If massive, well-known festivals like the Dogwood Festival aren't your thing, there are plenty of under-the-radar spring festivals happening right here in Atlanta.
We're talking warm weather, day drinking, celebrating spring kind of festivals. Grab your friends or family and head down to one of these spring events to shake off the pollen blues.
Here are 7 springtime festivals you won't want to miss:
WREKtacular
April 6-7. $22 for the entire festival, $14 for a single day. 825 Warner St., Atlanta. www.wrek.org.
Georgia Tech's student-operated radio station, WREK, is taking its annual WREKtacular festival to a whole new level this year in celebration of the station's 50th birthday. This year's two-day blowout takes place at The Bakery, a collaborative community studio. In addition to the cool new space and visual art, the festival's music lineup features an eclectic mix of artists from Atlanta and Athens: Pylon Reenactment Society, Omni, Ethereal and so many others.
Credit: Courtesy of Atlanta Streets Alive Facebook page
Credit: Courtesy of Atlanta Streets Alive Facebook page
Atlanta Streets Alive, Eastside
2-6 p.m. April 8. Eastside route. www.atlantastreetsalive.com.
For four hours on a breezy Sunday afternoon in April, Atlanta's streets are closing down for cars and opening up for feet and bicycle wheels. The Eastside route stretches 4.4 miles between downtown and Lake Claire, connecting 11 neighborhoods. Community organizations and sponsoring businesses will also be positioned along the sidewalks with booths, cafe tables, displays and all matter of entertainment. This free, low-key event is inspired by open street projects all over the world −bringing community streets together in a safer and healthier way.
Atlanta Film Festival
April 13-22. $10 pre-sale for individual screenings. Various Locations. atlantafilmfestival.com.
Spring festivals aren't just exclusive to the themes of being outdoors, flowers and food. Atlanta has another kind of festival to offer −the Atlanta Film Festival. It has been going strong for over 40 years and draws an audience of more than 25,000 independent film enthusiasts, movie fans and filmmakers. You can purchase a badge or MovieHopper Card (which comes with an Atlanta Film Society Membership), or you can buy tickets individually to a film of interest.
Check out the cinema packed schedule and buy a ticket or two. Pre-sale tickets are available online for $10 until 11:59 p.m. the night before the screening, while same-day tickets are available to purchase at any venue's box office.
Spring Fling at PCM Roof
April 21. $10 for daytime admission, $15 at night. 675 Ponce de Leon Ave. NE, Atlanta. www.poncecityroof.com.
Celebrate Earth Day this year with Skyline Park -- Ponce City Market's rooftop amusement park. The park is holding its second annual Spring Fling celebration on Saturday, April 21. The two-part event will feature family-friendly fun during the day and transform into an adults-only party beginning at 4 p.m.
Daytime admission will be $10 while nighttime admission will be $15 per person. And since you're there to celebrate Earth Day, every entry ticket equals a tree planted in partnership with One Tree Planted, a national nonprofit that works with reforestation organizations around the world. As guests arrive throughout the day, they will be greeted by a world map to select where they would like their tree planted.
Serenbe May Day Festival
12-5 p.m. May 6. $5 per person. 9110 Selborne Lane, Chattahoochee Hills. www.serenbe.com.
On Sunday, May 6 the Selborne neighborhood is hosting a springtime festival in celebration of arts and culture. The May Day Festival is filled with warm weather, beautiful landscapes and activities galore. The streets are lined with local and regional vendors, food trucks and live music, while other visual and performing artists stroll throughout the community sharing their work. There will also be a children's area (sponsored by Chattahoochee Hills Charter School) which includes games, a dunk tank and a beer garden.
Credit: Courtesy of Kirkwood Spring Fling & Tour of Homes Facebook page
Credit: Courtesy of Kirkwood Spring Fling & Tour of Homes Facebook page
Kirkwood Spring Fling & Tour of Homes
10 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 19. Free festival admission. 2051 Delano Dr. NE, Atlanta. www.kirkwoodfling.com.
Celebrating its 16th year, this lively neighborhood festival based in Bessie Branham Park highlights historic Kirkwood east of downtown. Start the festival off with its 5K, stroll through the artists market and then make your way to the BBQ competition for yummy bites. There will also be live music and a kids area for all those wild rugrats. The admission to the Fling is free, but you'll have to purchase a ticket (details TBA) for the Kirkwood Tour of Homes. Don't miss out on experiencing the lively community while meeting the people who make Kirkwood such a great neighborhood.
Holy Taco Pop Up
12-7 p.m. May 27. 1314 Glenwood Ave SE, Atlanta. www.eastatlantastrut.com.
Join East Atlanta Strut and Pop Up Posse for the 2018 Holy Taco Pop Up Artist Market and benefit for EAV Strut on Sunday, May 27. The event was created by Chris Wright (Chris Makes Art) in an effort to bring the community together. Over 40 local artists − including fine artists, printmakers, clothes makers and jewelers − are set to take over Holy Taco and Motor City South over Memorial Day weekend. There will also be live music performing in the parking lot at Motor City South. And if that wasn't enough to catch your attention, there will also be some friendly llamas in attendance.
About the Author
