There’s no end to what you can do in Atlanta, but the city’s home to several events each year, LGBTQ+ and otherwise, that are worth planning a trip around. We’ve rounded up some of Atlanta’s favorite events, fundraisers, parties, and festivals – so start filling up your calendar now!
Chomp & Stomp Chili Festival
November 8, 2025
Head to Cabbagetown for the chili cookoff and Bluegrass festival.
Atlanta Veterans Day Observance Ceremony and Parade
November 8, 2025
Military and Veteran speakers will honor the Americans in uniform at Azadi Galleria at the Woodruff Arts Center before the parade starts near the High Museum and ends by the Fox Theatre.
Piedmont Park Holiday Gift Market
November 29-30, 2025
With an emphasis on the visual arts and holiday gift-giving, this event is centered around buying local and supporting local artists at Piedmont Park!
Garden Lights, Holiday Nights
Nightly November 15, 2025 – January 2026
Every winter, the Atlanta Botanical Garden is transformed with over two million lights into a magical holiday wonderland.
Toy Party
December 2025 TBD
One of the most poignant signs of LGBTQ+ Atlantans’ commitment to their city and neighbors is the mound of toys on display each December at the annual Toy Party. The event, presented by For the Kid in All of Us, has grown into one of the largest social events of the year.
Atlanta Santa Speedo Run
December 6, 2025
This one-mile fun run will have you stripped down to your skivvies in the name of charity – supporting Joining Hearts and the fight against HIV/AIDS – alongside others who are just as bold and beautiful as you are, inside and out!
JoiningHearts.org
Anime Weekend Atlanta
December 18-21, 2025
AWA at the Georgia World Congress Center is a four-day celebration of Japanese culture, anime, and manga, with a dash of general pop culture.
Awa-con.com
Atlanta Jewish Film Festival
February-March 2026 TBD
The AJFF is committed to strengthening Jewish life and fostering intergroup understanding across Atlanta with more than two weeks of film screenings.
Cupid’s Undie Run
February 2026 TBD
Every year, thousands of runners don their undies to raise money and awareness for NF, a group of genetic conditions that cause tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body. The event kicks off with drinking and dancing before a mile(ish) jog and an epic dance party!
Atlanta Film Festival
Spring 2026 TBD
One of only two dozen Oscar-qualifying festivals in the U.S., the Atlanta Film Festival welcomes almost 30,000 people to discover hundreds of independent, international, animated, documentary, and short films.
The Georgia Renaissance Festival
Spring 2026 TBD
Go back to the Medieval era at the Renaissance Festival! Enjoy jousting, archery, turkey legs, and period-appropriate art and wares – and make sure to come in costume!
Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Atlanta’s St. Patrick’s parade dates back to 1858, making it one of the oldest in the country! Don your green and celebrate the day when “everybody is Irish.”
March 14, 2026
Atlanta Dogwood Festival
April 10-12, 2026
The Dogwood Festival is Atlanta’s favorite springtime tradition with a nationally renowned artist market, music, and, of course, the blooming dogwood trees!
Atlanta Jazz Festival
Memorial Day Weekend 2026
The Atlanta Jazz Festival is one of the largest free jazz festivals in the country. You can enjoy live music all weekend long at Piedmont Park.
AIDS Vaccine 200 Bike Ride
May 2026 TBD
Each year, dozens of bike riders gather for a 200-mile fundraising ride from Emory University to Rock Eagle 4-H Center. The ride raises money for HIV/AIDS research at the Emory Vaccine Center and other LGBTQ nonprofits, while celebrating the memories of lives lost to the disease.
Big Peach Softball Tournament
May 2026 TBD
Hosted by the gay Hotlanta Softball League, the Big Peach draws hundreds of players from dozens of teams around the country for a weekend of softball competition in multiple divisions, plus plenty of socializing.
HotlantaSoftball.org
Decatur Arts Festival
May 2026 TBD
This can’t-miss arts event brings the community to Downtown Decatur Square with 150 artist booths, 200+ performances, and a full weekend of fun!
HRC Atlanta Gala Dinner & Auction
May 2026 TBD
Raising about $400,000 annually for the Human Rights Campaign, the Atlanta HRC dinner is a standard-bearer throughout the nation. The annual black-tie affair, which will celebrate its 34th year, features leading activists and entertainers advancing gay rights and honors local LGBTQ+ leaders and allies.
Peach Party Atlanta
May 2026 TBD
Atlanta’s premier circuit party weekend brings in the hottest DJ talent from around the world! Thousands of the hottest men from around the world converge in the metro to dance the night away to the best beats in the Southeast.
Atlanta Comic Con
Summer 2026 TBD
Embrace your inner nerd at Atlanta’s #1 family-friendly comic convention. Head to the Georgia World Congress Center to enjoy a weekend of comic books, cosplay, panels, celebrity appearances, and more!
Atlanta Pride Run
June 1, 2026
The Atlanta Pride Run & Walk is an annual 5K race and walk organized by the Front Runners Atlanta running club. Proceeds from the registration and other fundraisers are donated to a local charity that supports the LGBTQ+ community in Georgia.
2026 FIFA World Cup
June 11 – July 19, 2026
People from around the world will flock to Atlanta for eight matches, including one semi-final, that will be held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Grab your tickets for a match to join in on the fun, or keep a lookout for matches screened at local restaurants and bars across the city.
Flying Colors Butterfly Festival
June 2026 TBD
Celebrate the beauty, science, and spirit of pollinators at Chattahoochee Nature Center. Step inside the live butterfly encounter, meet pollinator experts, and enjoy food, music, games, and more.
Southern Fried Queer Pride
June 2026 TBD
This homegrown version of Pride puts the spotlight on queer and trans Southerners, offering an inclusive atmosphere at each of its parties, potlucks, pop-ups, and workshops.
Virginia-Highland Summerfest
June 2026 TBD
Kick off summer with live bands, great art, good food, and a 5K in the beautiful Virginia-Highland neighborhood.
Joining Hearts Weekend
July 2026 TBD
An extra dose of “fun” is added to “fundraising” each summer during the Joining Hearts party, which uses 100 percent of proceeds to provide housing for people with HIV.
Peachtree Road Race
July 4, 2026
Atlanta’s Fourth of July tradition is the world’s largest 10K with over 50,000 runners and walkers taking to Peachtree Road.
