Memorial Day Weekend is the unofficial start to the summer, and we’re excited for the warmest season of all! Kick off your summer right with some of these fun ways to celebrate your long weekend in Atlanta!
First of all, when is Memorial Day this year?
Memorial Day lands on Monday, May 26th, 2025, and we’re celebrating all weekend long!
1. Check out one of these pools in Atlanta
Most of the public (and members-only) pools in Atlanta open up on Memorial Day Weekend! You can spend your days sunbathing by the poolside or splashing around in the water! Bring your whole family or some friends for a lit time in the sun!
Check out our list of awesome pools in Atlanta here!2. Visit the 2nd best Memorial Day destination in the U.S.
Columbus, GA is just a short 1.5 hour drive from the city, and it’s well-worth the drive if you’re looking for the perfect spot to honor Memorial Day. With 39 different veteran-owned businesses, and a tradition of decorating soldiers’ graves since the late 1800s, Columbus, GA is a wonderful place to learn some history and honor the holiday!
Learn more about Columbus’ Memorial Day destination ranking here.3. Take your family out for ice cream in Atlanta!
When it comes to kicking off the summer, you can’t beat a delicious trip to get ice cream with the fam! Indulge in your local favorites, or try somewhere totally new! Whether you’re looking for a classic chocolate or vanilla cone, or you wanna try something a little ~cooler~ (pun intended!), we’ve got you covered with our roundup of ice cream shops, here!
4. Grab cocktails in the sky at one of these rooftop bars
If you’re looking for a way to celebrate warm weather with a nice drink in hand this Memorial Day weekend, you’ve gotta check out one of Atlanta’s iconic rooftop bars! We’ve rounded up a list of great recommendations, so you can find the best fit for you! Gaze at lovely views of the city while sipping on a refreshing summery beverage!
Check out our roundup of rooftop bars here!5. Rent a boat and hit up the best boating location in Georgia
Nothing screams Memorial Day Weekend quite like a trip to the lake, enjoying the sun, waves, and boating with your friends and family! And we’re in luck in Atlanta, because the best boating location in the state is just 30 minutes from the city!
Check out the best boating location (and where you can rent a boat) in our article here!6. Groove to the smooth tunes at the Atlanta Jazz Festival
This Memorial Day Weekend, it’s time to get your jazz on! The absolutely iconic Atlanta Jazz Festival is a 3-day event celebrating all things jazz! With a stellar lineup of some of the most amazing jazz artists, you can expect a wonderful show!
The festival is in Piedmont Park, and is FREE for everyone to join! Enjoy the sun and good vibes, and a whole lotta jazz at the Atlanta Jazz Festival!
Get all the event details here!7. Check out the new drone and light show at Stone Mountain
Take your family to Atlanta’s #1 drone show and fireworks location! Enjoy tons of fun outdoor activities: from attractions like Dinosaur Explore and Scenic Railroad to nice hikes, there’s so much to do during the day! And stay into the evening for a special performance by the 116th Army Band, along with the Music Across America Drone & Light Show and an extended fireworks finale!
- May 23– Attractions open 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM; Light Show 9:30 PM
- May 24 – 26– Attractions open 10:30 AM – 9:00 PM; Light Show 9:30 PM
- May 24 & 25 – Special performances by the 116th US Army Band @7:30 PM on Memorial Lawn
Get all the details and plan your visit on their website here!
8. Enjoy the iconic ‘Brew at the Zoo’ beer festival at Zoo Atlanta!
Head to Zoo Atlanta after hours to enjoy a super fun Memorial Day Weekend event! At Brew at the Zoo, you’ll be able to taste beer from some of Georgia’s top breweries, enjoy live music around the Zoo, compete un fun yard games, hang with friends, and so much more! And, of course all of this is with the backdrop of some of the coolest animals in the world!
When: May 24th, 2025,
*VIP early entry: 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. | Main Event: 5:30 – 9:00 p.m. (Last event entry 7:30 p.m.)
Get all the details for Brew at the Zoo on the Zoo’s website, here!
9. Check out a fun farmer’s market
If you’re looking for some low-key fun this Memorial Day Weekend, grab your pals or fam and head to one of Atlanta’s amazing farmers markets! You can find artisan goods, delicious treats, and of course, tons of farm-fresh produce! Don’t miss out on some of the best farmers markets the city has to offer! Check out our roundup of farmers markets here!
10. Head to the ‘best beach in the South’ right here on the GA coast!
Of course, Memorial Day is the unofficial start to summer, and that means the best place to spend it is on the BEACH! And we’ve got great news, ya beach bums… the best beach in the entire south (yes, that includes Florida!), is right here on the Georgia coast: St. Simon’s Island!
Learn all about St. Simon’s Island, right here!Happy Memorial Day Weekend, Atlanta! We hope it’s a wonderful unofficial start to summer!