As summer heats up, so does festival season. From an inaugural taco festival to neighborhood staples, here’s 17 options to check out this month.
Neighborhood Parties
Inman Park Festival
Through 5/1
Tour 10 historic homes, see a parade, shop artists booths, and dance to live music at this neighborhood party.
Details
Sweet Auburn Springfest
5/6–7
Zipline through the historic intown neighborhood, or for a more low-key activity, check out the more than 50 musical acts.
Details
Lantern Parade
5/13
Decatur Square glows with handmade lanterns. Attend a workshop hosted by Chantelle Rytter at Color Wheel Studio to makes yours.
Details
Kirkwood Spring Fling
5/14
Celebrate the historic neighborhood with a 5K, artists market, barbecue competition, and home tour in the 14th year of the event.
Details
Alternative Entertainment
Crom Comedy Festival
5/20–21
Ben Kronberg, Solomon Georgio, and 2 Dope Queens‘ Phoebe Robinson headline this alt stand-up fest on WonderRoot and Hangar stages.
Details
MomoCon
5/26–29
22,000 fans will geek out at this downtown anime convention that has now expanded to boardgames, comics, and video games. Don’t forget to cosplay.
Details
Cultural Celebrations
The 27th Annual Cherokee County Indian Festival & Mother’s Day Powwow
5/7–8
This Canton celebration of Native American culture showcases everything from traditional dancing to archery to snacks like buffalo and fry bread.
Details
Marietta Greek Festival
5/13–15
This Cobb County event honors Greek culture, from dancing to food, at the Greek Orthodox Church.
Details
Artsy Events
Barefoot in the Park
5/7–8
Buford Town Park’s juried art fair also has a student art exhibition and a learning village. Cap off Saturday night with a performance by blues guitarist Matthew Curry.
Details
Chastain Park Arts Festival
5/7-8
185 artists fill Chastian Park for the sixth year of this art fair, which includes jewelry, clothing, painting, glassware, and sculpture.
Details
Barbecue Bashes
Pick’n in Grant Park BBQ and Music Festival
5/6–7
The Grant Park Conservancy hosts this shindig with live music and a barbecue competition featuring chicken, pulled pork, and ribs (but you’ll have to be patient and wait until the end for samples).
Details
Smoke on the Lake
5/6–7
Competitors at this Acworth barbecue festival vie for titles like Lord of the Wings. Attendees get to pick one winner and can listen to live rock by The Mustangs.
Details
Music Fests
Shaky Knees
5/13–15
My Morning Jacket, Florence + the Machine, and Jane’s Addiction are just three of the 75 bands at this year’s indie music festival, now at Centennial Olympic Park.
Details
Shaky Beats
5/20–22
TomorrowWorld may be over for now, but the Shaky franchise has its own EDM festival in Centennial Olympic Park, with Odesza, Major Lazer, and Big Gigantic as headlines.
Details
Atlanta Jazz Festival
5/27–29
32 jazz artists, from local Alex Lattimore to New York’s experimental duo Chargaux, play Piedmont Park during the 39th annual festival.
Details
Grab Bag
Taco Fest
5/1
36 local restaurants, from taquerias like Rreal Tacos to King of Pops, take over Candler Park for this inaugural taco celebration. Dance off your tortillas with salsa, watch wrestling, or taste tequila.
Details
PawFest
5/14
Bring your pet to this Snellville dog day. Take the pooch on a two-mile pack hike, compete for best costume or kisser, or even get your pal microchipped.
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