Looking for something fun to do in metro Atlanta this weekend? You’ll find that some areas are getting a head start on Halloween events, but if you’re not in the spirit yet, set out to visit a dog festival or Highland Games.
Check out the following 16 things to do this weekend in metro Atlanta:
Cobb
5:30 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16 and Sunday, Oct. 17. $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Smyrna City Hall, 2800 King St. SE, Smyrna. 470-239-2210.
This .7-mile immersive street theater tour brings some of Smyrna’s “characters” from the past to life. Wear comfortable walking shoes for this rain or shine event.
Credit: From kennesaw-ga.gov
Credit: From kennesaw-ga.gov
3 p.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16. Free, $5 chair rental, $50 VIP tent rental. Swift-Cantrell Park, 3140 Old Hwy. 41, Kennesaw. 770-422-9714.
Truck-or-Treat lets kids touch and climb on vehicles like public safety and heavy construction equipment and then collect candy on a trail and participate in costume contests, field games and a scavenger hunt. The evening wraps up with a showing of the original “Ghostbusters” movie after sundown (around 7 p.m.).
HarvestFest and Scarecrows in the Square
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16. Glover Park at Historic Marietta Square, 50 N. Park Square NE, Marietta.
Have a day of fun with a HarvestFest Market, the Scarecrows in the Square competition, a Touch-A-Truck event, pie-eating contest, kids’ festival and costume contest.
6 p.m.-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15. Volkstuin patio, 2710 Jefferson St., Austell.
Relax with some live smooth jazz from Kennesaw State University’s jazz program.
DeKalb
Highland Games and Scottish Festival
Credit: Credit: Phil Skinner
Credit: Credit: Phil Skinner
Saturday, Oct. 16 and Sunday, Oct. 17. Adults $20, kids age 4-12 $5, plus daily $20 parking pass. Saturday Night Ceilidh $10. Stone Mountain Park, 1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd., Stone Mountain. 770-521-0228.
If you’re Scottish — or even if you’re not — don your tartans and enjoy games, music, dance and more at the 49th annual Highland Games.
10th Annual Madison Ave Soapbox Derby
Food area opens at 11 a.m., judging begins at noon, races at approximately 1 p.m., 1:45 p.m, 2:45 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16. Madison Avenue, Decatur.
Set up with chairs, blankets and a picnic and watch the soapbox derby. Masks must be worn where adequate social distancing cannot be maintained. Proceeds benefit local children’s charities.
Georgia Audubon Society Bird Walk
8 a.m.-10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 16. Free, but registration requested. Dunwoody Nature Center (meet at the historic fireplace), 5343 Roberts Drive, Dunwoody. 770-394-3322.
Learn more about Georgia’s resident and migrating birds in a walk led by an Atlanta Audubon Society volunteer. Bring binoculars if you have them, or contact the Dunwoody Nature Center in advance to find out about borrowing a pair.
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16 and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 17. $15-$30. Outside Little Tree Art Studios, 2834 Franklin St., Avondale Estates. Networking from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16. The Lost Druid Brewery, 2866 Washington St., Avondale Estates.
Tour tiny houses, connect with vendors, listen to speakers and network afterward.
North Fulton
Credit: From splashfestivals.com
Credit: From splashfestivals.com
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 17. Free admission. Green space across from the Atlanta Athletic Club on Hwy. 141, Johns Creek (GPS address is 1930 Bobby Jones Drive, Johns Creek).
Over 130 artisans from across the country will showcase their paintings, yard art, glass work and more at the festival, which also features plenty of live music.
7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16. $25 advance, $30 day of show, $17.50 students under 18, seniors over 65. Chattahoochee Nature Center in the Ben Brady Pavilion, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell.
Singer and guitarist Jake Xerxes Fussell brings traditional Southern songs to new generations in this innovative performance from the Roswell Arts Fund’s Pop Up Performance Series. Proof of vaccination is required for entry and masks are required in indoor spaces.
Fall Apple Tasting and Wine Dinner
6:30-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15. $55. Publix Aprons Cooking School, 4305 State Bridge Road, Alpharetta. 770-751-8500.
Learn how to pair the right apple with the right dish. The menu includes roasted apple and winter squash soup as well as grilled pork chop with maple-glazed carrots and apple mostarda.
6 p.m.-11:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 15. $30 and up. Ameris Bank Amphitheatre, 2200 Encore Parkway, Alpharetta. 404-733-5010.
Listen to music from country artists including Brantley Gilbert, LANCO, Colt Ford and Lily Rose. To attend, you’ll either need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and 14 days past your final shot or provide proof of a negative COVID test within 72 hours of the event. Kids 12 and under will need to provide proof of the negative test. Masks are encouraged.
Gwinnett
11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 16. Suwanee Town Center Park, 330 Town Center Ave., Suwanee.
This costume and cocktails twist on a traditional 5K is great for serious runners as well as those who just want to walk with friends and have some fun. Register either as a non-stop runner or one who wants to make a few stops for spirits along the way. All runners age 21 and up can celebrate with a full cocktail at the end of the race, and prizes will be awarded for the most spirited costumes.
Credit: From the Gwinnett Humane Society
Credit: From the Gwinnett Humane Society
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16. Free admission. Lawrenceville Lawn, 147 Luckie St., Lawrenceville.
Put your pooch on a leash and attend PAWFest, where you can watch a puppy parade, buy items from pet-themed or food vendors, listen to live music and more.
Thursday, Oct. 14-Sunday, Oct. 17. Continues through Oct. 24. Free admission. Various locations throughout Gwinnett County, including Duluth, Lilburn and Lawrenceville.
Headquartered in Lawrenceville, the 20th Urban MediaMakers Festival is a virtual and in-person event that lets content creators from throughout the world showcase their works.
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16 and noon-6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 17. 5039 W. Broad St. NE, Sugar Hill.
Sugar Rush expands to a two-day festival this year with live music, local vendors, food trucks and artisan demonstrations.
About the Author
