It’s getting deep into the fall season and we all know what that means … pumpkin spice livin’ and oodles of festivals. We’ve found some of the best October events in Atlanta sure to keep the whole family boo-sy!
Through October 28, 2018: Stone Mountain Pumpkin Festival
Stone Mountain’s annual Pumpkin Festival has become a family favorite with kids and parents alike. The festival offers seasonal highlights like games, storytelling, shows and access to all the usual park attractions. From dusk until 9 p.m., you can attend the Glow by Night experience, featuring glow-along parade, flashlight tours and more. To purchase a pass, visit stonemountainpark.com.
October 3, 2018: Atlanta Eats & Beats
Atlanta’s best restaurants and beverage purveyors join forces to bring you an unforgettable evening of unlimited food, three open bars, live entertainment and unique silent auction items at West Midtown’s hottest event space, The Fairmont. General admission tickets are $75 (with an option for VIP status) and the event starts at 7 p.m. Over 35 great restaurants including Barcelona, Local Three, Eclipse di Luna, Davios and more serve up great dishes while several open bars quench your thirst. Proceeds benefit Children of Conservation and The Giving Kitchen! childrenofconservation.org
October 3-6, 2018: Atlanta Black Theatre Festival
Also known as the festival of “40 Plays in 4 Days,” the Atlanta Black Theatre Festival is a true celebration of cultural diversity and world-class entertainment. All associated events take place at the magnificent Porter Sanford III Performing Arts Center in Decatur. Ticket prices vary depending on the show. atlantabtf.org
October 4-7, 2018: Wine Over Water
Wine is always worth a drive, so head to Chattanooga, Tennessee for one of the best wine festivals in the South. Wine Over Water takes place throughout the first weekend in October, where ticket holders can sample wines from over 100 wineries while strolling along the historic Walnut Street Bridge, which spans the gorgeous Tennessee River. Built in 1890, it’s one of the world’s longest pedestrian bridges and the site of this amazing drinking/eating/socializing event. Make sure to visit the website and buy your tickets now because this year, all food and wine is included in the ticket price! wineoverwater.org
October 5-7, 2018: The International Night Market Atlanta
Celebrate what makes each of us different at The International Night Market Atlanta, a large, open-air night market featuring more than 200 independent vendors, selling food, art and drinks, and fantastic cultural performances. The culturally diverse event reminds us of Atlanta’s storied heritage, all taking place at North Point Mall in Alpharetta. The one-day pass is $6 and the three-day pass is $13. atlnightmarket.org
October 6, 2018: Taste of Chamblee
Head out to one of our favorite neighborhoods for an event sure to satisfy your empty tummy! Taste of Chamblee returns for its 11th year to celebrate the diverse restaurant community of Chamblee. The fun happens Saturday, October, 6, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in downtown Chamblee. Admission is free, however, wristbands cost $16.99 and are pre-loaded with 15 taste points. Get all the details about taste points, participating restaurants and more by visiting the website. tasteofchamblee.net
October 12-14, 2018: Atlanta Pride Festival
Celebrate the diversity of our fair city at the 48th Annual Atlanta Pride Festival! There are lots of events taking place, including the Atlanta Pride Parade on Sunday at noon. The parade begins near the Civic Center MARTA station and proceeds through Midtown, ending at Piedmont Park. Learn more about the weekend events, including VIP festival passes, by visiting the site. atlantapride.org
October 12-14, 2018: Oktoberfest Atlanta
Pull out that old lederhosen because Oktoberfest is back! Make your way to historic Fourth Ward Park and enjoy Atlanta’s biggest German-themed party. Single-day tickets are $21; three-day passes are $38 and include a souvenir 22-oz beer stein, and of course, your first beer. Highlights will be delicious German beer and food, as well as live music and themed activities. oktoberfestatl.com
October 13, 2018: Atlanta Chili Cook-off
The only thing better than a snuggly coat in the cooler fall weather is chili! Head to Brookhaven Park from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and make sure you bring your appetite as chili is definitely on the menu. Try the best recipes from competing teams, both professional and amateur, looking to earn chili glory. General admission tickets are $15; VIP tickets, which include open bar, are $40. atlantachilicookoff.com
October 13, 2018: Run Like Hell
Get ready to Run Like Hell through Atlanta’s Oakland Cemetery for the annual 5K, or maybe just Run like Heck for you walkers, strollers and dog owners! Run Like Hell is a Peachtree Road Race qualifier and covers several areas of Oakland Cemetery, including the Grant Park neighborhood. All proceeds benefit the Historic Oakland Foundation, and the race starts at 9 a.m. Register for $40 at oaklandcemetery.com.
October 13, 2018: Great Atlanta Beer Fest
Beer lovers get ready! Explore Georgia State Stadium (formerly Turner Field) from 1 p.m to 5 p.m. at the Great Atlanta Beer Fest. With options from a list of over 150 beers from Atlanta and the Southeast, there’s plenty to choose from, including a “healthy” list of wines and ciders. Tickets are $40 in advance, or $55 the day of the event. greatatlantabeerfest.com
October 13, 2018: Cadence Fair
Celebrate the city of Woodstock at Cadence Fair! From noon to 8 p.m., attendees will get to hear live music, check out talented local artists and indulge in world-class barbecue and Reformation Brewery’s awesome beers. Get the details online at cadencefair.com.
October 19, 2018: Monster Mash Rock Star Bash
Get ready for a rockin’ good time and head over to Wild Heaven Brewery for the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Monster Mash Rock Star Bash benefiting the Marcus Autism Center! Attendees get to visit with a makeup artist, participate in a silent auction, take shots in the photo booth and enjoy food and drinks from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tickets are $45. choa.org
October 19 & 20, 2018: Owl-O-Ween
Owl-O-Ween isn’t your standard Halloween festival … it’s also Atlanta’s largest hot air balloon festival and costume party. This year’s event features live entertainment, hot air balloon glows, trick-or-treating, tethered balloon rides, food trucks and much, much more. The fun happens on Friday, October 19, 2018 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturday, October 20, 2018 from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tickets are $14 for adults and $6 for kids ages 3-12. See the schedule and get more details on the website. owl-o-ween.com
October 19-21, 2018: Taste of Atlanta
Hey foodies, it’s time to knock your forks off at Taste of Atlanta at Historic Fourth Ward Park! This year, more than 90 delicious local spots will serve wonderful bites, as well as show off the talents of some of the best chefs in the city on live demo stages. The advance ticket price for general admission is $25 for either Saturday or Sunday (prices will increase) and VIP passes are available at an additional cost for a few more perks. There are also package deals for the entire weekend. tasteofatlanta.com
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October 20, 2018: Decatur Craft Beer Festival
Enjoy a day of beer tasting on the square of Downtown Decatur, rain or shine, at the Decatur Craft Beer Festival! Guests must be 21 and older to enter the alcohol-friendly festival happening from noon to 5 p.m. General admission is $50 and includes a special tasting glass with unlimited sips from more than 80 breweries. Not enough? Take it up a notch and go VIP for $100 for the ultimate beer-tasting experience, including special reserved beers and complimentary snacks. decaturbeerfestival.com
October 20, 2018: Little Five Points Halloween Festival and Parade
Little Five Points has lots of interesting characters who wander the neighborhood, and the annual Halloween festival and parade is like welcoming them all home! The parade gets underway at 4 p.m., starting at Austin and Euclid and eventually ending down Moreland Avenue toward Freedom Parkway. And if you need a costume, visit one of Little Five’s awesome thrift shops for cool ideas! l5phalloween.com
October 20 & 21, 2018: Fall Festival on Ponce
The Fall Festival on Ponce is an Atlanta arts and crafts festival in historic Olmsted Linear Park. Visitors will enjoy the gorgeous landscape designed by one of America’s most celebrated landscape architects, Fredrick Olmsted Sr., alongside more than 125 displays of fine arts and crafts. In addition to the art, there will be a children’s area and local food and drinks. Attendance is free for both Saturday, 10 a.m.to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. festivalonponce.com
October 20 & 21 and 27 & 28, 2018: Boo at the Zoo
From 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., sample treats throughout Zoo Atlanta and witness characters and sights from Zoo Boo Town. Don’t forget your costumes, either, because there will be costume contests at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.! Other highlights include an inflatable corn maze, live music, arts & crafts and more for you and the kiddies to enjoy. Members enter for free, while the event is included with the cost of a general admission ticket to the zoo for non-members. zooatlanta.org
October 24, 2018: Mummies & Mixers
Enjoy frights, delights and enough fun to make your mummy proud! On Wednesday, October 24, head to Michael C. Carlos Museum for a wondrous evening featuring master storyteller Barry Stewart Mann, delicious food and drinks from the best Atlanta caterers and mixologists, face painting for adults, music, a raffle and perhaps spooky ghouls wandering the halls?! The fun goes from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m. for VIP). General admission tickets are $40; individual host committee tickets are $55; and host committee couples are $100. Get tickets and more information on the website. carlos.emory.edu
October 27, 2018: Atlanta World Kite Festival
Every year the Atlanta World Kite Festival brings people together from all over to fly kites and enjoy good ol’ fashioned, outdoor family fun! Included in the festivities are food trucks, face painting, photo booths and live music. Oh, and kites! The festival takes place in The Meadow at Piedmont Park from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. atlantaworldkitefestival.com
October 28, 2018: Doggies on the Beltline
When it comes to costumes, everyone knows dogs rule Halloween. Celebrate your four-legged bestie at the first official Doggies on the Beltline — a dogs-only costume parade that starts at 1 p.m. at The Shed at Ponce City Market, goes down the Beltline and ends at Park Tavern for a barking-ly good after-party. Of course, there will be lots of treats for dogs and humans alike. Purchase your tickets ahead of time because there are no onsite ticket sales. Get more information online. poncecitymarket.com
October 28, 2018: Halloween at Hogwarts
Get your kiddos prepped for Halloween with the help of the finest musicians in Atlanta. The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra performs a “boo”-tiful concert featuring spooky music from Igor Stravinsky, John Williams and more. Make sure to dress up for the pre-concert costume contest! There are two shows: one at 1:30 p.m. and one at 3 p.m. atlantasymphony.org
October 28, 2018: Day of the Dead Festival
Whether you’ve been celebrating Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) your whole life or just want to know more about this holiday, visit Atlanta History Center on Sunday, October 28 from noon to 5 p.m. This is a free admission day, and guests will enjoy traditional dancing, crafts, authentic Mexican food and more. Presented in partnership with the Consul General of Mexico and the Institute of Mexican Culture, this outdoor festival is a great way to learn more about such a lovely holiday that honors lost family and friends. atlantahistorycenter.com
October 28, 2018: Sunday Supper South
The only way to end October (besides candy) is at Sunday Supper South, the annual charity dinner to raise funds for the James Beard Foundation’s Impact Programs. Held at Ponce City Market, the event is hosted by Atlanta culinary queen, Anne Quatrano, and celebrates Southern flavors. This year will have a “Bewitched” theme and honor the whole hog cuisine of Rodney Scott, lauded South Carolina pitmaster. Cocktail reception starts at 6 p.m. and the seated dinner begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $250 for James Beard Foundation members; $275 for non-members and will go on sale September 30. Check the website for more details. sundaysuppersouth.com
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There are tons of things happening in Atlanta this October, so make sure to get outside and check them out! Learn about other cool events going on in the city by continuing to check our Local Happenings page, which is constantly updated!
