20 free things to do in metro Atlanta in August
August in metro Atlanta is packed with exciting free events that cater to all interests. Whether you’re flying solo, out with friends, or spending time with family, there’s something for everyone. Cheer on Team USA with Olympic screenings, prepare for the school year at engaging fairs, or enjoy live music at outdoor concerts. Embrace health and wellness with free yoga sessions and explore vibrant festivals showcasing global cultures and arts. Make the most of these 20 diverse, no-cost activities and round out your summer on a high note!
Olympics on the Square - Colony Square
Get ready to cheer on Team USA at Colony Square during the Olympic Games on a jumbo screen! There’s first-come, first-serve seating and plenty of delicious on-site food and beverages available.
Location: Midtown - 1197 Peachtree St. NE; Website: colonysquare.com; Date: Now until Sunday, Aug. 11
Gameday at Avalon - Avalon (Alpharetta)
Sports fans are invited to Avalon to catch an incredible lineup of games, including the Braves and Olympic Games, on a brand new jumbo screen. Be sure to bring your own chairs and blankets.
Location: Alpharetta - 2200 Avalon Blvd.; Website: experienceavalon.com; Date: Now until Sunday, Aug. 11
Lenox Square’s 65th Anniversary - Lenox Square (Buckhead)
Celebrate Lenox Square’s 65th anniversary as Atlanta’s top shopping destination with a public event on August 1st, featuring remarks from Mayor Andre Dickens, a proclamation from the Atlanta City Council, and a $1,000 shopping spree contest.
Location: Buckhead - 3393 Peachtree Rd. NE; Website: lenoxsquare-anniversaryevent.com; Date: Thursday, Aug. 1; Time: 10 a.m.
In-Store Kids Workshops - The Home Depot (Multiple Locations)
Join The Home Depot for this month’s Kids Workshop, featuring a miniature whiteboard crafting event for children (while supplies last) just in time for the new school year!
Locations: Atlanta Locations; Website: homedepot.com/kids; Date: Saturday, Aug. 3; Time: 9 a.m.
eSTEAM Back-to-School Fair - Atlantic Station
Gear up for the new school year at Atlantic Station’s greenspace with The NETwork ATL eSTEAM Back-to-School Fair, offering K-12 students an engaging, educational experience with interactive STEAM demonstrations, free school supplies, raffle prizes, and promotional giveaways.
Location: Midtown - 1380 Atlantic Dr. NW; Website: atlanticstation.com; Date: Saturday, Aug. 3; Time: Noon to 4 p.m.
Parliament of Owls Parade - Colony Square
Join the Parliament of Owls, a black-and-white owl-themed lantern parade that encourages community participation. Take flight through Midtown Atlanta’s streets, starting and ending at The Plaza, and don your best black and white attire.
Location: Midtown - 1197 Peachtree St. NE; Website: colonysquare.com; Date: Saturday, Aug. 3; Time: 8-10 p.m.
Sunday Free Day - Michael C. Carlos Museum (Emory University)
Beat the summer heat with free admission to The Carlos Museum on Sunday, Aug. 4th, featuring the permanent collection galleries and the special exhibition “Together: Selections from the Cochran Collection of African American Art.”
Location: Druid Hills - 571 South Kilgo Cir. NE; Website: emory.edu; Date: Sunday, Aug. 4; Time: Noon to 5 p.m.
Wellness Series: Yoga - The Battery Atlanta
On non-game days, there’s free yoga at The Battery Atlanta every Monday evening, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required and free parking is available. Check out some of their past yoga sessions here.
Location: Cumberland - 800 Battery Ave. SE; Website: batteryatl.com/yoga; Dates: Mondays (Aug. 5, 12, 19 and 26); Time: 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Comedy Night - SweetWater Brewing Company
Every first and third Monday of the month, enjoy a free comedy show at SweetWater Brewing, showcasing a surprise lineup of top comedians in the world’s longest-running brewery-based comedy show. Reserve your seats here!
Location: Northeast - 195 Ottley Dr. NE; Website: 1upcomedy.com/sweetwater; Dates: Monday, Aug. 5 and Monday, Aug. 19; Time: 8 p.m.
Back to School Bash - City Springs (Sandy Springs)
Sandy Springs’ Back to School Bash invites families to meet local first responders, explore emergency vehicles, watch helicopter landings, enjoy music and activities, and interact with prehistoric dinosaurs in a free, fun-filled community celebration!
Location: Sandy Springs - 1 Galambos Wy.; Website: sandyspringsga.gov; Date: Tuesday, Aug. 6; Time: 6 p.m.
Broad Street Boardwalk Lunchtime Performance Series - Downtown Atlanta
Elevate your lunch break in Downtown with live performances on the Broad Street Boardwalk every Wednesday from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m.
Location: Downtown - Broad St. NW; Website: atlantadowntown.com; Dates: Wednesdays (Aug. 7, 14, 21 and 28); Time: Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Family Dance Party - Halcyon (Alpharetta)
Get groovin’ at Halcyon’s Family Dance Party, where a DJ, games, giveaways, and pop-ups will have your family dancing all night!
Location: Alpharetta - 6365 Halcyon Way; Website: visithalcyon.com; Date: Friday, Aug. 9; Time: 6-9 p.m.
Midtown Movie Night: The Parent Trap - 10th Street Park (Midtown)
If you’re in the mood for a fun movie night, don’t miss Midtown Movie Night’s free screening of the 1998 Disney classic “The Parent Trap,” where you can relive the magic of twin swaps and summer adventures!
Location: Midtown - 1005 Peachtree St. NE; Website: midtownatl.com; Date: Thursday, Aug. 15; Time: 8:30 p.m.
4th Annual Pan-African Festival - Decatur Square
The 4th Annual Pan-African Festival at Decatur Square will celebrate innovation, culture, and economic empowerment with live African music, dance, and drumming, plus talks by leaders, hip-hop performances, and over 20 vendor booths featuring entrepreneurs’ products and services.
Location: Decatur - 101 E. Court Square; Website: beaconhillblackalliance.org; Date: Saturday, Aug. 17; Time: 2-10 p.m.
Wings and Strings - Hapeville
Hapeville’s Wings & Strings event features a free, family-friendly evening with a mouthwatering array of chicken wings and live music by Michelle Winters and Ebony & Ivory.
Location: Hapeville - 680 S Central Ave.; Website: hapeville.org/Wings-Strings; Date: Saturday, Aug. 17; Time: 7 - 10 p.m.
Piedmont Park Arts Festival - Piedmont Park
Celebrate the outdoors at the Piedmont Park Summer Arts Festival, where you can explore over 250 artisan booths showcasing diverse arts and crafts, enjoy live music, watch artist demonstrations, and let kids have fun in the play area.
Location: Midtown - 10th St. NE; Website: piedmontparkartsfestival.com; Dates: Saturday, Aug. 17 - Sunday, Aug. 18
Atlanta Streets Alive - Midtown/Downtown
Spanning from Downtown Atlanta to Midtown, Atlanta Streets Alive is a celebrated event that aligns with an international open streets movement, uniting cities around the world.
Location: Peachtree St. NE; Website: atlantastreetsalive.org; Date: Sunday, Aug. 18; Time: 1-5 p.m
Access for All - High Museum of Art
The High Museum of Art’s “Access for All” event invites adults of all ages to enjoy a day of free admission, art conversations, creative activities, performances, and world-class art with drop-in programming available throughout the day. Register here.
Location: Midtown - 1280 Peachtree St. NE; Website: high.org/access-for-all; Date: Wednesday, Aug. 21; Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cobb County International Festival - Jim R. Miller Park (Marietta)
Experience international cultures at the Cobb County International Festival, featuring diverse music, art, dance, culinary delights, crafts, a kids’ corner, and more, all highlighting a vibrant celebration of global traditions.
Location: Marietta - 2245 Callaway Rd. SW; Website: cobbcounty.org; Date: Saturday, Aug. 24; Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Roswell Riverside Sounds - Riverside Park (Roswell)
A great way to round out the month of August, Roswell Riverside Sounds offers a free outdoor concert featuring the popular neo-traditional folk quartet from Asheville, North Carolina, River Whyless, known for their acclaimed folk-rock sound and engaging live performances.
Location: Roswell - 575 Riverside Rd.; Website: roswell365.com; Date: Saturday, Aug. 24; Time: 7:30 p.m.
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