You can definitely taste summer in the ATL, but there’s still plenty of time to celebrate spring throughout this jam-packed month of May!
Have a look below at an incredible selection of top activities to do this May, to fully embrace everything on offer in Atlanta this month and beyond. May means it’s the return of the Atlanta Jazz Festival, and the BeltLine Lantern Parade, so Atlanta’s shining bright. Also, spring is in full bloom, meaning there’s a whole lot to celebrate!
1. Atlanta Jazz Festival
The Atlanta Jazz Festival is returning to its usual timeslot in May, following two years of cancellations and rescheduling. So this year’s promises to be bigger and better than ever, and we don’t disagree. As well as the free three day festival in Piedmont Park, there are so many extra events taking over Atlantan venues all month long, to celebrate the festival’s anticipated return.
One of these unmissable events is the Candlelight Concert series. The wildly popular (and ever so enchanting) Fever Original concerts have teamed up with the Atlanta Jazz Festival for a very special evening. Known for taking on classic hits, completely engulfed in the soothing flicker of candlelight, their Jazz and the Black Experience concert will be donating a portion of the proceeds back to the annual festival that takes over Atlanta all month long. Click here to get your tickets for this exclusive collaboration.
2. Take a leap back in time with this pre-historic experience
Say goodbye to the concrete streets of Atlanta: the Jurassic World journey at Pullman Yards will transport you 66 million years back in time when over 700 species of dinosaurs freely roamed the earth. In between sprawling leaves, you’ll spot some of them in all their clubbed tails and golden-eye glory — staring right back at you from the hidden branches. All of the blockbuster’s most loved dinos come to life, from the towering Brachiosaurus to the Velociraptor. Click here for more info!
Get up close and personal with the dino’s
3. Celebrate Cinco de Mayo
From the best spots for margaritas to our favorite Mexican restaurants, there’s so much to do in Atlanta for Cinco de Mayo. We suggest checking out our recent round-up of margarita safe-havens, with most of the bars and eateries providing specials for the occasion!
4. Visit this amazing Lego Exhibit
Check out one of the latest immersive experiences from Fever. The Art of Brick is an amazing Lego Exhibition that you have to see to believe. This exhibition has impressed 10 million fans worldwide at shows, and now the ATL gets the chance to be stunned by sculptures made from millions of tiny LEGO® pieces by former NYC lawyer turned renowned contemporary Artist Nathan Sawaya. Click the link below for more information and tickets.
Enjoy these gorgeous masterpieces
5-8. Experience these enchanting Candlelight concerts
As well as their inclusion in the Atlanta Jazz Festival, there’s more Candlelight magic happening throughout the city throughout the entirety of the month. Check out this month’s line-up below and don’t miss out on these magical evenings.
9. The Atlanta BeltLine Lantern Parade
The Atlanta BeltLine Lantern Parade is a beloved part of the Art on the Beltline program. This year’s parade will be taking place on May 20. This year they will be lighting up the Westside Trail, festivities begin as early as 12 pm for free family lantern making. Attendees will also be able to pre-game and mix and mingle at Adair Park starting at 6:30 pm. Click here for more info.
10-15. Atlanta’s eats and bar experiences
With Atlanta boasting such an iconic and stand-out skyline, rooftop bars are a great way to experience breathtaking views of the city. Great for catching up with friends, or making your way through unbeatable cocktail menus, there are so many incredible views worth searching for here in the A. And as Atlanta has continued to expand into a foodie’s dream city, these spots are perfect to check out as the weather gets warmer.
16 -20. Check out these amazing brunch spots in the city
Brunch in Atlanta is a very serious matter and Secret Atlanta is here to make sure you know all the best spots. Whether you’re a local or a tourist these are some of the best brunches in town. Check out a few of the fantastic finds in the city:
21. 25. Explore these gorgeous trails and gardens in and around the city
Atlanta has garnered the reputation as the “city in the forest” and it’s well deserved! We may be a metropolis but we still have a good amount of greenery and nature around us. We get the best of both worlds and get to enjoy city life just as much as … Take a look at some of the beauty you can enjoy around the city.
25-28. Unmissable art exhibitions at The High Museum of Art this May
If you’re looking for some top-notch art this May, then Atlanta’s the perfect place to be. Check out the best exhibits at the High Museum of Art. Take a look at our recommendations for the month of May below.
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Joseph Stella: Visionary Nature
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Bruce Onobrakpeya: The Mask and the Cross
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George Voronovsky: Memoryscapes
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Evelyn Hofer: Eyes on the City
29. Visit this new affordable facial spa in the Atlanta area
Skincare is an absolute must throughout the year. With Atlanta’s notoriously bipolar weather, it’s even more important to make sure you are taking care of your skin. There is no shortage of spa and facial spots in Atlanta and another has just made its debut. Heyday landed in the city last year and has continued to expand. Treat your skin to some TLC this month at any one of their 4 locations. Click here to see which one is closest to you.
30. Go strawberry picking!
Spring means it’s the return of strawberry picking season in Georgia, and there are so many incredible places to do so in and around the ATL. From enchanting farms with lots of family fun to the best u-pick experiences in the state. Check out a few recommendations below:
- Southern Belle Farm
- Mitcham Farm
- Narrow Way Farm
- Adam’s Farm
31. Enjoy anime, gaming, and live entertainment at MomoCon 2023
Atlanta get ready to enjoy the largest multi-generation convention in the southeast. MomoCon originally started as a 700-person on-campus event that has grown into one of the largest events in the southeastern U.S. for fans of gaming, animation, cosplay, comics, and tabletop games.