20 events to fill your 2008 calendar

Things to Do

20 events to fill your 2008 calendar

Twenty things to do around Atlanta during 2008.

Jan. 11-21: Martin Luther King, Jr. Week A week of events celebrating the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. kicks off Jan. 11 with a meeting of the Georgia Progressive Summit. The celebration culminates on Jan. 21, MLK Day, with a march and rally beginning at 1 p.m. and a breakfast/brunch at the Atlanta United Methodist Church on Peachtree. http://www.mlkmarchaaar.org/

Jan. 30-Feb. 3: Southeastern Flower ShowLook to showcased experts for inspiration and advice on landscaping, flower arranging, conservation and more at this regional gardening and floral expo at the Georgia World Congress Center. http://www.flowershow.org/

Feb. 15-24: Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Lions, tigers and clowns take over Philips Arena when the circus comes to town. Tickets range from $14 to $130 and are available through ticketmaster.com or by calling 404-249-6400. http://www.ringling.com/

March 15: St. Patrick's Day Parade More than 200 units will be part of the 2008 parade, which starts at noon. This year is the 150th anniversary. The route begins at Peachtree Street and Ralph McGill and ends at Underground Atlanta. http://www.stpatsparadeatlanta.com/

April 4-6: Atlanta Dogwood Festival Now in its 72nd year, this arts festival features more than 200 jewelry makers, painters, sculptors and other artists from around the country. The free event is held in Piedmont Park. http://www.dogwood.org/

April 10-19: Atlanta Film Festival About 150 independent films will unspool, mostly at the Landmark Midtown Art Cinema. There also are parties, appearances by directors and some stars, and juried competitions. It's not Cannes, but it's easier to get to. http://www.atlantafilmfestival.com/

April 12-June 1: Georgia Renaissance FestivalKnights and barmaids alike can frolic like it's the 16th century. The festival is chock-full of Tudor delights, period dress, food and craft demonstrations (think leather crafting.) It runs Saturdays and Sundays through June 1, just 8 miles south of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. http://www.garenfest.com/

May 7: Shake at the Lake at Piedmont ParkUmm, it ain't Shakespeare this year but from May 7-11, Georgia Shakespeare brings the classic 'The Servant of Two Masters' by Carlo Goldoni to this annual event on the pier at Lake Clara Meer. Tickets are free but must be claimed the day of the show at the park visitor's center. http://www.gashakespeare.org

Summer: Atlanta Jazz FestivalThis 30-year tradition usually scatters performances -- free and ticketed -- throughout May, and it culminates Labor Day weekend in Piedmont Park. Details for 2008 are pending. http://www.atlantafestivals.com/atlantajazzfestival/index.html

June 21-23: Atlanta Pride 2008This outdoor parties attracts thousands -- gay, straight and in between -- to Piedmont Park for a weekend of music, inspirational and political messages and drinking. A parade down Peachtree Street features nearly naked dancers, preachers, politicians, transsexuals and celebrities, making it one of the largest gay-themed festivals in the country. http://www.atlantapride.org/

July 4: Peachtree Road Race The world's largest 6.2-mile road race is limited to 55,000 participants, who will clog Peachtree from Lenox to Piedmont Park, a route stocked with excited fans and curb-to-curb music. Apply -- and do it promptly -- by filling out the entry form in the March 16 Atlanta Journal-Constitution. http://www.atlantatrackclub.org/

July 18-27: National Black Arts FestivalCelebrating its 20th anniversary, this festival of art, music and more takes place at venues around Atlanta. http://www.nbaf.org

Decatur Book FestivalHeld Labor Day weekend the past two years at venues throughout Decatur, this festival, sponsored by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, brings together authors and fans for two days of readings, signings, panels and fun. http://www.decaturbookfestival.com

Aug. 29-Sept. 1: DragonConOne of the grandest gatherings of sci-fi fans, comics freaks, cult movie buffs, gamers and gawkers, the 22nd DragonCon is so big it covers three downtown hotels, plus spills onto the streets for the big parade. Family friendly during the day, a little more adult at night. http://www.dragoncon.org

Sept. 4-7: Yellow Daisy FestivalMore than 500 artists from across the nation will head to South Mountain Park for this arts and crafts show. Located at the Special Events Meadow. http://www.stonemountainpark.com

Sept. 18-28: North Georgia State FairEvery fall, hundreds of thousands convene at the sprawling Jim Miller Park in Cobb County for a weekend of music, rides and arts and crafts displays. Around for more than 75 years, it is one of metro Atlanta's longest running family events. http://www.northgeorgiastatefair.com

Oct. 11-12: Great Georgia Air ShowThis popular event in Peachtree City features commercial and military aviation as well as civilian acrobatics and historic war birds. Organizers estimate the two-day event draws between 30,000 and 60,000. http://www.thegreatgeorgiaairshow.com

Late October: Little Five Points HalloweenThe community of L5P, a hang-out for colorful characters and those who just want to be, stages an annual Halloween parade, usually a week or so before the date. You'll see costume approaches you never even imagined. http://www.l5phalloween.com

Last week in December: Chick-fil-A BowlThe annual college bowl game, held the week between Christmas and New Year's, is preceded by a parade with balloons and floats as well as cheerleaders, mascots and marching bands from the participating universities. The parade takes place downtown, and the game is played at the Georgia Dome. http://www.chick-fil-abowl.com

Dec. 31: Peach DropAtlanta's answer to New Year's Eve in Times Square. Thousands brave the (relative) cold to crowd into and around Underground Atlanta for an evening of live music and other performances. An 800-pound lighted peach rings in the new year at midnight. http://www.peachdrop.com

1/20

Jan. 11-21: Martin Luther King, Jr. Week A week of events celebrating the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. kicks off Jan. 11 with a meeting of the Georgia Progressive Summit. The celebration culminates on Jan. 21, MLK Day, with a march and rally beginning at 1 p.m. and a breakfast/brunch at the Atlanta United Methodist Church on Peachtree. http://www.mlkmarchaaar.org/

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