It’s almost time for the 21st annual Grant Park Summer Shade Festival! This popular festival takes place on Saturday, August 26th and Sunday, August 27th, 2023, in Grant Park.
As always, festival admission is FREE.
All entertainment is free as well, and you can see the concert schedule below.
August in Atlanta is known for sweltering heat, but Grant Park is home to some of Atlanta’s oldest and tallest trees to provide relief!
The outdoor fun includes an artist market, food trucks, craft beer, a Kids Zone, and a music line-up that just gets better every year. All the details are below, including the music line-up, list of food vendors, and tips for getting there and parking.
View the festival website
Festival hours:
- Saturday — 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Sunday — 11:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
You may also be interested in the House in the Park Music Festival on Labor Day Weekend.
Tickets are just $15 in advance, for a full day of entertainment.
Browse our big list of FREE outdoor movies and our complete guide to FREE outdoor concerts in 2023.
Artist Market
More than 200 artisans and craftsmen will be selling their goods — including art, photography, oil paintings, jewelry, silver, metal work, wood items, sculpture, blow glass, ceramics, pottery and more.
The artists market is open till 7 p.m. each day.
View the list of participating artists
Food
You can expect traditional festival foods like corn dogs and funnel cakes — as well as healthier options like chopped salads and frozen yogurt.
The 2023 food vendors include:
- Nine Rabbits
- Coffyn Pyes
- Gyro Chef
- Island Noodles
- King of Pops
- Lemonade Mixology
- Lisa’s Creperie
- MixdUp Burgers
- Papa Lou’s Kitchen
- Kepicci’s Italian Ice
- Totally Nutz
- The Pickle
- Williamson Bros BBQ
- Yom Ice Cream
- Sweetacular Treats
- 2C Coffee & Tea
- Caribbean Passion
- Sno-Angel Delites
Kids Zone
There are plenty of FREE activities in this year’s Kids Zone, including arts and crafts stations.
You can also buy tickets (or an unlimited activity wristband) for the kids to experience the bungee trampoline, obstacle course, giant slide, or toddler’s playland.
The 2023 music line-up
This schedule is subject to change — but you can check the music line-up online for scheduled times.
Saturday, August 26th — music from noon to 10 p.m.
Yes Ma’am
False Hearted Lovers
Choung Nu
Forrest Isn’t Dead
Front Porch Session Players
Migrant Worker
Rare Birds
Higher Choir
Mercyland
Sunday, August 27th — music from 1 to 7 p.m.
Reasonable Doubt
Nero Simon and The Sunsetters
Rodeo Twister
The Mar-Tans
Jackson County Line
Know before you go
Dogs are NOT allowed on the festival grounds. You know the drill — it’s a city of Atlanta permitting rule. Please don’t bring a pet of any kind and expect the rules to flex for you.
Outside alcohol is not allowed, but you can purchase adult beverages on site.
You’ll find several free water stations around the park, as the weather is expected to be hot. You can also visit one of several misting tents that will help you cool off.
Getting there and parking
Parking in and around Grant Park will be limited. PLEASE consider alternative means of transportation.
If you do choose to drive, your paid parking options are listed here.
Of course, you can also walk, rideshare, carpool, ride your bike or rent a Relay Bike, or ride an electric scooter!
If you bring your own bicycle, you can park it safely with the bike valet.
The closest MARTA station to the festival is the King Memorial MARTA station on the blue/green rail line. You can walk from the station, but plan on it taking 35 minutes. (Or, you can rent a Relay bike at the station).
MARTA Train and Walk/Bike Directions
- Take a blue or green line train to the King Memorial MARTA station
- Go to street level and turn left on Grant Street/Hillard Street.
- Walk two short blocks to Memorial Drive and turn left again.
- At Cherokee Avenue turn right — Cherokee will take you straight to the park.
View the MARTA guide for getting to the Summer Shade Festival
