Memorial Day Weekend 2026 in Atlanta is looking good!
There are lots of events happening, both to commemorate our fallen military personnel in the traditional manner, and to just have fun and celebrate the beginning of the summer season. We’re still in the process of adding events, so check back!

This post is organized like this:
*First, local, just-for-fun events and things to do, like concerts and festivals
* Then, the ceremonial and commemorative events
*Next, deals and discounts for Memorial Day
*A day-by-day calendar listing for the whole Memorial weekend

Fun activities for Memorial Day weekend

Looking for something to do on the cheap?
Groupon has a wide variety of discounts and deals for local activities — from bowling to escape rooms to river tubing to the Skyview Ferris wheel and more! If you buy a Groupon deal through our link, we may receive a small commission.
Browse local deals on Groupon

Head to Stone Mountain Park for 4 nights of fireworks

From May 22 to 25, 2026, Stone Mountain Park commemorates Memorial Day with a special four-day event, to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.

The highlight is the Drone & Light Show, which will be followed by a special salute to the troops, and epic fireworks all four nights of the holiday weekend. The show starts at 9:30 and features lights, iconic music, lasers, epic fireworks, and flame cannons.

During Memorial Weekend, the Drone show will also feature a formation of 250 fire drones, flying in formation to create the image of an eagle.

♦ Military FREE admission:
Active duty, veterans, and retired military personnel will receive one free Attractions Pass with valid ID, and will save up to 30% off per person for immediate family members at the ticket plaza inside the park. Note that you can’t get this deal online, only in-person.

♦ Half-off Deal:
Thanks to a limited-time offer from Groupon, you can buy a daily Attractions Pass at HALF OFF — that’s just $19.99, for both children and adults. (The regular price is $39.99 for adults, and $34.99 for kids.)
The Zipline Adventure Course ticket is also half off — again, just $19.99.

Enjoy the Atlanta Jazz Festival

The iconic event is one of the largest FREE jazz fests in the nation, and it’s happening at Piedmont Park from Saturday, May 23rd thru Monday, May 25th, 2026.
This is three full days of FREE concerts.
WEATHER UPDATE: The Jazz Festival plans to go on as scheduled, but is advising you to bring ponchos and/or umbrellas. Concerts may be paused during certain weather conditions.
Get the details and see the line-up

Cool off at a FREE splash pad or sprayground

The splash pads and spraygrounds in Atlanta are open for the season!
These are a fun way for kids 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!

We’ve put together a handy list of splash pads, spraygrounds, and interactive fountains. The list is organized by county.
Find a splash pad near you

Browse the Alpharetta Arts Streetfest

May 23 & 24, 2026
Wills Park

Dedicate part of your Memorial Day Weekend to the Alpharetta Arts Streetfest! The two-day event takes place at Wills Park. Admission is FREE. Festival hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.
More info here

Take in a free outdoor concert

There’s quite a few opportunities to listen to music this Memorial Day Weekend!
Browse our full list of summer concerts here

Friday, May 22nd:

• Suwanee’s Red, White, Bluegrass & Bach concert
• Norcross Summer Concert: Billy Joel & Elton John tribute
• City Green Live concert in Sandy Springs
• Avalon Nights Live
• On the Green Concert Series in Alpharetta

Saturday, May 23rd:

• Snellville Live on the Lawn: Departure (Journey tribute)
• Cumming City Center: The Stranger (Billy Joel tribute)
• Atlanta Jazz Festival

Sunday, May 24th:

• Music in the Garden at Woodlands Garden (Decatur)
• Atlanta Jazz Festival

Monday, May 26th

• The Alpharetta Symphony Orchestra at Brooke Street Park
• Atlanta Jazz Festival
• Alpharetta City Band at Alpharetta City Hall

Make merry at the Georgia Renaissance Festival

The gates are open on Saturday, Sunday, and Memorial Monday from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. There is quite a bit to do at the Georgia Renaissance Festival and it is a family-friendly event with plenty for the kiddos. There is food and drink (with a Renaissance theme!) available for purchase. You’ll also find plenty of entertainment and an artisans market for shopping.
More info here

Plan a strawberry picking excursion

Check out our guide to the local strawberry farms — and remember to verify that berries are available to buy or pick, because the weather’s been bad lately.

Get a FREE flag from Ace Hardware

Each year, Ace Hardware gives away a million flags nationwide on the Saturday before Memorial Day. The flags are FREE and no purchase is required.
This year, the giveaway is on Saturday, May 23, 2026.
More info here

Explore the South Fulton Scenic Byway

Roll the car windows down, open the sunroof, and enjoy the views of the countryside — without going far from home. The South Fulton Scenic Byway has been called the loneliest road in metro Atlanta — and it is so gorgeous, you won’t believe you’re still in Fulton County.
Get the route details

Wander through a historic cemetery

It’s traditionally a time to honor our fallen heroes, so why not wander through a historic cemetery — or spend an afternoon following the links and reading about their history?

• Oakland Cemetery is Atlanta’s most famous park-like cemetery, the final resting place for many notable and historic Atlantans.
• Southview Cemetery has a history dating back to Reconstruction.
• Marietta National Cemetery is a military burial site on the National Register of Historic Places; it is said to be the final resting place for over 1o,000 Union soldiers.
• Utoy Cemetery is the oldest in Atlanta, dating to 1828. Its preservation is handled by a group of dedicated volunteers.

Visit a Georgia State Park

The state parks are open for hiking and picnics.
Get the details here

Memorial Day commemorative events

Click thru the links for more info on each one, and to get weather updates if it’s rainy or storming.

Taps Across America

Do you play an instrument? If so, organizers of Taps Across America are asking you to play Taps at 3 p.m. local time this Memorial Day, after observing a moment of silence. Taps is the somber, 24-note bugle call played at military funerals and memorial observances. Play from your lawn, porch, balcony, driveway or open window — anywhere  you can. Let your neighbors know you’re participating, so they can listen in. 
Get more info or register to play

Norcross Remembrance event

Come to Thrasher Park in downtown Norcross on Memorial Day.
The Remembrance starts at 10 a.m. with speeches and a performance by the 116th Army Band, followed by FREE hot dogs and a beautiful day in the park.
More info here

Smyrna Memorial Ceremony plus celebration event

Attend a memorial ceremony at 9:30 a.m. on Memorial Day 2026, at the 20th Century Veterans Memorial in downtown Smyrna.

Alpharetta Memorial Day Tribute

This annual event includes music, a wreath laying ceremony, rifle salute and more. The program begins at 9 a.m. on Memorial Day 2026 at Alpharetta City Hall. The program is designed to be both respectful and uplifting.
Details here

Dunwoody Memorial Day Tribute

The annual Memorial Day Ceremony takes place at 10 a.m. on Memorial Day 2026 at the Brook Run Park Veterans Memorial, located at 4770 N. Peachtree Road. Open to the public.
More info here

Memorial Ceremony at Cauble Park

Saturday, May 23, 2026 at 10 a.m. — an hour-long ceremony honors our fallen military members. Open to the public. Cauble Park is located at 4425 Beach Street in Acworth.
More info here

Woodstock Memorial Ceremony

Memorial Day Monday at 10 a.m. at The Park at City Center, located at 101 Arnold Mill Road in Woodstock. Special musical performances by a band and a bagpiper, wreath laying ceremony, dove release, rifle honors, Taps.
More info here

Marietta National Cemetery Memorial Ceremony

The Memorial Day Ceremony at the Marietta National Cemetery will be held on Memorial Day, starting at noon at 500 Washington Avenue Northeast, Marietta.
Event info

You can also volunteer to help place flags at more than 18,000 graves there on Saturday, May 23, 2026. More information at https://www.nmdaga.org/

Memorial Weekend Freebies & Discounts

We’re still adding food deals, BOGO offers, etc. for Memorial Day 2026, so please check back!

Local offers

Stone Mountain Park: The park is offering a FREE Attractions Pass to all active duty and retired military personnel. Plus, they can get 30% OFF per person for immediate family members. This offer is good during Memorial Day Weekend.
Plus, there is a Groupon Deal for half-off admission and ziplining.

College Football Hall of Fame: This downtown museum offers FREE admission to veterans and active military every day of the year — including Memorial Day, when hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please bring valid ID.

Georgia Aquarium: special discount for military members, year round.

RaceTrac

Service members who verify their status with ID.me can get a FREE slice of pizza and 25-cents off per gallon of fuel. 

The deal is good while supplies last, at participating locations. Limit 1 redemption per user. Offers valid on ID.me verifications through 5/25. Free slice valid thru 5/25. Fuel discount offer valid thru 6/20. Your discount applies automatically when you scan your barcode or enter your phone number on the pin pad at checkout. See program terms for more information.

Tiff’s Treats

Use code STRIPE40 to enjoy 40% off sitewide all weekend long, and treat yourself to something sweet.
Order online

Bowlero

If the weather drives you indoors, enjoy bowling and arcade games at 20% off the fun with code MDW20 through Memorial Day.

Bonefish Grill

Vets are honored every day at Bonefish Grill. The restaurant’s Heroes Discount is offered all year long — 10% off for all service members, veterans and first responders. 

Olive Garden

If you take the whole family to Olive Garden, enjoy an extra take-home entrée for just $6. Pick up enough extra meals to enjoy over the holiday weekend. Choose from Fettuccine Alfredo, Five Cheese Ziti al Forno and Spaghetti with Meat Sauce.

Outback Steakhouse

 Vets are honored every day at Outback Steakhouse. The restaurant’s Heroes Discount is offered all year long — 10% off for all service members, veterans and first responders. 

Ace Hardware

As part of its annual One Million Flag Giveaway every Memorial Day weekend, Ace Hardware is again giving away a FREE 8″ x 12″ U.S flag on Saturday, May 23, 2026 — no purchase necessary. The flags are available at participating locations, while supplies last.