Ultimate Guide to Fall in Atlanta

By Joleen Pete

Published September 19, 2023
Last Updated September 29, 2023

Welcome to fall in Atlanta. Here’s everything you need to know about immersive experiences and exhibits to see, fun festivals to attend and how to fully experience the outdoors during fall in Atlanta.

See Fall Colors

The weather is cooling and the leaves are changing. It’s a beautiful time of year to be in Atlanta. Here’s where to see fall colors in Atlanta.

Must See Exhibits

Don’t miss these upcoming, must-see fall plays, performances and exhibits in Atlanta.

Atlanta Botanical Garden

Atlanta Botanical Garden has an extensive calendar of events with programming for all ages including classes and lectures on everything from beekeeping to art to gardening. Imperiled Beauty: Endangered Plants in Georgia features 19 watercolor paintings of flowers that grow in Georgia and are listed on the Federal Endangered Species list. See the new exhibition by Laura C. Martin, on display in the Gardenhouse Gallery through Dec. 3.

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra is renowned as one of the county’s leading orchestras. With more than 150 concerts annually, the orchestra’s offerings include a wide variety of genres from pop and comedy to classical and holiday programming. Here’s what’s on the calendar this fall. 

• Concerts in the Park: A Season Celebration — Sept. 30
• Emo Orchestra — Oct. 1
• Nathalie Stutzmann Conducts Tchaikovsky — Oct. 5 through 7
• Folk Tales, Ragas and Lost Love — Oct. 19 through 21
• Joshua Bell Masters the Elements — Oct. 25
• The Nightmare Before Christmas: Live in Concert — Oct. 27 and 28
• Nathalie Stutzmann + Songs of Destiny — Nov. 2 through 4
• Nathalie Stutzmann + Dvořák New World Symphony — Nov. 9 through 11
• Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 2 — Nov. 16 through 19
• Home Alone: Live in Concert — Nov. 25 and 26
• Sarah Brightman: A Christmas Symphony — Dec. 6
• Christmas with the ASO — Dec. 9 and 10

Georgia Aquarium

This fall Georgia Aquarium will host a variety of programming and events including the 17th annual Aqua Vino (a tasting and cocktail event to raise funds for conservation) on Oct. 12, the 2023 Pride Kickoff on Oct. 13 and Sips Under the Sea Halloween on Oct. 27 and 31.

High Museum of Art

Don’t miss these exhibits coming to the High Museum this fall:

• In the City of Light: Paris, 1850–1920, through Dec. 31
• A Long Arc: Photography and the American South since 1845, through Jan. 14, 2024

Visit the calendar for special events like Studio Sessions, Student Art Pop Ups, High Frequency Friday events, Friday Jazz, Family Tours, member events and more.

Zoo Atlanta

While a visit to Zoo Atlanta is fun and informative any day of the  year, we love checking out the fun and special events throughout the year. Don’t miss these upcoming fall experiences.

• Educator Soiree (Just for teachers), Oct. 7
• Family Pride Day, Oct. 8
• Boo at the Zoo, Oct. 21, 22, 28 and 29

Immersive Experiences

Immersive experiences have changed the way the public looks at art, the world and our favorite shows. Fortunately Atlanta has become a popular destination for many of these awesome experiences. Here are the experiences you can have this fall.

• Step into a painting at the Van Gogh Exhibit in Atlanta: The Immersive Experience or book a yoga session; ongoing
• Space: A Journey to the Moon and Beyond by Illuminarium; ongoing
• Waking Wonderland: An Immersive Adventure by Illuminarium; ongoing
• Disney The Little Mermaid x CAMP is a unique theatrical experience where families can climb, slide, sing, dance and play together. The expereience is designed for ages 2 and up and geared toward 4 to 8 year olds.

Fall Festivals

Fall is the perfect time to start holiday shopping while supporting small businesses and artisans. In Atlanta, that looks like pop-up shops and annual fall festivals like Yellow Daisy Festival, Candler Park Fall Festival and Chastain Park Arts Festival. Get your fill of great food and drink at Atlanta Food & Wine Festival, Atlanta Chili Cook-off and Cabbagetown Chomp and Stomp. There are so many festivals to choose from in the fall. Keep an eye on this list of things to do in Atlanta this weekend.

Atlanta Pride

In most parts of the country, Pride is celebrated in June. Atlanta celebrates Pride in the fall. Atlanta Black Pride events take place Labor Day Weekend and Atlanta Pride month in October. Here’s everything you need to know before you go and the lineup for 2023:

• Atlanta Pride Beer Bust Fundraiser, Sept. 23
• Pride Shabbat, Oct. 13
• Atlanta Pride Official Kick-Off Party, Oct. 13
• Drag Show Story Hour, Oct. 14
• Atlanta Pride Parade, Oct. 15

Halloween

Whether you like to keep it cute or indulge in the scary, there is something for everyone around Halloween in Atlanta. Check out these spooky (and not-so-spooky) Halloween events in Atlanta.

Fall Family Fun

Fall is the perfect time to make memories with the family. Spend a crisp day outdoors picking apples or choosing the perfect pumpkin for carving in preparation for Halloween. Here are the best fall activities for families in Atlanta. For more ideas year around, check out our ultimate list of things to do with kids.

Guide to Atlanta Hiking

There are so many ways to explore Atlanta’s outdoors, and fall is the perfect time to do it. Here are some outdoor activities the entire family will love. Discover new trails and see fall color with this guide to hiking and backpacking in Atlanta.

Dog-Friendly Events in Atlanta

We can’t forget Fido. Atlanta is a pet-friendly city with so many fun things to do with dogs.

• Halloweentown Market: A Haunted Pop-Up of Treats, Tricks, and More takes place at East Atlanta Village Farmers Market, Oct. 7
• Splash Splash Doggie Bash is a dog-friendly pool party at Piedmont Park Aquatic Center on Oct. 7 and 8. Purchase tickets in advance for the session you want.
• Get your pup’s portrait taken at the Howling Halloween Photoshoot on Oct. 15 to raise funds for Brook Run Dog Park Association.
• Check out Rescue Dog Games: Atlanta’s Dog Howl-O-Ween Festival at Historic Fourth Ward Park on Oct. 21.
• Urban Tree Cidery presents Howl-O-Ween on Oct. 28 from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. Event includes costume contest, spooky photo ops, food truck, Cool Pups Creamery and more. 

Thanksgiving

Kick off Thanksgiving Day with the Invesco QQQ Half Marathon (don’t worry there are shorter courses, too) and show off your medal at dinner. Or spend the morning volunteering for a worthy cause. Here are more things to do Thanksgiving Weekend in Atlanta.

To be sure you don’t miss a thing, keep an eye on our calendar of events.

Joleen Pete lives outside Atlanta with her husband and their son. On the weekends they enjoy going into the city for family fun and exploration. Joleen is the family travel and lifestyle blogger behind Love, Joleen.