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Quavo used a sit-down with Yung Miami to push back on years of gossip about why Migos stopped functioning as a trio. In a conversation tied to his new album QRÖMELIFE, he said the group never had the kind of clean, dramatic breakup the internet assumed.
What happened, he argued, was simpler and more ordinary: two brothers stepping away from each other to work on solo careers, with the intention of coming back together later. Takeoff’s death in November 2022 changed the timeline and the emotional math.
Quavo Speaks Out on Saweetie, Offset Situation
In the interview, Quavo tells Yung Miami that the rumors around the split were not true—including the long-running story that Offset’s alleged involvement with Saweetie was the real cause.
Quavo framed it as two brothers taking space so they could grow individually. He and Takeoff had already begun working as the duo Unc & Phew and released Only Built For Infinity Links in 2022. Offset had gone solo. The plan, Quavo said, was always to reconvene. Tragedy interrupted that plan.
He also described Takeoff as the glue. The bond was especially close because Takeoff was his nephew, not just a groupmate. In Quavo’s telling, Takeoff’s presence kept the three of them aligned even when personalities and business interests pulled in different directions. After the shooting in Houston, that center was gone.
Quavo has said in other recent interviews that the loss “eased” some of the friction with Offset by putting smaller grievances in perspective. The two have since been seen together again, including at a QRÖMELIFE listening event where they previewed a new collaboration, “Away”—their first song together in years.
Quavo also explained a decision that will surprise some fans: Takeoff does not appear on QRÖMELIFE. He said he held those verses back on purpose. There is a dedicated Takeoff project in the works, and a final Migos album that will use previously recorded vocals. Putting Takeoff on this particular solo record, he suggested, would have mixed two different chapters.
He wanted QRÖMELIFE—executive produced by Pharrell Williams and due October 2—to stand as its own phase: grief processed, a relationship with Offset being rebuilt in public, and a new personal chapter that now includes fatherhood.
The Saweetie rumor has followed the group for years. It intensified after Quavo and Saweetie split in 2021 and after Quavo’s 2022 record “Messy,” which many listeners read as a reference to the situation. Offset has denied it, calling the story “cap” and saying the real issues with Quavo were deeper and more personal than a woman.
Quavo’s comments to Yung Miami line up with that version of events, at least on the surface: he presented the time apart as a career and family decision, not a betrayal plot. Not everyone is buying it. One reply to the clip accused Quavo of rewriting history and pointed to older comments from Cardi B and the fact that a new Migos-related project is already being discussed. Gossip like this rarely dies cleanly in hip-hop.
What is clearer is the shape of the next year. Quavo is finishing a Pharrell-helmed solo album that includes Offset, Yung Miami, Future, Tyler, the Creator, A$AP Rocky, Lil Baby, T.I., and Justin Timberlake. After that, he and Offset have talked about one last Migos album and a tour built around honoring Takeoff rather than pretending the original three-man chemistry can be cloned. Quavo has said the fans are still owed the music that already exists, and that Takeoff would not have wanted it locked away.
The Yung Miami conversation is not a full confession or a complete settlement of old scores. It is Quavo, two days before a new album, trying to control the narrative of a group that defined a stretch of 2010s rap and then fractured under the usual pressures—ego, business, timing—plus one irreversible loss. Whether listeners accept his version will depend on how much they still want a tidy villain. Quavo’s version is messier and more ordinary: family, time apart, a plan that never got to finish, and a nephew who held more of it together than people realized until he was gone.
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OutKast and Waffle House have made it official. After two days of yellow-sign teases and lyric breadcrumbs, the duo confirmed that OutKast x Waffle House drops this Friday, October 2, at 10 a.m. EST on outkast.com.
The official line is already doing the work of a press release and a punchline at once: Excelling in harmonious melody, boy we got the recipe.
- OutKast x Waffle House: What To Know
That is the sound of two Atlanta institutions meeting in the middle of a hashbrown plate.
How the tease cooked
On September 29, OutKast’s official account posted a photo of a Waffle House marquee dated 10/2/2026, with the board reading “GATOR BELTS AND PATTY MELTS.” The waffle and alien emojis did the rest.
The line is not random branding. It is lifted from Big Boi’s opening stretch on “So Fresh, So Clean, the Stankonia single that has lived in Atlanta nightlife, car speakers, and late-night diner booths for a quarter century. Waffle House’s own account quoted the post with a single emoji: 👀. That was all the confirmation the city needed.
A day later, OutKast stopped teasing and named the drop: a collaboration going live on the group’s official site, not a mystery in-store event and not a promised reunion concert.
What we know — and what we don’t
As of Wednesday evening, neither side has published a full product list. Because the drop is hosted on outkast.com, the existing official merch store, the safest read is a limited capsule: apparel, accessories, and possibly diner-coded graphics built around the “recipe,” the aliens, and that Stankonia diner language. Fans in the replies are already treating it like a merch drop, with the usual mix of “I’ll take two of everything” and “we wanted new songs.”
What has not been confirmed:
- a nationwide menu item
- a one-night pop-up inside actual Waffle House locations
- new music
- André 3000 and Big Boi appearing together in stores
Until Friday morning, those remain rumors riding the same plate as the official announcement.
Why this pairing hits harder than a normal brand deal
Waffle House is not a random fast-casual partner for OutKast. It is part of the city’s after-hours grammar: 24-hour lights, scattered-smothered-covered hashbrowns, and the place you end up when the club closes. Hip-hop has name-checked it for years. OutKast themselves are part of that folklore. In June 2015, André 3000 and Big Boi landed at an Atlanta Waffle House after a Birthday Bash night that also included Kanye West — a photo that still circulates every time somebody needs proof that the A’s high culture and diner culture share a booth.
The new campaign leans all the way into that overlap. The first image used the chain’s own sign language. The second caption borrowed the group’s own swagger. The launch window — a Friday morning, not a midnight music drop — feels like breakfast service on purpose.
It also fits a recent pattern of OutKast-adjacent Atlanta food and lifestyle projects, from coffee collaborations tied to Stankonia to Big Boi’s earlier waffle-mix work. This one is bigger because Waffle House is the mass-market version of the same idea: local, late-night, unpretentious, and instantly recognizable.
What Friday will actually feel like
Expect the site to open at 10 a.m. Eastern and move fast if the capsule is limited. The first teaser already did numbers; the confirmation video and caption have continued to spread through Atlanta accounts calling it “the most Atlanta thing” in recent memory.
For fans, the assignment is simple:
- Be on outkast.com at 10 a.m. EST Friday.
- Assume sizes and colorways will not linger.
- Do not confuse this drop with a tour announcement. It is a collab with a diner chain that OutKast just treated like a co-headliner.
If the product design matches the tease — gator belts, patty melts, yellow signage, alien hats over waffle irons — it will sell because it already sounds like a song people know by heart.
The larger point
OutKast does not need Waffle House to stay canonical. Waffle House does not need OutKast to stay open at 3 a.m. The reason this works is that both already belong to the same city myth: expensive taste and everyday plates, spaceships and breakfast shifts, Stankonia and the grill.
Friday morning is when the recipe goes public. Until then, the marquee is still up.
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Tyler Perry is not easing off the gas. Details are emerging on the cast of his next Netflix thriller.
The project is Tyler Perry’s Confabulation, a psychological thriller written and directed by Perry for Netflix. Lucien Laviscount (Emily in Paris) and Taylour Paige (I Love Boosters, Zola) will star, with Shamier Anderson (John Wick: Chapter 4) in a key supporting role.
Tyler Perry Producing Netflix Thriller ‘Confabulation’
The filmmaker posted a blunt warning of his own: “WHEN I TELL YOU!! THIS ONE RIGHT HERE!! Yall ain’t ready!! I’m in my bag!!!”
The story follows a firefighter haunted by his past and struggling to tell memory from invention. He risks everything to pull his high school sweetheart away from her powerful husband. Then the ground shifts. What looks like a rescue may be something else entirely, and the film’s title is the clue: a confabulation is a memory that feels true even when it isn’t. Netflix’s own logline puts it more sharply: as he digs into her marriage, his fractured memories collide with the present, and he has to face the possibility that the mission he is betting his life on is not what it seems.
The supporting cast is stacked with Perry regulars and rising names: Nadine Ellis, Peter Parros, Najah Bradley, Mikeal Dwayne Griggs, Jenna Nolen, Michelle Núñez, Colin McCalla, and Shelley Robertson. Perry is producing with Angi Bones and Tony L. Strickland.
The pairing is a smart stretch for both leads. Laviscount has spent years as the charming Alfie on Emily in Paris and recently headlined Netflix’s People We Meet on Vacation. Paige has the sharper, more unpredictable edge, from Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F to Boots Riley’s I Love Boosters. Anderson, last seen as the Tracker in John Wick: Chapter 4, brings physical presence and ambiguity. Laviscount marked the news by calling the project unlike anything he has done and saying he was “sharing the dance floor” with Paige and Anderson.
This is the latest chapter in Perry’s long Netflix partnership, under which he writes, directs, and produces films and series for the streamer. His tenth Netflix film, Why Did I Get Married Again, just hit No. 1 on the Global Top 10 Movies (English) list. Doing Life arrives October 2.
The faith-based Give Me Some Sugah, produced with DeVon Franklin, is dated for December. A firefighter drama series, Where There’s Smoke, is also in the pipeline. Confabulation sits in that same run of work: high-concept, twist-driven, and built for the algorithm as much as for the living room.
No release date has been set. That is typical for Perry’s Netflix slate; the films often appear when he is ready, not when a calendar demands it. What is already clear is the bet.
Perry is using a medical term for false memory as the engine of a rescue story, and he is putting two actors known for charm and volatility at the center of it. If the post is any indication, he thinks the twist will land. Audiences will find out whether the bag he is in is as deep as he claims.
oming 2 America is just one of many films filmed in Atlanta. See our Movies Page for more.
Are you interested in becoming an actorin Atlanta? You’re in the right place!
With more than 900 movie and TV projects just in the last few years, the film industry has generated more than $9 billion for the state of Georgia.
There are so many movies filmed in Atlanta these days that it’s hard to keep up with it all. That’s why I suggest you subscribe to AtlantaFi.com to get all the freshest movie casting calls, celeb sightings and Atlanta happenings delivered to your inbox.
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The Atlanta Dream host the Washington Mystics in Game 2 of their best-of-three first-round WNBA playoff series on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at 7 p.m. ET at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
The series uses a 1-1-1 format. Atlanta won the first game 92-77.
In this article, we’ll show you how to watch the Atlanta Dream game.
How to Watch Atlanta Dream Vs. Washington Mystics
To watch the Atlanta Dream vs. Indiana Fever game, here are common viewing options:
Game 1: Sunday, September 27
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
- Location: State Farm Arena, Atlanta
- TV/Streaming: Exclusive on Prime Video
- Tickets: Available at atlantadream.com/tickets
- Prime Video is the national exclusive for Game 1. League Pass does not carry it live.• TV: ESPN2 or Streaming: ESPN app or FuboTV: Offers streams of WNBA games on ABC, ESPN, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ION, and NBA TV. Free trials are available, but regional restrictions may apply.
- • Radio: Local coverage on Atlanta sports radio (check 92.9 The Game for availability)
- • Tickets: Available at Ticketmaster, starting at $84; front-row seats $297.
Game 2: Wednesday, September 30
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
- Location: CareFirst Arena, Washington, D.C.
- TV/Streaming: ESPN (also available on fubo, DirecTV, and the ESPN app)
- Tickets: Check mystics.wnba.com or secondary markets
Game 3 (if necessary): Friday, October 2
- Time: TBD
- Location: State Farm Arena, Atlanta
- Broadcast: TBD
The winner advances to the WNBA semifinals.
Series Recap: A Tale of Two Teams
The series turns on who wins the glass, who can create in the half court, and whether either side’s day-to-day availability changes the picture. Atlanta is the higher seed and more complete two-way team; Washington is younger, more physical inside, and already beat the Dream twice after the first meeting.
sportingnews.comAvailability matters heading into Game 1. Reports list Angel Reese as day-to-day with a face injury and Shakira Austin as day-to-day, with Sonia Citron listed out for personal reasons and Brionna Jones already done for the season. Confirm status before tip — those names are the series.
foxsports.comAngel Reese vs. Kiki Iriafen and Shakira AustinThis is the decisive frontcourt battle.Reese averaged 16.4 points and a league-elite 12.1 rebounds, including 4.8 offensive boards. She is a DPOY-level pest who manufactures extra possessions. When Atlanta blew Washington out 109-77 on June 6, Reese had 18 points and 17 rebounds.
espn.comWashington answers with two bigs who can score and rebound:
- Iriafen: 15.3 points, 9.5–9.6 rebounds, 51% shooting. Physical, efficient, and a high-volume offensive rebounder.
- Austin: 17.0–17.2 points, 9.5 rebounds, plus rim protection. She was a difference-maker in Washington’s 81-76 win on July 2 (21 points, 9 boards).
Final Word
To recap, there are several streaming options for WNBA games, including FuboTV, which streams WNBA games on ABC, ESPN, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ION, and NBA TV. There is also a free trial, but regional restrictions may apply for local games.
There’s also WNBA League Pass, which allows you to watch live out-of-market games and replays. Blackout restrictions may apply for local markets. Available via wnba.com or the WNBA app. Pricing details are on the WNBA website.
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On a February Saturday in 2024, State Farm Arena was doing what downtown Atlanta does best: filling up, lighting up, and hosting an NBA night.
Eric Schmitt, Jack Smith Spar Over Atlanta Hawks Game
The Hawks were home against the Golden State Warriors. The city that had already become the backdrop for one of the most closely watched election cases in the country was, that evening, just a basketball town.
Atlanta Was the Scene of the Crime That Never HappenedTwo years later, that same Atlanta night walked into a Senate hearing room and nearly became a perjury case.
The Atlanta theory
Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., spent part of Tuesday’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing trying to place former special counsel Jack Smith in Georgia on Feb. 3, 2024. The timing was the point. The day before, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and special prosecutor Nathan Wade had publicly addressed their relationship — a scandal that had already scrambled Atlanta’s Trump election-interference case. Schmitt’s suggestion was that Smith’s presence at a Hawks game would put him in the city at a politically charged moment, close enough to imply coordination.
Schmitt asked Smith whether he had gone to the Warriors-Hawks game in Atlanta. Smith said no. He said he did not recall being in Atlanta during his time as special counsel, except perhaps connecting through the airport. He said he had not met Willis.
Then came the trap.
Schmitt said he had text messages from Smith’s team placing him at a Warriors-Hawks game in Atlanta that night. A poster board went up, then quickly came down. Schmitt told Smith he would give him a second “so you don’t perjure yourself,” then declared that Smith already had. Later in the exchange he called Smith a “dirtbag.”
For a few minutes, Atlanta was the alleged meeting place of two prosecutions.
The city that wasn’t there
Atlanta’s role in the Trump cases is real. Fulton County’s indictment was filed here. The hearings, the recusal fights, the local politics — all of that happened in this city. State Farm Arena sits a short ride from the courthouse world that defined that chapter. It is easy to see why a senator looking for a Georgia connection would reach for a Hawks ticket stub.
The problem was the ticket.
Smith, after finally getting a look at the texts, said the game in his memory was not the Atlanta Hawks. It was the Iowa Hawkeyes. The date lined up. The sport lined up. The nickname was close enough to cause the wreck. The city did not. He recalled going to a University of Maryland women’s basketball game where Caitlin Clark was playing, with the U.S. Marshals Service along. That game was in College Park, Maryland, not downtown Atlanta. Iowa beat Maryland 93-85. Clark scored 38 points with 12 assists in a sold-out XFINITY Center.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., made the correction in the room: people should have their facts straight before calling someone a dirtbag, and they should not get the teams wrong. The Hawks were in Atlanta. The Hawkeyes were in Maryland. Same calendar day. Different league, different mascot spelling, different state.
Why Atlanta still sits at the center
The mix-up only works as a story because Atlanta already occupies the map. Schmitt was not fishing in a random city. He was trying to stitch Smith’s federal work to Willis’s local case, and the Hawks — Atlanta’s NBA team, playing in Atlanta’s downtown arena — looked like the perfect cover story for a trip to Georgia. The texts apparently mentioned “Hawks.” Someone saw an arena graphic. The city filled itself in.
That is how Atlanta functions in national politics now: as both a real legal venue and a convenient stage. When Washington needs a Southern conspiracy, it often reaches for this city first. On Tuesday, the city was asked to play host to a meeting that the witness said never happened and that the calendar, once checked, put 600 miles away.
Smith denied the Atlanta trip. Schmitt claimed a bust. Smith, vexed, named the other birds. The Senate had its phenomenal moment. Atlanta kept the Hawks, and not the special counsel, on Feb. 3, 2024.
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As the crisp air of October sweeps across the Peach State, Georgia transforms into a canvas of fiery reds, golden yellows, and deep oranges.Leaf watchers already know that the best fall foliage currently can be viewed in North Georgia, along the Blue Ridge Mountains and other areas.
Georgia Fall Foliage 2026: Leaf Map
The Peach State’s peak weeks for fall colors will be toward the end of October according to the latest foliage prediction maps. Why not make it a Georgia weekend and and check out the beautiful fall colors?
Let’s take an in-depth look at how the leaves will change this fall season into the winter. Below, we list the top Georgia state parks to see the fall foliage.Autumn in the Peach State always brings out some of the most strikingly beautiful scenery in the Southeast. The weather trends a bit cool, but the brilliant colors of the leaves makes for some refreshing sights and great fall activities like apple-picking.
You may be wondering where to see the most gorgeous colors of fall foliage locally.
Scroll down to see a prediction map that can help you on your travels to see the wonderful leaves turn different shades.
Where Is Fall Foliage In Georgia?
The earliest changes in the color of leaves began in September in the North Georgia Mountains. By late November, Atlanta will be in the full throes of fall as the temperature plummets and the leaves fall.
The reason why the mountains peak first is due to the higher elevations. Come early November, parts of Atlanta will start to brown as well.
Here is the Georgia fall foliage map, courtesy of SmokyMountains.com.
Photo credit: Smokymountains.com Georgia’s scenery is going to turn into a spectrum of color as the fall foliage peaks. Look out for burnt orange, sienna leaves and all kinds of red and violent hues.
Georgia Fall Foliage Map
No Change 
Minimal 
Patchy 
Partial 
Near Peak 
Peak 
Past Peak 
Here are the fall foliage phases that Georgia leaves will experience:
[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”2″ display=”basic_imagebrowser”]And here are more colors of the Georgia fall…
10 Best Sites To See The Georgia Fall Foliage
Are you looking for some beautiful places to see leaves in the state’s forest canopy change colors? We begin with one of the most beautiful state parks in Georgia and the home of the tallest waterfall east of the Mississippi River:
View this post on Instagram2. Anna Ruby Falls (twin waterfalls)
View this post on Instagram3. Black Rock Mountain
View this post on Instagram4. Vogel State Park
View this post on Instagram5. Brasstown Bald
View this post on Instagram6. Cloudland Canyon
View this post on Instagram7. Fort Mountain State Park
View this post on Instagram8. Tallulah Gorge State Park
View this post on Instagram9. Sweetwater Creek
View this post on Instagram10. Stone Mountain Park
View this post on InstagramGeorgia contains tens of thousands of acres of natural beauty with a wide variety of fun family activities and things to do in the Atlanta.
Where Can You Take Fall Pictures in Georgia?
There are plenty of great locations to take pictures once the leaves fall in Georgia. Here are some top places:
- Atlanta Beltline
- Centennial Olympic Park
- Piedmont Park
- Krog Street Tunnel
- Hurt Park
Here are some great places to take pictures around Atlanta.
No matter if you’re a visitor to the state or a family looking to bring the kids out for a day of fund and children’s attractions, you can find tons of outdoor recreational activities including kayaking, SUP, championship golf, hiking, biking, and more around Atlanta.
Up next: 10+ things to do in Georgia that are fun & outdoorsy
Up next: Fun things to do in Atlanta with kids
If you see some fall colors where you live, drop a comment so we can list the Georgia city.
Georgia’s natural scenery is getting more beautiful for leaf watchers as the autumn transitions the state’s canopy into radiant reds, eye-popping yellows and orangish brown-colored leafage.
Got an event or know of something opening in and around Atlanta? Holla: Tjohnson@AtlantaFi.com. See what’s poppin’ in the ATL! Subscribe to our news alerts here, follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
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I’ll pull current details on both festivals so the articles are accurate for this weekend.## Candler Park Fall Fest: Atlanta’s Favorite Neighborhood Weekend
Candler Park Fall Fest is the kind of Atlanta event that still feels like a block party, even when 20,000 people show up.
Decatur Book Festival: What To Know
On Saturday, October 3, and Sunday, October 4, 2026, the park and surrounding streets in one of the city’s most walkable eastside neighborhoods fill with live music, an artist market, food trucks, kids’ attractions, and a 5K. Admission is free. The money raised goes back into the park.
That combination is why the festival has lasted. Founded in 2001 by the Candler Park Neighborhood Organization, Fall Fest is now in its 25th year. It skipped only the COVID year of 2020. Organizers have held it in rain and sun, on grass and pavement. The point has stayed the same: put on a good weekend, then use the proceeds for playground upgrades, Mulberry Fields, Mary Lin Elementary’s outdoor classroom, and other neighborhood projects. In recent years, nearly $200,000 from Fall Fest has gone into those improvements.
What you’ll find
Festival hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. both days at Candler Park, 1500 McLendon Ave. NE. The official site lists an artist market, food trucks, two stages of live music, a kids’ area often called Kidlandia, rides, and the Fall Fest 5K and fun run.
Music is the weekend’s backbone. The Electric Stage and Acoustic Stage run rock, blues, jazz, folk, and country all weekend. The sets are free, which is unusual for a festival this size and one of the reasons families stay all afternoon.
Food is better than typical fair fare. This year’s trucks include Azucar Cuban Cuisine, Hermanita by Tio Lucho’s, Sweet Auburn BBQ, Smash Hit Burgers, Island Noodles, Makara’s Mediterranean, Dogs on Wheels, King of Pops, The Pickle Food Truck, and Mister Softee on Sunday only.
The artist market is large—often described as 200-plus booths in past years—with pottery, painting, jewelry, apparel, and kids’ crafts from Atlanta-area makers. Kidlandia and carnival-style attractions keep younger visitors occupied while parents shop or sit in the grass for a set.
The 5K and Fun Run are part of the same weekend. Packet pickup is available at the festival on Saturday afternoon, with race-morning pickup near the playground. Road closures affect Candler Park Drive, McLendon Avenue, and Terrace Avenue NE, so plan extra walking time. The Edgewood/Candler Park MARTA station is about half a mile away.
The related Tour of Homes and Fall Ball already happened this year (Sept. 26 and Sept. 18). They belong to the same fundraising season but are separate from the park festival itself.
How to do it well
Do not drive if you can avoid it. Street parking is scarce, pets are not allowed, and outside alcohol is banned. MARTA, a bike, or a rideshare will save you a long hunt for a space.
Go early on Saturday if you want the market before it packs in. Sunday is often slightly easier. Bring cash and a card, wear walking shoes, and treat the park as the destination, not just a venue. The best version of Fall Fest is unhurried: one stage, one plate of food, a loop through the booths, then another set.
Candler Park Fall Fest works because it is still run by neighbors. A small volunteer committee starts meeting in February. Each person owns a piece—music, food, Kidlandia, the 5K, sponsorships, design. That is why it feels local even when it draws the whole city. If you want one outdoor weekend that is actually about Atlanta rather than a touring brand, this is it.
Decatur Book Festival: A Smaller Festival With a Sharper Voice
The Decatur Book Festival is 21 this year, and it no longer tries to be the sprawling tent city it once was. That is a feature, not a loss. On Friday, October 2, and Saturday, October 3, 2026, downtown Decatur hosts a focused literary weekend: a Friday-night keynote, a Saturday packed with author sessions, and a street fair of booksellers, publishers, and local vendors. Admission is free.
After pandemic disruption and a 2023 cancellation, the festival was rebuilt at a more sustainable scale. New leadership—executive director Bailee Yarbrough and literary director Anna Dobben—has kept the mission simple: get people in a room with writers, then send them home with a book. About a third of this year’s authors are from Georgia. That local core is intentional.
Friday: the keynote
The festival opens Friday at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church of Decatur, 308 Clairemont Ave. The keynote is Brian Goldstone, a former Decatur resident whose There Is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America won the 2026 Pulitzer Prize for general nonfiction. He will be in conversation with writer Brea Baker. The session is free; organizers ask people to register in advance so they can plan seating.
That is the right opening. Goldstone’s book is reported, local in its implications, and serious without being remote. It sets the tone for a festival that still programs big names but does not treat literature as décor.
Saturday: panels, a street fair, and a new square stage
Saturday is the main day, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., across downtown venues that have defined the festival for two decades: First Baptist Church, the Decatur Library, the Marriott Courtyard, the DeKalb History Center, and now a Decatur Square Stage. An Audiobook Walk starts at 8 a.m. for early risers.
Organizers announced more than 80 authors and later counts of about 92 authors across 60 panels. The range is wide: literary fiction, poetry, romance and romantasy, horror, memoir, cookbooks, children’s books, YA, and nonfiction. Named highlights include Tomi Adeyemi (The Siren), Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko for the children’s “Kidnote,” Marcia Chatelain, Kristin Kobes Du Mez, Celeste Headlee, Silas House, chef Meherwan Irani, and Atlanta’s own Tayari Jones.
Most authors sign immediately after their sessions. Books are sold on site by four independent shops: Brave + Kind Book Shop, Charis Books & More, Eagle Eye Book Shop, and Little Shop of Stories. That partnership is one of the festival’s best habits. You leave with a signed copy from a store that still exists after the weekend ends.
The Saturday street fair has more than 100 to 125 exhibitors—authors, poets, publishers, artists, nonprofits, food trucks, and buskers. It is the social half of the weekend. Panels are the reason to come; the square is where you bump into someone who just heard the same talk.
Why it still matters
Decatur has always been a reading town. The festival works because it uses that fact instead of fighting it. You can walk from a poetry panel at the library to lunch on the square to a signing on a church lawn. Kids get a dedicated Kidnote. Serious nonfiction gets the Friday night pulpit. Genre writers are not treated as a sideshow.
It is also easier to attend than the old mega-festival. Two days, one downtown, free sessions, no ticket maze except the encouraged keynote RSVP. Check decaturbookfestival.com for the final session grid before you go; schedules landed in September and rooms fill.
If Candler Park Fall Fest is Atlanta outdoors, the Decatur Book Festival is Atlanta indoors and on the sidewalk, talking. Both belong on the same October weekend. One fills a park. The other fills a town with readers.
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Candler Park Fall Fest is the kind of Atlanta event that still feels like a block party, even when 20,000 people show up.
On Saturday, October 3, and Sunday, October 4, 2026, the park and surrounding streets in one of the city’s most walkable eastside neighborhoods fill with live music, an artist market, food trucks, kids’ attractions, and a 5K. Admission is free. The money raised goes back into the park.
That combination is why the festival has lasted. Founded in 2001 by the Candler Park Neighborhood Organization, Fall Fest is now in its 25th year. It skipped only the COVID year of 2020. Organizers have held it in rain and sun, on grass and pavement. The point has stayed the same: put on a good weekend, then use the proceeds for playground upgrades, Mulberry Fields, Mary Lin Elementary’s outdoor classroom, and other neighborhood projects. In recent years, nearly $200,000 from Fall Fest has gone into those improvements.
Candler Park Fall Festival 2026: Everything You Need To Know
Fall Fest is FREE and produced by the Candler Park Neighborhood Organization.
Artist market open 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. Music and food from noon until late.
5K and Fun Run Races
Run through the beautiful and challenging Candler Park neighborhood as we kick off Fall Fest. Starting Saturday morning (9/29) at 9:00am (registration begins at 7:30) the 5K will kick off, followed by the 1 mile Fun Run at 10 a.m.
Tour of Homes
In early October, the Tour of Homes took place, which showcased a wonderful collection of residences to view that will illustrate several of the values we share as a community.
One of the homes was rebuilt incorporating several aspects of sustainable living. They recycled many items of the previous structure, installed pecan floors created from a tree which grew in their backyard and included various natural elements in the construction of stone walls, all resulting in a stylish, spacious, comfortable, contemporary living space.
Many of the homes displayed their significant art collections, much created by local artists. Of course, we also consider our gardens part of the art world, so stay alert to the many forms of gardening that have been created. You may even notice that some of us have eliminated grass entirely from our landscapes.
Artists Market
Open 11:00 am to 7:00 pm Saturday and Sunday, the Fall Fest Artist Market is full of local artist and vendors that have been carefully curated just for you! With over 200+ booths, there is something for everyone! From handmade pottery and paintings to kids crafts and apparel, we know you will find just what you are looking all while supporting local businesses.
Final Word
So, the Candler Park Fall Fest boasts food trucks slinging everything from gourmet tacos to craft brews, paired with kids’ rides and live bands—drawing crowds for its unbeatable combo of flavor and family fun.
No Atlanta festival would be complete without a culinary showdown that leaves taste buds dancing. Our events are notorious for turning ordinary weekends into gourmet escapades, featuring everything from BBQ showdowns to international street eats.
Follow AtlantaFi.com to keep up with fun festivities every Atlanta weekend and more.
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Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has suspended the state’s motor fuel excise tax for 30 days, starting at 12:01 a.m. on September 29, 2026, and running through October 29.
The move comes as gasoline and diesel prices remain elevated amid the ongoing U.S. conflict with Iran and related global market volatility.
Georgia Gas Tax Suspended: What To Know
Kemp issued an executive order declaring a state of emergency over petroleum supply disruptions and unpredictable price shocks. The order pauses the 33.3-cents-per-gallon tax on gasoline and the 37.3-cents-per-gallon tax on diesel (and certain other motor fuels). Officials expect the break to cost the state roughly $200 million a month in lost revenue, which is expected to be covered from Georgia’s surplus.
Statewide averages stood at about $4.19 per gallon for regular gasoline and $6.24 per gallon for diesel at the time of the announcement—still below some national figures but far higher than a year earlier. Because the excise tax is collected at the distributor level rather than at the pump, motorists may not see the full savings reflected immediately; prices typically adjust as new fuel shipments arrive.
The order also temporarily lifts certain state weight limits on commercial trucks (excluding interstates and posted bridge limits, and requiring permits). Officials say this could reduce the number of trips needed to move goods and help ease costs for groceries and other consumer products. Price-gouging protections on fuel and related emergency goods are included as well.
Kemp framed the action as part of a pattern of tax relief. “Over the past several years, with the help of our partners in the General Assembly, we’ve been able to give billions of dollars in relief to hardworking Georgians,” he said. “We’ve remained committed to helping them and our small businesses fight through the tough times, and that’s why I’m taking this action today to give further relief.”
Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper and other state leaders highlighted particular pressure on farmers facing high diesel costs.
This is not Georgia’s first fuel-tax holiday under Kemp. Similar pauses occurred in 2022 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in 2023 amid high inflation, in 2024 after Hurricane Helene, and earlier in 2026 after the start of the Iran conflict (initially 60 days, with a later short extension). Earlier 2026 data showed the tax holiday lowered pump prices but did not fully offset broader market increases. Local sales taxes on fuel remain in effect.
The timing coincides with political pressure ahead of November elections, as household budgets feel the strain of higher energy and goods prices. Whether the 30-day window is extended will depend on oil markets and any further emergency declaration. Drivers should watch station prices over the coming days rather than expecting an instant, uniform drop equal to the full tax amount.
Atlanta’s retail scene continues to be a bright spot for the local economy — and that means more sales for everyone!
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This weekend in Atlanta, you’ll love the many options for fun, including Art Fair Friday night → Fashion Week / more galleries Saturday → Candler Park Sunday and more.
At AtlantaFi.com, we’ve curated the best things for you to do in Atlanta this weekend.
Check Out the Best Things To Do in Atlanta This Weekend
Whether you’re into arts, music, comedy, or just exploring the city, here’s our curated list of the top things to do this weekend.
Decatur Book Festival
The Decatur Book Festival turns 21 this year, and it no longer tries to be the sprawling tent city it once was. That is a feature, not a loss. On Friday, October 2, and Saturday, October 3, 2026, downtown Decatur will be filled with book lovers.
Beltline Activities
The Eastside Trail (especially around Ponce City Market and Krog Street) buzzes with people grabbing food/drinks from spots like the 9 Mile Station food hall or nearby breweries. Expect informal World Cup watch parties at BeltLine-adjacent bars and patios amid the ongoing FIFA festivities.
Bubble Planet Immersive Exhibit
Love bubbles? Bubble Planet is an immersive experience in which you’ll surround yourself with bubbles like never before! Get tickets.
Atlanta Weekend Events: Friday, October 2, 2026
- Atlanta Art Fair at Pullman Yards (third edition; talks, installations, galleries) and/or The Other Art Fair at Enspire Mercantile in Grant Park (artists selling work directly; Friday hours 5–10 p.m.). Both run through Sunday.
- Gente de Zona at the Fox Theatre if you want a high-energy Latin night. wsbtv.com
- Chelsea Handler at Coca-Cola Roxy, or Indigo Girls at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. theconcertnexus.com
- Finally Friday at Oakland Cemetery (free, 5–8 p.m.): pumpkin patch, food, family crafts — easy early-evening stop.
- Decatur Book Festival (Fri–Sat) and Oktoberfest at Round Trip Brewing in West Midtown (free to enter; beer, games, BBQ).
- TLC, Salt-N-Pepa, and En Vogue (“It’s Iconic”) at Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park.
• Indigo Girls with Linda Perry at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre (about 7 p.m.; Atlanta natives on home turf).
• Gente de Zona at the Fox Theatre (25th-anniversary show).
• Issa Rae / Insecure: The 10th Anniversary Tour at The Tabernacle.
• Take 6 at the Rialto Center for the Arts. - Easy add-on: Walk the Eastside BeltLine into Ponce City Market or Krog Street Market before a show.
Serial Killer Exhibit
This weekend, check out the Serial Killer exhibit in Atlanta. Get tickets.
Trolley Ride Through Atlanta
Discover the rich history of Atlanta while uncovering the hidden gems and must-visit landmarks nestled within the city on the 90-Minute Trolley Tour Atlanta. Get tickets.
Atlanta Weekend Events: Saturday, October 3, 2026
- Ed Sheeran with Macklemore and Lukas Graham at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. That’s the weekend’s biggest single event.
- If you want outdoors instead of a stadium:
- Candler Park Fall Fest (Sat–Sun, free): two stages of music, artist market, food, kids’ stuff, huge local crowd. One of the best neighborhood festivals of the year.
- Continue the art fairs, or hit Porches and Pies in Adair Park if you want a more intimate neighborhood food event.
- Georgia State vs. Old Dominion football at Center Parc Stadium.
- EGGtoberfest at Coolray Field (big cook-off / food festival).
- Atlanta Arab Festival at the Alif Institute (free; food, performances, vendors). gosouthatlanta.com
- Comedy: Fred Armisen at the Tabernacle. Concerts: Grupo Duelo at Coca-Cola Roxy or Smokey Robinson at the Fox.
- Georgia State Fair is open at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton if you want rides and classic fair food (runs through Oct. 11).
Candler Park Fall Fest
Photo credit: Instagram Candler Park Fall Fest is the kind of Atlanta event that still feels like a block party, even when 20,000 people show up. On Saturday, October 3, and Sunday, October 4, 2026, the park and surrounding streets in one of the city’s most walkable eastside neighborhoods fill with live music, an artist market, food trucks, kids’ attractions, and a 5K.
Atlanta Weekend Events: Sunday, October 4, 2026
- Candler Park Fall Fest again in the afternoon, or wrap the art fairs (Other Art Fair until 6 p.m.; Atlanta Art Fair through Sunday).
- Atlanta Symphony Orchestra with Nathalie Stutzmann at Symphony Hall — strong “Sunday evening in Atlanta” choice.
- Free museum time: Sunday FUNday at the Michael C. Carlos Museum (includes gallery admission) and free first Sunday at Marietta Cobb Museum of Art.
- Amyl and the Sniffers at Coca-Cola Roxy if you want loud rock instead of a festival.
- Last day of Atlanta Arab Festival, Oktoberfest at Round Trip, and the State Fair.
- Classic Sunday finish: Piedmont Park + Midtown brunch, or Georgia Aquarium / World of Coca-Cola if you have visitors who haven’t done the tourist core.
- Explore neighborhoods – Brunch in Buckhead or East Atlanta, then wander historic sites like the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park or check out a neighborhood festival.
- Bonus relaxing options: Head to Atlanta museums like the High Museum or Zoo Atlanta (post-IllumiNights season), catch a puppet show, or enjoy casual park hangs and dining.
Check Out Banksy in Atlanta
The art of Banksy can be seen in Atlanta in this immersive exhibit running now. Get tickets.
Traffic tip: Use MARTA for Midtown spots. What’s your pick? Drop us a line in the comments! Stay tuned for more updates.
SEE MORE THINGS TO DO ON A SUNDAY IN ATLANTA
Immerse Yourself In Your Atlanta
Atlanta is for tourists, but it’s also for locals. If you want to explore Georgia’s largest city, do it on your terms and check out the fun, cool and new things happening when it comes to summer festivals and even on the weekday. You can start downtown, and get it crackin’ in Buckhead. Check out the newest Atlanta restaurants, beautiful parks and unexplored spots you’ve only heard about. AtlantaFi your experience!
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