It’s almost May in the ATL, and we’re excited!
With festival season well underway, the city is abolslutely teeming with fun things to do! And in a city as amazing as Atlanta, there really is something for everyone to enjoy! So whether you’re looking for the best seafood festival around or a fun interactive gaming experience, Secret Atlanta’s got you covered with fun things to do!
We’ve rounded up a list of 23 things to do to help you enjoy the last little bit of spring before the 100 degree summer hits! Happy May, Atlanta!
1. Have a blast at The Atlanta Jazz Festival
For all the jazz lovers in the city, May is the month for you! Atlanta’s truly iconic Jazz Festival is hosting ’31 Days of Jazz’ this year, with 31 days of free jazz events around town. From rooftop concerts and galleries to museums and restaurants, this amazing jazz series will have something for everyone!
Of course the main event is the Atlanta Jazz Festival, a three day party full of the best jazz musicians in the country. And the best news? It’s FREE! Check out the incredible lineup (like André 3000, for example) on the Atlanta Jazz Festival’s website, here!
Atlanta Jazz Festival Dates: May 25th – 27th, 2024 (Memorial Day Weekend) at Piedmont Park
2. Head to Heart Strings: Creating Connection to the World’s Children
This brand new experience at Pullman Yards will give visitors a glimpse into the lives of children around the world. Explore and gain deeper understanding of UNICEF’s life-changing work through captivating exhibits and interactive activities! You’ll learn so much, and have fun while you’re doing it! Afterwards, take part in UNICEF’s mission by visiting the Action Center.
Get more information and grab your tickets here!3. Explore Ancient Egypt at Horizon of Khufu: An Immersive VR Expedition to Ancient Egypt
Ever wanted to explore Ancient Egypt… all while staying right here in Atlanta? Now you can! Put on a state-of-the-art VR headset and travel back thousands of years, into the secrets and fascination of the ancient world. You’ll get to explore the Great Pyramid of Giza, just as it was 4500 years ago! Wander through the mysterious corridors, enter the Queen’s chamber, and even try your hand at deciphering ancient hieroglyphics! This one-of-a-kind experience in Atlanta will have you wandering through a world of ancient grandeur! You don’t want to miss out!
Grab your tickets and get more information here!4. Head to Atlanta’s iconic R&B Seafood Festival
When: May 26th, 2024 | Session 1: 12pm – 4pm, Session 2: 5pm – 9pm
Where: Underground Atlanta
Address: 50 Upper Alabama St.
What: Calling all seafood and R&B lovers! This May, get ready for a festival full of the most succulent seafood, great music, and impeccable vibes! You can eat seafood from tons of local vendors to your heart’s content, and enjoy amazing R&B music while you do! You don’t want to miss out on this amazing festival!
This event is 21+ only. Get more information on their website here!
5. Enjoy a fabulous spring Candlelight Concert
What better way to celebrate the end of spring and start of summer than with a beautiful candlelit concert? Surround yourself with thousands of dazzling LED candles as you listen to all your favorite tunes, reimagined by a beautiful orchestra! Don’t miss out on the beauty or fun of this truly unique experience!
Grab your tickets and get more information about Candlelight Concerts here!6. March at 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 11th. March in the parade or watch as the incredible lanterns go by! Don’t miss out on this beautiful nighttime experience! And it’s fun for the whole family!
Get all the details here!7. Check out one (or all) of the best rooftop bars in the city!
Whether you need a happy hour with the girls or you’re just looking to get some great views of the city while you sit and sip, Atlanta’s rooftop bar scene is for you! You can grab some delicious craft cocktails while you gaze at our beautiful city!
See the full roundup of delicious rooftop bars here!8. Get a yummy drink at On The Rocks: Cocktail Festival
When: May 25th, 2024 | Session 1: 12pm – 4pm, Session 2: 5pm – 9pm
Where: 590 North Avenue Northwest Atlanta, GA 30354
What: With every hour showcasing a different cocktail, you’ll be swimming in fun at the On The Rocks: Cocktail Festival this May! Attendees can expect games, vendors, food, music, an of course the most delicious cocktails! The event focuses especially on Mimosas, Margaritas, Rum Punch & Lemon Drops! Don’t miss out on such a fun cocktail event!
9. Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at one of these fun festivals
Cinco de Drinko
- Where: Underground Atlanta
- When: Saturday, May 4 · 12 – 8pm
- What: Live DJs, drink specials, drinking events and a mechanical bull… need we say more?
Tacos & Tequila Fest
- Where: Old Fourth Ward Park
- When: May 4 @ 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm
- What: Party it up with tons of tequila drinks and mouthwatering tacos at Old Fourth Ward!
Taco Palooza
- Where: West Motor Lounge | 725 Echo Street NW Atlanta Ga
- When: May 5th, 2024 | Session 1: 12pm – 4pm, Session 2: 6pm – 10pm
- What: Local food vendors, delicious drinks and great vibes!
Atlanta Margarita Fest
- Where: Atlantic Station, in the Pinnacle Lot
- When: May 5th, 2024 | 2:00 pm – 10:00 pm
- What: Dance the night away with lively music, mouthwatering food, and, of course, plenty of tequila to go around!
10. Have a day of fun in the sun by going strawberry picking
The perfect way to transition from spring to summer? Biting into some juicy, delicious red strawberries! And they’re even better when they’re sun-warmed and hand-picked! Take your friends, S.O., or family on a day they’ll always remember by strawberry picking right here in Atlanta!
There are tons of strawberry picking farms too ~pick~ from, so we’ve rounded up our favorites here!11. Grab a tasty treat at the Atlanta Dessert Festival
When: Saturday, May 25 · 11am – 5pm
Where: Grant Park | 840 Cherokee ave se Atlanta, GA 30312
What: With over 100 sweet treat vendors and food trucks, satisfy your sweet tooth at Atlanta’s best dessert festival! This year, you can expect music, games, raffles, kids zones and so much more! And of course, exactly the kind of dessert you’ve been craving! Give in to the sweetness!
And the best part? Admission to the Atlanta Dessert Festival is FREE!
12. Step into a painting at Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience
If you’ve ever wanted to step right into a painting, now’s your chance! Experience the truly iconic works of Vincent Van Gogh like never before, as his painting dance around you on the walls, floor, and ceiling. With state-of-the-art projection, you’ll feel like you’re living in the smooth strokes of Van Gogh’s brush.
You really don’t want to miss out on your chance to experience art like this. Grab your tickets here!
13. Unlock your inner artist at Spray Paint and Sip by Studio W.I.P.
Try your hand at graffiti at this amazing workshop right here in the ATL! You can learn all about street art and spray paint from an experienced pro, and even take your work home with you afterwards! You’ll have so much fun spraying your very own canvas at this one-of-a-kind workshop! Oh, and did we mention it’s BYOB? That’s right, you can sip while you spray to make a great time even more fun!
Get all the info and grab your tickets here!14. Enjoy the warm weather at Zoo Atlanta
With such nice weather these days, it would be a shame to miss out on all the fun happening at Zoo Atlanta! You’ve got to check out the amazing animal exhibits right here in Atlanta! Learn all about the majestic great apes, rhinos, exotic birds and so much more at Zoo Atlanta!
Grab discounted tickets for Zoo Atlanta here!15. Check out this incredible new Contemporary Art Space: The Warehouse
This brand new contemporary art space just opened up to the public in Atlanta, and you don’t want to miss out on all the fun. With a through-line theme of home and houses, you’ll feel right at home among the incredible art curated by a local Atlanta artist. Don’t miss out on all the fun, right here in Atlanta!
Get all the details dates for The Warehouse, right here! Admission is free with a reservation!
16. Shop local at a fun farmer’s market
Looking for local produce at a great price? We’ve got you covered! Whether you want a weekday trip to the farmers market for groceries and necessities, or a weekend wander through local art and yummy food trucks, Atlanta has tons of farmers markets to offer! Check out our full roundup of the coolest and best farmers markets around, right here!
17. Try out one of Atlanta’s best breweries with your pals
Nothin’ quite like grabbing a cold one when the weather gets warm! Head to one of Atlanta’s best breweries to experience the hops, flavors and bubbles of a delicious beer! We recommend trying everything on the list, but if you want a quick guide, check out these three spots below:
- New Realm, Common Ground
- SweetWater, Armour
- Wild Leap, Downtown ATL
18. Head to the incredible Georgia Renaissance Festival
All ye who wish to experience the olden days of yore, you’re in luck! The iconic GA Renaissance Festival is back in town for the spring and summer, and you don’t want to miss out! Grab your very best costume, your pals, and head to the Ren Faire for a great time!
The festival runs from April 13 thru June 2, 2024, in Fairburn, GA! Guests can expect yummy food, tons of artsy vendors and so many fun Renaissance activities (did someone say a grand joust??)!
For all the details, check out their website here. And if you want to take a Mead Party Bus to the festival, check out that event here!
19. Take a hike through the gorgeous natural beauty of Georgia
Take a hike, Atlanta! No, literally! We’re not known as the city in the forest for nothing… Atlanta is lucky to be surrounded by tons of greenery, beautiful waterfalls, and iconic hikes. You can grab your pack and your pals and check out these iconic trails for yourself, especially now that the weather is warm! Georgia hikes range in levels of difficulty, so there’s definitely something for everyone on our list of hikes!
20 Plan a day trip away to this adorable Alpine Village
If you’re looking for a great day trip, this adorable little German town is just an hour and a half from Atlanta! Check out all the fun shops, cute European restaurants, amazing nature/hikes, and so much more! Oh, and did we mention they’ve got a chocolate factory? Helen is a great town to visit during the spring, especially!
Don’t miss out on Helen, GA this May! See all the details here!
21. Grab a bottomless brunch in the ATL
Looking for boozy bottomless brunches in the ATL? We’ve got you covered! From the most delicious shrimp and grits to biscuits that’ll make your mouth water–Atlanta definitely knows how to do brunch right!
Check out some of our favorite spots to grab bottomless mimosas and a fire brunch here!22. It’s your last chance to see Here Me Now at The High
Image © Metropolitan Museum of Art, photo by
Eileen Travell.
The High’s awe-inspiring exhibit, Here Me Now: The Black Potters of Edgefield South Carolina is about to close, and you cannot miss this opportunity to see it. The exhibit returns credit stolen from enslaved Black artists in the south during the 1800s. This incredibly moving exhibit showcases works of Black potters from the past whose names have been purposely lost to history, as well as some who signed their names to their work. It also invites attendees to see modern art created by contemporary Black artists, who carry on the artistic legacy of pottery.
Get all the details here, and don’t miss out on this incredible exhibition at the High.23. Have an ice cream social day
It’s almost summer! Treat yourself, your friends or your family to a day out to ice cream! If you’re looking for some stellar ice cream spots, we’ve got ya covered!
Check out our delicious ice cream roundup here!