Just because July begins with a jam-packed holiday weekend — fireworks shows, days off from work, the AJC Peachtree Road Race — doesn't mean the rest of the month is dead. In fact, July's last weekend may actually be the better one, with a mix of music, sporting and food events.
Also featuring: less hype, meaning smaller crowds, meaning less hassle, and fewer possible terrorism threats.
Here's a guide to what may be July's best weekend.
Friday, July 24 Rock group The Beach Boys (led by Mike Love and Bruce Johnston)
8 p.m. at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Tickets start at $65.50 for the public or $63.50 for members. Complete info here.
Friday, July 24 – Saxophonist Dave Koz
8 p.m. at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Tickets start at $45. Complete info here.
Friday, July 24-Sunday, July 26 – Chattahoochee River Music Festival
Campground opens at 1 p.m. on July 23. Concert starts at 6 p.m. on July 24. You need to know two things about this year's festival: It's being held at the VFW Fairgrounds in Carrolton; and it's free. All you need to be do is get your tickets through the official website. The lineup includes Deanna Carter, Corey Smith, Bubba Sparxxx and more than half a dozen others. Also going on: a barbecue competition Friday into Saturday, an after-party dance hall and a carnival. See the complete schedule and get tickets at www.crcmf.com.
Saturday, July 25-Sunday, August, 2 – BB&T Atlanta Open Tennis Tournament
8:00 a.m. at Atlantic Station. This ATP World Tour 250 event and Atlanta's only professional tennis tournament features men's top world tennis players in singles and doubles competition and is one of eight summer tournaments in the Emirates Airline US Open Series. Highlights of the 2015 tournament include match play with returning BB&T Atlanta Open Champion John Isner and also the 2014 US Open Men's Doubles Champions, Mike and Bob Bryan; an exhibition match with Andy Roddick; a free post-match concert on Wednesday night and fireworks following the Friday night match. www.bbtatlantaopen.com
Saturday, July 25 – 6th Annual Atlanta Zombie Pub Crawl
4:00 p.m. at Diesel Filling Station. Chambers of Horror and Diesl team up for this epic Virginia-Highland pub crawl. Assemble at Diesel, get decked out in zombie makeup and attire, then enjoy booze at five participating bars. Tickets $10-35.www.zombiecrawlatlanta.com
Saturday, July 25 – Soul singer Keith Sweat
7 p.m. at Chastain Park Amphitheater. Tickets start at $29.50. Complete info here.
Saturday, July 25 – Rock group The Smashing Pumpkins with Marilyn Manson
7 p.m. at Aaron's Amphitheatre at Lakewood. Tickets start at $27. Complete info here.
Saturday, July 25 – Rapper Jeezy
8 p.m. at the Fox Theatre. Tickets start at $45. Complete info here.
Sunday, July 26 – Makan turns 1
3 p.m. The Decatur eatery is celebrating its anniversary with a summer Luau, featuring live music, tiki snow cones, a "massive pig roast" and more. Tickets are $25 per person (food only) or $45 per person (food and drinks). www.freshtix.com/events/makanturns1
Sunday, July 26 – Rock group Slipknot with Lamb of God, Bullet for My Valentine and Motionless in White
6:15 p.m. at Aaron's Amphitheatre. Tickets start at $25. Complete info here.
Need more? Find things to do in and around Atlanta at events.accessatlanta.com.eventful.com
