You don't need *NYSYNC memes to remind you it's gonna be May.
Festival season has started in Atlanta and there are paper lanterns on parade, tacos and margaritas to be had and, of course, lots of Greek dances to be danced.
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Ready to say bye-bye-bye to April? Here are 11 can't-miss Atlanta festivals in May:
Atlanta Margarita + Taco Festival
Noon, May 4, Grant Park, 800 Cherokee Ave. SE
Kick off your Cinco de Mayo a day early at the Atlanta Margarita + Taco Festival. Not only will there be plenty of restaurants and food trucks on site, but there will also be a tequila tasting exhibition for those interested in trying different types of tequila. The event is free to attend, but you'll need a $6 wristband if you want to drink.
Cinco de Mayo Pub Crawl on the BeltLine
Noon to 4 p.m., May 4, Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail, 10th Street and Monroe Drive
Atlanta goes pretty hard for Cinco and this pub crawl on the BeltLine has it all. Tickets are $36 and include five Cinco-themed drinks, a souvenir Cinco de Mayo Pub Crawl koozie and a map of all participating bars and restaurants along the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail with food and drink specials.
STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL TO THE AJC
STEVE SCHAEFER / SPECIAL TO THE AJC
Decatur Lantern Parade
8 p.m., May 10, Downtown Decatur, 508 E. Howard Ave., Decatur
Not to be confused with the Atlanta BeltLine Lantern Parade (which was also created by and features Chantelle Rytter and the Krewe of the Grateful Gluttons), the Decatur Lantern Parade will start at Color Wheel Studio and parade to downtown Decatur square with the Black Sheep Marching Ensemble and Wasted Potential Brass Band. You can participate in the march downtown by making your own crafty lantern at home, attending a lantern-making workshop or even just by watching from the sidelines.
The Wrecking Bar's Wild, Wild Beer Fest
Noon to 4 p.m., May 11, Wrecking Bar Brewpub, 292 Moreland Ave. NE
Now in its fifth year, the Wild, Wild Beer Fest will highlight sour and wild ales brewed locally as well as some of the top barrel-aged sour beers made in America and Europe. And for the first time at this fest, there will also be cheese available to pair. Tickets are $65 and include a commemorative tasting glas and all the ale you can (safely) drink.
Marietta Greek Festival
3 to 11 p.m., May 17, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., May 18, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., May 19, Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, 3431 Trickum Road, Marietta
Experience Greek culture like never before at the Marietta Greek Festival. Not only is there delicious food, including favorites such as gyros, keftedes, dolmades and spanakopita, there are also lively performances from the Hellenic Dance Program and a Greek marketplace filled with jewelry, handmade linens, scarves and other great items - Yia'sou! Admission is $5 (kids 12 and under are free).
Roswell Mimosa Festival
1 to 5 p.m., May 18, Mimosa Hall & Bulloch Hall, 127 Bulloch Ave., Roswell
Atlanta Wine Festivals and the Roswell Recreation, Parks, Historic & Cultural Affairs Department are hosting the first ever Roswell Mimosa Festival. The brunch beverage favorite is the star of this event with additional flavors like orange-strawberry, orange-mango and blood orange. There will be live music as well as DJ Qtip, plus plenty of local food trucks. Tickets are $60 on the day of the event (with discounts for advance purchases) and include all the mimosas you can (safely) drink and free bottled water.
Uncorked Atlanta Wine Festival
1 to 5 p.m., May 18, Historic Fourth Ward Park, 700 Ralph McGill Blvd.
The Uncorked Atlanta Wine Festival, hosted by The Atlanta Sport & Social Club, returns for another wine-infused afternoon. Wine aficionados can enjoy over 50 varieties of wine and craft beer tastings, including an extensive list of cabernets, pinots, chardonnays and more. There will also be food available for purchase and a DJ spinning for those who've had a glass or two. Admission is $60 at the door (if available) with discounts for advance purchases.
Courtesy of Kirkwood Spring Fling & Tour of Homes Facebook page
Courtesy of Kirkwood Spring Fling & Tour of Homes Facebook page
Kirkwood Spring Fling
10 a.m. to 8 p.m., May 18., Bessie Branham Park, 2051 Delano Drive NE
Ever wondered how your neighbors are living? Well, now you can find out at the 17th annual Kirkwood Spring Fling & Tour of Homes. The Spring Fling starts out with a friendly 5K, a kids area, an artists market, live music and food. But the event really kicks into high gear with the BBQ competition and the two-day tour of homes on Saturday and Sunday. The festival is free to attend and perfect for family fun.
All proceeds go to benefit the Kirkwood Neighbors' Organization, a non-profit group dedicated to community improvement.
Blue Fest 2019
2 p.m., May 24, The Bakery Atlanta, 825 Warner St. SW
If you've been thinking that music is dead, let Blue Fest set you straight. Held at The Bakery Atlanta, a multi-faceted arts complex in Southwest Atlanta, the event features performances by BINARY, The Callous Daoboys, Tir Asleen and Atlanta natives Fox Wound. Tickets are $10-$15.
Brew at the Zoo
5:30 to 9:30 p.m., May 25, Zoo Atlanta, 800 Cherokee Ave. SE
Enjoy more than 70 different brews as well as a selection of wines among the exotic wildlife at Zoo Atlanta. Tickets are $55 ($50 for members) for general admission or $125 for a VIP experience and help support conservation initiatives to protect species and habitats, both here at home and around the globe.
Candler Park Music & Food Festival
4 to 11 p.m., May 31, Noon to 11 p.m., June 1, Candler Park, 1500 McLendon Avenue.
event features music from Dispatch, Greensky Bluegrass, Dr. Dog, Atlanta's own Larkin Poe and many others. There will also be loads of food vendors and local artisans, making for an all-ages, family-friendly festival environment. Advance tickets start at $40 for a weekend pass (prices jump to $50 after May 27). Children under 12 enter free with a ticketed adult. The $150 VIP experience (must be 21) includes special bar privileges, stage-front access, a VIP restroom trailer and more.
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