May 2024: Things to do in Atlanta & Beyond

Are you looking for June?

Events Happening all May

• All Month: Enjoy a beautiful spring day during this Self-Guided Walking Tour of the Inman Park neighborhood – make it a date and bring a picnic or grab a bite to eat in Inman Park!
• All Month: Balloon Museum at Pullman Yards, Atlanta
• May 1-15: Stone Mountain is offering a Free Pre-K Pass and a discount for the child’s family – registration closes on May 15
• May 18-27: Yaarab Shrine Circus and Fair – Jim R. Miller Park, Marietta
• Every Weekend this Month: The Georgia Renaissance Festival
• Weekends this Month – May 4-5; 11-12; 18-19: Latino Family Festival & Light Show at Stone Mountain Park
• All Summer: Catch an Atlanta Braves Game!

Cinco de Mayo Festivals

• Saturday, May 4: La Fiesta del Cinco – Cinco de Mayo Festival in Hapeville featuring performances and authentic Mexican food
• Saturday & Sunday, May 4-5: Latino Family Festival & Light Show at Stone Mountain Park
• Sunday May 5: Cinco de Mayo on the Roof at Ponce City Market
• Sunday May 5: Cinco de Mayo Festival at Plaza Fiesta

Individual May Events

• Thursday, May 2: First Free Thursday at the Booth Western Art Museum
• May 2-4: Celebrate Freedom Rodeo at Wills Park Equestrian Center in Alpharetta
• May 3-5: Jane’s Walk presented by MODA – free citizen led walking tours of Atlanta’s neighborhoods – register online in advance
• May 3-5: Decatur Arts Festival, Decatur
• Saturday, May 4: Duluth Derby Day – Kentucky Derby viewing party in downtown Duluth
• Saturday, May 4: Malts & Vaults at Oakland Cemetery
• Saturday, May 4: Smyrna Garden Tour – Taylor-Brawner House and Smyrna area gardens
• Saturday, May 4: Sketchbook Saturday at the Center for Puppetry Arts’ Worlds of Puppetry Museum
• Saturday, May 4: Taste of Spring Festival in Olde Town Conyers
• Saturday, May 4: Acworth-Cobb Dragon Boat Festival – Dallas Landing Park, Acworth
• Saturday & Sunday, May 4-5: Roswell Spring Arts and Crafts Festival
• Saturday & Sunday, May 4-5: Bank of America’s Museums on Us
  • Atlanta History Center
  • Center for Civil and Human Rights
  • High Museum of Art
  • Tellus Science Museum
• Sunday May 5: Concerts by the Springs: Her Majesty’s Request – free lawn seating & food trucks in Sandy Springs
• Sunday, May 5: First Free Sunday at the Marietta Cobb Museum of Art

Mother’s Day Events & Celebrations

• Wednesday, May 1 & Thursday, May 9: Mother & Me Tea at the Swan Coach House – make reservations in advance
• Saturday, May 11: Mother-Son Dance at City Springs, Sandy Springs – register in advance
• Saturday & Sunday, May 11-12: Cherokee County Mother’s Day Powwow & Indian Festival at Boling Park, Canton
• Saturday & Sunday, May 11-12: DAA & Dahlonega Butterfly Farm Mother’s Day Weekend Butterfly Bash Art Festival – free
• Saturday & Sunday, May 11-12: Dunwoody Art Festival – 1317 Dunwoody Village Parkway
• Saturday & Sunday, May 11-12: Chastain Park Spring Arts Festival – along Park Drive, Atlanta
• Sunday, May 12: Mother’s Day Brunch at Zoo Atlanta – book in advance
• Sunday, May 12: Mother’s Day Jazz Brunch at City Winery, Atlanta – purchase tickets in advance
• Take Mom on this Self-Guided Walking Tour of the Inman Park neighborhood – bring a picnic and a blanket to enjoy in Springvale or Freedom Park!

Individual May Events Continued

• Saturday, May 11: Atlanta Beltline Lantern Parade – Atlanta Beltline Westside Trail beginning at Adair Park I and ending at Lee+White
• Saturday, May 11: Avondale Estates Wine & Art Walk – this is a ticketed event
• Saturday, May 11: Second Saturday Open Hike at the Pettit Environmental Preserve in Dallas, GA
• Saturday, May 11: Artz’N Park Festival – Lake Marimac Park, Senoia
• Saturday, May 11: Midtown Art Walk Launch Party – 10th and Peachtree Walk
• Saturday & Sunday, May 11-12: Sweet Auburn Springfest
• Sunday, May 12: High Museum of Art UPS Second Sunday – free admission and family friendly programming – advanced registration is recommended
• Wednesday, May 15: The Atlanta History Center’s Party with a Past: Alcohall at Pullman Yards – a free program to connect young professionals with the history around them

• May 17-19: Marietta Greek Festival
• Saturday, May 18: Roswell Music Festival – 2 stages in historic downtown Roswell featuring Sister Hazel, the Kevn Kinney Band and more!
• Saturday, May 18: Kirkwood Springfling Festival & Tour of Homes
• Saturday, May 18: Ormewood Park Makers Festival
• Saturday, May 18: Cobb Master Gardeners Garden Tour – Marietta and Smyrna
• Saturday, May 18: Porchfest in the Virginia-Highlands, Atlanta
• Saturday, May 18: La Fiesta en Hapeville – Jess Lucas Park, Hapeville
• Saturday, May 18: Geranium Festival – McDonough Square
• Saturday, May 18: Piedmont Park Guided History Tour – register online in advance
• Saturday, May 18: Armed Forces Day – Beginning of Blue Star Museum Summer Program that provides free admission for active duty Military Families through Labor Day. Participating museums may include the following, but please double check the Blue Star website for details:
  • High Museum of Art
  • Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum
  • Michael C. Carlos Museum at Emory
  • Oglethorpe University Museum of Art
  • Robert C. Williams Museum of Papermaking
  • Southeastern Quilt and Textile Museum
  • Bartow History Museum
  • Booth Western Art Museum
  • Savoy Automobile Museum
  • Tellus Science Museum
  • Smith Gilbert Gardens
  • Marietta History Center
• Saturday & Sunday, May 18-19: Dahlonega Arts & Wine Festival – downtown Dahlonega
• Sunday, May 19: Midtown Garden Stroll – free event!
• May 30, 31 & June 1: 51st Annual Helen to the Atlantic Balloon Race & Festival – Helen, Georgia

Memorial Day Weekend Events

• Memorial Day Weekend: are you looking for fun things to do with your kids? Check out this list of the Best Things to do with Kids in Atlanta
• Memorial Day Weekend: Enjoy a beautiful spring day during this Self-Guided Walking Tour of the Inman Park neighborhood – make it a date and bring a picnic or grab a bite to eat in Inman Park!
• Memorial Day Weekend: Enjoy all the special events at Stone Mountain Park plus free admission for military with an ID and 35% off for additional tickets
• Memorial Day Weekend: The Georgia Renaissance Festival
• May 27-June 2: Military Appreciation Week at the College Football Hall of Fame – free admission for the families of active military and veterans (free admission for active military and veterans year round)
• May 27-June 2: Military Appreciation Week – Free General Admission to the World of Coca-Cola for active duty military, veterans, and reservists year round
• May 18-27: Yaarab Shrine Circus and Fair – Jim R. Miller Park, Marietta
• May 23-27: Spring Festival on Canton Street in Roswell
• May 25-26: Alpharetta Arts Streetfest – the Grove at Wills Park
• May 25-27: Atlanta Jazz Festival – in Piedmont Park
• Saturday, May 25: Brew at the Zoo – recommended to purchase tickets in advance
• Saturday, May 25: City Green Live 2024 – concert in Sandy Springs with free lawn seating
• Saturday, May 25: Roswell Riverside Sounds at Roswell Riverside Park – free concert featuring Emily Nenni
• Saturday, May 25: Bavarian Fest – Helen Festhalle, Helen, GA

• Friday, May 31: Jazz Night at the Krog District

It’s Strawberry Season! Here are a few U-Pick Farms to visit

• Mitcham Farms in Oxford
• Southern Bell Farms in McDonough
• Dickey Farms in Musella

Are you celebrating a birthday this month?

Georgia residents get free admission to the Georgia Aquarium on your birthday! Bring your Georgia ID or a copy of a child’s birth certificate

Coming up in June

• Saturday, June 15: Juneteenth at the Atlanta History Center – free program – advanced registration is recommended