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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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This weekend, Sandy Springs turns its downtown core into a two-day celebration of live music, handmade art, and family-friendly spectacle. The fourth annual Bluestone Arts & Music Festival returns to City Springs on Friday, September 25, and Saturday, September 26, with free admission, nationally known headliners, an artist market, and the Georgia premiere of an interactive outdoor show. This is one of the best festivals in the Atlanta area.
The festival takes over City Green, Blue Stone Road, and surrounding blocks at 1 Galambos Way. Hours run 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday. Artist market, emerging-artist gallery, and Kids Zone close at 8 p.m. both nights; food trucks stay open until 10.
Bluestone Arts & Music Festival: Headliner & Schedule
Friday night belongs to Nicotine Dolls, an alternative-pop/rock act making a special stop in Sandy Springs before heading overseas. They take the City Green Stage at 8:30 p.m. Saturday’s closer is Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Allen Stone, whose mix of soul, R&B, funk, and pop arrives just as he finishes a new album and continues dates with Chris Stapleton and Teddy Swims. He headlines at 8:30 p.m. Saturday.
Supporting acts fill the rest of the weekend. Friday’s City Green lineup includes Carl Wockner + Cat Ridgeway (singer-songwriter and live looping) at 4:30 p.m. and Brother Maven (rock and soul) at 7 p.m. Saturday features Something In The Orange (Zach Bryan tribute) at 1 p.m., Carl Wockner at 2:30 p.m., Bad Medicine (Bon Jovi tribute) at 4 p.m., SOUP (’90s alt-rock) at 5:30 p.m., and Kyndle Wylde (soul and rock) at 7 p.m.
New this year on the Hilderbrand Stage is Squonk’s Joy Machine, an interactive multimedia performance making its Georgia debut. Audiences help power giant inventions, animate puppets, and play a massive drum wall. Showtimes are 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Friday and noon, 2 p.m., and 5 p.m. Saturday. Every set is unique.
Art, kids, food, and a race for people and pups
More than 60 artists and makers from across the Southeast line Blue Stone Road with pottery, jewelry, paintings, woodwork, clothing, and specialty foods. Hours are 4–8 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Saturday. Nearby, the Emerging Artist Gallery displays student work from kindergarten through high school. A limited run of 40 official 2026 festival posters, designed by Atlanta illustrator Jordan Longenecker, will be available.
The Kids Zone offers carnival rides and giant inflatables. A $15 wristband covers unlimited access all day. Squonk’s performances double as family entertainment on the Hilderbrand Stage.
Food trucks and a Sports Zone turn Galambos Road into an outdoor tailgate with big-screen football, yard games, and patio seating. Drink tickets (credit card only) are required at outdoor bars.
Saturday morning starts early with the Blue Stone 5K-9, an 8 a.m. fun run/walk open to all ages—with or without a dog. The flat out-and-back course is an official Northside Hospital Peachtree Road Race qualifier. Registration is $35 plus fees at runsignup.com; adaptive handcycles are available through Catalyst Sports. Pets are welcome only on the race course, not inside the festival grounds. Service animals are allowed.
Final Word
Admission is free. Lawn chairs and blankets are allowed (low-back chairs preferred); umbrellas for shade are fine if lowered during sets. No tents, outside tables, or drones. Wear comfortable shoes and sunscreen—the festival spans several blocks. Restrooms, including ADA facilities, are located throughout the grounds and parking areas.
Expect road closures around City Springs; Springs Landing shops remain accessible. Check sandyspringsga.gov/bluestone for the latest parking, shuttle, and MARTA information closer to the weekend. Weather updates will be posted on the city’s Facebook page.
The Blue Stone Arts & Music Festival is produced by the City of Sandy Springs with support from the Fulton County Board of Commissioners and local sponsors. It has grown from earlier Heritage Sandy Springs Festival roots into a signature fall event that mixes national acts with neighborhood energy. For maps, full schedules, and last-minute changes, visit sandyspringsga.gov/bluestone or bluestonefest.com.
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Taste of Soul Atlanta returns October 17–18, 2026, as a free two-day outdoor celebration of soul food, live music, culture, and community in the heart of Vine City.
The festival takes place across from Mercedes-Benz Stadium at the main entrance of Northside Drive and MLK Jr. Drive (Atlanta, GA 30314). Hours run noon to 9 p.m. both days. Festival grounds entry is free with recommended registration; ticketed experiences include the Soul in the City Concert and Sunday’s Cocktails & Wine Festival.
Taste of Soul Atlanta: Dates, Times, Info – What To Know
Note: Official listings and the event website confirm the weekend of October 17–18 rather than October 11–12.
A Festival Rooted in Place and History
Taste of Soul Atlanta (TOSA) is held in Vine City, one of Atlanta’s oldest neighborhoods and the longtime home of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Organizers describe the site as the footsteps of where civil-rights leaders gathered over plates of soul food to discuss the issues of their time. The event positions Atlanta as America’s Soul Food Capital and bills itself as the largest festival west of Peachtree Street.
The gathering is designed as a family-friendly, citywide experience that brings people together around Southern and soul cooking, live performances, art, and people-watching. Soul food here is framed as “life, love and family, served on a warm plate.”
Food, Market, and Flavors
The Open Air Taste & Market occupies the grounds both days. Food vendors focus on traditional soul food (fried or baked chicken and catfish, greens, mac and cheese, meatloaf, casseroles), plus soul seafood, Cajun-soul, Caribbean-soul, African-soul, South American-soul, and fusion interpretations. Vendors are required to offer affordable “taste” portions. Arts-and-crafts and market vendors add shopping alongside the food trucks and booths.
Expected attendance is around 25,000 with capacity for roughly 100 vendors. No power is provided on site, and the festival is styrofoam-free.
Music and Stages
Free music plays throughout the day on the Phoenix Sound Stage (1–9 p.m.); lawn chairs are welcome. The 2026 Phoenix Stage lineup is listed as coming soon. A ticketed Soul in the City Concert occupies a private main-stage area (concert area typically opens earlier; check will-call for wristbands). Last year’s programming featured a deep roster of R&B, soul, and local artists across Saturday and Sunday.
On Sunday, October 18, the Taste of Soul Cocktails & Wine Festival runs 4–8 p.m. It highlights African American-owned wines, spirits, and cocktails—positioned as one of the country’s largest tastings of its kind. 2026 participating brands were still to be announced at last check; prior years included names such as Uncle Nearest, Ten to One Rum, Ebony Wine, and others. Tickets are sold separately.
KidZone operates both days from noon to 8 p.m. Additional Sunday programming blocks appear on the events page (12–4 p.m. and 4–8 p.m. ticketed options). BrunchTOSA and a Labor Day 5K have been part of the broader TOSA experience in other years.
Getting There and What to Bring
Organizers strongly recommend MARTA: Vine City station is about a three-minute walk; Ashby station is roughly 15 minutes. Biking is encouraged. Driving is possible but parking is limited and paid in nearby lots; carpooling and respect for Vine City neighbors are requested.
Allowed items include lawn chairs, blankets, one sealed water bottle per person, and small bags subject to search. Pets are not permitted. Coolers, outside food, tents, glass, and weapons are prohibited. The site is wheelchair accessible. ATMs, restrooms, medical services, and lost-and-found are on site.46
Nearby hotel options listed by organizers include the Signia by Hilton, Hard Rock, Glenn Hotel Autograph Collection, DoubleTree, and Clarion.
Planning Ahead
Register for free entry and watch TasteofSoulAtlanta.com for the 2026 artist announcements, exact concert times, and vendor lists. Vendor applications (food, beverage, market) have rolling deadlines with space assigned closer to the event. The festival has run since 2015 and continues to grow as a neighborhood-rooted celebration of Atlanta’s culinary and musical traditions.
Check the official site closer to the weekend for weather updates, final lineup, and any last-minute logistics. Bring an appetite, a chair, and time to wander.
Explore Your Atlanta
Atlanta has just what you need, not just today but every weekend. From exploring the city’s diverse restaurant scene to taking in a beautiful park greenspace or even checking out the hidden gems, Atlanta has some of everything.
First, to find all the good things happening in the city this week, all you have to do is take a look at downtown Atlanta. That’s where some of the best restaurants are as well as where the visitors, namely tourists, are.
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SOUTH FULTON, Ga. — The ATL Airport District and the City of South Fulton are marking National Hispanic Heritage Month with the return of the Azúcar Music Festival, a free family event that organizers say is meant to honor Hispanic and Latino communities through music, food and culture.
The festival is scheduled for Saturday, September 26, at Wolf Creek Amphitheater, 3025 Merk Road SW. Doors open at 3 p.m., and the program begins at 4:30 p.m. Admission is free.
Organizers describe Azúcar as more than a concert series. The event is framed as a celebration of rhythm, culture and unity, inspired by the legacies of salsa icon Celia Cruz, known as “The Queen of Salsa,” and Tito Puente, “The Mambo King.” Live performances will pay tribute to that Afro-Caribbean tradition, with salsa, mambo and related styles expected to fill the amphitheater.
Hispanic-owned businesses and vendors will line the grounds with authentic dishes and cultural goods for sale, giving attendees a chance to eat, shop and linger before and during the show. Officials are encouraging families to come early, take in the vendor area and stay for the performances.
Wolf Creek Amphitheater, South Fulton’s outdoor venue on a wooded site near the airport corridor, has hosted previous editions of the festival as the city’s signature Hispanic Heritage Month gathering. This year’s date aligns with the national observance, which runs from September 15 to October 15.
Residents and visitors are invited to bring the whole family for live music, food and a community celebration. No tickets are required.
There are so many Atlanta events popping off every week it’s hard to keep up with it all. That’s why I suggest you subscribe to AtlantaFi.com to get all the freshest gatherings, Atlanta happenings, parties and more delivered to your inbox.
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ATLANTA — The Atlanta Food & Wine Festival presented by Invesco QQQ will mark its 16th year Sept. 10–13 at The Home Depot Backyard with a four-day lineup of tasting events, celebrity hosts and partner activations built around the theme “The City is the Story.”
Organizers say nearly 100 Atlanta chefs, restaurants, beverage partners and culinary personalities will take part. Tickets are on sale at atlfoodandwinefestival.com.
AFWF Announces Chefs, Talent
Host talent includes Atlanta Journal-Constitution food and dining editor Monti Carlo; “Bizarre Foods” host Andrew Zimmern; chef and caterer Shawn Osbey; restaurateur Ford Fry; Food Network star Kardea Brown; and “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star, restaurateur and cookbook author Kelli Potter.
Featured Chefs
Featured chefs include James Beard Award semifinalist Tana Bhamaraniyama of Tyde Tate Kitchen; cookbook author Renee Blackman; Food Network “Chopped” champion Gary Caldwell of Marcus Bar & Grille; Anthony Dudley of MICHELIN-recognized Hattie B’s; James Beard Award semifinalists Monique and Paul Feybesse of Tarts de Feybesse; James Beard Award nominee Ronald Hsu of MICHELIN-recognized Lazy Betty; Billy Kramer of NFA Burger; James Beard Award nominee Duane Nutter of Southern National; Gee Smalls of Virgil’s Gullah Kitchen & Bar; Biff “MrBBQ” Smith of Mobile Chef of Atlanta; and James Beard Award semifinalist Deborah VanTrece of VanTrece Hospitality Group. The full talent list is at atlfoodandwinefestival.com/talent.
READ up on the 2026 Atlanta Food & Wine Festival.
Invesco QQQ returns as presenting partner. Goya Foods is presenting partner of the Tasting Tents and official Hispanic foods partner, with Executive Chef Fernando Desa at a dedicated station. Mike’s Amazing is presenting partner of Stacked: The Burger Social and official mayo and mustard partner, serving a different burger each day from its Airstream trailer.
Other partner experiences include Publix cake samples and chef demonstrations on the Publix Culinary Demonstration Stage; wines and spirits from Pernod Ricard; Caymus Vineyards wine from Princess Cruise Lines paired with grilled New York strip; two Coca-Cola signature cocktails created for the festival, the Dirty South Coke and Edgewood Express; Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon at a Pony Trailer cocktail experience; and hospitality from official host hotel Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park. Organizers also cited partner giveaways and discounted rideshare.
“The strength of the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival comes from the incredible partners who share our passion for showcasing the South’s culinary community,” said Brett Friedman, founder and CEO of a21. “Their collaboration helps transform the festival into a one-of-a-kind experience guests can explore and enjoy in so many different ways.”
AFWF Event schedule
Thursday, Sept. 10 — The Atlanta Standard, hosted by Monti Carlo
Tasting Tents presented by Goya Foods
VIP 6:30–10 p.m.; general admission 7:30–10 p.m.
Chef-driven bites from Deborah VanTrece, Simon Warren of Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park, Anthony Dudley and others, plus cocktails, wine, a saxophonist and live music.
GA $135; VIP $185Friday, Sept. 11 — Flavors of Atlanta, hosted by Andrew Zimmern
Tasting Tents presented by Goya Foods
VIP 6:30–10 p.m.; general admission 7:30–10 p.m.
Walk-around tasting highlighting Latin, Asian, Caribbean and other influences. Featured chefs include Monique and Paul Feybesse and Tana Bhamaraniyama. Caribbean dancers and a steel pannist perform.
GA $155; VIP $205Saturday, Sept. 12 — The Southern Spread, hosted by Shawn Osbey
Tasting Tents presented by Goya Foods
VIP noon–3:30 p.m.; general admission 1–3:30 p.m.
Southern classics and modern interpretations. Featured chefs include Biff “MrBBQ” Smith, Gee Smalls, Gary Caldwell, Renee Blackman and Duane Nutter.
GA $155; VIP $205Saturday, Sept. 12 — Stacked: The Burger Social, hosted by Ford Fry, presented by Mike’s Amazing
VIP 6:30–9:30 p.m.; general admission 7:15–9:30 p.m.
Burger tasting with participating chefs including Billy Kramer and Eleazar Fuerte of Mike’s Amazing. Guests vote for the Mike’s Amazing People’s Choice Burger Award.
GA $125; VIP $155Saturday, Sept. 12 — Whiskey & Fire Atlanta
Guardian Works, 775 Echo St. NW
VIP 5–8:30 p.m.; general admission 5:45–8:30 p.m.
Second-year collaboration between Heritage Fire and Whiskies of the World, with open-fire cooking by chefs including Black Girls Grilling and Biff “MrBBQ” Smith and hundreds of whiskies.
GA $129; early access $169Sunday, Sept. 13 — The Homecoming, hosted by Kardea Brown
Tasting Tents presented by Goya Foods
VIP and general admission noon–3:30 p.m.
Grill-focused tasting with a live marching band. Featured chefs include Simon Warren.
GA $135; VIP $185Sunday, Sept. 13 — Southern Fried: A Fried Chicken Affair, hosted by Kelli Potter
VIP 4:30–7:30 p.m.; general admission 5:15–7:30 p.m.
Walk-around fried chicken tasting from Southern and global styles. Chefs include Ronald Hsu and Anthony Dudley.
GA $125; VIP $155Tickets and the complete calendar are available at atlfoodandwinefestival.com.
Metro Atlanta’s food and drink scene continues to grow with no stops on the horizon. Ready to try something new?
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The Piedmont Park Arts Festival is happening this weekend in Midtown Atlanta. It’s one of the city’s top festivals for a reason.
They’ll be arts and crafts, food and more on site. The festival is free and brought to us by the Atlanta Foundation for Public Spaces.
Piedmont Park Arts Festival 2026: What You Need To Know
Bring the whole family out for a good time! There will be more than 250 artisans and craftsmen showing off a a wide variety of arts and crafts. As always, you can also expect plenty of local food and beverage concessions including “gourmet” food trucks.
There will also be live acoustic musical performances as well as a kids area for the little ones.
When Is The Piedmont Park Arts Festival 2026?
This year’s Piedmont Park Arts Festival is set for the following dates:
- Sat., August 15, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Sun., August 17, 2026 from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Where Will The Piedmont Park Arts Festival Be Held?
The festival will be held in Midtown’s crown jewel greenspace, Piedmont Park.Location:
Piedmont Park
1071 Piedmont Ave.
Atlanta, GA 30309Final Word
Don’t let another weekend pass you by! Take advantage of Atlanta’s great outdoors. Here are some fun things to do outside. -
The 18th Annual Atlanta Quilt Festival is underway at the Southwest Arts Center in South Fulton and continues through September 5, 2026.
Atlanta Quilt Festival: What To Know
This long-running celebration of textile art highlights African American quilting traditions alongside traditional, modern, and art quilts, drawing makers and visitors for exhibits, workshops, lectures, and community events. Not to mention, it’s one of the top festivals in Atlanta.
Dates, Location & Hours
- Dates: July 31 – September 5, 2026
- Location: Southwest Arts Center, 915 New Hope Road, South Fulton, GA 30331
- Viewing hours: Monday–Saturday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. (hours begin August 1)
The festival features a juried exhibition of more than 100 quilts. It emphasizes the preservation and promotion of African American quilting and other textile arts while welcoming work across styles. A standout special exhibit, “Music Moves Movements,” explores the deep ties between music, song, and social justice movements—from spirituals to freedom anthems—through original quilt works.
Workshops, Classes & Events
Beyond the gallery displays, the festival offers a full slate of hands-on classes, master classes, lectures, and trunk shows. Offerings span beginner to advanced levels and include topics such as:
- Beginning quilting and free-motion quilting
- Bag making and hand embroidery
- Paper piecing (including a Niemeyer-method master class)
- Kawandi slow-stitching in the Siddi tradition
- Silk painting, T-shirt quilts, pixel quilts, and Instagram for quilters
- An “AI Meets Quilting” class that introduces generative tools for design inspiration
Many classes include materials guidance, continental breakfast or lunch, and separate ticket fees (typically in the $40–$65 range depending on the session). Check the official schedule for exact dates, times, and availability, as sessions continue on weekends and select weekdays through early September.
Why It Matters
Founded and sustained as a space that honors quilting as both craft and cultural storytelling, the Atlanta Quilt Festival has grown into an 18-year tradition. It provides a welcoming platform for established artists and newcomers alike while spotlighting the historical and contemporary significance of African American textile traditions. Recent coverage has highlighted its role in community connection and creative expression.
Admission and class ticket details can vary; the most current information, RSVPs, and purchases are available on the official website, atlantaquiltfestival.com. The Southwest Arts Center is located in South Fulton, making the festival an accessible metro Atlanta destination for a day (or multiple visits) of art, learning, and inspiration.
Whether you’re a longtime quilter, a curious beginner, or simply looking for a meaningful cultural outing this summer, the Atlanta Quilt Festival offers a rich, multi-week experience that runs through the first weekend of September.
Atlanta has a lot of cool things to do and places to eat, including some of the top soul food joints and remarkable Thai food spots. Explore the city.
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The City of Fairburn’s annual Seafood & BBQ Festival and Concert is heading back to Fairburn City Center on Friday, August 21, delivering a perfect close to the summer season with delicious food, live entertainment, and a strong sense of community in the heart of downtown.
Fairburn’s Seafood & BBQ Festival: What To Know
This signature “Fairburn Outside!” event promises an evening of flavorful seafood, savory barbecue, and performances by The Boykinz, J-WONN, Meeka Meeka, Mike Clark Jr., and Cupid. Hosting duties fall to DeeDee Parker of KISS 104.1, with music provided by DJ Antron.
Expect line dancing, festival eats, high-energy shows, and plenty of local community spirit. The event is completely free to attend. Organizers encourage visitors to bring lawn chairs, gather friends and family, and settle in for a night of music, culture, and connection.
More Fun in Fairburn
While the Seafood & BBQ Festival is a highlight, Fairburn offers plenty of other ways to enjoy the area year-round.
Stroll historic downtown Fairburn, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The district features late 19th- and early 20th-century commercial buildings and train depots, along with unique shopping, dining, and a walkable small-town atmosphere just a short drive from Atlanta.
Outdoor enthusiasts can head to Duncan Park for its pool, splash pad, playground, sports fields, and walking paths—ideal for families. Nearby Cochran Mill Park provides hiking, mountain biking, and horseback-riding trails through scenic woods, creeks, and waterfalls across hundreds of acres.
For active fun with a social twist, Swing ATL offers an 18-hole mini-golf course, axe-throwing lanes, vibrant murals, and a lively atmosphere suitable for families, date nights, or groups. Catch live theater at the Southside Theatre Guild, one of Georgia’s oldest all-volunteer community theaters, which stages dramas, comedies, improv, and musicals in historic downtown.
Seasonal draws include the massive Georgia Renaissance Festival (typically spring), complete with jousting, artisans, period food, and immersive entertainment on expansive grounds in Fairburn. Check out the Fairburn Farmers Market in season for local produce, crafts, and community vibes, or relax with craft beer at spots like Cochran Mill Brewing Company.
Fairburn’s mix of free community events under the “Fairburn Outside!” banner, historic charm, parks, and easy access to Atlanta makes it a welcoming spot for a day trip or longer stay. Mark your calendar for August 21, bring those lawn chairs, and experience one of the city’s can’t-miss summer celebrations.
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Atlanta’s long-running ONE Musicfest is sitting out 2026. The 16-year-old event, known for mixing established stars with rising talent, announced it is pausing this year’s edition to rethink its approach and develop a refreshed version.
Organizers said the break will allow them to move beyond repeating the same format and instead create “the next iteration” with new experiences, energy, and ideas.
ONE Musicfest Cancels 2026 Festival
In their statement, they noted that the festival has always aimed to push culture forward and bring generations together rather than simply stage another music event.
What started with about 1,500 attendees has grown into an annual gathering of more than 100,000 people. Founder Jason “J” Carter has previously highlighted the festival’s focus on uniting legends and emerging artists—an approach reflected in the 2025 lineup that featured Future, the Dungeon Family, Jazmine Sullivan, Kehlani, Ludacris, Leon Thomas, Clipse, Doechii, Chief Keef, Mary J. Blige, and others.
The festival’s full statement reads:
“For 16 years, ONE Musicfest has never been content to just throw another music festival. We’ve pushed culture forward, brought generations together, and built something that didn’t exist before we created it. That same commitment to innovation is why we’re pausing ONE Musicfest in 2026.
Rather than produce the same festival we’ve done in the past, we’re taking this year to build the next iteration of ONE Musicfest with the same bold vision and a commitment to giving you the very best.
What began with 1,500 music lovers at our very first festival has grown into a homecoming for more than 100,000 people each year. That’s because of you. We never take that for granted.
We’re spending this year reimagining what’s next. New experiences, new energy, new ideas worthy of what this community has built together.
To every artist, fan, and supporter who made ONE Musicfest what it is: thank you.”
No return date has been announced yet, but the organizers made clear they plan to come back with a reimagined version of the Atlanta homecoming.
Check out our Atlanta Festival Guide.
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The Atlanta Food and Wine Festival 2026 presented by Invesco QQQ, returns for its 16th year September 10–13, 2026. It is a four-day celebration of Southern food, wine, beer, and craft spirits (with global influences), spotlighting Atlanta’s chefs, restaurants, neighborhoods, and culinary identity under the theme “The City is the Story.”
The festival (produced by a21) features signature walk-around Tasting Tents presented by Goya Foods, the return of Whiskey & Fire Atlanta, and two new events: Stacked: The Burger Social presented by Mike’s Amazing and Southern Fried: A Fried Chicken Affair. Expect 150–200+ chefs, artisans, beverage professionals, and hospitality leaders, plus live music, activations, and the Publix Culinary Demonstration Stage.
Atlanta Food and Wine Festival: Here’s What To Know Before You
Main hub: The Home Depot Backyard at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (1 Backyard Way, Atlanta, GA 30313).
Other location: Whiskey & Fire at Guardian Works (775 Echo St NW, Atlanta, GA 30318). Additional experiences may occur at various metro Atlanta spots.
This signature event, a staple since its inception in 2011, will bring together renowned chefs, sommeliers, mixologists, and industry insiders for a weekend of indulgence, showcasing the rich culinary traditions of the South and beyond.
Approximate schedule (times and details can shift—confirm on the official site)
Event Schedule and Highlights
• Thursday, September 10 | The Atlanta Standard (Tasting Tents presented by Goya Foods)
VIP: 6:30–10 p.m.; General Admission: 7:30–10 p.m.
Hosted by Monti Carlo (AJC Food & Dining editor). Celebration of Atlanta’s late-night eats, neighborhood legends, rising stars, and cultural icons with chef-driven bites, cocktails, wines, and live music. Tickets starting at ~$99.• Friday, September 11 | Flavors of Atlanta (Tasting Tents presented by Goya Foods)
VIP: 6:30–10 p.m.; General Admission: 7:30–10 p.m.
Hosted by Andrew Zimmern. Focus on Atlanta’s international influences (Latin, Asian, Caribbean, and more) with high-energy tastings. Tickets starting at ~$109.• Saturday, September 12 | The Southern Spread (Tasting Tents presented by Goya Foods)
VIP: ~12–3:30 p.m.; General Admission: ~1–3:30 p.m.
Hosted by Chef Shawn Osbey. Afternoon gathering of Southern hospitality, classics, and innovative takes with live music. Tickets starting at ~$109.• Saturday, September 12 | Stacked: The Burger Social presented by Mike’s Amazing
Early Access: ~6:30–9:30 p.m.; General Admission: ~7:15–9:30 p.m.
Hosted by Ford Fry. Creative, over-the-top burgers paired with cocktails, beer, wine, and spirits. Tickets starting at ~$89.• Saturday, September 12 | Whiskey & Fire Atlanta (at Guardian Works)
Collaboration between Heritage Fire and Whiskies of the World. Open-fire cooking stations with chefs, wood-fired bites, and hundreds of global whiskies. (Official event page lists Saturday; earlier announcements varied—verify current details.)• Sunday, September 13 | The Homecoming (Tasting Tents presented by Goya Foods)
VIP/GA roughly midday–afternoon (around 12–3:30 p.m. range in prior listings).
Hosted by Kardea Brown. Bold, smoky, savory bites with Sunday Funday vibes and Atlanta hospitality. Tickets starting at ~$99.• Sunday, September 13 | Southern Fried: A Fried Chicken Affair
Early Access/GA in the late afternoon/evening (around 4:30–7:30 p.m. range).
Hosted by Kelli Potter. Classic Southern and global fried chicken interpretations. Tickets starting at ~$89.Hosts of the Tasting Tents also lead live cooking demos at the Publix Culinary Demonstration Stage. Multi-day passes are available. Additional intimate dinners or experiences may be announced.
Attendees can expect a dynamic lineup of immersive experiences, walk-around tastings, and gourmet dining, all set against the vibrant backdrop of downtown Atlanta, with the festival entrance conveniently located across from Ponce City Market.
How Much Do Tickets Cost?
Tickets for the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival range between $89 to $109. Each ticket will include:
- Unlimited food
- Wine and beer cocktails
- All-day entertainment
Final Word
Among the city’s best festivals, the event is shaping up to be Atlanta’s premiere food festival with a focus on Georgia-grown talent.
Foodies will also get to enjoy a slate of dishes from the most beloved participating chefs around the South.
The festival is speedily approaching this year. If you’re planning on going to this year’s reimagined event, here’s everything you need to know.
Atlanta has just about everything you need for a fun time in a big-city. If you love to laugh, you should check out the best comedy clubs in Atlanta.
For those who feel like dancing or vibing to some music, Atlanta’s got some of the best clubs in the South.
Want to get out of the house during the day? Why not get some shopping in the city by patronizing local vendors with handmade goods, arts, crafts, candles, soaps, vintage and more.
