Top Things to Do in
Metro Atlanta This Week.
Your weekly guide to what's happening across Metro Atlanta, October 23 through 25, 2026. Festivals, farmers markets, live music, family activities, outdoor adventures, and cultural events worth your time this weekend.
October 23, 2026
Metro Atlanta has a way of filling every week with something worth showing up for, and this fourth weekend of October is no exception. The Atlanta Fair keeps the midway glowing on the south side of downtown, Georgia Tech celebrates homecoming in Midtown, and pumpkin season is in full swing from Woodstock to Dawsonville.
This is the weekly roundup of what is worth your time, the events, markets, live music, family activities, outdoor spots, and cultural happenings across Metro Atlanta that I would recommend to anyone looking to get the most out of life here, October 23 through 25.
Featured Events This Week
Atlanta Fair
A long-running fall tradition on the south side of downtown. Rides, carnival games, fair food, and that bright midway energy keep running through Nov 8, and the Ferris wheel lights up the skyline nicely at night.
Boo at the Zoo
Kids trick-or-treat along Trick-or-Treat Lane, meet strolling costume characters, and make crafts, all free with Zoo Atlanta admission. One of the most dependable family Halloween traditions in the city, and it also runs on Oct 31 if you need a second date.
Georgia Tech Homecoming vs Boston College
Georgia Tech's 77th homecoming brings the Boston College Eagles to the Flats. Homecoming weekend runs through Saturday, so it is easy to make a full day of it, from the tailgates around campus to a postgame stop in Midtown.
Atlanta Falcons vs San Francisco 49ers
Sunday afternoon football returns to Mercedes-Benz Stadium as the Falcons host the 49ers. The stadium district around Centennial Olympic Park opens early on game days, so it is easy to make a full downtown outing of it before or after kickoff.
Fall Festival of Fun
A free family evening in Cobb County with live music, Halloween displays, a haunted house, and food and market vendors. Costumes are encouraged, and it is one of the best-value nights of the season in the west metro.
Smyrna Crafts & Drafts Fall Festival
More than 150 arts and crafts booths, around a dozen food booths, cold beer, live music, and football on the big screens, with free admission all weekend. A relaxed way to shop local and spend a fall afternoon on the Square.
Haints & Saints Day of the Dead Halloween Parade
The annual Day of the Dead parade in Decatur brings music, costumes, and a celebration on the Square to close out the weekend. It is free and open to all ages, and the official start time is posted by Visit Decatur and the parade organizer beforehand.
Live Music & Entertainment
Atlanta's live music scene is one of the most underrated in the country, and this weekend runs from Rawayana under the oaks at Chastain to Johnny Blue Skies at State Farm Arena and an orchestral video-game night at the Fox. From the Eastern to the Tabernacle to the Earl, here is what is on stage:
Rawayana
Friday, Oct 23 at 8 PM. The Venezuelan band brings its ¿Dónde Es El After? World Tour to the outdoor amphitheater under the Chastain oaks, a warm night of Latin indie and tropical sounds.
Johnny Blue Skies (Sturgill Simpson)
Sunday, Oct 25 at 8 PM. Sturgill Simpson's Johnny Blue Skies project and the Dark Clouds bring the Mutiny for the Masses Tour to the arena, a big Sunday night of country and rock.
CeCe Winans
Friday, Oct 23 at 7 PM. The gospel legend headlines an arena night in Gwinnett, a soaring, crowd-singing evening that suits the whole family.
Sonic Live in Concert
Saturday, Oct 24 at 7:30 PM. The orchestral video-game and movie music show brings beloved soundtracks to the Fox stage, a lively pick for fans of gaming music and film scores.
JPEGMAFIA
Saturday, Oct 24 at 7:30 PM. The experimental rapper headlines the Tabernacle with redveil and Matt Proxy, a high-energy show in one of the city's best rooms.
DJ Shadow
Saturday, Oct 24 at 8 PM. The turntable pioneer brings his catalog to the Eastern, a night of instrumental hip-hop and beat-driven sound in a great-sounding room.
Nick Shoulders
Friday, Oct 23 at 8 PM. The Arkansas yodeler brings his offbeat country and sharp wit to Center Stage, a fun and funny Friday night show.
Matt McCusker
Friday, Oct 23 at 8 PM. The comedian's Healing Frequency Tour lands at Symphony Hall, a night of stand-up to start the weekend.
John Paul White
Saturday, Oct 24. The Grammy-winning songwriter, half of the Civil Wars, plays the intimate room in Decatur, a perfect way to spend a Saturday night in the Square.
Callanwolde Jazz on the Lawn
Friday, Oct 23. The season-closing Jazz on the Lawn show with vocalist Pete Ayres is a relaxed evening on the estate grounds, one of the last outdoor concerts of the year.
Alice Smith
Friday, Oct 23 at 6:30 PM. The soul and R&B singer performs an early show in the intimate City Winery room near Ponce City Market.
Dropsonic
Friday, Oct 23 at 8:30 PM. The Atlanta alt-rock mainstays headline the Earl, a proper East Atlanta Village night out from $25.
Food & Drink Events
Fall is peak food-festival season around Atlanta, and this weekend runs from a Black Restaurant Week tasting showcase at Uptown to classic fair food downtown and a German-inspired wurst fest in Buckhead. Here is what is on the menu:
NOSH: Atlanta Culinary Showcase
Black Restaurant Week's crowd-voted tasting night brings 20-plus tasting stations from local restaurants and chefs, plus a VIP spirit lounge and a Chef's Table. Tickets are available in advance via Eventbrite, and People's Choice voting picks the best of the night.
Smyrna Crafts & Drafts food stalls
Around a dozen food booths join the craft vendors on the Village Green, with cold beer and football on the big screens all weekend. See the featured section for the full rundown.
Atlanta Fair midway food
Classic fair food is the whole point here: corn dogs, funnel cakes, fried everything, and midway sweets under the Ferris wheel lights, running through Nov 8.
Oktober Wurst-Fest
The inaugural German-inspired event offers bratwurst cooking demos, sauerkraut tips, and a beer flight at the shop, in 90-minute sessions at two showtimes. A fun, hands-on way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Halloween Cocktail Class
A reservation-based cocktail-making class at the distillery in The Battery, a creative way to spend a Sunday afternoon before the big week ahead.
City Winery Harvest Winery Tour
A guided tour and tasting at City Winery's urban winery inside Ponce City Market, a good pairing with an afternoon exploring the BeltLine and the market.
SAYO Chef's Tasting
The refined chef's tasting at SAYO is a strong way to start the weekend, with reservations recommended for the Friday seating.
Family & Kids Activities
Halloween season is officially here, which means the family calendar is suddenly full. Between Boo at the Zoo, Halloween Hikes, and the corn mazes, there is a lot to choose from. Here is what to check out:
Boo at the Zoo
Saturday, Oct 24 and Sunday, Oct 25 (9 AM to 4 PM), with another date on Oct 31. Kids trick-or-treat along Trick-or-Treat Lane, meet strolling costume characters, and make crafts, all free with Zoo Atlanta admission. Book ahead, because the Halloween weekends sell out.
Halloween Hikes
Friday through Sunday, Oct 23-25. A self-guided trick-or-treating trail with costumed woodland characters and a haunted loop, with timed tickets sold in advance. A favorite North Fulton fall tradition, best for the school-age set.
Stone Mountain Pumpkin Festival
Runs Friday through Sunday through Nov 1. Play by Day family attractions and the Glow by Night light show after dark, plus the park's hiking and Summit Skyride views any time of day.
Halloween at the Children's Museum of Atlanta
Saturday, Oct 24 · 5:30 to 7:30 PM. A museum-wide candy trail with trick-or-treat stations and carnival games, all in costume. A safe, well-staffed option for younger kids downtown.
Howl on the Green
Friday, Oct 23 · 6:00 to 10:00 PM. A free family Halloween party on the Duluth Town Green with games, candy, and costumes, an easy Friday night out in Gwinnett.
Buford Corn Maze
Open Friday through Sunday through Nov 15. One of North Georgia's biggest corn mazes, with a five-acre maze, pumpkin patch, hayrides, and a jumping pillow, plus an optional haunted forest for older kids. Worth the drive up I-85.
Berry Patch Farms & Big Springs Farm
Final weekend, through Sunday, Oct 25. Berry Patch Farms and Big Springs Farm both wrap their fall season this weekend, so it is the last chance for pumpkin patch, hayrides, and corn maze before they close for the year.
Scarecrows in the Garden
Through Nov 1, included with daytime admission. Supersized scarecrows take over the Great Lawn at the Garden, an easy weekend stroll in Midtown that works for all ages.
Haunted Seas at the Georgia Aquarium
Through Nov 1. The aquarium goes spooky with costumed characters, themed activities, and the animals on view, a different kind of Halloween outing downtown.
Outdoor & Nature
The mornings are cool enough that getting outside is a pleasure again, and the river and mountain trails are at their best with the leaves turning. Here are the outdoor picks:
Fall-foliage hikes along the Chattahoochee
Local outlets flagged the Medlock Bridge unit and several under-the-radar metro trails for autumn color this year. Along the river in North Fulton, the leaves are close to peak, and the boardwalks and river views make it a great early-morning hike.
Grant Park Conservancy Fall Festival & Market
Sunday, Oct 25 · 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. An artist and craft market with food and free fall activities in the park, a laid-back way to spend Sunday and easy to pair with the Grant Park Farmers Market steps away.
The Great Fall Festival at The Battery
Sunday, Oct 25 · 2:00 to 5:00 PM. A family fall celebration at The Battery with games, seasonal activities, and the whole Truist Park district open around it, an easy afternoon for families north of the perimeter.
Piedmont Park & the BeltLine Eastside Trail
A classic no-ticket day: walk the Eastside Trail from Piedmont Park toward Old Fourth Ward, stop for coffee, and loop back. The Green Market runs in the park Saturday morning, so you can shop first and walk it off after.
Stone Mountain Park Trails & Skyride
Beyond the festival crowds, the mountain's 15-plus miles of hiking trails and the Summit Skyride give you the best view of the metro on a clear fall day. Go early to beat the Saturday crowds and get the trails to yourself.
Chattahoochee Nature Center
Open all weekend with 127 acres and six wooded trails along the river, including an ADA-compliant boardwalk. Late October is a sweet spot for the leaves and the wildlife, and it is an easy drive from most of North Fulton. Note the Halloween Hikes event is also happening here this weekend.
Arts & Culture
Atlanta's fall arts season is in full swing, and this weekend runs from the final Macbeth at the Shakespeare Tavern to a new exhibition opening at MOCA GA and chalk art in southwest Atlanta. Here is what to catch:
Macbeth at the Shakespeare Tavern
Final performances, through Sunday, Oct 25. The Scottish play closes its run at the Tavern this weekend, with O'Neil Delapenha as Macbeth and Kirstin Calvert as Lady Macbeth. Dinner-theater seating makes it a full night out.
Hairspray
Closing performances this weekend, through Saturday, Oct 24. The beloved musical plays its final shows at the Lawrenceville Arts Center, a big, colorful night out in Gwinnett.
MOCA GA: Wilay Mendez Paez
Opens Saturday, Oct 24, and runs through Jan 2, 2027. The Working Artist Project exhibition spotlights Afro-Cuban artist Wilay Mendez Paez and his layered, symbol-rich paintings, a strong reason to visit the Tula Art Center in Midtown.
MODA: Salt, A Design Story
Through Oct 31, with free Friday admission on Oct 23. The design museum's exhibition explores the design and history of salt, a compact and thoughtful stop in Midtown.
Fall Ceramics Show
Thursday through Sunday, Oct 22-25. The annual ceramics show features functional, decorative, and sculptural work from regional artists at the historic estate, worth a slow browse.
Chalk the Block Art Festival
Saturday, Oct 24. A chalk art battle with a DJ and food trucks at the Southwest Arts Center, a free and creative way to spend Saturday in southwest Atlanta.
Paint the Town: Alpharetta Plein Air
Through Saturday, Oct 24. The outdoor painting festival wraps its run, with artists working live around Alpharetta City Center all week and the finished work on view. A good reason to spend an afternoon on the Green.
CultuRèVia Fest
Saturday, Oct 24. A celebration of Latin American culture with music, food, and family programming, a lively addition to the weekend calendar.
Where the Weird Things Are
Saturday, Oct 24. A stationary parade of whimsical, oversized creations at the Fourth Ward Park amphitheater, a playful and family-friendly arts event right off the Eastside Trail.
Weekend Market Guide
Weekend markets are one of the best ways to experience a neighborhood, and Metro Atlanta runs some of the best in the Southeast every Saturday and Sunday. Here is the lineup for this weekend, checked against current schedules:
| Market | When |
|---|---|
| Peachtree Road Farmers Market | Saturday, Oct 24 · 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM |
| Green Market at Piedmont Park | Saturday, Oct 24 · 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM |
| Freedom Farmers Market | Saturday, Oct 24 · 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM |
| Marietta Square Farmers Market | Saturday, Oct 24 · 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM |
| Alpharetta Farmers Market | Saturday, Oct 24 · 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM |
| Oakhurst Farmers Market | Saturday, Oct 24 · 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM |
| Grant Park Farmers Market | Sunday, Oct 25 · 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM |
| Marietta Square Farmers Market (Sunday) | Sunday, Oct 25 · 12:00 to 3:00 PM |
Metro Atlanta has no shortage of ways to spend a weekend, and this one is a good snapshot of why. Between the Atlanta Fair's midway, Georgia Tech homecoming, the Fall Festival of Fun in Marietta, and pumpkin season everywhere, there is a reason to explore a new neighborhood every few hours.
If you are thinking about making the move to Metro Atlanta, or you are already here and thinking about your next home, I would like to help. I have been navigating this market for over 20 years, and I know what makes each neighborhood tick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which events this week are free to attend?
The Fall Festival of Fun at Jim R. Miller Park in Marietta is free on Saturday evening, as is Smyrna Crafts & Drafts all weekend, the Haints & Saints Day of the Dead parade in Decatur on Sunday, and the Grant Park Conservancy Fall Festival and The Great Fall Festival at The Battery on Sunday. The farmers markets are free to walk into, and Chalk the Block and World of Music at High Street are free arts events. The Atlanta Fair, Boo at the Zoo, Halloween Hikes, the concerts, and the Falcons and Georgia Tech games need tickets, and some free events charge for parking, so check each listing before you go.
What are the best family-friendly picks this weekend?
Start with Boo at the Zoo on Saturday or Sunday, then add Halloween Hikes at the Chattahoochee Nature Center and the Stone Mountain Pumpkin Festival with its Glow by Night show after dark. Howl on the Green in Duluth on Friday and Halloween at the Children's Museum on Saturday cover the little ones, and the Buford Corn Maze, Berry Patch Farms, and Big Springs Farm round out the farm-and-pumpkin options. Saturday market mornings work well for younger kids because the pace is loose and easy to leave early from.
Which events need tickets or reservations in advance?
The Falcons and Georgia Tech games, Boo at the Zoo, the Atlanta Fair, and the concerts at State Farm Arena, the Fox, Chastain Park, and the Tabernacle all need tickets. Halloween Hikes sells timed tickets in advance, and NOSH at Uptown and the ASW cocktail class are ticketed and reservation-based. Parking near downtown and the stadium fills early, so plan ahead.
How should I get around for downtown events?
For anything near Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the Fox, State Farm Arena, or the Aquarium, MARTA beats parking on price and time, and the Five Points and Civic Center stations put you close. For Marietta, Smyrna, Roswell, and Duluth, arrive early because the lots fill fast on festival weekends. Ridesharing has surge pricing on event nights, so weigh it against the garage rates before the big shows. And with fall weather in the forecast, it is always worth checking an outdoor event's page before you head out.
Living in Metro Atlanta means there is always something happening.
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