20 Atlanta festivals to enjoy this October

Kick off fall with Oktoberfest brews, indie films, Halloween frights, and more
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Atlanta Pride

Photograph courtesy of Atlanta Pride Committee

Oktoberfest inspired
Das Best Oktoberfest
10/3
Grab your lederhosen and head to Atlantic Station for German food, music, and drinks, including all-you-can-taste international, domestic, and local beers—plus wine and schnapps. Early VIP admission available.

Georgia Craft Beer Festival
10/3
More than 30 of the state’s leading breweries come together to show off their craft beers. Enjoy games, music, and food trucks while you sample the best made-in-Georgia libations.

Marietta Craft Beer Festival
10/10
Taste more than 100 different beers at the Craft Beer Festival held during Marietta’s Chalktoberfest. Limited edition suds include a special run of Red Hare’s Gangway IPA (aged in Jose Cuervo tequila barrels) and Chalktoberfest Apple Pie Cask, specifically made for this year’s event.

Hail to the Ale Beer Festival
10/24
Help raise money for Haven House while sipping over 100 beers from around the world. Live bands and food trucks sweeten the deal.

The silver screen
Out On Film
10/1-8
Over eight days, Landmark Midtown Art Cinema showcases feature-length, short, and documentary films centering on the LGBT community—several of which are locally produced.

Atlanta Underground Film Festival
10/9-10
Celebrate independent film with creators who think outside the box. The 12th annual festival will screen nearly 50 films—from comedy to horror—from all over the world.

Georgia Latino Film Festival
10/23-25
Check out films featuring Latino directors, producers, and actors, all while learning about how to hone your craft and become one the next great storytellers.

Atlanta Horror Film Festival
10/28-30
The 9th annual Atlanta Horror Film Festival promises to generally make you feel uncomfortable in the way only good horror movies can. Fans of the genre will find a wide selection of films ranging from classics to new entries sure to push the knife.

Creepy happenings
Fright Fest at Six Flags Over Georgia
9/26-11/1
The roller coasters won’t be scream-inducing attractions. During the day, the kids will love pumpkin painting, scary stories, and Looney Tunes pals. At night, ghosties and ghoulies come out to play.

Walker Stalker Con
10/30-11/1
Meet current and former The Walking Dead cast members, including Lauren Cohan, Melissa McBride, Steven Yeun—plus bromancers Andrew Lincoln and Norman Reedus. During the day, you can attend panels discussing the show, collect autographs, and shop for zombie-themed merchandise. At night, enjoy a concert by Walking Dead alumna Emily Kinney.

Family-friendly parades
Little 5 Points Halloween Festival and Parade
10/17
Now in its 15th year, enjoy live music, L5P’s eccentric shopping destinations, oh, and the parade itself. Pro tip: Skip the parking nightmare and take MARTA.

Atlanta Pride Festival and Parade
10/10-11
Celebrate #lovewins at the two-day festival, which promotes unity and visibility among the LGBT community, capped off by the parade on Sunday in Midtown.

Plus, check out our monthly roundup of family friendly events.

Art and music
Fall Fest in Candler Park
10/3-4
Now in its 15th year, Fall Fest brings music, vendors, food, and more to Candler Park. Explore beautiful properties in the tour of homes and work off all that festival food at the 1980s-themed 5K race.

Sweet Auburn Music Fest
10/3-4
Good food, good fun, and good music come together at multi-genre music festival. Groove to R&B, hip-hop, and gospel while checking out one of Atlanta’s great neighborhoods.

Lilburn Daze
10/10
More than 200 vendors set up shop at Lilburn’s premiere arts festival. Plus: pony rides for the kids, live entertainment, and tasty food.

A3C Festival
10/7-11
In the Old Fourth Ward, Atlanta’s biggest hip-hop stage features over 500 performances over the course of five days. Artists include De La Soul, 2 Chainz, Taylor Gang & Wiz Khalifa, and more.

Wire & Wood Songwriters Festival
10/16-17
Both well-known and up-and-coming singer-songwriters perform original songs and share the stories that inspired them at this Alpharetta fest. Performers include Edwin McCain, Jim Lauderdale, and The Whiskey Gentry.

Atlanta Arts Festival
10/24-25
Explore works from local artists and those outside the region at this two-day fest in Piedmont Park. Live demos and classes will inspire your own creative spirit.

Food, glorious food
Atlanta Cheese Festival
10/9
Get to know more about the world of artisan fromage while taking in the beauty of the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. Enjoy cheeses from 100 vendors, check out cooking demonstrations, and listen to live music.

Brookhaven Chili Cook Off
10/10
Taste a wide variety of chili, enjoy arts and crafts, and listen to live music.

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