Festivals, shows, pumpkin patches, and after-school adventures all over metro Atlanta.
The plan, sorted
Decatur Square · Decatur — downtown doing its best drive-in impression
Free family movie night under the stars on the newly renovated Decatur Square, with the film rolling on the big screen at 7 pm. Bring blankets and lawn chairs; popcorn is sold for $1 a bag and Kona Ice is on hand.
Mall of Georgia · Buford — two hours of warm-up before the film
Free movie nights at The Village amphitheater at Mall of Georgia, with music, face painting, and entertainment starting at 5 pm before the movie at 7 pm. The fall lineup: The Minecraft Movie (Aug 8), the live-action Lion King (Sept 12), and Scooby Doo (Oct 10).
Downtown Decatur · Decatur — music, food, and room to wiggle
A free, family-friendly celebration of African, Caribbean, and African American culture on the Decatur Square, with live reggae, Afrobeats, hip-hop, dance, and art from 2 to 10 PM. Kids head straight for the Children's Village, packed with hands-on arts and crafts for all ages, while grown-ups browse vendors and African cuisine.
Peachtree St · Downtown Atlanta — where grown-ups also play dress-up
Thousands of costumed marchers, bands and giant props come down Peachtree on Saturday morning. Watching from the sidewalk has traditionally been free even though the convention itself requires a badge, so get there early for a curb spot. Loud and packed — better for big kids than strollers.
Stone Mountain Park · Stone Mountain — bring a wagon, leave with a birdhouse
Over 400 craft booths spread through the woods, plus live music and a kids' activity area. Admission is included with the park's paid parking, so there's no separate gate ticket to buy. It's a long walking loop, so pack water and something to pull the kids in.
BeltLine Southwest Trail · Atlanta — new route this year
Bring a homemade lantern and you can walk in it; bring nothing and you can watch it, and either way it's free. Thousands of glowing handmade creations drift down the trail after dark on a new, extended Southwest Trail route this year. It starts late, so a carrier or stroller helps with little ones.
Alliance Theatre · Midtown — theatre where wiggling is the point
A short sensory-friendly show made for newborns through age 5, with performers right down at kid level. Nobody will glare at you if your toddler talks back to the stage. Runs through Nov 8, so weekday slots are an option too.
Center for Puppetry Arts · Midtown — Dorothy, on strings
Frisch Marionettes stages the full Oz journey with songs and striking puppet work, recommended for ages 4 and up. Tickets typically include the museum and a Create-A-Puppet Workshop, so leave time after the show. It's only a two-week run.
Stone Mountain Park · Stone Mountain — pumpkins with strong opinions
Opening day of the park's fall festival, with fairy-tale shows and the regular attractions during daylight and a glowing pumpkin parade once the sun goes down. Stay for both halves if you can swing the late night. Paid park admission applies.
Jim R. Miller Park · Marietta — goats vs. roller coaster
The fair's first Saturday runs 10am to midnight, which leaves plenty of room for a morning-only visit with small kids before the midway gets crowded. Farm animals, blue-ribbon exhibits and free shows come with gate admission; rides are extra. Clear bags only, and under-17s need a grownup after 6pm.
Gas South Arena · Duluth — three chances to dodge the nap
Saturday brings 11am, 3pm and 7pm performances of the newest Disney On Ice show, so there's almost certainly one that fits around a nap. Doors open an hour before each show and tickets start around $36.97. Arena sound is big, so bring ear protection for sensitive little ones.
Downtown Norcross · Norcross — little Picassos welcome
Wander the art booths while the kids head to the interactive Kidz Zone. It runs Oct 3–4, and admission wasn't stated, so confirm before you go.
Atlanta Motor Speedway · Hampton — pace yourself on the funnel cake
A full state fair with rides (including kiddie rides), shows and fair food, running Oct 2–11. Pricing wasn't confirmed, so check the fair's website before you go.
Stone Mountain Park · Stone Mountain — pumpkins glow, dinosaurs lurk
Storybook characters appear by day, and glowing pumpkins and dinosaurs take over at night (Friday–Sunday). Check the park's site for ticket prices.
Center for Puppetry Arts · Atlanta — final weekend, matey
Lucy and her goofy sidekick Little Chucky go on a puppet pirate adventure. It closes Oct 11. Your ticket includes museum admission and free Midtown parking.
Atlanta Botanical Garden · Atlanta — straw-stuffed celebrities
Straw-stuffed celebrities, including supersized past champions, fill the garden. Voting for People's Choice runs through Oct 18. Regular garden admission applies, and the garden is closed Mondays.
Center for Puppetry Arts · Midtown — a haunting that won't ruin bedtime
Alliance Theatre · Midtown — science, but make it silly
Children's Museum of Atlanta · Downtown — marigolds, markers and mini artists
Pick an adventure
Plays, puppet shows, and what’s at the movies — lights down, eyes wide.
What’s on stage and screen →Parks, museums, trampoline parks, arcades — the places that never stop being a good idea.
Browse the old reliables →Monster trucks, circuses, festivals — one-weekend wonders. Blink and they’re gone.
See what’s passing through →Helen, Blue Ridge, Dahlonega — pack snacks and point the car north.
Point the car north →Every hayride, harvest festival, and school-break adventure of Kidlanta fall, in one place.
Coming soonGinni sits down with the people behind the fun — the rink owners, the slime scientists, the puppeteers — and asks the questions kids would ask.
Coming soonWear the skyline. Original Kidlanta tee designs are on their way — look for them here and, if all goes to plan, at the airport on your next trip.
On the wayThe Kidlanta Star
Every Friday, a short and sweet email with the weekend’s best kid stuff around metro Atlanta. That’s it. That’s the email!!