Atlanta Mac & Cheese Festival: 5 things to do this weekend

Looking for a way to unwind from another demanding work week?

Luckily, there are plenty of options for metro Atlanta residents and visitors.

From terrifying haunted houses to a music festival that will honor late rapper Shawty Lo, here are five things to do this weekend in metro Atlanta:

Attend a Haunted House

Halloween is still a few weeks away but many local haunted attractions have already opened their doors. Enter if you dare and see what freightening creatures await at popular haunted houses such as Netherworld and House of Horror Hill.

“Ugly Lies the Bone”

An injured young veteran returns home to face her new reality with the help of a new virtual reality therapy in “Ugly Lies the Bone.” The production, created by playwright Lindsey Ferrentino, opened at the Alliance Theatre on Sept. 16.

Times vary. Through Oct. 9. $20-$42. Alliance Theatre, 1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta. Alliancetheatre.org.

A3C

21 Savage, Rick Ross, Young Dolph, Too $hort, OG Maco and other artists are expected to perform during this year's A3C Festival and Conference in the Old Fourth Ward. The highlight of the festival will likely be D4L's tribute to rapper Shawty Lo less than one week after the Bankhead rapper's funeral.

In addition to performances, A3C will feature panels and workshops featuring more than 250 speakers, including Organized Noise, Master P and more.

Tickets vary in price based on what you're interested in attending, but they can be purchased here.

Times vary. Oct. 5-9. Prices vary. Various Locations.

Atlanta Pride

The 46th annual Atlanta Pride festival will celebrate gender and sexual identity diversity with the help of more than 250 exhibitors, nonprofit organizations and artists in Piedmont Park.

Musicians will provide live entertainment throughout the two-day festival. In addition to traditional activities, such as the annual parade that will take place at noon Oct. 9, the festival will feature an expanded college and career fair this year. The Starlight Cabaret Show, featuring national and international drag performers, once again will close out the festival.

The Youth Liberation Space and Grey Pride will feature programming geared toward younger and older members of the LGBT community. Additionally, an exhibit created through a partnership with the Center for Civil and Human Rights museum will showcase a timeline of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history, both locally and internationally.

10 a.m.-9 p.m. Oct. 8-9. Free. Piedmont Park, 400 Park Drive, Atlanta. atlantapride.org.

Atlanta Mac & Cheese Festival

When we posted news of an Atlanta Mac and Cheese festival, readers went crazy! The event is this weekend!

For $20, attendees can sample food from five of the vendors that will set up shop at Walker Park on Oct. 8. Mac the Cheese, Nana G’s and Dish Dive are just a few of the participating vendors.

12:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Oct. 8. $20. Walker Park, 200 Memorial Terrace, Atlanta.Atlmacandcheesefestival.com.