Say hello to summer in Atlanta where the weekends are long and the festivals are nonstop.
»RELATED: 6 Atlanta summer date ideas for the budget-conscious
Whether you're wanting to indulge in ice cream, check out a comic convention or compete in tug of war, here are some of our favorite events around town this July:
Atlanta Water Lantern Festival
6 to 10:30 p.m., July 7, Jim R. Miller Park, 2245 Callaway Rd. SW, Marietta
Come and light the water in a way you'll never forget at the Atlanta Water Lantern Festival. This family friendly event is a great way to celebrate life as you witness the beauty of thousands of lanterns reflecting on the water. Each adult ticket includes a 100% eco-friendly floating lantern, a commemorative drawstring bag, and wristband.
Credit: Steve Schaefer
Credit: Steve Schaefer
Atlanta Comic Con
Noon to midnight, July 12, 10 a.m. to midnight, July 13, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., July 14, Georgia World Congress Center, 285 Andrew Young International Blvd. NW, Atlanta
If you're into comic books, games, Star Wars, anime, manga, cosplay, art, Creed Bratton and Val Kilmer, Atlanta Comic Con is for you. This three day event takes place in the heart of downtown Atlanta and is perfect for the hardcore collector or the casual pop-culture admirer.
Atlanta Field Day
11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., July 13, Historic 4th Ward Park, 665 North Ave. NE, Atlanta
If you think you've got what it takes to win a game of tug of war, rally your team together because Atlanta Field Day is throwing it back to grade school. Compete for King of the Field in classic games such as relay races, obstacle courses, tug of war and more. Teams will compete in eight competitions over the course of the day, consisting of scheduled relays, and scramble games events.
Credit: Steve Schaefer
Credit: Steve Schaefer
Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival
1 to 5 p.m., July 14, Westside Provisions District, 1198 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta
Chef Ford Fry is back with the 11th annual installment of the Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival. The one day event (July 14th from 1-5 p.m.) takes place at the height of tomato season, and is built to benefit Georgia Organics, an Atlanta-based non-profit devoted to promoting sustainable foods and local farms in Georgia. The Attack of the Killer Tomato Festival will feature all manner of tomato-based treats, crafted with care by a who's who of chefs and mixologists.
AgLanta Eats
5 to 8 p.m., July 15, Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1345 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta
This hyper-local food festival, now in its fourth year, is back at the gorgeous Atlanta Botanical Garden. Enjoy an evening of tastings prepared by top local chefs, farm fresh food, access to the Atlanta Botanical Garden, live music, garden tours, tasty beverages and more.
Irrelevant Music Festival
Various times, July 17-20, 529, 529 Flat Shoals Ave. SE, Atlanta
What started off as a music festival for bands that don't get invited to play music festivals has grown into a counter-cultural event of its own in EAV. If you like supporting local musicians, under the radar bands that rock, or getting lost in the crowd at 529 and The Earl, then the Irrelevant Music Festival is going to be up your alley. The festival takes place over the course of four days at the two venues, and features many of the rising stars and most distinctive local acts from Atlanta, like Dot.s and Neighbor Lady among others.
Atlanta African American Book Festival
10 a.m. to 5 p.m., July 20, Georgia State University, 55 Gilmer St. SE, Atlanta
Last year marked the first ever Atlanta African American Book Festival, and the event returns this year to Georgia State University for its second installment. More than 100 authors of fiction, non-fiction, romance, young adult fiction will convene with editors, publishers, literary critics and scholars to offer panel discussions and workshops to educate, entertain and inspire the next generation of African American literature in the city.
PeachFest
4 to 7 p.m., July 21, Peachtree Center, 225 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta
All y'all Georgia peaches get ready to celebrate the mighty peach at Peachtree Center. This festival features more than 70 food artisans, peachy drinks and dishes, pastry chefs, and a silent auction. PeachFest is also a great way to support agriculture and smaller farmers across the state.
»RELATED: PeachFest changes location for its third year in Atlanta
Adult Field Day Live!
Noon to 5 p.m., July 27, Live! at the Battery Atlanta, 825 Battery Ave. SE, Suite 600
There's no messing around at this Adult Field Day, this year the games are bigger and the competition is strong. Each ticket includes admission for a team of eight, access to the Tavern Buffet, a pretty rad t-shirt, parking validation, bottled water, and a donation to The Giving Kitchen. Games include jousting, an obstacle course, bull riding and more.
Credit: Courtesy of RSVP ATL
Credit: Courtesy of RSVP ATL
Atlanta Ice Cream Festival
11 a.m. to 6 p.m., July 27, Piedmont Park, 10th St. NE and Charles Allen Dr. Atlanta
Come on down to Piedmont Park and enjoy America's favorite dessert — ice cream! This festival will have tons of flavors and sweet treats for you to enjoy but don't feel too guilty, there will also be health and wellness activities to get you up and moving. Activities include a Fight Cancer Walk, yoga, hula hoop competitions, and line dancing.
Atlanta Zombie Pub Crawl
4 to 11 p.m., July 27, Diesel Filling Station (registration), 870 North Highland Ave. NE, Atlanta
You don't have to wait until Halloween to dress up as the dead, put on your goriest attire and head on down to Atlanta's largest, bloodiest and longest-running Zombie Pub Crawl. This deadly event features multiple pubs on the North Highlands stretch, on-site zombie make-up artists, special guests, an Atlanta Zombie Pin-Up Contest and more.
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