Just because it’s chilly out doesn’t mean you have to sit inside watching TV all month. Instead, fill your February with a little music, great food and community-centered activities to help you beat the winter blues with ease.
This lineup of February festivals around Atlanta offers both family-friendly and adults-only events, from gaming and juggling to barbecue and beer tasting. So, bundle up your loved ones and get ready to enjoy a month of entertainment, celebration and fun.
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Atlanta Game Fest 35. Through Feb. 2. Per four day membership: $55 per person, $100 per couple, $120 per family. Atlanta Marriott Alpharetta. 5750 Windward Parkway, Alpharetta. Contact. www.atlantagamefest.com.
Calling gamers young and old — it’s time for Atlanta Game Fest 35 with four days of unbeatable competitive play. This season’s event will include the Game Room, Terraforming Mars, Azul, Silver and Wingspan Tournaments, Robo Rally, Werewolf ATL sessions, the Flea Market and much more. Game designers and publishers will even showcase prototypes and kickstarters at Demo Alley — over 350 expected.
Atlanta Winter Beer Festival. 1-5 p.m., Feb. 1. $30-$55 per person. Atlantic Station. 241 20th St. NW, Atlanta. Contact. www.atlantawinterbeerfest.com.
Going strong for 10 years, the Atlanta Winter Beer Festival at Atlantic Station will feature food trucks, live music, heated tents, DJ Qtip, wine, cider and over 150 beers to explore. Ticket price includes entry into the festival, a souvenir cup, entertainment and all your beer, wine and cider samples. This is an adults-only event.
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Midtown Mardi Gras Block Party. 7 p.m.-2 a.m., Feb. 1. $18 per person, $30 per couple. Back lot of Tiki Tango/Foxtrot. 57 13th St. Atlanta. Contact. www.atlantabartours.com.
Celebrate Mardi Gras in Atlanta with a New Orleans-themed block party. You’ll enjoy drink specials and fare from over 20 local bars, restaurants and clubs, live music from Wasted Potential Brass Band, the Jerk Brothers food truck, face painting, a photo booth and more. Make sure to dress up for this one.
42nd Annual Groundhog Day Juggling Festival. Feb. 7-9. $30 per participant for the weekend, free to watch activities, $10 per person for The Cabaret, $50 member package. Yaarab Shrine Center. 400 Ponce De Leon Ave. NE, Atlanta. Contact. www.atlantajugglers.org.
Whether you’ve always wanted to learn how to juggle, or just enjoy watching people drop the ball, the 42nd Annual Groundhog Day Juggling Festival is the place to be this February. Participants can take part in juggling games, workshops, competitions and The Cabaret, and guests will also enjoy unicyclists, hoopers, kendama and live music.
Callanwolde Artist Market. Feb. 7-9. $5 per person. Callanwolde Fine Arts Center. 980 Briarcliff Road NE, Atlanta. 404-872-5338. www.callanwolde.org.
Head over to the Callanwolde Fine Arts Center to support over 70 local and regional artists showcasing a variety of media for display and sale throughout the vintage 1920’s mansion. This unique, juried art show will also have refreshments available for purchase onsite. Proceeds will benefit the Callanwolde Fine Arts Center and its continued support of arts, culture and the preservation of the Callanwolde Estate.
Atlanta Oyster Festival. 3-11 p.m., Feb. 8. $10-$25 per person. Park Tavern. 500 10th St. NE, Atlanta. 404-249-0001. www.parktavern.com.
If you’re an oyster fan, don’t miss the Atlanta Oyster Fest taking place at Park Tavern February 8th. This locals favorite is adults-only and offers fried, steamed and raw oysters flown in fresh just for the event, fried shrimp and chicken, beer and signature cocktails, live music, DJ Qtip and NCAA basketball showing on an array of TV screens.
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Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival. 2-6 p.m., Feb. 29. $39-$89 per person. Atlantic Station. 241 20th St., Atlanta. Contact.www.atlanta.beerandbourbon.com.
The Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival is back in its fifth year with some of the best barbecue in the South. Guests will also enjoy special seminars in the Tasting Theater featuring Brewmasters, Master Distillers and expert Pit Masters, a gaming area with a new cornhole tournament, music, contests and more. Ticket price includes admission, unlimited samples, live entertainment and a souvenir tasting glass.
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