A dozen festivals to give you the fall feels
As the weather finally provides a respite from scorching temperatures, the fall festival calendar heats up. It’s the perfect time to get out and about with family or friends and shop for art, enjoy music from a wide variety of genres, treat yourself to samples of wine and beer and more. Whether you’d like to head to a smaller community event or join in the fun of one of metro Atlanta’s larger festivals, you’ll find plenty of happenings to enjoy throughout the season. Here are a dozen that could turn out to be favorites:
Brew Moon Festival
Come to downtown Alpharetta’s biggest street party for wine and beer, live music, food tents and the Georgia vs. Alabama football game on a 17-foot screen.
6-10:30 p.m. Sept. 27. $15 general admission, $150 for reserved table seating for six (before Sept. 12), $180 after, $5 drink tickets, food available for purchase. Downtown Alpharetta. 678-865-6608, alpharettabusinessassociation.com/BrewMoon.
Dunwoody Oktoberfest
Say “ja” to an authentic Oktoberfest experience in Dunwoody with a biergarten, concessions, live polka music and more. A KinderZone will host carnival and Oktoberfest-themed games and include a playground.
Noon-6 p.m. Sept. 27. Free admission. All-access wristbands $20 per child. St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, 4755 N. Peachtree Road, Dunwoody. 770-881-1289, dunwoodyoktoberfest.com.
Duluth Fall Festival
The fun starts with a parade followed by live entertainment, a Donut Dash 5K, food vendors, carnival rides, classic games and a Kidz Korner with a petting zoo, crafts, bounce houses, live music just for them and more.
9 a.m.-7 p.m. Sept. 27 and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 28. Free admission. 3142 Hill St., Duluth. 1-855-385-8841, duluthfallfestival.org.
Atlanta Greek Festival
Celebrate 50 years of the festival bringing Greek culture to Atlanta with authentic Greek food, live music and dance, cathedral tours and a market with handmade gifts, jewelry and art.
5-10 p.m. Oct. 2, 5-11 p.m. Oct. 3, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Oct. 4 and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 5. $5 admission through Oct. 2, $7 after, free for 12 and under and law enforcement, first responders, military, veterans, teachers and students with ID. Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 2500 Clairmont Road, Atlanta. 404-633-5870, atlantoktoagreekfestival.org.
Wire & Wood Songwriters Festival
More than 30 performances from varied genres highlight this Alpharetta festival, which also has a Music Market with art and handcrafted goods that have music-related themes.
6-11 p.m. Oct. 10 and noon-11 p.m. Oct. 11. Free admission. Throughout downtown Alpharetta. wireandwoodalpharetta.com.
Chalktoberfest Chalk and Beer Festival
Sample craft beers (Oct. 11 only), enjoy live music and watch chalk artists use their creativity and talent to transform the streets. All proceeds benefit the Marietta Cobb Museum of Art.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 11 and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 12: Chalk Festival. Free admission. Noon-5 p.m. Oct. 11: Craft Beer Festival for ages 21 and up. $50 through Oct. 10, $55 day of event. Marietta Square along Atlanta and Anderson streets, Marietta. 770-528-1444, chalktoberfest.com.
Atlanta Pride Festival
Celebrate Pride with entertainers, a marketplace with more than 200 vendor booths, three marches, a large Pride parade, an outdoor drag show and more.
Oct. 11-12. Free admission with donations accepted. Premium passes $95.05 and up. Piedmont Park, 400 Park Drive, Atlanta. 404-382-7588, facebook.com/atlantapride.
HarvestFest
HarvestFest brings a market, Halloween Happenings Kid’s Festival, Touch-A-Truck, Scarecrows on the Square competition, pie eating contest, costume contest and college football watch party to the streets of Marietta Square.
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 18. Glover Park at Historic Marietta Square, 50 N. Park Square NE, Marietta. 770-794-5606, mariettaga.gov.
Olde Town Fall Festival
This 45th annual Conyers festival offers arts and crafts vendors, a kids and pets costume contest, festival food, entertainment and children’s activities.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 18. Free admission. 901 Railroad St., Conyers. 770-602-2606, conyersga.com.
Little Five Points Halloween Festival and Parade
Take part in all the spooky fun with two days of Halloween celebration that include 100-plus vendors, music, street buskers, wrestling, skate ramps and the eye-commanding parade at noon Oct. 19.
11 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 18-19. Little Five Points neighborhood, Atlanta. little5pointsofficial.com/halloween.
Chastain Park Arts Festival
Enjoy works from more than 175 artists as well as food and drink options and tunes from acoustic musicians.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 1 and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 2. Free admission. Chastain Park, 4469 Stella Drive, Atlanta. 404-873-1222, chastainparkartsfestival.com.
Decatur Wine Festival
Sip your choice of 450-plus wines as a DJ keeps the party going and food trucks provide food and beverages. The event is a fundraiser for the Decatur Arts Alliance.
12:30-4:30 p.m. Nov. 8. $50 through Sept. 12, $60 after. Downtown Decatur, 101 E. Court Square, Decatur. decaturartsalliance.org.
