Summer Festivals 2026
These are the best summer festivals in Atlanta and suburbs — from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
The sizzling summertime heat is here, along with Atlanta’s iconic summer festivals — like the Grant Park Summer Shade Festival, Juneteenth festivals, and Fourth of July celebrations.
This is a list of summer festivals that are taking place in June, July, August, and early September — roughly thru Labor Day. They take place across the extended metro Atlanta region — so you can plan a day trip or stick close to home.
This list includes music festivals, street festivals, food festivals, arts festivals, fairs, and carnivals.
We also have a guide to Atlanta fall festivals and a humongous list of Atlanta spring festivals.
Browse our big list of FREE summer movies and our complete guide to FREE summer concerts in 2026.
You may also be interested in:
- Fourth of July fireworks and celebrations
- Enjoy $1 movies with Regal Summer Express
- Have a close-up butterfly encounter this summer
- 5 super-cheap summer movie programs for families
- Back-to-school bashes: have fun & get FREE school supplies
- Complete guide to 2026 free summer concerts
- Enjoy a night under the stars: free outdoor movies
- Free outdoor yoga and fitness classes this summer
Atlanta Festivals in June
We don’t have to wait for the actual Solstice to know it’s summertime in Atlanta. The heat is on, the days are long, and school’s out!
Jump to July Festivals
Jump to August & Labor Day Weekend Festivals
♦ Amplify Decatur Music Festival
June 4 to 7, 2026
Various locations
Both paid & free events
This year, most of the concerts require a paid ticket for entry.
BUT, the Friday night concert is FREE — featuring The Sundogs and Canyonland on the Decatur Square.
This is also the very first show to take place at the newly renovated stage on the Square.
Details for Amplify Decatur
♦ Suwanee Asian Festival
June 6, 2026
Town Center Park
FREE
Come out to Town Center Park to enjoy various Asian cultural performances, costumes, music, and food!This is a family-friendly event that allows you to experience Asian culture through local artists, restaurants, and food trucks.
Details for Asian Festival
◊ Flying Colors Butterfly Festival
June 6 and 7, 2026
Chattahoochee Nature Center
Have a close-up encounter with a butterfly at this annual event in Roswell. If you can’t get tickets for the festival, you can still visit the butterfly house at the nature center on another day.
Details for Butterfly Festival
♦ Virginia-Highland Summerfest
June 6 and 7, 2026
Virginia Avenue, between Highland & Park
FREE
Enjoy live bands, shop for arts and crafts, indulge in great food, and take advantage of everything this local street fest has to offer. KidsFest is another component, and it’s located in nearby John Howell Park.
Details for Summerfest
♦ Decatur WatchFest
June 11 to July 19, 2026
On and around the Decatur Square
FREE
Decatur WatchFest is a multi-day soccer festival celebrating the FIFA World Cup championship, being held in Atlanta this summer.
It features 34 days of FREE outdoor soccer match screenings and nightly live concerts, on and around the newly renovated Decatur Square.
♦ Suwanee Summer Porch Jam
June 12, 2026
Old Town Suwanee
FREE
It’s an old-timey summer block party PLUS a music festival! Musicians play at multiple venues as you stroll along, and there are food trucks on site. Pure fun on a summer evening!
Details for Porch Jam
♦ Smyrna Pride Festival
June 13, 2026
Market Village in downtown Smyrna
FREE
Love the skin you’re in with this all-inclusive, family-friendly pride festival.
You’ll find a kids zone, live entertainment, drag performances, food, and more.
Details for Smyrna Pride
♦ Atlanta Streets Alive
June 14, 2026
MLK Route: Beltline to Vine
FREE
Come out to stroll or roll on open streets that are clear of all car traffic for four glorious hours!
This NEW Streets Alive route follows MLK Drive in a cross town route. At just 1.5 miles in length, it is shorter than the other routes.
Details on Streets Alive
♦ Live in Roswell Street Festival
June 18, 2026
(and 3rd Thursdays thru October)
Downtown Roswell
FREE
This is a monthly street festival featuring food, music, vendor booths, and more. It takes place on the third Thursdays of each month from April thru October.
Details for Live in Roswell
♦ Finally, Friday at Oakland
June 19, 2026 (and other dates)
Oakland Cemetery
FREE
Finally, Friday is a monthly recurring event hosted at the Oakland Visitor Center.
This month, there will be a Juneteenth celebration at the event.
No tickets or reservations are required to attend (although select activities require tickets).
Just meet at the Oakland Visitor Center and enjoy community, food, learning, and fun at the liveliest cemetery around.
Details for Finally, Friday
♦ Juneteenth Celebrations & Observances
June 19th (and other dates)
Multiple locations
The big event in Atlanta is the annual Juneteenth Parade & Music Festival — but there are lots of special events and observances.
The link below will take you to the complete list of things to do for Juneteenth in Atlanta.
Find a Juneteenth event near you
♦ Old Fourth Ward Spring Arts Festival
June 20 and 21, 2026
Historic Fourth Ward Park
Browse art from 150+ vendors, enjoy great food and drink, and listen to acoustic music in this gorgeous urban oasis. There’s also a children’s play area.
More info about Old Fourth Ward Arts Festival
♦ Clayton County Caribbean Cultural Festival
June 27, 2026
Clayton County International Park
Jonesboro
Free admission! Live music, vendors, games, kids area, and more.
Go to the festival website
Atlanta Festivals in July
It’s a scorcher out there — so pack your sunscreen and your water bottle for these high-summer festivals and celebrations.
Jump to June Festivals
Jump to August & Labor Day Weekend Festivals
♦ 4th of July Celebrations
July 2 to 5, 2026
Multiple locations
Is there anything as festive as the Fourth of July? Check out our huge list of fireworks, festivals, live concerts, parades, community celebrations, and everything going on for the Independence Day weekend.
Find fireworks & celebrations near you
♦ Decatur WatchFest
June 11 to July 19, 2026
On and around the Decatur Square
Decatur WatchFest is a multi-day soccer festival celebrating the FIFA World Cup championship, being held in Atlanta this summer.
It features 34 days of FREE outdoor soccer match screenings and nightly live concerts, on and around the newly renovated Decatur Square.
Details for WatchFest
♦ Back-to-School Bashes
Multiple dates & locations
Have fun and get FREE backpacks and school supplies at these family events around metro Atlanta!
We have a big list of back-to-school bashes and school supply giveaways.
The events often feature music, food, activities for kids, lawn games, and a festive atmosphere.
Find a back-to-school bash near you
♦ Finally, Friday at Oakland
July 10, 2026 (and other dates)
Oakland Cemetery
FREE
Finally, Friday is a monthly recurring event hosted at the Oakland Visitor Center.
No tickets or reservations are required to attend (although select activities require tickets).
Just meet at the Oakland Visitor Center and enjoy community, food, learning, and fun at the liveliest Cemetery around.
Details for Finally, Friday
♦ Alive in Roswell Street Festival
July 16, 2026
(and other dates)
This monthly street festival features food, music, vendor booths, and more. It takes place on the third Thursdays of each month, from April through October.
Details for Alive in Roswell
♦ Peachtree Corners MidSummer Kids Festival
July 18, 2026
Peachtree Corners Town Green
This back-to-school bash features all kinds of kid-friendly fun, plus a Chalk Walk, a Children’s Entrepreneurial Market, and more.
Details for MidSummer Kids Festival
♦ Light Up the Night Festival
2026 date not yet confirmed
Ronald Bridges Park
5047 Union Street
Union City, GA 30291
This family-friendly event in Union City features music, food trucks, and a laser light show that will paint the sky with colors.
This year, there is also a back-to-school bash that features a giveaway of free backpacks and school supplies.
More info on Light Up the Night + Back-to-School Bash
♦ Lawrenceville Evening of the Arts
July 25, 2026
The Lawrenceville Lawn
Experience the best of local entertainment, including singers, dancers, acrobats, musicians, and more. Shop the artist market, and view live demonstrations, including glassblowing, painting, Henna art, and more. Quite often the evening concludes with a live performance of a classic play, presented by Aurora Theatre.
Details for Evening of the Arts
♦ Atlanta Ice Cream Festival
July 25, 2026
Piedmont Park
FREE
Come to Piedmont Park for ice cream, live music, and vendors.
Admission is FREE.
More details for the Ice Cream Festival
Atlanta Festivals in August
There is plenty of summer left! These events range from fine-arts festivals to back-to-school bashes for the kids.
NOTE: The August list continues through Labor Day Weekend.
◊ Cobb International Film Festival
August 6 to 9, 2026
Strand Theatre
Marietta Square
This is an affordable festival for film aficionados. A single day pass is just $15, a weekend pass is $25, and the full festival pass (Thursday thru Sunday) is $50.
More info and tickets
♦ Finally, Friday at Oakland
August 7, 2026 (and other dates)
Oakland Cemetery
FREE
Finally, Friday is a monthly recurring event hosted at the Oakland Visitor Center.
This month, there will be a Juneteenth celebration at the event.
No tickets or reservations are required to attend (although select activities require tickets).
Just meet at the Oakland Visitor Center and enjoy community, food, learning, and fun at the liveliest Cemetery around.
Details for Finally, Friday
♦ Pan African Festival
August 15, 2026
Decatur Square
Returning for 6th year, this festival takes place on the Decatur Square. It celebrates Black and African culture in engaging ways. Enjoy music, drumming, hip hop, and spoken word performances.
Details for Pan African Festival
♦ Piedmont Park Arts Festival
August 15 and 16, 2026
Piedmont Park
FREE
This curated arts festival includes a kids play area, live acoustic music, and plenty of food and drink. The focus is on fine art, with roughly 250 vendor booths.
Details for the Arts festival
♦ Alive in Roswell Street Festival
August 20, 2026
(and third Thursdays thru October)
Downtown Roswell
FREE
This monthly street festival features food, music, vendor booths, and more. It takes place on the third Thursdays of each month, from April through October.
Details for Alive in Roswell
♦ Cobb International Festival
August 22, 2026
Jim Miller Park & Event Center
FREE admission
Experience food and fun from around the globe at this cultural celebration. You’ll find a vendors market, performances, delicious food, a kids corner, and more. FREE admission and parking.
Details for Cobb International Fest
♦ Summer Shade Festival
August 22 and 23, 2026
Grant Park
FREE
This iconic festival returns to Grant Park, celebrating its 24th year! You’ll find live music on two stages, an artist market, food trucks, and more. August is sweltering in the ATL, but Grant Park is home to some of the tallest trees around, to provide welcome shade.
Details for Summer Shade Festival
♦ Duluth Multicultural Night
August 28, 2026
City Hall
Downtown Duluth
FREE
The main stage in downtown Duluth will light up with performances from across the globe, hosted by a deejay. Immerse yourself in cultural music, dance, and delicious international cuisine.
Details for Multicultural Night
Atlanta Festivals in Early September
This list runs through Labor Day Weekend only.
Switch to our huge list of fall festivals
OR
Jump back to August Festivals
♦ 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
♦ Dragon Con Parade
September 5, 2026
Downtown Atlanta
FREE
This annual Labor Day Weekend tradition is more of a pop-culture convention than a traditional festival. The parade draws big crowds to downtown Atlanta, and it is back for another year!
Details for Dragon Con Parade
♦ Marietta Art in the Park
September 5 to 7, 2026
Glover Park
Downtown Marietta
FREE
This is the 40th edition of the iconic Labor Day weekend event. Shop for fine art, listen to music, and visit the Chalk Spot. FREE and family-friendly.
Details for Art in the Park
♦ Pioneer Days Festival
No confirmed 2026 dates yet — but typically 4 days over Labor Day weekend
Sam Smith Park
Cartersville
This annual event in Cartersville features carnival rides, games, food, and a Labor Day fireworks show on Monday. Happening at Sam Smith Park. There is a $10 admission fee; kids under 10 are FREE.
Detail for Pioneer Days
♦ House in the Park Music Festival
No confirmed 2026 date — typically the Sunday before Labor Day
Grant Park
This super-affordable, one-day music fest is just $18 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
♦ Atlanta Hip Hop Day Festival
No confirmed 2026 dates — typically Labor Day weekend
Historic 4th Ward Park
The FREE music festival will celebrate hip hop culture with entertainment, arts & crafts vendors, and food trucks.
Details for Hip Hop Day
So many more fall festivals!
Our complete Fall Festival Guide includes over 70 events, including such classics as:
- Atlanta Greek Festival
- Gwinnett County Fair
- Yellow Daisy Festival
- North Georgia State Fair
- Roswell Arts Festival
- Sweet Auburn Music Fest
- Wire & Wood Music Festival
- Atlanta Pride Festival & Parade
- The Rescue Dog Games
- Tons of harvest and Halloween celebrations
- AND MORE!
[…] Atlanta is home to many HBCUs, which were established and grew from within local African-American churches. These colleges have been important in enlightening and self-realizing the African-American individual and remain major cultural institutions in the city [15] [18]. […]