
Photograph by Mark Singletary
Family-friendly Fests
Gwinnett Center International Film Festival
8/1-8/2
Screenings range from feature films to student creations. A panel about style in music videos will offer insight into the medium that defined the MTV generation.
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Piedmont Park Arts Festival
8/15-8/16
250 creative individuals will be featured, including painters, sculptors, glass blowers, and jewelers. In addition to taking home some artsy treasures, festival goers can also enjoy live acoustic music and festival food. (Some of it is even healthy!)
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Grant Park Summer Shade Festival
8/29-8/30
Kicking off with the Adams Realtors 5K Run for the Park, this festival is truly an outdoor lovers event. Take your bike and park it for free with the Atlanta Bike Coalition’s bike valet before enjoying the live music, artist market, and kids zone.
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Cultural Events
Atlanta Caribbean Cultural Festival
8/22
The sixth annual Atlanta Caribbean Cultural Festival features a lot of the usual festival flair—food, music, children’s activities, even free medical screenings. It’s all at Clayton County International Park.
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Festival Peachtree Latino
8/23
The largest multicultural event in the Southeast is back for its 15th year. In addition to live performances and exhibitor stations, the food pavilion features more than 25 different tastes from around the globe.
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Musical Grooves
Jazz on the Lawn
8/7
If you missed it back in June or July, this is your last chance to catch Atlanta’s greatest jazz musicians at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center. Gwen Hughes will perform a set beginning at 7:30 p.m.
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Flashback Festival
8/8
Slick Rick, Sheila E, and Chaka Khan are a few of the featured artist at KISS 104.1’s 20th anniversary show. Gates at Aaron’s Amphitheatre open at 10 a.m., but the tunes from the 1970s, 80s, and 90s don’t start pumping until 6 p.m. Chaka!
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Imagine Music Festival
8/29-8/30
Historic Fourth Ward Park and Masquerade Music Park host this electronic music festival. There couldn’t be a better place for Datsik, Dada Life, Ying Yang Twins (remember them?), and Lil’ Jon to set up shop.
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Tasty Treats and Brews
Dawsonville Music & Beer Festival
8/21
Head to Dawsonville for cold brews and live music all through the night. Breweries include Shock Top, Yuengling, and Alpharetta’s Jekyll Brewing. Local acts like Reluctant Saints and Back N Black make it a party.
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Miss Mary’s Ice Cream Crankin’
8/30
More than 100 varieties of the sweet treat will be available, and true ice cream lovers can face off in eating contests at Historic Roswell Square. At only $6 per person and benefiting the Drake House, this fest is a great way to end the summer season.
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Atlanta Meatball Festival
8/30
Vote for the city’s “mightiest meatball” combos in Sandy Springs at the Belle Isle Square parking area. This year’s event benefits Second Helpings Atlanta.
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