Fall Festivals in Atlanta

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With a fresh chill in the air, the Fall Festivals present Atlantans with a final chance to be outdoors and catch some of the biggest events of the year. Music Midtown has historically been the highlight of the season but has played to mixed reviews in the past couple of years as they have sought a younger audience. DragonCon, A3C, Pride, Taste of Atlanta and a great Halloween festivals including the Little Five Points parade are must see events. Here's a list of the festivals and fairs that happen all year round. If you are looking for things to do this weekend, today or tomorrow. See our handy guide to the 5 things to do in Atlanta today. We've got critics and reader recommendations for live music, food and wine events, sports, free or those for the family. For a list of neighborhood centric-events or our page of Things to Do in ATL.

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SEPTEMBER

Music Midtown

Music Midtown once reigned supreme as the festival in the ATL — period. After a brief hiatus in the early 2000s, Music Midtown has made a slow and steady comeback, and still gets the good folks of the city excited even though the production has been scaled back to less acts and one day shorter than the three-day extravaganza it once was. You could travel over to Tennessee for Bonnaroo or seriously dent the bank account heading out to Coachella, but you'll find lineups offering the same music diversity right here in the city.

Imagine Music Festival

The Imagine Music Festival started in 2014 as a modest music festival in Historic Fourth Ward Park and has become one of the nation’s most anticipated EDM gatherings. These days, Imagine calls the Atlanta Motor Speedway near rural Hampton, Georgia its home. Over the years, the festival has more than doubled in attendance and scope, while remaining independent, which founders Glenn and Madeleine Goodhand say “allows for the creative freedom to build that vision of the Aquatic Fairytale each year.”

OCTOBER

Pride Parade/Festival

The annual Atlanta Pride Festival, the largest Pride event in the Southeast and the largest event in the country to coincide with National Coming Out Day, celebrates all things LGBT. The festival weekend is jam-packed with a kickoff party and the annual Pride Parade, as well as arts, vendors, parties, and other festivities.

Taste of Atlanta

Foodies and chefs alike gather in Historic Fourth Ward Park to experience the cuisine and drinks of the city for one delicious weekend. Taste of Atlanta features over 80 local restaurants and three live cooking stages, offering samples for the average consumer and educational workshops for professionals.

Little Five Points Halloween Festival and Parade

The Little Five Points Halloween Festival is a day-long celebration of all things Hallo-weird. The much-anticipated fest is one of the city's best and packs Atlanta's eclectic neighborhood with music, food trucks, a killer artists market, tricks, treats, debauchery, and, of course, the annual parade featuring morbidly decorated floats carrying candy-tossing and music-playing ghouls through the streets of L5P. Throw on your best costume and get there early.

A3C Hip-Hop Festival

An acronym for All Three Coasts, the A3C Hip-Hop Festival features arguably the largest collection (500-plus performances) of hip-hop acts in the country. Expanding exponentially every year since its 2005 inception, A3C is a fusion of good music, education, art, film, style, and industry panels. If every hipster music lover travels to Austin for SXSW, hitting up ATL for A3C is a hip-hop head's obligation.

Netherworld Haunted House

Regarded as one of Atlanta’s top haunted houses, Netherworld transforms a warehouse-like building just outside the Perimeter into a den of horrors that continues to scare metro Atlantans year after year with elaborately costumed ghouls, special effects, and a labyrinthine layout.

NOVEMBER

Chomp and Stomp Chili Cook-Off Festival

Every fall, a chili-hungry crowd descends on Cabbagetown Park for the annual Chomp and Stomp Chili Cook-Off Festival, featuring the Romp and Stomp 5K race, live music, artists market, games, and, of course, copious amounts of chili. There's always tons of the stuff, but this is a popular festival so be sure to get there early before they run out. If you miss out on the chili, food vendors will be on site to make sure no one goes hungry.

Indie Craft Experience Holiday Shopping Spectacular

The annual market features crafters, artists, and small businesses that produce handmade and indie goods. Everything from seasoned gourmet salts to silk-screened T-shirts and handmade jewelry to original works of art will be for sale. Also catch music, a photo booth, food and drinks, and a swag bag designed by a local artist.

Seasonal