14 things to do during Labor Day weekend in Atlanta

From art and music to fireworks and football, there’s something for everyone
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Sky High Balloon Festival at Callaway Gardens

Arts & Culture
Dragon Con
9/4-7
Fantasy and sci-fi geeks take over downtown Atlanta each year at Dragon Con. And the multimedia pop culture convention isn’t just for gamers—it also celebrates art, comics, music, and film.

AJC Decatur Book Festival
9/4-5
The 10th annual festival has book signings, readings, and lectures by more than 600 authors, including keynote speakers Erica Jong and Roxane Gay.

Art in the Park
9/5-7
A Marietta tradition since the mid 1980s, this free event features a chalk art display, artist’s market, and a children’s art alley.

Black Gay Pride
9/2-7
Expect dancing, karaoke, block parties, film screenings, poetry slams, and more at this weeklong event.

For the whole family
Fireworks at Stone Mountain
9/4-6
Stone Mountain Park puts on a special laser-and-fireworks show dedicated to “everyday working heroes” every night of the weekend.

Georgia Aquarium
9/5-7
The world’s largest aquarium is open during special hours for Labor Day weekend, so you can watch sea creatures swim by until 11:00 p.m.

Sky High Balloon Festival
9/4-6
Hop in the basket for a ride (or check out the evening “balloon glow”) at Callaway Gardens.

Music
The Atlanta Weekender
9/3-6
Lovers of soul, house, and Afrobeat music flock to this 4th annual DJ festival in the Old Fourth Ward.

House in the Park
9/6
Head to the Grant Park pavilions for this free dance party with live DJs.

Sports & active
Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game
9/5
The Auburn Tigers face the Louisville Cardinals at the Georgia Dome.

Big Peach Sizzler 10K
9/7
This year’s race is dedicated to raising awareness about cystic fibrosis. Be sure to pace yourself—there’s a party at the end.

Dining & drinking
Midtown Restaurant Week
9/5-13
Find special dining deals at spots like Bantam and Biddy, Bellwoods Social House, Cooks and Soldiers, Community Smith, The Pig and the Pearl, Ecco, and more.

Caribbean Jerk Festival and Family Fun Day
9/6
Come for the mouth-watering food, stay for the music acts (including 1990s hit reggae performer Maxi Priest).

Beer and Whiskey Fest
9/6
The charity event benefiting the PATH Foundation features premium booze and live tunes.

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