20 free things to do in metro Atlanta in May
With summer on the horizon and warmer days finally here, Atlanta has so much to offer both indoors and outdoors throughout May. From lively celebrations honoring Cinco de Mayo and the Atlanta Jazz Festival to the spirited traditions of the Kentucky Derby and the commemoration of AANHPI Heritage Month, there are plenty of events to discover. Dive into our curated list of 20 free events to be sure your May plans are packed with endless fun and cultural adventures!
Georgia State Fair - Atlanta Motor Speedway
Take the whole family on an adventure at the Georgia State Fair, with plenty of entertaining attractions such as pig races, a petting zoo, a Jurassic Kingdom dinosaur show and so much more. Print this coupon for free admission!
Location: Hampton, GA - 1500 Tara Pl.; Website: georgiastatefair.com; Date: Wednesday, May 1
Children’s Chalk Art - Path400
Get creative and join in adorning Path400 with vibrant chalk art flowers, setting the stage for the upcoming flower-themed 5K event.
Location: Buckhead - 3399 Peachtree Dr. NE; Website: livablebuckhead.com; Date: Friday, May 3; Time: 3 - 5 p.m.
In-Store Kids Workshops - The Home Depot (Multiple Locations)
Join The Home Depot for this month’s Kids Workshop, featuring a Blooming Picture Frame crafting event for children (while supplies last).
Locations: Atlanta Locations; Website: homedepot.com/kids; Date: Saturday, May 4; Time: 9 a.m.
Johns Creek International Festival
Celebrate cultural diversity at the Johns Creek International Festival, where families can indulge in a global feast of traditional cuisine from local restaurants and food trucks, groove to the rhythms of salsa and drum beats, explore handcrafted treasures from diverse artisans, and engage in interactive activities that spark curiosity and foster understanding across cultures.
Location: Johns Creek - 1930 Bobby Jones Dr.; Website: johnscreekga.gov; Date: Saturday, May 4; Time: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Kentucky Derby Party - Avalon (Alpharetta)
Saddle up for a stylish soirée at Avalon’s Kentucky Derby Party, with live music, Mint Juleps, and thrilling race-watching on a brand new LED screen.
Location: Alpharetta - 2200 Avalon Blvd.; Website: experienceavalon.com; Date: Saturday, May 4; Time: 5 - 8 p.m.
Cinco de Mayo Celebration - Plaza Fiesta
Get ready to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in style at Plaza Fiesta, where the festivities include live mariachi music, fun games and exciting prizes for all to enjoy!
Location: Chamblee - 4166 Buford Hwy. NE; Website: plazafiesta.net/cinco-de-mayo; Date: Sunday, May 5
Music in the Garden - Woodlands Garden (Decatur)
Enjoy the enchanting Music in the Garden series at Woodlands Garden, featuring free performances in the screened-in pavilion on select Sundays.
Location: Decatur (Woodlands Garden) - 932 Scott Blvd.; Website: woodlandsgarden.org; Dates: Sunday, May 5 and 19; Time: 2 - 4 p.m.
Wellness Series: Yoga - The Battery Atlanta
On non-game days, there’s free yoga at The Battery Atlanta every Monday evening, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required and free parking is available. Check out some of their past yoga sessions here.
Location: Cumberland - 800 Battery Ave. SE; Website: batteryatl.com; Date: Monday, May 6; Time: 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Punchline Comedy Night - Avalon (Alpharetta)
Get ready for a night full of laughs and entertainment as Punchline Comedy Night takes place at Palmer Plaza at the Avalon. Don’t forget to bring your own chairs and join in on the fun!
Location: Alpharetta - 2200 Avalon Blvd.; Website: experienceavalon.com; Date: Monday, May 6; Time: 7:30 - 9 p.m.
Tot Spot - Atlantic Station
Bring your little ones to the safety extravaganza at Tot Spot! Families can enjoy activities teaching kids essential safety tips, meet the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office canine team, and catch Atlanta Fire Rescue for giveaways and a firetruck sighting, along with crafts and snacks.
Location: Midtown - 1380 Atlantic Dr. NW; Website: atlanticstation.com/tot-spot; Date: Tuesday, May 7; Time: 10 a.m. to noon
Movies on the Square - Colony Square
Unwind and immerse yourself in a delightful movie night with friends and family at Colony Square as they screen “Mamma Mia,” starting at 7 p.m.
Location: Midtown - 1197 Peachtree St. NE; Website: colonysquare.com; Date: Thursday, May 9; Time: 7 - 9 p.m.
AANHPI Heritage Month Celebration - Town Center Park (Suwanee)
Gather at Town Center Park for a vibrant celebration of Asian cultures, featuring diverse performances, captivating costumes, music and cuisine, all aimed at fostering unity, appreciation, and family-friendly engagement while highlighting the importance of appreciating and supporting the AANHPI community.
Location: Suwanee - 330 Town Center Ave.; Website: suwanee.com; Date: Saturday, May 11; Time: Noon to 8 p.m.
Sweet Auburn SpringFest - Historic Sweet Auburn District
Experience Atlanta’s historic Sweet Auburn District at the largest free outdoor festival in the Southeast, Sweet Auburn Springfest. Enjoy delicious food, live music and family-friendly fun along the mile-and-a-half historic avenue with 10 stages and a wide variety of vendors.
Location: East Atlanta - 230 John Wesley Dobbs Ave.; Website: sweetauburn.com; Dates: Saturday, May 11 - Sunday, May 12
Alive in Roswell - Canton Street (Roswell)
Alive in Roswell is a free, family-friendly monthly festival with music, food trucks, vendors and more held every third Thursday of the month on Historic Canton Street.
Location: Roswell - Canton St.; Website: aliveinroswell.com; Date: Thursday, May 16; Time: 5 - 9 p.m.
3rd Anniversary Celebration - Chattahoochee Food Works
Celebrate Chattahoochee Food Works’ 3rd anniversary with live entertainment and fun activities all day long!
Location: Northeast - 1235 Chattahoochee Ave. NW; Website: theworksatl.com; Date: Saturday, May 18; Time: 11 a.m.
Alpharetta Art in the Park - Brooke Street Park (Alpharetta)
Discover Alpharetta Art in the Park, an outdoor artist market featuring local artisans creating handcrafted masterpieces across various mediums.
Location: Alpharetta - 2 Park Plaza; Website: alpharettaaitp.com; Dates: Saturday, May 18 - Sunday, May 19
Virginia Highland Porchfest
Get ready to rock the picturesque porches of Virginia Highland at the annual Porchfest, featuring live music performances, a fun kids corner, a vendor market showcasing talented artists, and an array of delicious food, all for a day of family-friendly fun.
Location: East Atlanta - 797 Virginia Ave. NE; Website: virginiahighlanddistrict.com; Date: Saturday, May 18; Time: Noon to 6 p.m.
Art Gallery Stroll - Miami Circle
Enjoy an art-filled evening exploring the galleries of Miami Circle, the largest single gathering of fine art galleries in Atlanta. Discover captivating works from local, regional and international artists.
Location: Buckhead - Miami Cir. NE; Website: miamicircleshops.com; Date: Saturday, May 18; Time: 4 - 6 p.m.
La Fiesta en Hapeville
Join the excitement at this year’s La Fiesta en Hapeville, where attendees can enjoy lively music from Mariachi Amigoz, an entertaining clown performance by Spanky & Friends, tunes by UMC Uriel, food vendors, a thrilling mechanical bull ride, face-painting, human-sized foosball and more!
Location: Hapeville - 680 S Central Ave.; Website: hapeville.org; Date: Saturday, May 18; Time: 5 - 8 p.m.
Atlanta Jazz Festival - Piedmont Park
Step into the vibrant world of jazz at the Atlanta Jazz Festival, one of the largest free jazz festivals in the nation, showcasing a dynamic lineup of local and international artists.
Location: Midtown - Piedmont Park; Website: atljazzfest.com; Dates: Saturday, May 25 - Monday, May 27
Sports, arts and dining: Your neighborhood guide to Georgia Tech and …