10 Can't-Miss Atlanta Music Festivals
Each year, the Atlanta area offers up world-class talent at music festivals that show off the city’s historic neighborhoods, iconic venues and not-very-far-away fields. From perennial favorites to newly launched events, these Atlanta music festivals are hot tickets this year.
SweetWater 420 Fest
SweetWater 420 Fest (April 21-23, 2017) features big-name bands taking the stage as part of this annual festival from Atlanta-owned SweetWater Brewing Company. In addition to enjoying music and art, festivalgoers can taste SweetWater beers and attend presentations from brewing experts. The festival also has a comedy tent featuring local talent and an EDM-centric Not-So-Silent Disco.
Shaky Beats Festival
The Shaky Beats Music Festival will be held May 5-7, 2017, in Centennial Olympic Park. Featuring more than 40 electronic, indie and hip-hop acts across three stages, food trucks and more, it's sure to be a party like no other.
Shaky Knees Music Festival
The Shaky Knees Music Festival will be May 12-14, 2017, in Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic Park & International Plaza. The 2016 event featured The Kills, Jane's Addition, My Morning Jacket and Florence + The Machine.
Atlanta Jazz Festival
If you think getting into a music festival is out of your budget this year, check out the cost of the Atlanta Jazz Festival: $0. While the main part of the festival is Memorial Day weekend, every day in May will feature a free jazz event at jazz clubs, neighborhood parks and locally owned restaurants as part of 31 Days of Jazz. The Memorial Day weekend events all happen at Piedmont Park.
Candler Park Music & Food Festival
Southern sounds reign supreme at the Candler Park Music & Food Festival in June in the large park near Atlanta’s Little Five Points. Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Lee Fields & The Expressions, Galactic, The Revivalists and more performed in 2016. Proceeds from the festival benefit Atlanta Contact Point, an organization that hosts free play days in Atlanta parks each year.
Tunes from the Tombs
Tunes from the Tombs is one of the most unique music festivals in Atlanta. Featuring local musicians, the June event will hosts numerous stages of entertainment in addition to food trucks and tours, all on the grounds of Historic Oakland Cemetery.
Imagine Music Festival
Electronic musicians, DJs and bands perform alongside cirque-style acts during the September Imagine Music Festival, featuring dance music at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Music Midtown
As one of the state’s largest music fests, Music Midtown draws fans to Atlanta every September. The long list of acts in the weekend lineup covers many musical genres and features some of the industry’s biggest names. The fest, held outdoors in Piedmont Park, has seen acts by the likes of Ludacris, Jane’s Addiction, Pearl Jam, Artic Monkeys, Red Hot Chili Peppers and T.I.
A3C Festival & Conference
Hip hop takes the stage during the annual A3C Festival & Conference in October. Located at venues in the heart of the Old Fourth Ward and East Atlanta Village, the festival features more than 500 performances over five days and concludes with the Best Block Party Ever, an event that is free to attend. Many of the events are located near the new Atlanta Streetcar route, providing easy access from MARTA rail stations and bus service as well as the downtown hotel district.
Wire and Wood Songwriters Festival
Nationally recognized singer-songwriters gather in October for Alpharetta's Wire and Wood Songwriters Festival. Fans get a behind-the-scenes look at the stories that inspired country, rock, blues, Americana and bluegrass songs. Featuring veteran songsmiths and local up-and-coming talent, the festival converts the streets of downtown Alpharetta into concert stages.
