This Labor Day weekend is packed with fun events, including the AJC Decatur Book Festival. If you're looking for something to do, you'll also find other festivals, ghost tours, and other happenings you'll want to put on your calendar.
» RELATED: 11 can't-miss Atlanta festivals in August 2019
Check out the following 21 things to do this Labor Day weekend in metro Atlanta:
Cobb
From artparkmarietta.com
From artparkmarietta.com
Marietta Art in the Park. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31-Monday, Sept. 2. Free. Historic Marietta Square, 4 Depot St., Marietta. http://artparkmarietta.com/.
Marietta's 33rd Art in the Park event features artwork from local and national artists, a street chalk display, a children's "make and take" art area, Food Truck Row, and more.
Austell Labor Day Festival. 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31. Free. Throughout the downtown business district. https://www.facebook.com.
A parade will start the festivities, which include live music, vendors, and fireworks at 9 p.m.
Noshfest. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1 and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday, Sept. 2. Free. Temple Kol Emeth, 1415 Old Canton Road, Marietta. http://www.noshfest.com/.
Celebrate Jewish food and culture with foods, unique crafts and goods, interactive exhibits, live music, dancing, and demonstrations. Kids can also enjoy inflatables, games, and face painting.
Flashback Festival. 7 p.m. concerts Saturday, Aug. 31 and Sunday, Sept. 1. $41 and up. Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre, 5239 Floyd Road SW, Mableton. 770-819-3285. https://www.kiss104fm.com.
Kiss 104.1 FM hosts this two-day music festival, which features The Whispers, Ruben Studdard, and Evelyn ‘Champagne’ King on Saturday and Cameo, Midnight Star’ and Glenn Jones on Sept. 1.
The Adventure Zone. 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30. $37.50 plus fees. Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta. https://www.cobbenergycentre.com.
The McElroys from "My Brother, My Brother and Me" have recruited their dad to play role-playing games, and they'll solve puzzles, make friends, and hopefully slay a few monsters.
Ghosts of Marietta Haunted Walking Tour. 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30, Saturday, Aug. 31. $12-$17. Marietta Square, North Park Square, Marietta. http://ghostsofmarietta.com/.
Walk the haunted streets of Marietta by lantern light as you hear ghostly tales.
DeKalb
AJC Decatur Book Festival. 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30, 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31 and 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1. Free. Venues throughout downtown Decatur. https://decaturbookfestival.com/.
This AJC-sponsored event is the country's largest independent book festival and features book signings, author readings, panel discussions, an interactive children's area, live music, parades, cooking demonstrations, poetry slams, writing workshops, and more.
Labor Day Weekend Celebration. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. with Lasershow and fireworks starting at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31-Monday, Sept. 2. $19.95 in advance, $34. 95. Stone Mountain Park, 1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd., Stone Mountain. 800-401-2407. https://www.stonemountainpark.com.
Bring the family for a day of fun as you explore Stone Mountain's attractions – including a dog stunt show - and stay for the Lasershow and fireworks.
Big Peach Sizzler 10K and 5K. Sept. 2. Free. 7 a.m. 5K start at Brookhaven MARTA Station, 4047 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta. 7:30 a.m. 10K at Chamblee MARTA Station, 5200 New Peachtree Road, Chamblee. https://www.milesforcf.org/race-details.html.
This Labor Day tradition features two races that start approximately three miles apart while finishing at the same location.
Family and Fun Fest. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31. 3755 Memorial Drive, Decatur. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2019-family-and-fun-fest-tickets-69728863909.
Help raise money for the New Bethel International Ministries Dance and Flag Team as you enjoy entertainment, food, games, and the chance to win raffle prizes.
Labor Day Race. 7:30 a.m. registration, 8:30 a.m. 1-mile race, 9 a.m. 5K. Monday, Sept. 2. $20-$30. Start and end at Willis Park, corner of Dartmouth Avenue and Clarendon Place, Avondale Estates. 404-294-5400. https://www.active.com.
Run a 1-mile or 5K race to benefit the Emory ALS Center.
» RELATED: Where to go and what to do outside metro Atlanta
North Fulton
Movies at Newtown Park. 7 p.m. pre-movie activities and movie starts at dusk. Saturday, Aug. 31. Free. 3150 Old Alabama Road, Johns Creek. johnscreekga.gov.
Show up at 7 p.m. for pre-show activities including an inflatable moonwalk, face painting and music and stay to see "Ralph Breaks the Internet" at dusk.
Alpharetta Art in the Park. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31. Free. Brooke Street Park, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta. https://www.awesomealpharetta.com/alpharetta-art-park/.
Browse through a variety of handcrafted work by local artists, including pottery, woodwork, metalwork, jewelry, and more.
Chattahoochee River Kayak Series. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 1. $125-$145. Meet at the parking lot at 1825 Northridge Road, Sandy Springs. https://www.rei.com.
Take a touring kayak from Jones Bridge to Island Ford on the Chattahoochee and also take a break for lunch. The trip is for kayakers age 14 and up who can paddle eight miles.
City Green Live. 6:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30. Free. The Green at City Springs, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs. 770-206-2022. https://citysprings.com.
Bring a blanket or lawn chair and listen to Ruby Velle & The Soulphonics with Delta Moon as Southern soul meets Southern rock. Bring your own food or buy your own on site.
John Amis/Special
John Amis/Special
Atlanta Freedom Bowl. Various times through Aug. 29-Aug. 31. Milton High School, 13025 Birmingham Hwy., Milton. $15, $5 for parking. Free for kids 5 and under. https://www.thefreedombowl.net/.
Twelve high school teams from across the nation (including Alpharetta and Milton) compete in a bowl championship, with proceeds benefiting wounded warriors and their families.
Gwinnett
From Buford Corn Maze's Facebook page
From Buford Corn Maze's Facebook page
Buford Corn Maze. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 31 and Sunday, Sept. 1, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 2, plus ongoing dates. $15-$30 with kids 3 and under free. bufordcornmaze.com.
The Buford Corn Maze starts another season complete with activities such as hayrides and pony rides.
Yoga in the Park. 7 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 1. Free. Vines Park, 3500 Oak Grove Road, Loganville. 770-822-3197. gwinnettcounty.com.
Get moving with yoga from Ebb & Flow Yoga Spa in the park. Bring a mat, towel, and water.
Fridays-N-Duluth. 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30. Free. 770-476-3434. https://duluthga.net/.
A street fair takes over Duluth on Parsons Alley and Town Green with free air balls, live music, and pet-friendly vendors. The Baha Men will also perform.
Lilburn Farmers Market. 4 p.m.-8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30. Free. Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, 1400 Killian Hill Road, Lilburn. http://www.lilburnfarmersmarket.org/.
The weekly Lilburn Farmers Market wraps up Saturday, selling a wide variety of seasonal herbs and veggies, preserves and jellies, and much more.
Lawrenceville Ghost Tours. 8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30 and Saturday, Aug. 31. Adults $12, kids $9. Aurora Theatre, 128 East Pike Street, Lawrenceville. 678-226-6222. https://www.scarystroll.com/.
Take a scary stroll around Lawrenceville for 90 minutes as you hear about ghosts and bizarre paranormal events.
» RELATED: 9 Atlanta ghost tours that will totally spook you
About the Author