20 free things to do in metro Atlanta in September

As the weather begins to change, activities abound throughout Atlanta and the metro area. You’ll find plenty of free festivals, community celebrations, cultural events and opportunities to move throughout the month of September. Here are our recommendations.

Baby Steps

Always wanted to learn to in-line skate? Here’s your chance! As part of the Beltline Free Fitness program, instructor Richard Williams teaches the basics of this fun way to move. Don’t forget to bring you wrist guards, knee and elbow pads, helmet and brake.

Location: Rodney Cook Sr. Park; Date: Sept. 1; Time: 6-7 p.m.; Website: beltline.org/events

Flavors on Main

Each Wednesday through Sept. 17, Duluth’s Main Street caters to foodies with trucks and restaurants offering a smorgasbord of goodies savory and sweet. Think bratwurst to funnel cakes. And, depending on the week’s schedule, you can catch kids’ activities, face painting, movies and live music.

Location: downtown Duluth; Date: Sept. 3, 10 and 17; Time: 6-9 p.m.; Website: duluthga.net

Acoustic Sunsets at Hamilton Gardens

Enjoy great acoustic music with dinner and wine at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds in Hiawassee. Singer/songwriter Wyatt Espalin hosts this series. This rhododendron garden section of the fairgrounds features a walk through the gardens to fishing hole rock, which you can enjoy after the show.

Location: Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds; Dates: Sept. 4, 11, and 18; Time: food and wine - 5 p.m., music - 6 p.m.; Website: georgiamountainfairgrounds.com

Yellow Daisy Festival

Support artisans as you stroll row upon row of unique offerings at this annual arts and crafts festival featuring hundreds of displays. This is one of the Southeast’s largest such events; new for this year are a fresh flower and plant garden and children’s entrepreneur market. Festival admission is free, but attendees must pay to park, and fees start at $20.

Location: Stone Mountain Park; Dates: Sept. 4-7; Time: Thursday and Sunday - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday - 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Website: stonemountainpark.com/yellow-daisy-festival/

Doc Holliday Festival

Can’t get enough Doc Holliday? This is your chance to immerse yourself in the legend that surrounds this famous Wild West gunslinger (who had a day job as a dentist) in his hometown of Griffin. A reenactment of the OK Corral shootout, a barbecue competition are centerpieces of the event.

Location: Griffin City Park; Dates: Sept. 6; Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Website: eventeny.com/events

Laser show

It’s an Atlanta classic! That’s right, the classic laser show at Stone Mountain Park is back on Saturdays for free, and you can catch it one last time this summer on Sept. 6. Although admission to the show is free, you will need to pay the park’s parking fee, which starts at $20.

Location: Stone Mountain Park; Dates: Sept. 6; Time: 9:30 p.m.; Website: stonemountainpark.com/activity

Georgia Weller Day Boat Outings

Veterans and children with special needs are invited to spend the day on Lake Lanier with their families Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 6 and 7. Expect a private boat cruise that leaves from Port Royale Marina on the lake, followed by live music and a barbecue lunch. Spaces are limited, so visit the website to reserve a spot.

Location: Port Royale Marina; Dates: Sept. 6 and 7; Times: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., ; Website: freedomwatersfoundation.org/event

A conversation with author Gyanendra Pandey

Legendary radio host Lois Reitzes, formerly of WABE, hosts a conversation with author Gyanendra Pandey on his new book, “Men at Home: Imagining Liberation in Colonial and Postcolonial India.” Settle in for an afternoon of learning and intellectual stimulation at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum.

Location: Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum; Dates: Sept. 10; Time: 7-9 p.m.; Website: jimmycarterlibrary.gov/events

Reynoldstown Wheelbarrow Festival

Roll on in to a celebration of community featuring live music, great food, a cornhole tournament and artist market. While you’re at it, sign up for the .5K race. You read that right — this tiny race will have you sprinting for the finish line alongside neighbors and friends. Also on tap for the day are volleyball and pickleball tournaments.

Location: Lang-Carson Park; Date: Sept. 13; Times: noon-7 p.m.; Website: reynoldstown.net/wheelbarrow-festival

Around the World in the DTL

Lawrenceville lives up to its reputation as a culturally diverse area of metro Atlanta with this two-day international bazaar. Browse wares from across the world and try great food. See dance performances and live music, and participate in crafts and games.

Location: Lawrenceville Lawn; Dates: Sept. 12 and 13; Time: 2-10 p.m.; Website: downtownlawrencevillega.com

Placita Latina exhibition

This fifth annual juried exhibition showcases Hispanic and Latinx artists in a reflection on heritage, belonging and resilience that celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month.

Location: Decatur Arts Alliance Gallery; Dates: Sept. 12-Oct. 17; Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Website: decaturartsalliance.org/event

Dogtoberfest

Head to Duluth with your canine friends in an Oktoberfest-themed atmosphere. This is an evening for dog lovers to get together and socialize in a pet-friendly setting.

Location: Duluth Town Green; Dates: Sept. 13; Time: 5-9 p.m.; Website: cms4.revize.com/revize

Atlanta Against Cancer at Ponce City Market

Creativity and healing are the focus at this Atlanta Against Cancer event at The Porch at Ponce City Market. Experience DJs, art and mural installations, local vendors and food — all in the name of standing up to cancer.

Location: The Porch at Ponce City Market; Date: Sept. 13; Time: noon-9 p.m.; Website: atlantaagainstcancer.com

Taste and Brews

Come out and experience an array of fall flavors, from barbecue to Latin food, from more than 20 vendors, alongside a wide selection of craft beers. This fifth annual festival in Canton will also feature a farmers and arts and crafts market, live music and an activity area for children.

Location: Etowah River Park; Dates: Sept. 13 and 14; Time: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Website: explorecantonga.com

Streets Alive

Empty Atlanta streets? It’s a rarity, but it happens a few times each year with the Streets Alive program. On Sunday, Sept. 14, those in the city are free to walk, dance, play, skate or bike down a closed portion of Peachtree Street for the afternoon.

Location: Peachtree Street; Date: Sept. 14; Time: 2-6 p.m.; Website: atlantastreetsalive.org

U at the Zoo

College students receive free admission to Zoo Atlanta with presentation of a current school ID during this one-evening event. Adults in school get $10 general admission. DJ Solo Mauro will provide music, and Bubbles Over Georgia will bring bubble artistry. Also enjoy a scavenger hunt, watercolor workshop and rides on the zoo train and Endangered Species Carousel while you learn all about animals and conservation from experts.

Location: Zoo Atlanta; Dates: Sept. 14; Time: 3-7:30 p.m.; Website: zooatlanta.org/event/

Suwaneefest

This annual celebration of the Suwanee community operates with a theme each year, and this time, it’s the Jurassic period. It’s two days of entertainment featuring dance performances from the likes of the Stayin’ Alive Crew and the All Stars and music from the Nexus Drumline and Justin Shelton. A family fun zone features dinosaur-themed fossil digs and games alongside rides and inflatables, and the whole thing kicks off with a parade on Saturday.

Location: Suwanee Town Center; Dates: Sept. 20-21; Time: Saturday - 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday - noon-5 p.m.; Website: suwaneefest.com

Oakhurst Jazz Nights

Enjoy live jazz Thursdays, courtesy of the Oakhurst Neighborhood Association, throughout September at the Solarium in Decatur’s Oakhurst Neighborhood. This series culminates on Sept. 25, catch the Matt Wauchope Trio. This rain-or-shine event is picnic style, so bring low chairs or blankets. Music moves inside the solarium in wet weather.

Location: The Solarium; Date: Sept. 25; Time: 7-9 p.m.; Website: oakhurstjazznights.com

Free salsa lessons at Placita at Ponce

Want to hone your dance skills? Learn to salsa at Placita at Ponce at the food hall at Ponce City Market! The Clahvay Dance Collective delivers free instruction twice a month. Eat first, and then dance the evening away!

Location: Placita at Ponce; Dates: every second and fourth Friday; Time: 8 p.m.; Website: elsuperpan.com/events

Historic Fourth Ward Park splash pad

Fall is almost here, but the city is still sizzling hot most days. There’s still plenty of opportunity to enjoy free splash pads. The one at Historic Fourth Ward Park will allow your family to cool off as you enjoy the last days of summer.

Location: Historic Fourth Ward Park; Dates: Every day; Time: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Website: beltline.org