Shakespeare, go to the Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse Aug. 5 through. Sept. 3 and let the Atlanta Shakespeare Co. educate you with the “Complete Works of William Shakespeare.” It’s an irreverent, high-speed romp thorough his 37 plays all performed by three actors. Trust us; it’s nothing like you’ve ever seen or heard before.
- Sketchin’ 9 to 5 is an all-new, live sketch comedy show that takes a fresh spin on all the work-a-day things we do to “bring home the bacon”. Directed by Jenny Stearns, with Assistant Director Amanda Vick, Sketchin’ 9 to 5 runs August 12, 18 & 19, 8PM, at Frat Pack’s The Warehouse!
The 20th annual Atlanta Underground Film Festival is set for Thursday through Sunday at the Limelight Theatre, 349 Decatur St. SE. The festival exposes and promotes artists who create grass-roots movies that break the boundaries of film and video.
- As the weather warms up, be sure you check out some of these Summer Concerts:
- Groovin’ on the Green – Sat. 6 PM – 9 PM Brook Run Park and Playground
- Summer Covers Concert Series in Decatur on Fridays
- Buckhead Village invites Atlantans to get out and enjoy the warm weather with its new Summer Fridays live music series! On Friday evenings from 4:30-6pm on Buckhead Avenue and from 6-8pm in The Veranda (through August 11),
- Summer Soul-stice music series on Saturdays at Chattahoochee Food Works
- Live musical performances in The Colony Square Plaza every Friday from April to October
- Enjoy the enchanting Music in the Garden series at Woodlands Garden in Decatur, featuring free performances in the screened-in pavilion on select Sundays.
- Jazzy Sundays in the Parks: Discovery Green – Free concert series celebrating the legacy of jazz.
- Peachtree Corners Summer concert series
- Sunday Weekend Wind Down Concert Series in Avondale Estates
More fun things!
- Atlanta Black Restaurant Week begins on Saturday and runs through Aug. 14. This year, the event includes food trucks, sweets and more, in addition to restaurants.
- Monday Night Brewing’s 12th Anniversary Party is this Saturday at Lee Street
- Every weekend through December (weather permitting), Creator’s Market sets up on the green at Atlantic Station. The market features more than a dozen vendors selling hand-crafted products including jewelry, home décor, soaps and candles.
- A Taste of Nigeria Festival comes back to Atlanta with art, music, dance, comedy, drama, a fashion show and market Aug. 5 at the Westside Cultural Arts Center.
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Elegantly weird, Parliament of Owls is a black and white owl themed lantern parade that soars through the streets of Midtown Atlanta. Everyone is always invited to make an owl lantern and walk in the parade! Parade attire is black and white. Owls flock in the Plaza of Colony Square at 8:30. The Owls take flight at 8:50pm with the Black Sheep Ensemble!
Please fly behind the band. - Hit the L.O.A. Pool Club deck for an unforgettable night to end the long, stressful work week on a high note while overlooking the city’s incredible skyline.
- Every Saturday until Oct 15, zoo goers can enjoy the Goat Painting Wild Encounter at Zoo Atlanta. Join the animal care team and “VanGoat” the artist during a painting session. Your group chooses two colors for this unique work of art, and gets to take home the painting.
- Midtown Atlanta Food and Cocktail Tour – Multiple days until 12/31/202
- Be sure to check out some of the FREE Summer Movies Outdoors like:
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- Little 5 Points Summer Patio Parties Sat Night Cult movies
- Movies On The Square at Colony Square
- Pics in the Park – Pernoshal Park in Dunwoody
- Movies on the Lawn in Uptown Atlanta
- Screen on the Green at Atlantic Station
- Town Green in Peachtree Corners Flicks on the Green
- Town Brookhaven Movies
- Reels and Wheels is Roswell’s free updated take on Food Truck Friday’s and Movies in the Park
- Movie Night at The Works
- Movies Under the Stars in Hapeville
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For the family:
- Rise and Dine with the Animals, where you can enjoy a catered breakfast* by Proof of the Pudding while also enjoying an early morning view of the animals as they get ready to start their day.
- Saturday from 2 until 4 p.m. it’s Teen Art Afternoon at the High Museum of Art. The event celebrates the opening of the High’s “Metamorphosis” exhibition of adolescent art. You may create your own blackout poetry, make a caterpillar-to-butterfly paper towel roll and see the exhibition that showcases growth and change.
- Bring the little ones to Toddler Saturday at the High Museum of Art. From 10 a.m. until noon, children ages 15 months through 3 years old (and their caregivers) are invited to the event, which engages creativity through exploration of monthly topics with related artwork, art-making activities and self-guided tours.
- Jurassic World: The Exhibition is open at Pullman Yards through the end of the year. Walk through Jurassic World and see a Brachiosaurus, a Velociraptor and Tyrannosaurus Rex.
- Lego Club at Joan P. Garner Library at Ponce (multiple dates until August 3rd)
- Take the family strawberry picking!
- Dino Safari A Walk Thru Adventure 6/1/23 – 9/4/23 at North Point Mall
- Immersive Disney Animation is an innovative celebration that takes you inside the greatest films of Walt Disney Animation Studios, from their very earliest, groundbreaking features to the beloved hit movies of today from 5/4/23 to 9/30/23.
- “Shaun the Sheep: Flock this Way” opens Saturday at the Children’s Museum of Atlanta and runs through Sept. 4.
- Saturday at 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM Craft Time for Kids East Atlanta Library
- Running through Sept. 4 at Fernbank Museum of Natural History, “Survival of the Slowest” is all about slow-moving animals. (Live sloth and other animals!)
Sports, fitness & outdoors:
- The Atlanta Dream plays the Indiana Fever at Gateway Center Arena at 3 p.m. Sunday. The Dream is ranked fifth on the season; the Fever is ranked 11th.
- Boxing fan? Then you’ll want to head to Atlantic Station’s Overtime Elite Arena to catch the action during OTX Friday Night Fights. Events are scheduled for Aug. 4, 11, 18 and 25.
- The East Lake Foundation is thrilled to bring back the Run for East Lake 5K & Fun Run on Saturday, August 5th, presented by the East Lake Family YMCA. The 5K race will start and finish at Charles R. Drew Charter School’s Junior and Senior Academy
- Want to get out of the city this weekend? Try scenic hiking trails, the shores of Lake Lanier, the idyllic grounds of Callaway Gardens or the serene beauty of Serenbe.
- Atlanta Beltline Weekly Run Group – Westside
- Cheer on the Atlanta Braves from the comfort of Midtown’s Living Room! In partnership with Bally Sports, Colony Square will be showing select Braves games on The Plaza big screen.
- Check out ongoing Free Fitness programs for all ages and fitness levels with a variety of exercise classes open to everyone in park location throughout the City of Atlanta including:
- Free Yoga Classes in Woodruff Park Saturdays from 10AM-11AM.
- King of Pops Yoga at Historic Fourth Ward Skate Park – Sat May 27th, June 10th, June 24th and more!
- Yoga at The Plaza. Enjoy a yoga experience outdoors every Wednesday from April to October.
- On non-game days, there’s free yoga at The Battery Atlanta every Monday evening, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required and free parking is available.
- Take a Hike at a local nature center.
- Cheer on ATL UTD somewhere local. Full schedule here.
- Atlanta Botanical Gardens is hosting the exhibit, “Trolls: Save the Humans” by Thomas Dambo through Sept
Plan ahead for these Coming soon events:
- Recognized as one of the best outdoor festivals in Atlanta, the Piedmont Park Arts Festival returns to the heart of Midtown on Aug. 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Aug. 20 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- BeREGGAE Music & Arts Festival comes to Piedmont Park Aug. 11-13 for a fundraiser designed for the HOF Foundation and its programs centered around education and economic empowerment of Black families.
- Join TWO Urban Licks and raise a glass to its newest summer offering, Taco and Tequila Thursdays. Now through Aug. 31, you are invited to enjoy three chef’s choice tacos for $20 on the spacious, dog-friendly patio.
- Atlanta Black Pride Weekend is set to begin on Aug. 30 and continue through Sept. 5.
- For more the 20 years the historic Grant Park neighborhood bids adieu to summer with its ever-popular Summer Shade Festival – August 26th and 27th.
- Don’t forget to grab your Kirkwood Wine Stroll Tickets before the prices go up or tickets sell out!
Ongoing:
- Food and Street Art Tour of the Atlanta BeltLine – Every Saturday until 11/18/2023
- Enjoy family-friendly events at Colony Square on the last Tuesday of the month from April to October.
- Through October, start your month off with lots of laughs from The Punchline Comedy featuring live comedy acts, drinks specials, and more! The performances occur on the first Monday of the month, last about 90 minutes, and are recommended for ages 13 and older.
- Coffee and Chrome Car Show (every 2nd Saturday)
