Cool Things To Do in August in Atlanta

By Mary Welch

Published July 12, 2023
Last Updated July 17, 2024

There are so many cool things to do in August in Atlanta — everything from movies, festivals and shooting the ‘hooch to the beginning of another college football season.

Made in the Shade at Grant Park Festival

Again this year, one of Atlanta’s historic neighborhoods will host the Grant Park Conservancy’s Summer Shade Festival Aug. 24 and 25 featuring cherished traditions, music, works by local and regional artists and craftsmen.

Enjoy live music, Kids’ Bouncy House Village, an artists’ market, a 5K run, local food trucks and vendors, cocktails and beer. The festival is open to all ages and free to attend. It’s ideal for families, friends and everyone in between — the perfect way to bid summer a fond farewell.

Atlanta Hip Hop Day Festival

The 15th annual Atlanta Hip Hop Day Festival pays tribute to the cultural phenomenon that has revolutionized music, art and expression. Set for Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, the festival has been a long-standing platform for educating the community about the essence and significance of hip-hop. Taking place at historic Fourth Ward Park, the festival will include entertainers such as DJ Scream & Friends, Mako Girls, and Playa Poncho & Friends. This free event will also have food trucks, food vendors and a curated selection of the city’s finest arts and crafts vendors.

Piedmont Park Arts Festival

Stroll through Piedmont Park, view the works of more than 250 painters, photographers, sculptors and other artisans, and enjoy great food and music at the ever-popular Piedmont Park Arts Festival Aug. 17 and 18. This two-day event features an emerging artist pavilion, children’s play area and healthy food alternatives as well as traditional festival fare. The Piedmont Park Arts Festival typically attracts at least 65,000 folks, so take a tip from a local and take MARTA. The Midtown Station is only a few blocks away.

College Football: It’s Back

The Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge featuring the Florida A&M Rattlers vs. the Norfolk State Spartans kicks off at Center Parc Stadium on Aug. 24. The Fan Experience begins at 3 p.m., gates open at 6 p.m. and kick-off occurs at 7:30 p.m. The fifth-quarter Battle of the Bands follows the post-game presentation.

On Aug. 31, it’s the Clemson University Tigers vs. the University of Georgia Bulldogs at the Aflac Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Details have not yet been announced.

Among local colleges, Clark Atlanta University kicks off its season with an away game on Aug. 31 at Fort Valley State University. Georgia State University and Georgia Tech start their seasons facing each other in an Aug. 31 game at Georgia Tech. Also on Aug. 31 Morehouse College starts the season at home against Edward Waters University.

Frankly, My Dear, the Margaret Mitchell House has Reopened

After a four-year renovation, the Margaret Mitchell House is open for visitors with new and reimagined exhibits. Mitchell, who wrote “Gone With the Wind,” lived in a first-floor apartment she called “The Dump” and wrote almost 90 percent of the novel while living there. The book, of course, was later turned in the movie of the same name starring Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh. The premiere occurred at Atlanta’s Loew’s Grand Theatre. The historic museum is the Midtown campus of Atlanta History Center, which notes that the updated museum explores the popularity of the book and movie as well as the criticism: “Our ongoing interpretation is responsive to new research, evidence and analysis.”

Foodie Alert: Taste of Atlanta’s Grand Tasting Alpharetta

Taste of Atlanta’s Grand Tasting Alpharetta: Foodie Experience occurs at The Hotel at Avalon on Aug. 8. The event features more than 25 of the town’s finest restaurants and top chefs offering an “EATertainment” experience. There will be unlimited tastings complemented by beverage samplings, decadent desserts and vibrant music. Grand Tasting runs from 7 until 10 p.m. with early VIP entry at 6 p.m.

Celebrating Quilters

On display at the High Museum of Art through Jan. 5, 2025 is “Patterns in Abstraction: Black Quilts
from the High’s Collection.” The exhibition includes pieces by well-known quilters from Gee’s Bend, Ala., such as Mary Lee Bendolph, Louisiana Bendolph and Lucy T. Pettway, along with works by Atlanta-based quilters such as Marquetta Johnson and early 20th-century examples by makers once known. Many of the works will be on view at the museum for the first time, and all were made by
quilters in the Southeastern United States.

Another place to appreciate the art of quilting is the Atlanta Quilt Festival, which showcases the works of African American quilters — from professional textile artists to beginners. Now in its 16th year, the festival highlights quilts and other examples of African American textile art such as dolls. The festival occurs Aug. 2-Sept. 8 at the Southwest Arts Center and will include the final installment of a three-year exhibit honoring the late Congressman John Lewis, entitled “Getting into MY Good Trouble.”

Atlanta Wine Walk

Live! at The Battery hosts the fourth annual Atlanta Wine Walk on Aug. 31. Sample a variety of wines, listen to live music on The Plaza stage, shop local vendors, play games and people watch.

There will be food options including The Smokey Mango food booth and Vice Taco Truck, a King of Pops cart and Twin Kookies’ custom sweets and snacks. A portion of ticket proceeds will benefit a nonprofit organization that provides an all-expenses-paid, five-day journey to Walt Disney World for children with chronic and terminal illnesses and their families.

Way Down Yonder on the Chattahoochee

Alan Jackson sings “Way down yonder on the Chattahoochee, it gets hotter than a hoochie coochie.” He’s right. Tubing down the Chattahoochee River is a summer tradition. In Atlanta we call it “Shooting the ‘hooch.” It’s a great way to beat the August heat, see nature at its best and talk with fellow tubers as you make your way down the river. There are several entry and exit points so it’s pretty easy to do and lots of fun.

World Music Group Brings East and West Together

Surya Ensemble is set to take Atlanta on a journey through the four elements of earth, water, wind and fire. In its signature style, the Atlanta-based world music group will bring East and West together in a fusion of instrumental music, dance and storytelling with the current show, “Elements” on  Aug. 8 at the Atlanta Theater.

Surya Ensemble hosts concerts around Atlanta. The familiar instruments of a violin, guitar and viola are accompanied by the uncommon sound of the Persian drums and Shehnai, a traditional Indian oboe, to bring together a blend of Eastern and Western influences. A dancer adds an extra layer of color and energy to the experience.

Afro Fest

Enjoy a day filled with African music, food and culture at the Aug. 24 Afro Fest Atlanta, at the Essence Venue on Riverdale Road. Groove to the beats, indulge in delicious dishes and enjoy artistic expressions on display. The festival brings together diverse musical genres, art and culinary options that celebrate the African and Haitian communities.

Coke and a Movie

The Coca-Cola Summer Film Festival, Aug. 23-25, presents some of the best movies of all time in the iconic Fox Theatre. On tap for August are a sing-along to the “Little Mermaid,” a “Bohemian Rhapsody” sing-along, “Casablanca” and “West Side Story.” This festival is an Atlanta tradition.

Black Theatre Festival

The Atlanta Black Theatre Festival, Aug. 30-31, brings together the world’s preeminent theater producers, writers, artist and art lovers to celebrate the creative works for and about the Black experience. The festival features include “Lyrics” by Winston A. Wilson; “A Rose Called Candace” and “Call Mr. Robeson” By Liverpool-based actor TayoAluko and “Black Broadway Cabaret,” where the the Memphis Black Arts Alliance perform iconic Broadway tunes. The festival occurs at two venues: Holiday Inn & Suites Hotel Atlanta Airport North and Southwest Arts Center.

For things to do in Atlanta anytime, check in with our calendar of events.

Journalist Mary Welch writes business and lifestyle stories for local and national publications.