Family-friendly fun is easy to find throughout metro Atlanta this weekend, with popular events like the North Georgia State Fair and Stone Mountain Park's Pumpkin Festival getting underway.
» RELATED: Celebrate fall with 11 best pumpkin patches near metro Atlanta
If you're making your weekend plans, check out the following 16 things to do in metro Atlanta:
Cobb
Credit: Photo: From Pixabay/For the AJC
Credit: Photo: From Pixabay/For the AJC
North Georgia State Fair. 4 p.m.-midnight Friday, Sept. 20, 10 a.m.-midnight Saturday, Sept. 21 and 12:30 p.m.-10 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22. $7 admission, kids 10 and under free. $5 parking. Ride tickets are $1.25 each, and all rides require more than one ticket. Jim R. Miller Park, 2245 Callaway Road SW, Marietta. 770-528-8989. https://www.northgeorgiastatefair.com.
Have fun at one of the largest carnival midways in the U.S. and enjoy live music, attractions, shows, fair foods and more.
Marietta Streetfest. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22. Free admission. Marietta Square, E. Park Square Marietta. 404-966-8497. https://www.mariettastreetfest.com/.
Bring the family to the 27th annual Streetfest, which features arts and crafts vendors, music and a kids' area. A classic car show will be held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, and admission to the Museum of History will be free from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and noon-4 p.m. Sunday.
Top Dogs Paw Festival. 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22. Free admission, $5 for dog agility course and ball pit. Dog and cat food donations encouraged. Top Dogs Pet Boutique, 2615 George Busbee Parkway NW, Kennesaw. https://www.facebook.com.
Vendors will offer free samples of holistic pet food and treats, and your pooch can take part in several contests. Pets will be available for adoption, and the event benefits local pet rescues.
"The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and "Carmen Suite." 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 21 and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22. $11-$33. Jennie T. Anderson Theatre, 548 S. Marietta Parkway, Marietta. 770-528-0881. georgiaballet.org.
The Georgia Ballet's performance, based on the story by Washington Irving, follows Ichabod's journey as he falls in love with Katrina. "Carmen Suite," a one-act ballet about a love triangle, will also be performed.
DeKalb
Credit: From stonemountainpark.com/For the AJC
Credit: From stonemountainpark.com/For the AJC
Pumpkin Festival. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. attractions and dusk-9 p.m. Glow by Night. Friday, Sept. 20-Sunday Sept. 22 and continuing through Nov. 3. Included with All-Attractions Pass, which starts at $24.95 if you're in costume (no full-face masks). Stone Mountain Park, 1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd., Stone Mountain. 800-401-2407. stonemountainpark.com.
Kick off fall with carnival games, a pie-eating contest and more, and stay for Glow by Night, which brings storybook scenes to life with elaborate displays and effects.
Friday Night Hike. 8 p.m.-9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20. Free. Dunwoody Nature Center, 5343 Roberts Drive, Atlanta. 770-394-3322. dunwoodynature.org.
Nature Center educators serve as guides as you explore the wetlands and back forests of the park. Gather around a campfire before and after the hike for hot chocolate.
Pioneer Life 101. 9:30 a.m.-11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 21. $5 general admission, $3 for members. Donaldson-Bannister Farm, 4831 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody. 770-668-0401. dunwoodypreservationtrust.org.
History comes to life through a program that covers topics related to managing a pioneer home and kitchen.
Tunes by the Tracks. 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20. Free. Municipal Parking lot, Stone Mountain. stonemountaincity.org.
Bring a lawn chair and listen to music from the Larry Griffith Band. Beer and wine are available to purchase.
North Fulton
Roswell Arts Festival. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 and Sunday, Sept. 22. Free admission. Historic Roswell Town Square, 610 Atlanta St., Roswell. https://www.roswellartsfestival.com/.
This annual festival features artists, singers, dance companies, food trucks and plenty of children's activities.
Pup-a-Palooza. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21. Free admission. Newtown Park, 3150 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek. johnscreekga.gov.
Bring your dog and visit pet vendors, listen to live music, get a caricature sketch of you and your furry friend, enter contests and more.
European Market. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22. Milton Avenue between Main Street and Roswell/Canton Road, Alpharetta. europeanmarketonmilton.weebly.com.
A European-style market comes to Alpharetta, complete with home décor, fashion, jewelry, clothing and gifts.
Dash of the Titans. 7 a.m. check-in opens, 8 a.m. 5K, 8:45 a.m. fun run. Saturday, Sept. 21. $17 and up. Northview High School, 10625 Parsons Road, Johns Creek. active.com.
Take part in this family-friendly race 5K and fun run, which are run entirely on the Northview High School campus. Proceeds go to the high school's cross country team.
Gwinnett
Mall of Georgia Ultimate Family Tailgate. 5:30 p.m. live entertainment start, 8 p.m. Georgia vs. Notre Dame starts. Saturday, Sept. 21. Free admission. Mall of Georgia, 3333 Buford Drive, Buford. 770-271-9458. https://www.facebook.com.
The big Georgia vs. Notre Dame football game will be streamed live on an LED screen, so bring lawn chairs and blankets to watch. Local vendors, live entertainment and children's activities will also be available.
Credit: From JapanFest's Facebook page/For the AJC
Credit: From JapanFest's Facebook page/For the AJC
JapanFest. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $10 advance single day, $12 at the door, $18 two-day tickets, kids 6 and under free. Sunday, Sept. 22. Infinite Energy Arena, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. japanfest.org.
Immerse yourself in Japanese food, goods and culture at the 33rd annual JapanFest.
Foot Stompin' Festival. 3 p.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21. Lawrenceville Female Seminary/Gwinnett History Museum, 455 South Perry St., Lawrenceville. gwinnettcounty.com.
Bring the family out for bluegrass music, local craft and food vendors, games and more.
Fall Yard Sale. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21. George Pierce Park Community Recreation Center, 55 Buford Highway, Suwanee. 678-277-0910. gwinnettcounty.com.
Load up on treasures at this fall yard sale, which will be held rain or shine.
» RELATED: 10 can't-miss Atlanta festivals in September
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