There’s nothing quite like summer in the ATL!
And this year is particularly special! From classic summer happenings and local favorites to the FIFA World Cup, you don’t wanna miss out on summer in the A this year, y’all! Keep scrolling to learn all about the fun summer happenings in Atlanta.
The biggest attraction coming to the ATL this summer is the 2026 FIFA World Cup. We’re hosting 8 matches at Mercedes-Benz, including a semi-final, and we couldn’t be more excited!
The whole city is turning up for the World Cup, and you can’t miss out on all the watch parties, events, and happenings in the A!
For the ultimate candlelit experience this summer, you’ve got to check out Candlelight Concerts: a series that takes all your favorite music, and transforms it into a live instrumental experience!
Surrounded by thousands of flickering LED candles and the most immaculate vibes, you’ll experience the music like never before.
We get our peaches out in Georgia! It’s time to celebrate, because it’s officially peach season in the peach state! U-pick experience have started opening up across Georgia, so make sure you treat yourself to some peach treats this season. See some of our recommendations below:
- Southern Belle Farm, McDonough
- Jaemor Farms, Alto
- Fitzgerald Fruit Farm, Woodbury
- Sugar Hill Berry Farm, Murrayville
If you’re looking to add a little getaway to your Atlanta summer bucket list, head up to Helen to shoot the ‘Hooch!
As the weather warms up, we’re getting excited to enjoy all the beautiful nature of the Chattahoochee river on a relaxing hour – two hour float down the river.
Make it a weekend getaway or just a fun day trip up to Helen!
Celebrate Pride Month
June is Pride Month, and there’s SO much to celebrate!
Of course, here in Atlanta, we celebrate Pride in October as well, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t still plenty to celebrate this summer! From supporting queer-owned businesses to donating to one of these LGBTQ+ organizations!
And for all things Pride, keep up with Atlanta Pride on their website here!
Satisfy your sweet tooth at the FREE annual Ice Cream & Wellness Festival
Atlanta’s iconic annual Ice Cream & Wellness Festival is a truly one-of-a-kind experience! Head out to the festival to enjoy:
- ice cream
- live music
- fitness routines
- non-food vendors
- Wellness Zone
Enjoy a day of well-balanced fun, treats and fitness! Don’t forget your chair and blanket. Learn more on their website, here!
Craving a fancy cocktail? We know just the place–er, places!
You’ve gotta sip on something refreshing while gazing off at the Atlanta skyline at LEAST once this summer! Grab your girls, S.O., family, or friends, and head out to one of these iconic rooftop bars in the ATL!
Add a little prehistoric adventure to your Atlanta summer bucket list: Atlanta’s favorite natural history museum is transforming into a prehistoric playground, with super cool exhibitions, interactive activities, and so much more!
Come learn all about the dinosaurs this summer at Fernbank!
Free astronomy talks with expert speakers, games, and telescope viewing at Three Taverns Brewery. If you’re looking for a summer night out that’s equal parts fun and fascinating, Astronomy on Tap Atlanta hosts free public astronomy lectures by local scholars and graduate students at Three Taverns Brewery, featuring talks, Q&A, games, prizes, and 8-inch telescope viewing. Events typically occur once or twice a month.
Get your thrill on at Thrillz Atlanta starting June 10, 2026! If your summer bucket list needs a dose of indoor adventure, Thrillz Atlanta is a first-of-its-kind indoor adrenaline park in Atlanta featuring a 35-foot mega slide, 40-foot drop tower, VR rides, climbing wall, trampolines, and more. It opens to the public on Wednesday, June 10, 2026 at 4280 Northeast Expressway, Atlanta, GA.
The Halal Summer Food Festival is a special 2-day, family-friendly event that brings together the best halal food vendors from across the Southeast. At the festival, you’ll find delicious halal food, local artisan vendors, live entertainment, and so much more!
Expect delicious halal dishes like:
- shawarma
- biryani
- wings
- Thai street food
- halal burgers
- Yemeni coffee
- desserts
And so much more!
This June, Immersive Gamebox is launching a super cool, limited-time-only Soccer Arcade to celebrate the World Cup! Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the Beautiful Game or you just wanna casually kick the (virtual) ball around, you’ll love this soccer arcade!
Wanna play for less? You can! To kick off USA’s first match of the series, Immersive Gamebox will host a special Free Play Day on June 12th. All you have to do is wear a soccer jersey to Immersive Gamebox, and you’ll get to play Soccer Arcade completely free.
As part of the launch of this amazing soccer experience, players across the globe will have the chance to compete for a $10,000 grand prize that culminates on July 19, the day of the 2026 World Cup Final.
Register for the world’s largest 10K in Atlanta this Fourth of July!
One of Atlanta’s can’t-miss summer traditions, the Peachtree Road Race is the world’s largest 10K, bringing 60,000+ runners to Atlanta each Fourth of July. The race starts at Lenox Square and finishes in Piedmont Park; registration is handled through the Atlanta Track Club with member, charity wave, and virtual options.
Step onto a real TV-style game show set—live host, buzzers, and interactive challenges make every night feel like prime time.
For a high-energy summer outing at The Battery ATL, Great Big Game Show is Georgia’s first immersive, studio-style game show experience, featuring a live host, dynamic lighting, buzzers and more than 17 original mini-games in an hour-long, team-based competition.
Dive into the ultimate adventure at Bubble Planet this spring in Atlanta! Step into a colorful world of bubbles, spheres, balloons, and more! Kids and adults alike will enjoy the beautiful immersive experience, complete with:
- more than 10 themed rooms
- an immersive experience with VR tech, simulators, and illusions
- fantastic landscapes designed to stimulate the senses
Inside this spherical world full of bubbles, you will have the opportunity to hop from one immersive space to the next, experiencing them all with your five senses!
There’s not holiday quite as summer-lovin’ as the Fourth of July! Celebrate Independence Day with fireworks, ice cream, drinks, and family-friendly activities! You’ll feel like you’ve stepped right into your favorite cookout at some of these amazing Fourth of July events!
Atlanta is packed with tons of green spaces hosting free outdoor movies this summer, and you definitely don’t want to miss out! Grab your pals and some snacks, and head to one of these amazing free outdoor movie screenings for FREE! You can see which movies are playing and where on our full roundup of all the free outdoor movies in the city, here! Get your popcorn ready, Atlanta!
If you’re looking for the perfect beach getaway this summer, you’re in luck! Georgia actually has the #1 best beach in the entire south (and yes, that includes Florida!) right here on the coast!
Wander though one of the most beautiful gardens, lush with tons of flowers, including the seasonal hydrangeas, in bloom all summer long!
Whether you’re just going to appreciate the beauty of our world or you want to stage a stunning photoshoot, Gibbs Garden is the perfect place for you! They’ve got a little somethin’ going on for each season, but this summer, their hydrangeas are simply outstanding. Go see for yourself!
Grab your yoga mat and your water bottle and get ready to feel waaaay more at peace this April, Atlanta! You can enjoy weekly, free yoga classes at the Battery for the perfect chance to unwind and recharge on the hardest day of the week.
These fun outdoor yoga sessions are the perfect way to start your week!
Uncover the truth about horrific serial killers at the gripping and emotional Serial Killer: The Exhibition World Tour
Serial Killer: The Exhibition World Tour is a gripping, immersive experience into the dark psychology of real-life serial killers from all over the world.
After a huge success in Europe, the collection of artifacts is finally making its U.S. debut right here in the ATL. This hour and a half (or more) experience contains 2,100 original items from real cases, crime scene recreations, and facts about hundreds of serial killers.
Secret Atlanta would like to issue a Content Warning for viewers that this exhibition contains graphic material and exhibits that might be disturbing for sensitive audiences.
This summer, all we wanna do is put on our cute warm-weather outfits and head to the farmer’s market!
Shop local and buy the freshest, most delicious produce in the city. If you’re looking for a farmer’s market in your neck of the woods–we’ve got you covered!
This summer, strap in for the ride of a lifetime! RushSouth’s iconic whitewater rafting experience is the perfect day trip from the city: whether you’re looking for a beginner friendly experience or a tough ‘Carnage’ whitewater rafting time!
Soft-serve margaritas arrived in Atlanta first at Los Bravos Mexican Restaurant! For a refreshing add-to-your-bucket-list sip, Los Bravos launched soft-serve margaritas in Atlanta with three flavors—mango, pineapple, and strawberry—and they’re available to-go at multiple Metro Atlanta locations.
Add a splash of seaside fun to your Atlanta summer bucket list with Amore e Amore’s spring and summer ocean pop-up. Enjoy the restaurant’s delicious signature Italian cuisine paired with playful themed cocktails, creative zero-proof libations, and plenty of surprises woven throughout the dining experience—all while you’re surrounded by the most beautiful nostalgic seaside decor!
This pop-up is a great way to get in the beach spirit without actually having to head to the ocean.
King of Pops is launching eight World Cup–inspired popsicle flavors this summer.
For a sweet way to beat the Atlanta heat, King of Pops is launching eight new popsicle flavors inspired by the countries playing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, alongside their classic flavors. The shop is also running a promotion with a chance to win two World Cup semi-final tickets—see their website for details.
Don’t miss one of Atlanta’s biggest arts festivals — 250+ artists and two full days of art, music and family fun!
If you’re looking to add a can’t-miss summer weekend to your Atlanta bucket list, head to this two-day outdoor arts and crafts festival in Piedmont Park featuring 250+ artists, live music, artist demos, an Emerging Artists Pavilion, kids’ area and festival food. It runs August 15–16, 2026 in midtown Atlanta.
Discover a secret lotus pond in Rex — peak blooms in July and just a short drive from Atlanta! For a quieter, off-the-beaten-path addition to your Atlanta summer bucket list, check out this private lotus pond tucked into a residential area of Rex, Georgia (about 30 minutes from Atlanta). Visitors can find it at 3901 Minnow Rd and enjoy peak flowers in July. There is an $8 entrance fee (parking free), and visitors are asked to be respectful of the residential setting.