Atlanta’s Biggest Anniversaries to Celebrate in 2026

Festivals, Landmarks and Historic Milestones

By Mary Welch

Last Updated May 4, 2026

Add Discover ATL as a preferred source on Google

This 2026, the United States will celebrate the big 2-5-0 — the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Throughout Atlanta, there will be celebrations, parades, civic activities and people reflecting on our Founding Fathers, the American Revolution and the birth of the United States of America. 

Now, we don’t want to imply that Atlanta’s anniversaries are on par with the founding of our country, but we do have some landmark anniversaries to recognize in 2026. And, we intend to celebrate them as well — Atlanta style.

Atlanta attractions having special anniversaries in 2026 include: 

Atlanta Botanical Garden

50th Anniversary

The Atlanta Botanical Garden is a 30-acre garden that has been a favorite since its opening in 1976 for those seeking an oasis of beauty and nature in the city. In addition to its beautiful gardens, it is a center of education, research and conservation. Located next to Piedmont Park, the garden includes an award-winning Children’s Garden, the serene Storza Woods highlighted by the unique Canopy Walk, the Dorothy Chapman Fuqua Conservatory and the picturesque Skyline Garden. Every holiday season, it delights young and old alike with its Garden Lights, Holiday Nights attraction, presented by Invesco QQQ, featuring more than a million lights. 

Academy Theater

70th Anniversary

The Academy Theater, founded in 1956, is a history-making theater. Not only is it the longest-running professional theater in the state, but it was the first one in the South to be integrated. Not only that, it held the first Southeastern Shakespeare Festival. Since its founding by actor Frank Wittow, the Academy Theatre has provided educational outreach to more than 2 million children and 200,000 adults. 

More than 400 new plays have premiered at the theater, and while it prides itself on being an ensemble theater company, the Academy has some illustrious alumni, including Kenny Leon, Samuel L. Jackson and David Hasselhoff. 

Atlanta Dogwood Festival

90th Anniversary

In Atlanta, spring doesn’t start until the Atlanta Dogwood Festival. It’s as simple as that. The first Dogwood Festival was in 1936, and today it is a springtime tradition with a variety of attractions, including 5K runs, a children’s area, bands, food trucks and plenty of art. The Dogwood Festival includes one of the largest and most diverse juried arts festivals in the country, with more than 260 artists participating in 12 categories, including painting, glass, clay, wood and mixed media. 

For the first time, there will be a nominal fee to enter the Atlanta Dogwood Festival in 2026. 

Atlanta History Center

100th Anniversary

Atlanta History Center celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2026. It was founded in 1926 as the Atlanta Historical Society with the purpose of preserving and studying Atlanta history. In 1990, it became known as Atlanta History Center. What began as a small, archival-focused historical society grew over the decades to encompass 33 acres of curated Goizueta Gardens, four historic houses, varied programming and a range of signature and temporary exhibits housed in the Atlanta History Museum.

Atlanta Film Festival

50th Anniversary

The Atlanta Film Festival is one of only two dozen Academy Award-qualifying festivals in the country. Founded in 1976 as the Atlanta International Film Festival, it was renamed in 1984 and again in 2002. Occurring every spring, the festival offers a diverse range of independent films, with a special focus on women-directed, LGBTQ, Latin American, Black and Southeastern films. Among the award recipients are Michael Stripe, Ossie Davis, Parker Posey, Dallas Austin and the late Diane Ladd. The festival screened the first film by Spike Lee, then a student at Morehouse College. The film, “Last Hustle in Brooklyn,” won a jury prize of $25.  

NFL Atlanta Falcons

60th Anniversary

On Sept. 11, 1966, 58,000 fans roared as the Atlanta Falcons ran onto the field at Atlanta Stadium to bring professional football to the city. The game didn’t go as planned as the Los Angeles Rams beat the home team 19-14, but it was thrilling nevertheless. And, 60 years later, we still love the “Dirty Birds.” From a Super Bowl game appearance to football and community greats such as Tommy Nobis, Deion Sanders, Michael Vick, Tony Gonzalez and Matt Ryan, the team has given the city many memorable moments, and Falcon fans are as ardent supporters of the team as they were back in 1966. 

The Falcons now play at the majestic Mercedes-Benz Stadium, one of the best stadiums in the world.

Centennial Olympic Park

30th Anniversary

Centennial Olympic Park is a 22-acre green space that is the legacy of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. Initially built to improve Downtown infrastructure, the park is now a popular playground for visitors, residents and children who love to play in the Fountain of Rings, an interactive fountain that sprays water up and forms a splash pad. The fountain consists of 251 jets that shoot up 12 to 35 feet in the air. If truth be told, when musical events or special events are held in the park, it’s not unusual for adult attendees to cool off as well. 

There is a lot to see at the park, including the Paralympic Legacy, the Magnolia Tribute Garden, the Quilt of Origins, the Gateway of Dreams and Unity Plaza. 

Check out more Must-Try Thing to Do in Downtown Atlanta.

‘Gone With the Wind‘

90th Anniversary

“Gone With the Wind,” written in 1936, is one of the most widely read books in the world, with more than 30 million copies printed. Written by Margaret Mitchell in her house on Peachtree Street (now a museum), the controversial book tells the story of Scarlett O’Hara, a spoiled daughter of a plantation owner, during the Civil War. The book won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1937 and was made into a film in 1939 starring Clark Gable. The film was named the Best Picture at the 12th annual Academy Awards. 

Check out our “Gone with the Wind” Itinerary.

High Museum of Art

100th Anniversary

With more than 20,000 works of art, the High Museum of Art is a special place for art lovers inspired by the works of past artists and invigorated by those of current art trendsetters. The High has been the artistic center of Atlanta since 1926, when Harriett “Hattie” High donated her family’s Peachtree Road residence. 

The museum, located in Midtown, is especially known for its extensive collection of art across seven areas: African, American, Decorative Arts, European, Folk and Self-Taught, Modern and Contemporary, and Photography A vibrant part of Atlanta’s community, the High hosts tours, social events with DJs, live jazz and a wealth of children’s programs. 

Out Front Theatre Company

10th Anniversary

Out Front Theatre Company deliveres artistic excellence to the LGBTAQ+ community and metro Atlanta. Founded in 2016, the theater, located on the Westside, is a voice of the gay community and has produced landmark queer works such as the “Rocky Horror Show,” “Kinky Boots” and the world premiere of “Ethel Merman Disco Christmas Spectacular.” Its vision is to “strengthen the LGBTAQ+ community in Georgia by exploring and celebrating the universal human experience through the lens of gender and sexuality.” 

The theater is committed to inclusivity and works to identify and implement strategies that further diversify its patron base and artistic hires. 

Check out other theatres in Atlanta that steal the show.

Sweet Auburn Springfest

40th Anniversary

The Sweet Auburn Springfest will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2026, adding more joy to this popular festival. Scheduled for May 10-11, 2026, the festival provides fun for the whole family with live music, dozens of food booths featuring cuisines from the African diaspora, vendor tents, an international marketplace, car zone, artisan booths featuring hand-crafted items and activities for young ones, all the while showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the historic Sweet Auburn District. The festival annually attracts more than 350,000 people, making it the city’s largest multicultural street festival. 

Chattahoochee Nature Center

Chattahoochee Nature Center (CNC) celebrates its 50th year in 2026. Founded in 1976 by local citizen activists, it has grown into a popular nature center welcoming more than 150,000 visitors annually. CNC has grown from 6.7 acres to 127 acres and has become an environmental learning center leading in initiatives such as plant conservation, wildlife rehabilitation and environmental education.

Ahead of its official celebration this summer, CNC is inviting visitors to participate in the “50 Things to Do at Chattahoochee Nature Center” challenge. The challenge follows four themed categories — adventure, artistic, health and wellness, and flora and fauna. Participants who complete at least 45 of 50 activities — ranging from canoeing and hiking to art projects and wildlife encounters — can submit their challenge tracker with a photo online for a chance to win. Winners will be drawn beginning in July.

The official anniversary celebration starts June 24 with an evening of archery, canoeing and more. The festivities conclude June 28 with the official 50th Anniversary Community Celebration — a free family-friendly day. 

Trader Vic’s

Trader Vic’s Worldwide, located at Hilton Atlanta, is celebrating 50 years in Downtown. Come raise a Mai Tai to join in on this celebration. During Oct. 12-21, guests can book a stay at Hilton Atlanta to receive exclusive room rates. The anniversary weekend kicks off Oct. 16 with a Welcome Party featuring à la carte food and cocktails, followed by the Official 50th Anniversary Party on Oct. 17. The celebration continues Oct. 18, with a Brunch Bazaar.

Enjoy many more Atlanta unique attractions with our 50 Fun Things to See and Do guide. Download the Discover Atlanta app and let it guide you.

Mary Welch is an award-winning writer who has reported on the maturity off Atlanta’s culinary and hospitality scene as well as its growth as a sophisticated international city. Her byline has been seen in local and national outlets such as the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Travelgirl, Global Atlanta, and American Lawyer covering topics such as travel, business, cars, law, hospitality and education. She co-authored a book with Chuck Leavell, the keyboardist for the Rolling Stones and a Georgia tree farmer, on the future of the American forest.

Originally Published December 4, 2025