Memorial Day weekend has come, again, and along with showing honor to Atlanta's local veterans, active and retired military, folks around metro Atlanta will be searching for engaging ways to spend the three-day weekend.
Whether you want to celebrate Memorial Day with a traditional ceremony or by spending the weekend with festive fireworks and friends, metro Atlanta’s list of happenings will not let you down.
Here’s a comprehensive list of things to do in Atlanta this Memorial Day weekend:
Gwinnett
Fast Track 5K. 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday, May 27. $30 per racer, free to watch. Eddie Owens Presents at the Red Clay Theater. 3116 Main St., Duluth. 770-476-2013. www.train-museum.org.
Get your run on this Saturday at the Fast Track 5K. It all kicks off at Eddie Owens Presents at the Red Clay Theater with warm-up activities and the race, followed by awards and post-race excitement. Patriotic dress encouraged.
Wing Fling. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 27. Free admission, food prices vary. Loganville Town Green. 235 Main St., Loganville. 770-466-1165. www.events.exploregwinnett.org.
Come out to see who can produce the best wings at Wing Fling held on the Loganville Town Green this Saturday. Along with delicious wings, you'll also enjoy seeing awards, live music, entertainment and more.
Asian Summer Festival. Saturday and Sunday, May 27 and 28. Free. Gwinnett Place Mall. 2100 Pleasant Hill Road, Duluth. 678-430-8541. www.events.exploregwinnett.org.
Surround yourself with Asian culture this weekend at the Asian Summer Festival in Duluth. You'll experience live performances, Asian garments, traditional cuisine and even comedians at this not-to-miss event.
Memorial Day Weekend at Medieval Times. Thursday through Monday, May 25 through 29. $32 per person. Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament. 5900 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville. 770-225-0230. www.medievaltimes.com.
Medieval Times will host a special Memorial Day Weekend with reduced ticket prices. Guests will enjoy watching the Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament featuring a thrilling show with knights on horseback.
Dacula Memorial Day Parade. 10 a.m. Monday, May 29. Free. Hebron Baptist Church. 202 Hebron Church Road, Dacula. 770-963-7451. www.daculaga.gov
The town of Dacula will host a special Memorial Day Parade this Monday morning. The parade begins at 10 a.m. at the Hebron Baptist Church and continues down Dacula Road.
Memorial Day Ceremony in honor of Gwinnett Fallen Heroes. 1 p.m. Monday, May 29. Free. Gwinnett Fallen Heroes Memorial. 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville. 770-822-8000. www.events.exploregwinnett.org.
Remember the country's fallen military this Memorial Day with a ceremony at the Gwinnett Fallen Heroes Memorial in Lawrenceville. This televised event will include a traditional ceremony will feature Honor Guard Units from Fire and Emergency Services, the Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners, the Police Department, Sheriff's Office, and the Lawrenceville Police Department.
Cobb
75th Annual Yaarab Shrine Circus and Midway Carnival. Multiple showtimes available, Friday through Monday, May 26 through 29. $7 per person, free for veterans on Memorial Day, free for children ages 10 and under, ride tickets $1.25 each. J.R. Miller Park. 2245 Callaway Road SW, Marietta. 404-872-5818. www.yaarabshrine.net.
Don't miss out on the last weekend of the Yaarab Shrine Circus and Midway Carnival in Marietta. You'll see world-famous circus and animal performances followed by family-friendly carnival.
Credit: John Spink
Credit: John Spink
Smyrna Memorial Day Ceremony. 9 a.m. Monday, May 29. Free. 20th Century Veterans Memorial. 2800 King St. SE, Smyrna. www.smyrnacity.com.
Smyrna celebrates the men and women, past and present, who serve in the military at the 20th Century Veterans Memorial this Monday. Seating starts at 8:30 a.m., followed by the main event at 9.
Veterans Memorial 5k Run. 7:30 a.m. Saturday, May 27. $35 per racer, free to race in the Tot Trot, free to watch. Historic Marietta Square. 1 Cherokee St. NE, Marietta. 678-214-5294. www.americanlegion5k.org.
Show your support for your local military this Memorial Day with a 5K run around the Historic Marietta Square. Proceeds benefit Georgia veterans and their families.
Acworth Memorial Day Ceremony. 10 a.m. Saturday, May 27. Free. Patriots Point at Cauble Park. 4425 Beach St., Acworth. 770-917-1234. www.acworth.org.
Join your community in Acworth for a Memorial Day Ceremony at Patriots Point this Saturday. Dedicated engraved pavers will be presented at this event.
Marietta Square Military Appreciation Celebration. 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 27. Free. Historic Marietta Square, 1 Cherokee St., Marietta. www.americanlegion5k.org.
Marietta will host a Military Appreciation Ceremony on the Square this Saturday with the Presentation of the Colors, a POW/MIA Ceremony, performances by the Georgia Symphony Orchestra and Flag Retirement.
DeKalb
Atlanta Game Fest. Thursday through Monday, May 25 through 29. $50 per person, $90 per couple, $100 per family. Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Center. 246 Perimeter Center Parkway NE, Atlanta. www.atlantagamefest.com.
If you love playing board and table-top games, come on down to Atlanta Game Fest for a weekend filled with hours of gaming fun. This event will also host the Southeast Regional Championships for Skull King, Diamonds, Nevermore, Letter Tycoon, The Game of 49 and Dimension.
Stone Mountain Park Memorial Day Weekend. 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday through Monday, May 26 through 29. Ticket prices vary, free Adventure Pass and discounted tickets for veterans, active and retired military. Stone Mountain Park. 1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd., Stone Mountain. 800-401-2407. www.stonemountainpark.com.
Pay tribute to the troops at Stone Mountain at the Memorial Day Weekend. This event will feature a special 5K/1K and Walk and patriotic fireworks finale.
Concerts on the Square: Magno. 7 p.m. Saturday, May 27. Free. The Square in Downtown Decatur. concerts@decaturdba.com. www.decaturdba.com.
Downtown Decatur will host a free concert on the Square this Saturday. Magno will perform an upbeat arrangement of old-school and modern hits that everyone will love.
Decatur Arts Festival. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 27 and 28. Free. Downtown Decatur. 404-371-9583. www.decaturartsfestival.com.
Enjoy a little art this Memorial Day weekend at the Decatur Arts Festival taking place in Downtown Decatur. This year's event will include an artist market, live music, comedy and dance performances, a children's festival, parade and more.
City of Dunwoody Memorial Day Tribute. 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday, May 29. Free. Brook Run Park. 4770 North Peachtree Road, Dunwoody. 678-382-6700. www.dunwoodyga.gov.
Dunwoody honors brave and fallen soldiers this Monday with a Memorial Day Tribute at the Veterans Memorial at Brook Run Park.
North Fulton
Pig Pull and Fundraiser for the Marcus Autism Center. 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, May 26. D.B.A. Barbecue. 1190 North Highland Ave. NE, Atlanta. 404-249-5000. www.dbabarbecue.com.
Enjoy some savory BBQ this Friday while helping support the Marcus Autism Center at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. D.B.A Barbecue in Atlanta will donate 20% of purchases.
Brew at the Zoo 2017. 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, May 27. $45 for members, $50 for members, $75 at the gate. Zoo Atlanta. 800 Cherokee Ave., Atlanta. 404-624-5600. www.zooatlanta.org.
Sample over 70 different beers and wine at Brew at the Zoo this Saturday, hosted by Zoo Atlanta. This special Memorial Day event will feature live music across five stages, animal demonstrations, zookeeper talks and guests will receive a commemorative Brew at the Zoo tasting cup.
13th Annual Alpharetta Arts Streetfest. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday through Monday, May 27 through 29. Free. Historic Downtown Alpharetta. 678-596-4180. www.alpha.splashfestivals.com.
The streets of Historic Downtown Alpharetta will transform into an arts festival like no other this weekend during the 13th Annual Alpharetta Arts Streetfest. Along with over 90 regional and national artists showcasing their works, you'll enjoy live music, entertainment, activities for the kids and great food.
Roswell Remembers Memorial Day Event. 10 a.m. Monday, May 29. Free. Roswell City Hall. 38 Hill St., Roswell. 770-640-3253. www.roswellmemorialday.com.
Known as the largest Memorial Day ceremony in Georgia, the Roswell Remembers Memorial Day event will take place at Roswell City Hall this Monday. This traditional ceremony will include the Presentation of the Colors, singing of the National Anthem, Pledge of Allegiance, Invocation, POW/MIA presentation, Laying of the Wreath, special guest speakers, Benediction, a 21-Gun Salute and playing of Taps.
Memorial Day River Canoe Trip. 9 a.m. Monday, May 29. $25 for members, $30 for non-members, register by May 26. Chattahoochee Nature Center. 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell. 770-992-2055. www.chattnaturecenter.org.
Float along the Chattahoochee River this Monday on the Memorial Day River Canoe Trip. Hosted by the Chattahoochee Nature Center, CNC naturalists will take you on a morning paddle along the Chattahoochee River.
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