Cool Things To Do in October in Atlanta

By Taylor Boser

Last Updated October 16, 2025

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The weather has cooled off and Atlanta is ready to embrace fall with new exhibits, fashion shows and festivals — lots and lots of festivals. October always brings Atlanta Pride. Prepare with our Pride Survival Guide. Hispanic Heritage Month continues through Oct. 15.

Fall Fun

ONE Musicfest

As a city that’s known for its hip-hop music scene, it’s only fitting that Atlanta hosts the Southeast’s largest two-day urban progressive music festival. ONE Musicfest highlights talent from different generations and hometowns. This festival takes over Piedmont Park, bringing some of the biggest names in hip-hop. From Future to Top Dawg’s special guest Doechii to Ludacris to The Roots featuring Mary J. Blige, the lineup makes this a can’t-miss event Oct. 25 and 26.

Atlanta Pride

One thing to know about Atlanta is that we go all out for our pride festival, which for us is in October. Atlanta Pride Festival is the largest LGBTQ+ event in the South and brings people from all over to Midtown Atlanta to celebrate. The 2025 festival is Oct. 11 and 12 with performers including Bob the Drag Queen, 2AM Ricky, Bentley Robles and Adeem the Artist. Atlanta Pride Weekend features three community marches on Saturday: the Annual Trans March, Annual Bi & Pan March and Annual Dyke March, and the official Atlanta Pride Parade at noon Sunday. More than 100,000 people will attend.

Pride Kickoff at Georgia Aquarium

The Georgia Aquarium is transformed into an electric, underwater playground filled with dazzling decor and high-energy music during the Pride Kickoff , which features four DJs: Shane Marcus, Kevin DuRard, Brian Rojas and Amy Alderman. Get your tickets now for Pride Beneath the Waves on Oct. 10 from 7-11 p.m.

Westside Stride

The energy of Atlanta Streets Alive comes to the Westside for Westside Stride on Howell Mill Road. The street will be closed from Trabert Avenue to 8th Street, including a stretch of 17th Street. Enjoy live music, a vendor and artist marker, and culinary experiences on Oct. 5 from noon until 6 p.m. There will be plenty for the kids to do with a pumpkin patch, petting zoo and bounce houses.

Party on the PATH

Explore the outdoors and greenery of PATH400 in Buckhead while enjoying music, cocktails and more. Party on the PATH is set for Oct. 5 at Eclipse di Luna, a tapas restaurant with a Latin-inspired atmosphere. VIP ticket holders receive early access to a pre-cocktail reception with beer, wine and Crimson Harvest sangria. There will be a performance from Atlanta Soul Band and a silent auction. VIP access is from 5:30-6:30 p.m. General admission begins at 6:30 p.m.

Atlanta Fair

Enjoy a crisp autumn night at the Atlanta Fair, retuning this fall from Oct. 3 through Nov. 2. The fair will have heart-pounding rides and family-friendly attractions, plus nostalgic fair treats and new local bites. The Expo Wheel, Nemesis 360 and Time Warp are back and so are the bumper cars, the Himalaya and the Orient Express. Rides for kids include the Tea Cups, Scooby-Doo Kiddie Train and PuppyRoll. The fair is Monday through Thursday from 5-10 p.m., Fridays from 5-11 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 1-11 p.m. The fair is across from Center Parc Stadium in Summerhill.

Rise and Dine with the Animals at Zoo Atlanta

Spend your morning with the lions 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 lions, the ways the habitat has been designed with their wellbeing in mind and the steps you can take to help lions on the savannas in Africa. Breakfast includes fruit, yogurt, pastries, coffee, hot tea and juice. Guests 21 and up can add a mimosa. The event is Oct. 4 from 8:30-9:30 p.m.

André Leon Talley Exhibit

The life of André Leon Talley will be featured in a new exhibit at the SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film. The exhibit focuses on Tally’s upbringing in the racist Old South and how he came to conquer the world of fashion — the story told through clothes. He was a fashion journalist, editor-at-large at Vogue magazine and creative director, among other things. The exhibit will be on display from Oct. 15 through March 1.

Scarecrows in the Garden

Head to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens to see the beloved Scarecrows in the Garden. Families, service organizations, teams, schools, businesses and more have created their custom scarecrows to decorate the garden. Entries will be judged by a panel and can win prizes. Visitors will be able to submit their vote for their favorite.

Come check it out from Oct. 1 through Nov. 2, with the garden closed on Mondays.

DreamHack

Gamers, get ready to take over the Georgia World Congress Center for DreamHack. This three-day gaming lifestyle festival is a celebration of play, competition and community. The Clash Royale League World Finals take place during the weekend, along with the SNK World Championship. Check out artist alley with more than 100 art vendors, and you may even get the chance to meet some of your favorite steamers and creators. DreamHack is scheduled for Oct. 31 through Nov. 2.

Candler Park Fall Festival

Explore the Candler Park neighborhood during the fall festival Oct. 4 and 5. This free festival draws more than 20,000 people to enjoy music, art, food, games, rides and special attractions. 

(Photo courtesy of Candler Park Fall Festival)

There is a 5k and Fun Run the morning of Oct.5 that takes you throughout the streets of Candler Park and Freedom Park paths. Bonus: This race is a 2026 AJC Peachtree Road Race qualifier. 

All proceeds raised from the festival go straight back into the community for the Candler Park Neighborhood Organization to use with infrastructure improvements and upgrades to the park itself.

Sunken Treasures, Ancient Seas at Fernbank Museum

Explore the mysteries of the deep sea with this new exhibit at Fernbank from Oct. 4 through Jan. 11. This immersive exhibit unveils the hidden discoveries beneath the Mediterranean Sea. Guests will see real artifacts like jewelry, large storage jars, coins, ingots, helmets and ship pieces and models that were recovered from ancient shipwrecks. Attendees will also explore the techniques archaeologists use to locate, excavate and restore the relics.

Bern’s Steak House Takeover at Reverence

Epicurean’s signature restaurant, Reverence, is partnering with Bern’s Steak House for a kitchen takeover. The event will showcase Bern’s iconic dry-aged steaks, award-winning wine program and acclaimed dessert offerings in a multi-course menu paired with rare vintages. Bern’s Steak House has earned recognition from the MICHELIN Guide and is located in Tampa, Florida. The Rare & Well-Done Experience is taking place Tuesday, Oct. 7.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

The cult phenomenon is celebrating its 50th anniversary and is bringing shows to Plaza Theatre. LDOD Inc, Atlanta’s longest running shadowcast, will perform every Friday night on the following dates, Oct. 3, Oct. 10, Oct. 17, Oct. 24, Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. Get your tickets now.

Halloween Festivities

Little Five Points Halloween Festival & Parade

The spooky and spectacular vibes of Little 5 come alive during the neighborhood’s Halloween Festival & Parade. The festival is happening all weekend Oct. 18 and 19 from noon to 7 p.m. with the parade on Oct. 19 at noon. This parade has been named one of the Top 10 Halloween Parades in the Nation so get your costumes ready now. Enjoy live bands, wrestlers in the ring, The Monster Stick Hunt, artist vendors and street performers.

Boo at the Zoo

Kids get to show off their wild side in their Halloween costumes during Boo at the Zoo. Happening the last two weekends of October from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., there will be trick or treating, kids’ crafts, carnival games, family-friendly performances and much more. This event is free for members of Zoo Atlanta and kids younger than 3 years old. A ticket to Zoo Atlanta gets you admission to Boo at the Zoo happening throughout the park.

Fright Fest

If you’re planning to roam Six Flags Over Georgia throughout October, prepare for a fright. Fright Fest is back. Prepare for spine-tingling chills in the ambient Scare Zones, or watch one of the scary-good live shows. True horror fans can pay-to-panic through the Haunted Mazes. The park is extra spooky in the dark.

(Photo courtesy of Six Flags Over Georgia)

Candy Crawl in Virginia Highland

Trick or treat along Highland Avenue to fill up your bag with candy in your spookiest costumes. The Candy Crawl is on Wednesday, October 29 from 4-6 p.m.

Trader Vic’s Annual Hulaween Costume Party

Come for the Mai Tais & Monsters Hulaween Costume Party at Trader Vic’s on Friday, October 31. There will be themed buffet stations, hauntingly crafted cocktails, a high-energy costume contest and electrifying entertainment for a full blown Halloween celebration. There will be prizes for the most jaw-dropping Halloween looks.

Pumpkin Festival at Stone Mountain Park

The Pumpkin Festival: Play by Day, Glow by Night is bringing the Halloween festivities to Stone Mountain Park. 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. 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 through Nov. 2.

Halloween Hikes at Chattahoochee Nature Center

Come along to the Chattahoochee Nature Center for a Halloween Hike. Along the trails, you’ll meet some of the resident raptors, amphibians and mammals that call the Chattahoochee Watershed home. The Halloween Hikes are happening October 24 and 25 from 6-10 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 26 from 5-9 p.m. The family can also embark on The Haunted Quest, an immersive scavenger hunt set on the night of Samhain. You’ll solve eerie clues and outsmart mischievous spirits with the will-o’-wisp as your guide. This is recommended for kids ages 12 and up, and they must be accompanied by an adult.

Trick-or-Treat at Children’s Museum of Atlanta

Get the whole family together for the Children’s Museum of Atlanta’s annual Trick-or-Treat event. There will be creepy-cool crafts, a costume parade, live DJ spinning Halloween hits, trick-or-treating and more. Advance tickets are required so get them now for the event on Oct. 25 and 26 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

For more Halloween happenings in Atlanta check our Spooktacular Guide to Halloween in Atlanta and our Grown-Up Guide to Halloween in Atlanta.

Hispanic Heritage Month

OYE Fest

Oye Fest, Atlanta’s Latin arts and music festival, returns Oct. 4, with more than 30 artists, DJs and more. OYE Fest will feature artists including Puerto Rican rapper Álvaro Díaz, duo Alexis y Fido, Mexican-American rapper and singer Snow Tha Product and more. The venue is 550 Mitchell St. SW — known to locals at Lot 432 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Performances start at 1 p.m.

La Cucarachita Martina (Martina, the Little Roach)

The Center for Puppetry Arts is hosting events throughout Hispanic Heritage Month. La Cucarachita Martina (Martina, the Little Roach) is running from Oct. 2-12 with Spanish-language performances on Oct. 12. The family-friendly show blends Cuban and Puerto Rican folktales, puppetry and Latin rock-and-roll to tell the story of Martina on her quest for love, happiness and friendship. On Oct. 4, Fernbank Museum of Natural History will be on-site with a special activity, providing guests with a hands-on learning experience.

The Center will have translated guides for both the Jim Henson Collection and the Global Gallery.

Fall is Built for Sports

Atlanta Hawks

The NBA is back. While October brings some pre-season matchups, we’ll also get to enjoy some regular season games.

(Photo courtesy of Atlanta Hawks)

Their home games in October are:

Their pre-season Miami Heat on Oct. 13 will be their eighth annual Pride Night. The evening will recognize the LGBTQIA+ community, promote allyship and cap off the 2025 Atlanta Pride Festival.

Pre-season Houston Rockets, Oct. 16

Toronto Raptors, Oct. 22

Oklahoma City Thunder, Oct. 25

Atlanta United

Their season may be coming to a close so don’t miss out on a chance to see them play. Their final home match is Oct. 18 vs. D.C. United.

Atlanta Falcons

Experience the action at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for an Atlanta Falcons game. Their home games in October are:

Buffalo Bills, Oct. 13 at 7:15 p.m.

Miami Dolphins, Oct. 26 at 1 p.m.

Georgia State University Panthers

Center Parc Stadium in Summerhill is ready for the GSU Panthers’ 2025 football season. Panthers home games in October are:

James Madison Dukes, Oct. 4

Appalachian State Mountaineers, Oct. 11

South Alabama Jaguars, Oct. 23

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Head over to Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field in Midtown to support the Yellow Jackets. Home games in October are:

Virginia Tech Hokies, Oct. 11

Syracuse Orange, Oct. 25

Clark Atlanta University Panthers

Football is back at CAU Panther Stadium. Come out to a home game to support the panthers:,

Edward Waters University Tigers, Oct. 25

Morehouse College Maroon Tigers

Support your Maroon Tigers playing at home at B.T. Harvey Stadium in October: 

Lane College Dragons, Oct. 18

If you don’t plan to attend a game in person, don’t worry. Find plenty of options of Where to Watch College Football in Atlanta.

To find things to do in Atlanta any time, visit our calendar of events.

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 August 25, 2025