Mark your calendars for the iconic Summer Shade Festival in Grant Park, Atlanta! This massive end-of-summer festival is the perfect way to celebrate the warm weather, the local food and drink scene, and our ATL community! Keep scrolling to learn all about the Summer Shade Festival!
What is the Summer Shade Festival?
The Summer Shade Festival is an annual festival at the end of August that wraps up the season with tons of community fun.
Michelle Blackmon, Executive Director of the Grant Park Conservancy, said in a statement,
Grant Park has always been a place where Atlanta comes together. Summer Shade is a celebration of that spirit. Seeing families, neighbors, artists, local businesses, and visitors fill the park all weekend long is a reminder of why these shared public spaces matter and why the Conservancy continues investing in their future.
And the best part? Proceeds from Summer Shade Festival directly benefit the Grant Park Conservancy and support the nonprofit’s ongoing stewardship of the park’s 131 acres, including preservation, maintenance, restoration projects, ecological care, and continued improvements throughout the park.
What can guests expect at the Summer Shade Festival?
Other than a great time with your friends and family? The Summer Shade Festival is FULL of fun activities.
To start off, visitors can expect tons of artists and makers from across the Southeast! The festival expects more than 140 vendors, selling and showcasing:
- handmade goods
- original artwork
- jewelry
- vintage clothing
- home décor
- specialty foods
- other small-batch finds
Festival-goers can also peruse tons of delicious food vendors, selling yummy treats and cold drinks that attendees can enjoy in shaded picnic spots!
Other festival happenings include:
- live entertainment throughout the weekend
- live music all day (and evening)
- kid-friendly activities
- Deep South Wrestling matches
- The Adams Realtors Run for the Park 5K
In other words… there’s something for everyone!
Okay, okay, I’m in! Gimme the details!
When:
- Saturday, August 22, 2026 | 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Sunday, August 23, 2026 | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Grant Park, 840 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30315
*Paid parking available at Grant Park Gateway, 759 Boulevard SE, and the Zoo Atlanta lot, 800 Cherokee Ave SE. Street parking is available on the surrounding streets. A bike valet will also be available for cyclists.
Cost: Free and open to all ages.
You can learn more about the Summer Shade Festival on Grant Park Conservatory’s website, here!