Ultimate Guide to Fall in Atlanta

By Joleen Pete
Posted September 15, 2022

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 this season.

See Fall Colors

The weather is cooling and the leaves are changing. It’s a beautiful time of year to be in the A. 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. See the larger-than-life Origami in the Garden exhibit through Oct. 16.

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. 

• REM Explored — Sept. 30, Oct. 1
• Beethoven Symphony No. 9 — Oct. 6, 8 and 9, conducted by the orchestra’s new music director, Nathalie Stutzmann
• Lush Romantics — Oct. 14 and 15, conducted by Nathalie Stuzmann
• Halloween Spooktacular — Oct. 16
• “Coco” in Concert — Oct. 29 and 30
• Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra Overture Concert — Nov. 12

Georgia Aquarium

This fall Georgia Aquarium will host a variety of programming and events including the 16th annual Aqua Vino (a tasting and cocktail event to raise funds for conservation) on Sept. 30, the 2022 Pride Kickoff on Oct. 7 and Sips Under the Sea Halloween on Oct. 28. 

High Museum of Art

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

• Stephen Burks: Shelter in Place, through March 5, 2023
• Deana Lawson, Oct. 7 through Feb. 19, 2023
• Rodin in the United States: Confronting the Modern, Oct. 21 through Jan 15, 2023
• Monir Farmanfarmaian: A Mirror Garden, Nov. 18 through April 9, 2023

Visit the calendar for special events like Friday Jazz, Teen Art Afternoon, 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.

• Sippin’ Safari, Sept. 17
• Educator Soiree (Just for teachers), Oct. 1
• Boo at the Zoo, Oct. 22, 23, 29 and 30

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.

• Stranger Things: The Experiences opens in October at Pullman Yards. (If you love the series, be sure to also check out these 11 stranger things to do in Atlanta.)
• Claude Monet: The Immersive Experience opens in October at Exhibition Hub, Atlanta Art Center.
• Space: A Journey to the Moon and Beyond by Illuminarium is open now.
• Waking Wonderland: An Immersive Adventure by Illuminarium is open now.

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 2022:

• Bold & Beautiful Burlesque, Sept. 10
• Atlanta Pride Official Kick-Off Party, Oct. 6
• Atlanta Pride Festival, Oct. 9
• Atlanta Men’s Gay Chorus, 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.

• Livable Buckhead and the Hyatt Centric host the “yappiest happy hour in the city” on Sept. 22 from 5 to 7 p.m. Pups and their humans can join for free obedience training and a cock”tail.” For this last Yappy Hour of the year, a local photographer will be on site to take a photo of you and your pup.
• Check out Rescue Dog Games: Atlanta’s Dog Festival & Howl-O-Ween Party on Oct. 22.
• Best End Brewing Co. hosts Boo Ball 2022: Electric BOO-Gallou Take Two! on Oct. 28. Enjoy live entertainment, drink specials, local vendors, costume contest and more.
• The Great Atlanta Dog Show takes place at Piedmont Park on Nov. 12.

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.