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.
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!!