Labor Day Weekend 2026 will feature many of the usual festivals, events, and traditions that we’re used to in Atlanta and the extended metro area.

We’re highlighting a few of the special events happening over Labor Day Weekend in Atlanta. And, at the very bottom of the post, you’ll find a day-by-day event listing for the entire holiday weekend, from Friday, September 4th through Monday, September 7th.

And don’t forget to check Groupon for deals and discounts on all kinds of activities!
Browse for Groupon deals in the things-to-do category around Atlanta

Enjoy your holiday weekend!

Browse our big list of FREE outdoor movies and our complete guide to FREE outdoor concerts this season!

Things to do on Labor Day weekend in Atlanta

Don’t forget to scroll down past the highlighted events to the daily event list for Labor Day Weekend — that’s where you’ll find the FREE concerts, movies on the lawn, food truck rallies, etc.
You can also find Labor Day Weekend events by browsing our lists of:

• Free outdoor concerts
• Free outdoor movies  

♦ Pioneer Days Festival

September 4 to 7, 2026
Sam Smith Park
Cartersville

This annual event in Bartow County features carnival rides, games, food, and more. It is a Labor Day Weekend tradition, and takes place at Sam Smith Park.

NOTE: This year there is a $10 admission fee.
Kids under 10 are free.
Read more about Pioneer Days  

♦ Atlanta Black Pride Festival

September 2 to 7, 2026
Multiple locations
FREE

This outdoor festival celebrates diversity with live music, food, art, and more.

There are also ticketed events related to Black Pride Weekend.
Visit the Black Pride website 

♦ The Classic Laser Show returns to Stone Mountain for FREE

September 5 to 7, 2026 PLUS dates before and after
Stone Mountain Park
FREE (but remember the parking fee!)

The end-of-summer bash at Stone Mountain Park includes a return of the Classic Laser Show — and it’s FREE for these four dates! (As you know, there has been a surcharge of $5 for admission to the Laser Lawn in recent years.)

The Classic Laser Show starts at 9:30, when it’s fully dark — but you can come early, spend the day, and enjoy the other attractions.
Details for the Classic Laser Show

♦ Dragon Con Parade

Saturday, September 5, 2026
Downtown Atlanta

The Dragon Con parade is FREE to attend and open to the public.
It happens this year in downtown Atlanta, along Peachtree Street, at 10 a.m., although the crowds will begin gathering and staking out their spots by 8 a.m.
Get more details about the Dragon Con Parade

♦ Gwinnett Stripers at Coolray Field

It’s baseball season! If you’ve never been to minor league game, make time this spring to visit Coolray Field and cheer on the Gwinnett Stripers, the triple-A affiliate team to our Atlanta Braves.

A Stripers game is an affordable outing for families, and a perfect cheap date — with tickets starting at just $9 and special promotion days that bring added value. Everything about the experience is less expensive than a Braves game at Truist Field. Plus, you’re sitting much closer to the action.

From September 1 to 6, the Stripers are playing the Charlotte Knights.
On Friday nights, there are fireworks after the game (weather permitting).
View the schedule and get tickets

♦ Atlanta Quilt Festival

September 4 and 5 (and more dates)
FREE quilt exhibit
Southwest Arts Center

This will be the final weekend for the Atlanta Quilt Festival.
There are 100+ quilts on display, and you can view them for FREE.

You’ll have a chance to view the work of professional textile artists, as well as work by beginners who are showcasing their art for the first time. Genres range from traditional art to modern art. 

It takes place at the Southwest Arts Center, located at 915 New Hope Rd in Atlanta.
More info

♦ Labor Day Car Show in Dawsonville

Friday, September 4, 2026
4 to 8 p.m.
FREE for spectators

This annual car show is hosted by the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame (415 Hwy 53 East, Dawsonville, GA 30534).

You can visit for free.
There will be vendors on site.
If you’d like to exhibit your car, advance registration is $25 (it goes up to $30 on the day of the show).
More info

♦ FREE museum admission at 7 venues

September 5 and 6, 2026
This is the weekend for the Museums On Us program — which is open to anyone holding a Bank of America debit or credit card.
More info

Participating venues offering free admission include:

• The High Museum of Art
• The Atlanta History Center
• The Center for Civil and Human Rights
• Tellus Science Museum (Cartersville)
• Booth Western Art Museum (Cartersville)
• Savoy Automobile Museum (Cartersville)
• Bartow County History Museum

♦ FREE Splash Pads & Spraygrounds

The splash pads, interactive fountains, and spraygrounds in Atlanta are a fun way to cool off and play in the water, without going to a pool.

No matter where you live in metro Atlanta, there is most likely a park with a water feature near you — and most of them are FREE.

Don’t forget to bring towels and a change of clothes!
Complete list of free water features in metro Atlanta

♦ House in the Park Music Festival

Sunday, September 6, 2026
Grant Park

This super-affordable, one-day music fest is just $25 in advance, and one child up to 10 years old gets in FREE with each adult ticket purchased.

Featuring a range of emerging local, regional, and national talents.
Details for House in the Park

♦ Aflac Kickoff Game

Saturday, September 5, 2026
3:30 p.m.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium

The Aflac Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium  is recognized as the official beginning of the college football season.

It was formerly known as the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game.

The upcoming matchup features Baylor vs. Auburn — and this is a Splurge Alert item, as tickets start at $126. (Hint: it also will be broadcast nationally on ABC.)
Get tickets via Ticketmaster

♦ Hamilton at the Fox Theatre

September 2 thru 20, 2026
This is, of course, another Splurge Alert item.
Still, price points for Hamilton are much lower this time around, now that the buzz has worn off a bit.
(HINT: you can buy a one-month subscription to the Disney+ streaming platform for $19.99 and watch it there, with the original Broadway cast.)

And don’t forget about the HAM4HAM ticket lottery — play for a chance at one of forty $10 seats at every show.
The lottery is not yet open, but we will have full details here once it opens.
Get tickets on the Fox website

♦ TinyCON at the Children’s Museum

Saturday, September 5, 2026
This annual celebration of pop culture and fandom is geared toward kids.
It features crafts, activities, and special performances.
Advance tickets are $25, and the price will increase in early September.
More info + get tickets

♦ Candlelight Concerts

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations around metro Atlanta. These are live performances in intimate venues, lit by flickering candles.

The concerts range from iconic classical music to tributes to pop artists like Adele and Queen.

On Friday, Sept. 4th you can hear music from The Lord of the Rings at the Chapel on Sycamore, in Decatur.
More info and tickets

♦ Caffeine & Octane Car Show

Sunday, September 6, 2026
9 a.m. to 11:20 a.m.
Town Center at Cobb

This is a monthly all makes, all models car showcase.
It is FREE to attend in the food court parking lot at Town Center at Cobb.
You can also register to exhibit your car, for a fee.
More info

♦ South Fulton Scenic Byway

The South Fulton Scenic Byway has been called the loneliest road in metro Atlanta — although the loop is actually made up of four roads.

This scenic drive is a 29-mile loop in South Fulton County, just 16 miles south of the airport. Pack some snacks and go for an air-conditioned drive!
Driving directions and more info