With St. Patrick's Day coming this Sunday, you'll find plenty of metro Atlanta events this weekend to help you celebrate the holiday.
Get ready to put on your Irish garb and join in one of several 5K runs/walks or a fun and festive holiday-themed parade. Or if you'd rather watch a show and have some laughs with a comedian like Jeff Foxworthy, you'll also have a weekend set for success.
Check out the following 16 things to do in metro Atlanta this weekend and make plans to have fun:
Cobb
Marietta Shamrock Shuffle 5K. 7:30-8:45 a.m. registration, race starts at 9 a.m., Saturday, March 16. $30. Marietta Square, 50 North Park Square, Marietta. https://runsignup.com/Race/GA/Marietta/ShamrockShuffleMarietta.
Dress up in your St. Patrick's Day costume for the chance to win a fun prize as you join in this benefit for the Marietta Police Athletic League (PAL). The race starts and ends at Marietta Square.
Jeff Foxworthy. 8 p.m. Friday, March 15 and Saturday, March 16. $62 plus fees and up. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta. https://www.cobbenergycentre.com/events/detail/jeff-foxworthy.
Alpharetta's Jeff Foxworthy brings the laughs as he goes beyond his "redneck" jokes to explore the humor in everyday interactions and human nature.
Smyrna St. Patrick's Day Festival. Opens at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 16 and at noon on Sunday, March 17. $8 for one day, $14 for two. 2840 Atlanta Road SE, Smyrna. 770-435-1887. https://smyrnastpatricksdayfest.com/.
Join in the fun at Smyrna's 16th Annual St. Patrick's Day Festival and listen to live bands, play carnival games, hop on a ride and more. The mayor will turn the fountain green at 5 p.m. on Saturday.
2019 Model Train Show. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, March 16 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, March 17. Adults $10, kids 8 and under and Scouts in uniform free, $5 parking (credit/debit only). Cobb Galleria Centre, 2 Galleria Parkway, Atlanta. http://www.themodeltrainshow.com/.
See six operating model railroads and let the kids operate a special one designed for them to run. Model train dealers will have over 200 tables of wares to browse and buy.
DeKalb
Southern Harp Festival. Starting at 5 p.m. Friday, March 15 and 9 a.m. Saturday, March 16 and Sunday, March 17. $20 and up. Courtyard Atlanta Decatur Downtown/Emory, 130 Clairemont Ave., Decatur. https://southernharpfestival.com/.
Join internationally acclaimed harp artists for concerts, masterclasses, ensemble opportunities and seminars.
Mable-McNally St. Paddy's Procession. 11 a.m.-noon Saturday, March 16. Free. 333 Commerce Drive, Decatur. https://www.facebook.com/events/791891741196775/.
Three Taverns Craft Brewery hosts the second annual St. Paddy's Procession, which honors two legendary Decatur Irishmen – Maury Mable, the Pied Piper of Decatur, and Patrick McNally, the Squire of the Square. March through the streets of Decatur and end up at Brick Store Pub.
Fernbank Forest Bird Walk. 9-11 a.m. Sunday, March 17. Free with museum admission of $18 and up. Fernbank Museum of Natural History, 787 Clifton Road NE, Atlanta. 404-929-6300 (reservations required). https://www.fernbankmuseum.org/visit/events/2019/03/17-fernbank-forest-bird-walk/.
Learn about the birds of Fernbank Forest as you explore the area with an Atlanta Audubon Society volunteer. All ages are welcome and the terrain is gentle, but it's not suitable for strollers. Bring along your binoculars, field guides and water bottles.
Credit: Fernbank.edu
Credit: Fernbank.edu
Snake Day. Noon-3 p.m. Saturday, March 16. Free. Fernbank Science Center, 156 Heaton Park Drive, Atlanta. 678-874-7102. http://www.fernbank.edu/.
Explore snake exhibits and participate in hands-on activities for Snake Day. The Science Center will also have food trucks on hand.
North Fulton
"You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown." 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 15, 6:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday, March 16. Adults $10, students $5. Riverwood International Charter School, 5900 Raider Drive NW, Sandy Springs. http://school.fultonschools.org/.
Enjoy a fresh approach on this 1967 classic as it's presented by the performing arts department of the Riverwood International Charter School.
An Afternoon with Anita Renfroe. 3 p.m. Sunday, March 17. Adults $20, students and seniors 65 and up $15. Roswell United Methodist Church, 814 Mimosa Blvd., Roswell. 770-261-1719. http://www.rumc.com/newsevents/.
Christian comedienne/author Anita Renfroe provides the laughs with her blend of sass and musical comedy.
Credit: From Avalon Insider's Facebook page
Credit: From Avalon Insider's Facebook page
Luck of Avalon. 6-10 p.m. Friday, March 15. Free admission. Avalon, 400 Avalon Blvd., Alpharetta. 770-765-2000. https://www.experienceavalon.com/events/eventitems/luck-of-avalon/.
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with live music from North Georgia Pipes and Drums, dancing with King O'Sullivan School of Irish Dance and more.
An Evening of French Music. 7:30-10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16. Adults $32, seniors 55 and up $27, students/children $16. Johns Creek United Methodist Church, 11180 Medlock Bridge Road, Johns Creek. 678-748-5802. http://www.johnscreeksymphony.org/events/an-evening-of-french-music/.
The Aeolian-Skinner organ, which was rescued from the area near Ground Zero, will be featured in a pre-concert presentation starting at 6:15 p.m. as well as in Poulenc's "Concerto for Organ." The program also features pieces including Ravel's "Pavane for a Dead Princess" and Durufle's "Requiem," which is performed along with the Johns Creek Chorale.
Gwinnett
Animal Foster Home Meet-and Greet. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday, March 15. Planned PEThood of GA, 2860 Buford Highway, Duluth. 678-644-4269. https://www.facebook.com/.
Stop by and find out more about fostering a pet or volunteering with Planned PEThood's program. Light refreshments will be available.
Irish Fest Norcross. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, March 16. Free. S. Peachtree Street, downtown Norcross. http://aplacetoimagine.com/events/holidays-festivals/.
Get your Irish on with music, dancing, face painting and more as all of S. Peachtree Street in Norcross is closed off for the celebration.
Tina Borg Shamrock 5K. 7 a.m. check-in/registration, 8 a.m. race. Saturday, March 16. $27. Little Mulberry Park, 3855 Fence Road, Dacula. https://www.active.com/.
Join in the 5K as you enjoy music, door prizes and awards, with proceeds going to the Emory Winship Cancer Institute.
Lilburchaun Parade. 4-6 p.m. Saturday, March 16. Free. City Park, 76 Main St., Lilburn. https://www.cityoflilburn.com/.
Wear your most festive St. Patrick's Day attire and walk around the park along with a bagpipe player and leprechaun stilt walker. Pets are welcome, and the best leprechaun look-alikes (including pets) will win prizes.
