Special Events in Atlanta
January:
King Week and the Martin Luther King Jr.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born in Atlanta on January 15, 1929. A national holiday was declared in his honor in 1986. King Week, held the week preceding the Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday, includes many free performances, concerts, special religious services and educational presentations. Check with the Center for specific times and places of events.
February:
African-American History Month
Atlanta, the center of the Civil Rights movement for years, marks African-American History Month with numerous educational and entertainment events.
March:
Atlanta Passion Play
Since 1976, the First Baptist Church of Atlanta has annually presented this pageant portraying Christ's life, death and resurrection. Its reputation is so widespread, it now draws people from around the country. Each year's production varies slightly with different focuses on the story line and different music. The elaborately staged and costumed play is the work of more than 500 people, including a chorus and full orchestra. Due to the three-hour length, the sacred nature of the performance and the graphic portrayal of Christ's death, children younger than 6 are not admitted. The play is performed the final three weekends of Lent, not including Easter weekend.
April:
Easter Sunrise Services
As Easter morning breaks, local ministers lead an ecumenical worship service.. The weather is often windy and cold, so you might need to bring a blanket. The service is free, but there is a per car charge of about $6 to be admitted into the park.
May:
Lasershow
Seven nights a week from early May through Labor Day, the sky over Stone Mountain explodes with a rainbow of laser light. To stirring musical accompaniment, lasers are projected on the mountain's north face, which becomes a natural million-square-foot screen. After Labor Day through late October, the show is presented on Friday and Saturday nights only. The show is free with admission to the park.
June:
Virginia-Highland Summerfest
Founded in 1916 and originally called North Boulevard Park, the Virginia-Highland neighborhood annually throws this popular, free party featuring bands, food from area restaurants and lots of fun for the children. It's held the first full weekend in June.
July:
Independence Day
200,000 spectators line Peachtree Street at dawn to watch 50,000 runners compete in the annual Peachtree Road. Midday there's WSB-TV's Salute 2 America Parade with bands, balloons and celebrities; it's the largest Independence Day parade in the nation.
September:
Montreaux Atlanta International Music Festival
Famous jazz acts perform at this free outdoor festival sponsored by the City of Atlanta. The event kicks off the week prior to Labor Day with local groups performing at afternoon concerts at either Woodruff Park or Centennial Park, both in downtown Atlanta. The three days of Montreaux concerts are held at Piedmont Park in Midtown and feature jazz, reggae, blues, rock and country music.
October:
Georgia Renaissance Festival
More than 100 daily performances take place on 10 stages, and food concessions abound. A special attraction at the fall celebration is the Haunted Castle. The festival is open Saturdays and Sundays only.
November:
Lighting of Rich's Great Tree
Even though Rich's once-proud downtown flagship store is gone, this holiday tradition begun in 1948 still continues. At 7 PM on Thanksgiving night, thousands of Atlantans gather to sing carols with mass choirs and await the lighting of Rich's Great Tree, an enormous evergreen decorated with basketball-size ornaments atop Underground Atlanta's parking garage. During the highest note of "Oh, Holy Night" the switch is thrown, and the huge tree explodes with light.
December:
The Atlanta Ballet-The Nutcracker
The Atlanta Ballet's annual production of The Nutcracker, staged from early December through Christmas, has been a holiday tradition for more than 30 years) The production features an orchestra, a full company of dancers and more than 200 children. Tickets go on sale at the beginning of October.