Cool Things To Do in September in Atlanta
Last Updated September 22, 2025
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The kids are back to school, but the action isn’t slowing down in the city. Find out all the fun things to do with the family, friends or even on your own in Atlanta during the month of September.
Stay Busy This September
Atlanta Food & Wine Festival
Come hungry and thirsty to the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival, a four-day culinary extravaganza featuring more than 200 chefs, sommeliers, mixologists and culinary insiders. The Tasting Tent presented by Goya Foods is open the whole weekend of Sept. 11-14 where you’ll get to sample delicious flavors from around the world. Happening Sept. 13, Whiskey & Fire Atlanta features open-fire stations where top chefs battle it out for the title of their town’s Heritage Hero. Get ready for the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival presented by Invesco QQQ.
The festival works with Event Zero Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to creating a positive environmental and social impact within the events industry.
Shaky Knees
This iconic rock-lover’s festival is back and better than ever, taking over Piedmont Park. Shaky Knees returns Sept. 19-21 with Deftones headlining Friday, My Chemical Romance headlining Saturday and Blink-182 headlining Sunday. The jam-packed lineup also includes The Black Keys, Alabama Shakes, Vampire Weekend, Sublime, The All-American Rejects and so many more. Three-day and one-day tickets are available now.
Sweet Auburn Music Fest
This free festival brings together a diverse range of music and food vendors. Happening Sept. 27-28, Sweet Auburn Music Fest features R&B, hip-hop and gospel music. There will be food trucks and an art expo. Festival headquarters is 320 Irwin St., near the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park. Taking MARTA or the Atlanta Streetcar is recommended.
Out On Film
A film festival focused on LGBTQ stories and artists, Out On Film is an Oscar-qualifying film festival, which is one of only two LGBTQ film festivals in the U.S. and one of only six LGBTQ film festivals in the world. The film festival shows about 150 narratives, documentaries, shorts and web series, ranging from international features to local programming and retrospectives. Showings take place at Landmark in Midtown and Out Front Theatre Company in West Midtown. This year’s festival is Sept. 21 through Oct. 1.
Atlanta Indian Film Festival
The 7th Atlanta Indian Film Festival will showcase an inspiring lineup of workshops and film screenings at Tara Theatre on Sept. 27 and 28. Don’t miss the Gala at the Twelve Hotel kicking off the festival on Friday, Sept. 26.
Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival
Need an excuse to get out to the water? Then, the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival is for you. Happening Sept. 6 at Lake Lanier Olympic Park, you may watch 75 teams from around the U.S. compete in dragon boat racing. For those unfamiliar, dragon boat racing is a water sport where teams in large canoe-like vessels compete in paddle races. This year is the 28th annual with last year’s event drawing more than 10,000 attendees.
Monster Jam
Get ready for an adrenaline-filled weekend at Gas South Arena Sept. 6 and 7 when Monster Jam returns to Atlanta. Fan favorites like the Grave Digger, El Toro Loco and JCB Digatron will battle it out in racing, freestyle and two-wheel skill competitions. These 12,000-pound trucks are a sight to see, and the atmosphere inside the arena is one-of-a-kind.
Panda Fest
Panda Fest is back for another weekend full of delicious food, vibrant art and cultural traditions from Asia. The festival features more than 300 vendors serving bites such as Mongolian skewers, giant squid and bao buns. There also are flavorful drinks and delicious desserts available. Head to Atlantic Station Sept. 5-7.
AIDS Walk Atlanta Music Festival & 5k Run
This event is focused on raising money and awareness for people living with HIV and AIDS, including the almost 40,000 people in Atlanta living with HIV. Walk or run in the 5K on Sept. 27. The music festival will take place later that day, featuring artists Trombone Shorty and CeeLo Green. All proceeds go to HIV and AIDS service organizations including A Vision for Hope, Georgia Equality, Positive Impact Health Centers and more.
Yellow Daisy Festival at Stone Mountain Park
The Yellow Daisy Festival brings vendors from across the U.S. to show off vintage, antique and repurposed goods, along with vendors with vintage-inspired clothing and accessories. The 57th annual Yellow Daisy Festival features more than 400 artists and crafters, along with live music, festival food and a beer garden. The event is Sept. 4 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., then Sept. 5-7 (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Atlanta Art Fair
The Atlanta Art Fair returns to Pullman Yards’ Porter Hall bringing together more than 60 galleries from around the world. The art fair empowers the local art community by celebrating unique history and enhancing its existing artists, galleries, institutions, collectors and cultural events. The Atlanta Art Fair is Sept. 25-28. First time going? Check out our Ultimate Guide to the Atlanta Art Fair for everything to expect.
Rise and Dine with the Animals at Zoo Atlanta
Spend your morning with the gorillas during Zoo Atlanta’s Rise and Dine. You can enjoy breakfast while getting an early morning view of the animals as they get their day started. You’ll learn about how the staff cares for the gorillas, including the youngster Floyd and his silverback dad, Taz. Breakfast includes fruit, yogurt, pastries, coffee, hot tea and juice. Guests 21 and up can add a mimosa. The event is Sept. 13 from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Join the Zoo for Rise and Dine with the lions on Oct. 4.
Tunes from the Tombs
Sunday in the Park ft. Tunes from the Tombs is a beloved tradition at Oakland Cemetery. And this year’s event is featuring artists including BB Palmer with Electric Blue Yonder, Boom! Trio ft. LAVAHI, Arkose, Billy Allen + The Pollies and more. Think of this event like a porch fest, but at mausoleums. The event is Sunday, Sept. 28 from noon to 7:30 p.m. There will also be an artist market, history tours, a kids’ area, food trucks and craft spirits.
PUPFEST
Dog owners, clear your schedule Saturday, September 6 because the 5th annual PUPFEST at The Works is happening. This year’s theme, Woofstock, is all about peace, love and pups. Some of the pup-friendly vendors include Wag-a-Lot, Olive & Co Pet Care and Wagboards, along with pet-friendly patios to hang out at. Guests and pups are encouraged to come dressed in their best festival flair, including tie dye, flower crowns, peace signs and all things retro. The event is Saturday, September 6 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets purchased will help raise money for the Atlanta Humane Society and help support animals in need.
Atlanta Ballet Welcomes New Season with Balanchine & Perk
The Atlanta Ballet is kicking off their 2025-26 season with Balanchine & Peck, a series of three pieces showcasing the exquisite choreography of the renowned George Balanchine and Justin Peck. Balanchine & Peck features the classic Emeralds, the award-winning In Creases and the time-honored Prodigal Son. The shows are taking place September 12-14 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.
East Atlanta Strut
Showcasing one of the city’s most eclectic in-town neighborhoods, East Atlanta Strut has live music, a porchfest with more than 30 bands, food and merch vendors, and a parade. The Strut Parade will be filled with marching bands, floats and of course, the Queens of the Strut. Maybe you’ve seen it all before, but this festival goes beyond that. Leaf Blower Madness is a relay race using the yard tool people love to hate. The Wing Toss challenges contestants to not only eat their wings, but also to properly dispose of the bones and the best for last, llama poop bingo.
Forward, Warrior!! x Callanwolde: Studio Exhibition
The Forward, Warrior!! Mural Festival has been taking place in Atlanta for 13 years. Each year, artists participate in a live painting event and street festival in Cabbagetown, a neighborhood on the Eastside. This year, they are partnering with Callanwolde Fine Arts Center for a studio exhibition. The show features original studio works from the muralists behind the Forward Warrior Mural Festival. The exhibition runs through Oct. 9 with a public closing reception on Oct. 5 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Summer Sounds at Centennial Olympic Park
Get ready for another Summer Sounds at Centennial Olympic Park on Thursday, Sept. 18 from 5-8 p.m. There will be entertainment and food to enjoy with the backdrop of the park. Admission is free and open to the public.
Pumpkin Festival at Stone Mountain Park
The Pumpkin Festival returns to Stone Mountain Park on Sept. 13. There will be an all-new nighttime pumpkin parade with glow-in-the-dark floats and nostalgic storybook characters, along with the World’s Largest Pumpkin Drone & Line Show. Enjoy immersive color-changing drones, themed songs, festive video displays, a canopy of lights, special effects and a fireworks finale lighting up the sky. Guests can also check out Cinderella’s Tree Lighting Show watching her glide through the air in a shimmering gown and with a wave of her hang, lighting up the giant Pumpkin Tree.
Throughout the festival, guests can explore thousands of glowing pumpkins, challenge themselves with glow-in-the-dark mini-golf, and embark on a variety of not-so-spooky glow-in-the-dark walk-through adventures. This runs from Sept. 13 through Nov. 2.
The Art of Belief Exhibit
A new exhibit at The Sun ATL gallery features original works by two of the South’s most compelling self-taught artists: Howard Finster and Harry Underwood. “The Art of Belief” showcases their work demonstrating how Southern outsider art can bridge the sacred and secular through the integration of text with imagery. The opening reception is Saturday, September 6 from 5-8 p.m. and Harry Underwood will be present. The exhibit runs through November 15 with the gallery open Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekdays by appointment.
Virginia Highland Farmers Market
The Virginia Highland Farmers Market returns this fall. Enjoy fresh produce and shop local vendors. The farmers market also features community activities like watermelon eating and pumpkin carving contests, kids reading with VaHi Books, live music and more. The fall dates are Sept. 7 through Nov. 9. on Sundays from 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Atlanta Streets Alive
Walk or bike down Peachtree Street, passing street vendors and local businesses. The event is from 2-6 p.m. on Sunday, September 14. But, heads up! The street will be closed from noon to 7 p.m.
Forkside Seats
Giving Kitchen, a nonprofit organization that provides emergency assistance to food service workers through financial support and a network of community resources, is partnering with the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena for a night of culinary celebrations to support food service workers. “Forkside Seats” is happening Sunday, September 28 at State Farm Arena. The family-style dinner will be curated by Chef G. Garvin, State Farm Arena’s Chief Culinary Officer and acclaimed TV host and restauranteur. The evening will feature an elevated cocktail hour in exclusive State Farm Arena spaces featuring handcrafted drinks, wines and curated tastings from 18 of Atlanta’s newest culinary concepts.
The restaurants include Avize, Bar ANA, BOSK, Café Momentum, Capolinea at Signia by Hilton, Ela, Elektra at Forth Hotel, Fawn Wine & Amaro Bar, Jolene Jolene, LowCountry Steak, Lucky Star, Mothers Best, Pizza Vendura Sincera, Pure Quill Superette, Rolled n Tangled, Storyteller Goods, The Ramspeck and Tiger Sun.
Jean Luc Colombo Wine Dinner at The Garden Room
The Garden Room is hosting an exclusive evening celebrating the wines of Jean Luc Colombo, featuring a seasonal multi-course tasting menu by Chef Freddy Money. From his renowned Cornas “Les Ruchets” to celebrated vineyards across the Northern Rhône and Provence, Jean Luc Colombo will share personal stories and insights, creating a one-night-only experience where food, wine, and storytelling will come together. The event is Friday, Sept. 12 at 6:30 p.m.
Chef Freddy Money and Chef Thomas Straker Collab
Chef Freddy Money of The Garden Room reunites with London’s Chef Thomas Straker for a one-night-only collaboration as part of OpenTable x Visa’s Friends in Town dining series. The chefs trained together at London’s Dorchester Hotel and now they’re bringing their shared culinary vision to Atlanta blending Thomas’s signature richness with Freddy’s distinctive artistry. The collab dinner is Saturday, Sept. 13.
Wine & Charcuterie Workshop at Epicurean
Led by the experts at The Gathering Board, this Wine & Charcuterie Workshop shares how to cut and display three cheeses, create a salami rose and choose a balance variety of accoutrements. Guests will enjoy fresh focaccia and roasted garlic olive oil dip and two glasses of wine while crafting their custom board. The workshop is Friday, Sept. 12 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Shuck & Shot at Aerial Kitchen & Bar at Epicurean
Join Oyster Farmer John Harley and Tequila Expert Lou Bank for the ultimate oyster and spirit experience on Saturday, Sept. 20 from noon to 3 p.m. Hang out by the pool and enjoy live music, which pairs perfectly with oysters and tequila. No reservations are necessary and this is available while supplies last.
Mezcal Tasting at Epicurean
Experience a tasting that spotlights different regions of Mexico. This Mezcal Tasting, led by Lou Bank, includes a welcome cocktail, a tasting of five heritage agave spirits and Mexican light bites. This event is Saturday, Sept. 20 from 5 to 6 p.m.
Chocolate 101 at Epicurean
Fall in love with cacao beans during Chocolate 101. This educational tasting will inform attendees about different kinds of cacao varietals and how the places or origin influence the flavors and aromas before they become beloved chocolate bars. This event is led by foodie Lou Bank and includes a welcome cacao cocktail, a tasting with five chocolates and a cacao seed sampling.
Double Play Exhibit at Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame
Celebrate the athletes who excelled in both college football and professional baseball at the Double Play: Stars of the Gridiron & Diamond exhibit at the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame. This temporary exhibit features stars like Deion Sanders, Bo Jackson and Greasy Neale. See it through mid-October.
Solo Date Ideas
Whether you’re needing a night out to treat yourself or just feel like taking a stroll on your own, we’ve broken down some hot spots for solo date ideas for every personality.
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
Estamos Aqui Festival
Celebrate Latinidad by eating, dancing, singing and enjoying the richness of Hispanic culture at the annual Estamos Aqui Festival. The free-entry celebration occurs at historic Old Fourth Ward Park on Sept. 13.
The 50 Most Influential Latinos in Georgia
The Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce hosts the 50 Most Influential Latinos in Georgia every year, highlighting the character, impact and connectivity these leaders bring to various communities in the state. The event brings together more than 350 civic, business and community leaders in Georgia. Register now for the event on Sept. 15 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Truist Park.
Placita Latina Exhibit
The Decatur Arts Alliance is hosting the 5th annual Placita Latina exhibit showcasing work from Hispanic and Latinx artists. This year’s theme is “Nuestra Tirera – Our Land, Our Legacy.” The exhibit plans to highlight the diverse experiences of what it means to reclaim identity and to find security in one’s roots – even when those roots are challenged, transplanted and transformed. The exhibit runs from September 12 through October 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Decatur Arts Alliance Gallery. There will be a closing reception Friday, October 17 from 6-9 p.m.
Latinx Art Exhibition
Highlighting the work of six Latinx artists from different backgrounds and experiences, “What Makes Us Who We Are: Celebrating Latinx Artists” dives deeper into that question. Through photography, painting and sculpting, these artists present a wide variety of styles, bringing their understanding of being Latinx into their work, each playing an important role in their American story. The art showcase runs from Sept. 15 through Oct. 8 at the Decatur Arts Alliance Gallery inside the Decatur Visitors Center.
Estamos Aquí Fiesta
Celebrate Colombian roots, cultural pride and the power of expression through movement at Estamos Aquí Fiesta happening Saturday, September 13 from 3-7 p.m. at Historic Fourth Ward Park. The Atlanta-based group empowers young Latinas through dance, blending Latin beats, hip-hop and folkloric traditions.
Make a Miracle Dinner
Tio Lucho’s is partnering with Making a Miracle, a non-profit creating lasting change in Peru and Columbia through education and housing, for a fundraising dinner event. The family-style menu inspired by the flavors of Peru, will include three courses and a dessert. Each dish will be introduced by Chef Arnaldo and you’ll hear about the meaningful work your ticket supports. There will also be a silent auction. The dinner is Wednesday, September 24 at 7:30 p.m.
Football is Back
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons are back at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the 2025 season. Get ready to cheer on the birds during their home games:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sept. 7 at 1 p.m.
Washington Commanders, Sept. 28 at 1 p.m.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Head over to Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field in Midtown to support the Yellow Jackets. Their home games are:
Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs, Sept. 6 at 3:30 p.m.
Clemson Tigers, Sept. 13 at noon
Temple Owls, Sept. 20 with time TBA
Georgia State University Panthers
Center Parc Stadium in Summerhill is ready for the GSU Panthers’ 2025 football season. Their home games are:
Memphis Tigers, Sept. 6 at 7 p.m.
Murray State Racers, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m.
Clark Atlanta University
Football is back at CAU Panther Stadium. Come out to a home game to support the panthers:
Florida Memorial University Lions, Sept. 6 at 3 p.m.
Fort Valley State University Wildcats, Sept. 11 at 8 p.m.
Benedict College Tigers, Sept. 27 at 3 p.m.
Morehouse College
Support your Maroon Tigers playing at home at B.T. Harvey Stadium:
Kentucky State University Thorobreds, Sept. 20 at 1 p.m.
Even if you can’t make it in person to the games, there are plenty of spots to cheer on the teams around the city. Find out Where to Watch College Football in Atlanta.
Always keep an eye on our calendar of events for even more things to do in Atlanta.
A Chicago transplant, Taylor loves exploring what makes Atlanta the place to be. Name a popular festival, food hall or brewery to check out and she will be there.
Originally Published July 15, 2025
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