Cool Things To Do in May in Atlanta

By Mary Welch

Published April 11, 2023
Last Updated April 17, 2024

It’s May. Festival season is in full swing. MomoCon is back. “To Kill a Mockingbird” is on stage at Fox Theatre. The Atlanta Jazz Festival takes over Piedmont Park on Memorial Day weekend. Read on for more cool things to do in May in Atlanta.

Momocon: Bigger, Better, Weirder than Ever

MomoCon is one of the fastest growing “all ages” conventions in the country with more than 50,000 expected in Atlanta May 24-27 to celebrate costuming, comics, gaming, music, visual arts and voice acting. Fans of Japanese anime, American animation, comics and gaming (video games, esports, tabletop, LARP) will celebrate their passion, play games and dress in cosplay costumes.

The event features celebrity guests and animators including Irene Bedard and Jodi Benson. There will be more than 300,000 square feet of arcades gaming, Esports stages, gaming, console tournaments and freeplay, board and card gaming and role-playing games. More than 90,000 square feet is dedicated to tabletop games, board games, card games, role playing games and miniatures. Don’t worry if you don’t know how to play a game. Instructors are on hand to teach the hottest new games (and old ones, too). Other favorites are the cosplay contests, a Disney singing concert and live performances by YouTube singers.

Raise a Glass

Come to the Georgia Craft Brewers Festival May 18 at Westside Paper and enjoy brews from 50 participating breweries across the state. The fun includes a day of sipping beer, live music, local food, social meet-ups, a makers market and more. Some of the proceeds will be donated to the Giving Kitchen, an amazing organization that provides emergency food assistance for food service workers through financial support and a network of community resources

American Classic at the Fox Theatre

All rise for Academy Award-winner Aaron Sorkin’s adaptation of Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning masterwork, “To Kill a Mockingbird,” which has been called one of the greatest novels of all time and the most successful play on Broadway. Emmy Award-winning actor Richard Thomas (“The Waltons”) plays the role of Atticus Finch, one of the most venerated characters in American literature. Set in Alabama in 1934, the play tells the story of racial injustice and childhood innocence. Part of the Regions Bank Broadway series, “To Kill a Mockingbird” runs from May 7-12 at the Fabulous Fox Theatre. 

Restaurant Scene

Hawkers Asian Street Food is back in business after a two-year hiatus due to a fire. The Atlanta BeltLine eatery sports a large patio and offers a variety of dim sum dishes such as roti canai, pork belly baos and Sichuan wontons. Don’t miss the bulgogi steak, spiced lamb street skewers and the duck fried rice.

While we celebrate Hawkers’ return, we’re delighted to welcome recently opened restaurants including Ela, on North Highland Avenue, by Fifth Group Restaurants. Ela is a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant featuring shared dishes such as beer-battered cod and and smoked salmon flatbread. Also making debuts are: Beksa Lala, a Polish pop-up at Berle’s Bar in the Old Fourth Ward; Dos Burros on Ponce de Leon Avenue, featuring tacos; and Birdcage, a Latin restaurant on Memorial Drive by Leslie Cohen, winner of “Cutthroat Kitchen,” and Shaun Whitmer.

Mother’s Day is May 12, and Atlanta restaurants think Mom might enjoy a brunch in her honor. Celebrate Mother’s Day in Atlanta with Brunch and Gifts.

Get Your Groove On at Shaky Knees

The May 3-5 Shaky Knees Music Festival boasts a lineup including Noah Kahan, the Foo Fighters, Weezer and Billy Idol. In addition to those headliners there will be more than 60 other bands performing and food trucks serving everything from vegetarian-friendly corn dogs to good old Southern BBQ.

All that Jazz

The Atlanta Jazz Festival returns to Piedmont Park May 25-27 for its 47th celebration of music, culture and the art of jazz. During the three-day free festival, more than 200,000 fans will groove to the music of Kels, Okan, Lizzy Wright and Andre 3000: New Blue Sun Live.

An Immersive Journey to Ancient Egypt Makes U.S. Debut in Atlanta

Horizon of Khufu, an immersive journey to ancient Egypt, makes its U.S. debut in Atlanta beginning on April 27. A virtual expedition transports you back 4,500 years the Great Pyramid of Gazi and the land of the Pharaohs. Horizon of Khufu is located on the Atlanta BeltLine at 550 Somerset Terrace in Poncey-Highland.

Designed for ages 8 and up, the 45-minute expedition takes you through the intricate tombs of Pharaoh Khufu, followed by a visit to the Giza Necropolis, which is the site of the three Great Pyramids, and then through the Nile River to witness mummification ceremonies and attend the funeral of King Khufu, the visionary behind the Pyramids of Giza.

Belly Laughs

Who doesn’t need a little laughter in their lives? Well, if you want a lot of laughter, head over to one of Atlanta’s comedy clubs. The Laughing Skull Lounge in Midtown even hosts an annual comedy competition while the Punchline Comedy Club has hosted greats such as Eddie Murphy, Jerry Seinfeld, Dave Chappelle, Tim Allen and local favorite Jeff Foxworthy. Another club is Dynamic El Dorado, a hub for budget-friendly shows and minority performers as well as improv and open mic nights. Dad’s Garage also brings the laughs.

Light It Up

Make your own lantern or purchase one and join thousands at the May 11 Atlanta BeltLine Lantern Parade. The fun lights up the sky for the parade, which will be led by Chantelle Rytter and the Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons. Among the bands playing are the Atlanta Drum Academy, the Black Sheep Ensemble and the Seed & Feed Marching Abominables. If you don’t want to walk in the parade, go to the many BeltLine restaurants and cheer everyone on.

Chef’s Tasting and Wine Dinner

Le Bon Nosh will be the site of a Chef’s Tasting and Wine Dinner on May 15. Le Bon Nosh partners with Mini Byers, co-owner of Oregon’s Biodynamic Cowhorn Vineyard & Garden. Johan Vineyards and Molly Fienning, CEO of Charleston-based Red Clay Hot Sauce. Tickets for the 6:30 p.m. dinner may be purchased through Le Bon Nosh.

Time to Hit the Links

May is the perfect month to get the golf clubs out of the basement and hit the links. The city has a number of great public courses. However, if you’re worried about getting sunburned, test your skills out at Topgolf, Puttshack or Five Iron Golf.

Neighborhood Festivals

Spring Fling in Kirkwood

Join the folks in one of the city’s most historic neighborhoods at the 21st annual Kirkwood Spring Fling and Tour of Homes at Bessie Branham Park from noon until 8 p.m. on May 18. Enjoy an artist market with more than 150 booths, food trucks, a kids’ area, 5K road race and the Wing Fling.

Chastain Park Spring Arts and Crafts Festival

The 16th annual Chastain Park Spring Arts and Crafts Festival is set for Mother’s Day weekend, May 11 and 12 in Chastain Park. Hours are 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Sunday. Stroll the works of 175 artists showing mixed media, digital art, ceramics, drawing, fiber, glass, jewelry, metal, photography, sculpture, and wood and furniture.

Sweet Auburn

Called the “World’s Largest Family Reunion,” the Sweet Auburn Springfest features lots of family fun with music, vendors, comedy shows, a kids area and, of course, great food. Among the entertainment will be Afro dance, hip-hop, jazz, tap, Latin and line dance. Join the fun Mother’s Day weekend, May 11 and 12 in Sweet Auburn at John Wesley Dobbs Avenue. Hours are 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. Saturday and 1 until 8 p.m. Sunday

Ormewood Park

The Ormewood Park Makers Festival showcases local makers. There will be artists, food and music. The street festival occurs from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. on May 18,

For even more things to do in Atlanta, check our calendar of events.

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