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Atlanta Events
January:
King Week and the Martin Luther King Jr.
National Holiday
Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, 449 Auburn Ave. N.E
(404) 526-8900
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born in Atlanta on January 15, 1929. A national holiday was declared in his honor in 1986. King Week, held the week preceding the Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday, includes many free performances, concerts, special religious services and educational presentations. Check with the Center for specific times and places of events.
February:
African-American History Month
Atlanta, the center of the Civil Rights movement for years, marks African-American History Month with numerous educational and entertainment events. For specific dates and times, call (404) 730-1976.
Southeastern Flower Show
City Hall Exhibition Center, City Hall East
640 Ponce de Leon Ave. N.E.
(404) 888-5638
This show, held over a weekend late in the month, benefits the Atlanta Botanical Garden. It features a wide range of garden-related events including displays, demonstrations, workshops and children's activities.
March:
Atlanta Passion Play
Atlanta Civic Center, 395 Piedmont Ave. N.E.
(404) 347-8400
Since 1976, the First Baptist Church of Atlanta has annually presented this pageant portraying Christ's life, death and resurrection. Its reputation is so widespread, it now draws people from around the country. Each year's production varies slightly with different focuses on the story line and different music. The elaborately staged and costumed play is the work of more than 500 people, including a chorus and full orchestra. Due to the three-hour length, the sacred nature of the performance and the graphic portrayal of Christ's death, children younger than 6 are not admitted. The play is performed the final three weekends of Lent, not including Easter weekend.
Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival
International Horse Park
1996 Centennial Olympic Pkwy., Conyers
(770) 918-2169
The month long calendar of events includes art exhibits, a road race, other sporting tournaments, a beauty pageant, music and more. Most of the events are free, but there is a parking fee. The Festival Day is usually held on the third or fourth Saturday in March at the Georgia International Horse Park on the edge of town.
St. Patrick's Day
Concerts, readings and lectures are held at various locations around town. Theatre Gael, the Celtic-inspired dramatic group, and the W.B. Yeats Foundation at Emory University usually feature special programs. The city of Decatur, a few miles east of downtown Atlanta, holds its own parade as does the City of Atlanta. Events are sponsored by the Atlanta Hibernian Society.
Baby & Kid Expo
Cobb Galleria Centre, 2 Galleria Pkwy. N.W.
(770) 395-7900
Families will enjoy this weekend exposition of products and services for the children, held in late March. Events include circus performers, a baby crawl-off, storytelling, a puppet theater, safety and product information.
April:
Easter Sunrise Services
Georgia's Stone Mountain Park
U.S. Hwy. 78 east to Stone Mountain Park exit
(770) 498-5702
As Easter morning breaks, local ministers lead an ecumenical worship service.. The weather is often windy and cold, so you might need to bring a blanket. The service is free, but there is a per car charge of about $6 to be admitted into the park.
Sheep to Shawl Day
Atlanta History Center, 130 W. Paces Ferry Rd.
(404) 814-4000
Held the first Saturday of the month, the event features demonstrations of the art of sheep shearing, followed by a demonstration of the entire process required to turn it into something wearable. Spectators observe the fresh wool through the washing, spinning, dyeing and weaving cycles. The completed process produces a new shawl. Displays are ongoing throughout the day. The center is open from 10 AM to 5:30 PM the day of the event.
Atlanta Dogwood Festival
Piedmont Park, 10th St. and Piedmont Ave.
(404) 875-7275
The Dogwood Festival celebrates a new season of dogwood in flower. (The dogwood may or may not flower at the exact time of its festival). Highlights include a colorful hot-air balloon race, concerts, children's parades and dog Frisbee championships. Most events are free.
Druid Hills Home and Garden Tour
Various Druid Hills Homes
(404) 524-TOUR
The elegant Druid Hills neighborhood is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This weekend event in late April affords a rare opportunity to tour selected homes and gardens in the $300,000 to million-dollar range. Tickets are available for the entire tour or for individual homes.
Inman Park Festival
Edgewood and Euclid Aves. and other Inman Park streets
(770) 242-4895
Two miles east of Five Points, Inman Park was developed in the 1880s as Atlanta's first suburb. Along its broad, tree-lined streets are imposing Victorian mansions and charming bungalows. Coca-Cola founder Asa Candler lived here in the early 1900s;. There is a parade, a tour of homes, antiques, food, crafts and music at this two-day street party held the last weekend of the month.
WalkAmerica
Various metro Atlanta streets
(404) 352-WALK
Benefiting the March of Dimes, this walkathon annually attracts some 20,000 participants who sign up pledge donors and walk one of eight routes throughout the metro area. The event is held on a Saturday in late April.
Georgia Renaissance Festival
I-85 at Exit 12, Fairburn
(770) 964-8575
English Renaissance features more than 100 performances daily on 10 stages scattered across the 93-acre festival grounds. Strolling musicians, minstrels, magicians and other costumed characters are all part of the fun, along with knights in armor jousting on horseback. The festival is open seven consecutive weekends (Saturday and Sunday only) beginning in late April and lasting through the end of May or early JuneIt's such a popular event that it's presented again in October.
May:
Lasershow
Georgia's Stone Mountain Park
U.S. Hwy. 78 east to Stone Mountain Park exit
(770) 498-5690
Seven nights a week from early May through Labor Day, the sky over Stone Mountain explodes with a rainbow of laser light. To stirring musical accompaniment, lasers are projected on the mountain's north face, which becomes a natural million-square-foot screen. After Labor Day through late October, the show is presented on Friday and Saturday nights only. The show is free with admission to the park.
Springfest and the Corporate Garage Sale
Georgia's Stone Mountain Park
U.S. Hwy. 78 east to Stone Mountain Park exit
(770) 498-5690
Cooks from around the South compete in a barbecue cookoff for thousands of dollars in cash and prizes. In addition to live music, the weekend in early May includes a huge garage sale.
National Historic Preservation Week
Various Locations
(404) 876-2040
During a week in mid-May, the Atlanta Preservation Center offers walking tours of historic Atlanta districts free of charge.
Atlanta Celtic Festival
Oglethorpe University
4484 Peachtree Rd.
(404) 261-1441
This two-day event, held the third weekend of the month, celebrates the history and cultural heritage of Ireland, Scotland and Wales. International, national and local musicians, dancers and speakers are on-hand, along with Celtic crafts, foods and merchandise. There are free lessons in Scottish country dancing, children's games and sheepdog demonstrations. Members of Atlanta's Theatre Gael perform short works and entertain with storytelling. Hours are 10 AM to 10 PM Saturday and noon to 6 PM Sunday.
Midtown Music Festival
Peachtree and 10th Sts.
404-872-1115
Usually held the first weekend in May. Tickets are available through TicketMaster; call (404) 249-6400
Atlanta Jazz Festival
Grant Park
Georgia and Cherokee Aves.
(404) 817-6815
Started in 1977, this showcase of local and national jazz talent is one of the largest of its kind in the city. All events on the Saturday, Sunday and Monday of Memorial Day weekend are free and run from 1 to 10 PM. On the days before the event, various jazz artists give free, brown-bag lunchtime concerts in Woodruff Park, at Marietta and Peachtree streets downtown. The festival is sponsored by the City of Atlanta.
Atlanta Peach Caribbean Festival
Various Locations
(404) 220-0158
Atlanta is home to many people who trace their roots to the Caribbean islands. This festival, held over Memorial Day weekend, celebrates Caribbean culture with a parade, a soccer tournament, parties, art shows and performances. Most events are free.
Decatur Arts Festival
Decatur Town Square and Other Locations
(404) 371-9583
The city of Decatur, 6 miles east of downtown, hosts this popular festival, which has grown substantially in recent years. Among the many activities offered over Memorial Day weekend are art exhibits, a children's festival, storytellers, jugglers, magicians, pony rides, international music and dance and literary events.
Taste of the South
Georgia's Stone Mountain Park
U.S. Hwy. 78 east to Stone Mountain Park exit
(770) 498-5590
Each Southern state shows off its best offerings in food, entertainment, travel and more over Memorial Day weekend.
June:
Virginia-Highland Summerfest
John Howell Park
Virginia Ave. at Ponce de Leon Pl.
(404) 222-8244
Founded in 1916 and originally called North Boulevard Park, the Virginia-Highland neighborhood annually throws this popular, free party featuring bands, food from area restaurants and lots of fun for the children. It's held the first full weekend in June.
Willie B's Birthday Party
Atlanta Zoo
800 Cherokee Ave.
(404) 624-5600
Willie B., the silverback Western lowland gorilla named after a former Atlanta mayor, has been one of the city's main attractions since he was a baby. Each year on a weekend in early June, his birthday is celebrated with an enormous cake, cupcakes, a huge card for visitors to sign, music, and face painting . Guests eat the cake; Willie B. eats fresh fruit and vegetables. The celebration is free with a regular Zoo admission.
Georgia Shakespeare Festival
Oglethorpe University
4484 Peachtree Rd.
(404) 264-0020
The season opens in mid-June, with productions going on through October. About 90 minutes before each evening's performance or Sunday matinee, show goers are invited to picnic on the lawn around the Center.
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