Cool Things To Do in August in Atlanta
Last Updated August 18, 2025
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Back-to-school, football and festivals mean there’s plenty to do this August in Atlanta.
Events Bringing the Heat
Summer Shade Festival
Grant Park is hosting the 23rd Summer Shade Festival in August. There will be live performances and more than 140 regional artists showcasing their work. Deep South Wrestling will host events throughout the weekend, near the Gazebo. There will be a kids’ bouncy house village, face painting and the Sunday morning Move & Groove activation. There also will be yoga in the park. This event benefits the Grant Park Conservancy. It’s happening Aug. 23 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Aug. 24 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Adams Realtors Run for the Park 5k
Runners, walkers and strollers can participate in the annual Adams Realtors Run for the Park 5k on Saturday, August 23 beginning at 8 a.m. The race starts at Grant Park and all the proceeds benefit the Grant Park Conservancy. At 8:45 a.m., the Tot Trot for kids five and under will begin, then leading into the awards ceremony at 9 a.m.
Piedmont Park Arts Festival
This outdoor festival features the work of more than 200 artists, including painters, photographers, sculptures, leather and metalworkers, glass blowers, jewelry and crafters. Happening in Piedmont Park Aug. 16 and 17, the Piedmont Park Arts Festival is free to attend. There will be live music, a children’s play area, and festival food and drinks. You can bring your dogs, but make sure they’re on a leash. The festival is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 16 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 17.
Glow Nights at Georgia Aquarium
The Georgia Aquarium comes alive at night via Glow Nights. Starting at 4 p.m., the atrium transforms, and live performances start at 5 p.m. Enjoy unicyclists, jugglers, aerialists and more.Glow Nights runs through Aug. 17.
Cricket MEAC/SWAC Game
Football season is upon us with the Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kick-Off game. The Southern University Jaguars will face-off against the North Carolina Central University Eagles at Center Parc Stadium. The game is Aug. 23 at 7:30 p.m.
Aflac Kickoff Games
College football is back and the Aflac Kickoff Game match-ups are set. Syracuse will take on Tennessee on Saturday, August 30 with kick off at noon. And it will be Virginia Tech vs. South Carolina on Sunday, August 31 at 3 p.m. Both games will take play at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
College Football Hall of Fame’s Football Fest & Free Day Presented by The Peach Bowl
The ultimate college football party is happening Saturday, August 23 with the College Football Hall of Fame’s Football Fest & Free Day. There will be reimagined exhibits, interactive activations and free admission for all guests from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. You’ll also get to enjoy the College GameDay bus and live DJs, including DJ Jay Envy, the official DJ for the Atlanta Falcons, and DJ Euphoria and DJ Danny M, who regularly energize pregame crowds at Atlanta United and Atlanta Falcons games. MC Carlos Morales will also be returning to keep the hype going throughout the day.
Premier League Summer Series
The pre-season tournament will feature a double-header at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. AFC Bournemouth will take on West Ham United in the first match. Then, it will be Manchester United vs. Everton in the second match. Get ready for all the action on August 3. One ticket gets fans access to both matches.
ePremier League Fan Festival
Get ready for the first ever ePremier League Fan Festival presented by Premier League and EA SPORTS FC. This free-to-attend event will have surprise appearances by players, club legends and a live music performance by EarthGang, along with exclusive merchandise, club-specific activation booths and more. The fan festival is on August 2 in Downtown.
Double Play Exhibit at College Football Hall of Fame
There’s a new exhibit at the College Football Hall of Fame that’s fit for college football and baseball fans. Double Play: Stars of the Gridiron & Diamond exhibit pays tribute to the elite athletes who left a mark in college football and professional baseball. The featured stars include Deion Sanders, Bo Jackson, Kirk Gibson, Jackie Jensen, Harry Agganis and Greasy Neale. The temporary exhibit runs through mid-October.
Yoga in the Garden at Grand Hyatt Atlanta in Buckhead
This new wellness opportunity will offering a tranquil outdoor yoga session. Happening in the Zen Garden, attendees will be surrounded by a 30-foot waterfall, bamboo-lined paths and a koi pond. Through August 27, locals and visitors are invited to enjoy complimentary Vinyasa Yoga classes every Wednesday at 5:15 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own yoga mat and water bottle.
BronzeLens Film Festival
The 16th annual BronzeLens Film Festival is happening August 20-24. This festival is dedicated to bringing national and worldwide attention to Atlanta as a center for film and film production for people of color. In addition to the plethora of films to watch, the Annual Filmmakers Sneaker Ball is the ultimate celebration for filmmakers and industry professionals. There is also a red carpet for the BronzeLens Awards to honor the best of the festival’s filmmakers.
Atlanta Black Theatre Festival & Creative Arts Conference
The theme for the 14th annual Atlanta Black Theatre Festival & Creative Arts Conference is “from resilience to innovation.” The festival showcases arts in a setting that is as daring and innovative as the stories it elevates. Bringing together playwrights, actors, directors and audiences, there will be original work shown showcasing Black life and experiences. The festival occurs at Fulton County Southwest Arts Center Aug. 28-30. You can get individual tickets or weekend passes.
“Shaken & Stirred: Wide World of Whiskey” Cocktail Class
Gunshow is hosting a cocktail class all about whiskey with a blind tasting of different styles, along with a hands-on lesson in mixing up classic whiskey cocktails. The class, led by Gunshow bar lead Jeramie Eubanks and Nàdair’s Eric Simpkins, is happening Sunday, August 10 at 3 p.m.
Southern Soul Fest at Breakfast at Barneys
Celebrate 5 years of Breakfast at Barneys with a Southern Soul Fest featuring local and small business vendors, a live DJ and more. The event is Saturday, August 30 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
TOUR Championship
The 2025 TOUR Championship brings some of the best golfers from around the world to Atlanta. The top 30 players compete in this tournament, which is the culminating event of the PGA TOUR Playoffs. Every year it takes place at East Lake Golf Club. This year’s tournament is Aug. 21-24.
Dragon Con
Dragon Con comes to Atlanta every Labor Day and brings the largest multi-media, pop culture convention in the university. It focuses on science fiction & fantasy, gaming, comics, literature, art, music and film. There will be art shows, vendors and a parade. Mark your calendars for August 28 through September 1.
SCOOBY-DOO! Mansion Mayhem Exhibit
The Children’s Museum of Atlanta invites families to solve the mystery of SCOOBY-DOO! Mansion Mayhem. Kids combine forces with the members of Mystery Inc. to analyze clues and put their problem-solving skills to the test. Along the way, they find iconic TV show characters and the hope of unmasking the jewel thief in the end. The exhibit runs through Sept. 7.
BITTERSWEET: The Design of Chocolate at Museum of Design Atlanta
Feel like Charlie in the Chocolate Factory at the Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA). Their BITTERSWEET exhibit dives deeper into the systems that shape how chocolate is made, consumed and valued, highlighting stories of innovation, equity and sustainability across the globe. The exhibit is happening through September 14.
Black Zeitgeist Exhibit at Hammonds House Museum
Hammonds House Museum and the National Black Arts Festival have formed a partnership to present “Black Zeitgeist: Atlanta, the Visual Arts and the National Black Arts Festival. (NBAF) The exhibition reflects a confluence of visionary leadership, artistic excellence and institutional power. It zeroes in on the agenda of Mayor Maynard Jackson, the foresight of Fulton County Commission Chairman Michael Lomax, the founding of NBAF and the influence of the Black Arts Movement and the Atlanta University Annuals. The exhibit remains through Dec. 14.
Atlanta’s Finest 5k
Starting at Pemberton Place in downtown Atlanta, this 5k raises money for Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta. The race will have more than 2,500 participants and is taking place Aug. 16.
Elise Opens at Woodruff Arts Center
Chef Craig Richards, from Lyla Lila, is opening a new spot inside the Woodruff Arts Center in Midtown on August 19. The restaurant, Elise, will offer an elegant menu of French and Italian-inspired cooking with a seafood-forward focused. The clean, modernist restaurant will have a focus on seasonal vegetables and sustainable sourcing.
Things to do around College Campuses
Back to school season has begun. Whether you’re a returning student looking for some new adventures around Atlanta or you’re brand new and ready to explore, there’s plenty to do around all the campuses in the A.
Explore Georgia Tech’s campus in Midtown.
Explore Georgia State University’s campus in Downtown.
Check out what’s around Emory University in East Atlanta.
For things to do in Atlanta anytime, check in with our calendar of events.
Coming from the world of TV news reporting, Taylor Boser is passionate about providing the inside scoop on Atlanta’s culture. 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 June 24, 2025
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