Community Events

Join the Animal Care Team and one of our talented animal artists, meeting either the Zoo’s “VanGoat” or “Baaahlo,” and take home a unique work of art in this unforgettable experience.

Learn about the positive reinforcement training process of becoming an animal artist. See firsthand the ways this enrichment activity fits into high standards of care for animals at the Zoo when you meet a goat or sheep and see their art creation in action. Please note that we cannot guarantee a specific animal for your program.

• Meet at the Petting Zoo area of Outback Station 15 minutes before the Wild Encounter start time. 
• Availability is limited for all Wild Encounters. Advance registration is recommended.
• When space is available, encounter tickets can be purchased online for up to five minutes before the encounter begins.
• Includes one (1) take-home canvas per registered group.

Days Available:
Saturdays at 3:15 p.m.

Member Cost: $67.50 | Includes one painting per group of four people.
Non-Member Cost: $75 per group of up to four people, + individual Zoo Admission | Includes one painting per group of four people.

Age Range: All ages

Boo at the Zoo
2026 Dates: October 17, 18, 24, 25 & 31
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Boo at the Zoo presented by Georgia Natural Gas is Atlanta’s favorite family Halloween festival! Wake the Komodo dragon, gila monster and hooded vultures!
Boo at the Zoo is FREE for Zoo Atlanta Members and children under 3; FREE with general admission. 

During the last three weekends of October from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., enjoy trick or treating, plenty of photo opportunities, themed entertainment and activities, costumed characters, and so much more. Costumes are welcome; please take a moment to read over our rules. 

Boo at the Zoo is about creating special memories with the family, not necessarily to bring home the biggest haul of candy. Come for the candy but stay for the fun! This event is rain-or-shine; however, some activities may be delayed or canceled due to rain. 

NEW FOR 2026: We’re expanding to a fifth day of Boo at the Zoo this year, and guess what? We’ll be hosting Boo at the Zoo on Halloween!

Entertainment and Activities:

– Kids’ Trick-or-Treat Lane: Visit booths along Trick or Treat Lane for some scary good treats! Kids can expect to visit about a dozen treat stations, collecting one piece of candy at each while supplies last. Note to grown-ups: Trick-or-treating is complimentary and designed for the kids. 

– Kids’ Craft: Get into the spirit with a fun, Halloween-themed craft while supplies last.  

– Carnival Games: Try your luck for a petrifying prize at our carnival games. 

– Family-Friendly Performances: To be announced! 

– Strolling Characters: You never know who you’ll run into! Keep an eye out for special characters roaming around the Zoo from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Perfect for a photo-op! 

– Decorations: Boo at the Zoo décor includes mostly friendly spooks!   

Missed getting your fried green tomatoes?

Head over to nearby Juliette for the Green Tomato Festival, Oct. 24-25, in celebration of the movie, "Fried Green Tomatoes," that made Juliette world-famous. Eat at the delicious Whistle Stop Café, browse booths of goods made by local artisans, enjoy live music and partake in the unique shops and boutiques of Juliette from 10AM - 5PM each day!

This show will feature historic quilts from Carroll County and more recent works created by current residents. It will also feature bedspreads designed by Bruce Bobick for the Disney All Star Hotels in 1994.

Join the fun at Madison's 20th Annual Downtown (small-town) Chili Cook-off & CASI Georgia State Championship Open Cook-Off in Town Park from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.. Chili teams compete in two categories with public chili sampling beginning at 12:30 p.m. sharp. 

Sampling wristbands go on sale at noon at two wristband tents. Sample and then vote for your favorite chili. Shop the handmade/homegrown market. Listen to great music at the Toe-tappin’ music stage on Second Street and enjoy a great day in Madison.

This is a rain or shine event.

Atlanta Food Festival vibes every week with food, crafts, music and kids' activities.

Free admission fun for all ages!

This is the perfect place to eat, shop, dance, and make memories at one of the most family-friendly food markets in Atlanta.

Food & Drinks

• Over 15 delicious food vendors featuring a diverse selection of foods every week
• A diverse mix of crave-worthy eats from local culinary favorites
• Food, drinks & most activities available for purchase

Shop Local

• Craft vendors showcasing local artisans
• Handmade goods, unique gifts & one-of-a-kind finds
• Support small businesses in a vibrant marketplace atmosphere.

Entertainment & Experiences

• Live music from talented local bands all day
• High-energy DJ sets spinning your favorite hits at night
• Monthly Silent Disco experience with glowing headphones
• Monthly Outdoor Movie Nights under the stars. Bring blankets and chairs!
• Seasonal themes and interactive activities
• Exciting sponsor activations and giveaways

Family Fun

• Kids activities including inflatables
• Face painting and family-friendly games
• Safe, welcoming environment for all ages

When
Every Saturday, April 4-Nov. 14, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

Eat. Shop. Dance. Celebrate. Repeat.

RSVP BY GRABBING A TICKET FOR EXCLUSIVE OFFERS AND DISCOUNTS FROM OUR VENDORS!

https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/uptown-market-atlanta-4820292

THE ADVENTURE BEGINS ONCE YOU GET LOST! 

Wind your way through this twisting, climbing, head-scratching interactive exhibit that’ll challenge the whole family from the very first step. 

Can your eyes actually lie to you? Find out in the Maze of Illusions where nothing is what it seems. Think you’re coordinated? Climb, duck, and try not to get completely tangled in the Web Maze. Feeling ambitious? Build your own maze from scratch, then dare others to solve it.  

From giant finger mazes to brain-busting puzzle tables, art you can touch, and a labyrinth library, there are surprises to be found round every single corner.

Washington Farms is a family-friendly agritourism farm with lots of fun activities for people of all ages! You can pick your own pumpkins and flowers, get lost in the corn maze, stroll through the petting zoo, zoom down the Mega Slide, jump on the jumping pillows, cheer on at the pig races, enjoy a wagon ride around the farm, and so much more!!! Visit our website for hours, pricing, and a complete list of activities! 

For hours, pricing, and a complete list of activities, visit http://www.washingtonfarms.net   

See y'all at the farm!

The Piedmont Division of the National Model Railroad Association proudly presents the Piedmont Pilgrimage, the annual tour of the Atlanta area's great model railroads. We are proud to showcase the craftsmanship and dedication of our members during this event. The 2026 tour will feature more than 60 remarkable model railroads to visit. As always, the Pilgrimage is open to everyone and is entirely free of charge.

The Pilgrimage kicks off on Saturday, Oct. 24, and will run for five weekends. Tours will be open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on both Saturdays and Sundays.

Detailed information can be found on the website: https://piedmontpilgrimage.com/.

2nd Annual GA Mountain Charity Comic Con benefiting a local library is a family friendly, fun-filled event with live entertainment, multiple panels, cosplay contest, art contest, photo contest, great food options and tons of hard to find treasures, including comics, art, jewelry, collectibles, cards, larp gear and so much more.

It's not just about comics!

Visit the website for details.

Wander among thousands of vibrant Japanese maples showcasing breathtaking colors from spring through fall in one of the Southeast's most beautiful garden settings.

Join Georgia Tech football for Homecoming at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field as they take on Boston College.  

Purchase your tickets today at www.ramblinwreck.com/tickets 

Visit Historic Downtown Hartwell and celebrate fall with two festivals in one day, featuring arts and crafts vendors, delicious food, children's activities, and shopping throughout the historic downtown.

Enjoy live music, bratwurst, and craft beer during HartOberfest at Southern Hart Brewing while exploring Depot Day along Depot Street.

Rain or shine, this family-friendly tradition offers a full day of fall fun for all ages. (706) 376-8590.

3 Routes: 70 Miles, 46 Miles or 25 Miles

A premier cycling event takes place in Northeast Georgia each October. Hosted by Tallulah Falls School, the 12th annual Twin Rivers Challenge is set for Oct. 24, at 9 a.m. This cycling event raises funds for student scholarships.

With the leaves at peak color in late October, this is the perfect time to visit the region known for its scenery and hospitality. Tallulah Falls School extends a warm invitation to cyclists across the Southeast to experience the Twin Rivers Challenge.

Missed getting your fried green tomatoes? Head over to nearby Juliette for the Fried Green Tomato Festival, Oct. 24-25, in celebration of the movie, "Fried Green Tomatoes," which made Juliette world-famous.

Eat at the delicious Whistle Stop Café, browse booths of goods made by local artisans, enjoy live music and partake in the unique shops and boutiques of Juliette!

The festival runs from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. each day. 

For more information email: fgtfestival@gmail.com

Car lovers and craft beer and barbecue fans, mark your calendars for Oct. 24, from 12 to 3 p.m., and join Choate Construction Company for the 17th annual Cars & ‘Q for the Cause! This award-winning car show and party benefits the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) and features 100+ unique cars, tasty barbecue, craft beer and wine, a silent auction, live music, and more.

To date, Cars & ‘Q has raised more than $5.2 million for the Foundation to support life-saving research and critical advancements in medical treatment for cystic fibrosis (CF), the progressive genetic lung disease affecting 40,000+ children and adults in the U.S.

But Choate’s not done yet!  

The ever-growing event attracts serious car enthusiasts and long-time patrons alongside first-time car show attendees who have simply heard about the fun-raising and passion for a CF cure.

“Once you experience the tremendous hope and progress in the CF community, you are hooked,” said event founder and coordinator Emily Bridges.

Cars & ‘Q for the Cause promises entertainment for all ages. The car show boasts a variety of prize-winning automobiles, from classic sports cars to muscle, exotic, and rare finds, as well as Story Time with Miss B, a free little library and more!

Get your tickets today!

Dinner and a BOOvie brings a night of Halloween fun to Town Center!

Come dressed in your best costume and enjoy trick-or-treating at participating Town Center merchants, inflatables and games for kids, food trucks, sweets, vendor booths, and a double-feature outdoor movie beginning at 6 p.m.

Bring your own blankets and chairs, and come hungry with food and to-go beverages available for purchase. Movie titles and participating trick-or-treat locations, food vendors, and business vendors will be announced closer to the event date.

As always at Town Center events, no BYOB is permitted.

October 2-3, 9-10, 16-17, 23-24, 2026
March 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27, 2027

Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. & 6 p.m.

It’s a common occurrence known to every Southerner worth their salt… feeling like "Country Come to Town." This brand new helping of Georgia’s Official Folk Life Play will feature a new set of stories we ain’t told yet about realizing you might be a little bit country. From possum huntin’ to Southern drawls and a little baseball, too!

"Country Come to Town" will tell those “fish out of water stories” that you can’t help but laugh at. That’s right! A completely different "Swamp Gravy" than this past March that explores life on either side of the county line. 

Tickets: $22 for Individuals and $20 for Groups of 20 or More.

Join us for a very special weekend of Swamp Gravy, while we display local quilts and the stories that go along with them.

We will be hosting a quilt show to display these handmade gems of history and love. Friday Night the quilts will be on display from 6-7 p.m. Saturday the caretakers and creators of the quilts will be here to share their stories. Display times for Saturday are 1-2 p.m. and again from 5-6 p.m.

NETHERWORLD Haunted House is celebrating its milestone 30th Season of Screams with two all-new haunted experiences: Curse of the Collector and Beyond Oblivion: Legacy of Evil. The 2026 season brings together three decades of legendary monsters, iconic characters, and cinematic storytelling, alongside massive new environments and original scares. 

After completing each haunt, guests will arrive at the Halloween-themed Midway, packed with festive spirit, games galore, roaming monsters, food trucks, and more. Guests can also visit the House of Creeps Monster Museum, featuring rare movie props, NETHERWORLD memorabilia, and monstrous creations, or experience five year-round escape games at Escape the Netherworld. 

All tickets are date- and time-specific, with guests selecting a half-hour entry window when purchasing. SpeedPasses are also available to expedite entry.

* Please check the website below for specific times, pricing and more details. 
Opening Weekend – Sept. 18-19 
Open Sept. 25-26; Oct. 2-4, 6-12, 14-31; Nov. 1, 6-7 
Closing Weekend – Nov. 6-7