Special Events in Atlanta

January:
King Week and the Martin Luther King Jr.
National Holiday
Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, 449 Auburn Ave. N.E
(404) 526-8900
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born in Atlanta on January 15, 1929. A national holiday was declared in his honor in 1986. King Week, held the week preceding the Martin Luther King Jr. National Holiday, includes many free performances, concerts, special religious services and educational presentations. Check with the Center for specific times and places of events.

February:
African-American History Month
Atlanta, the center of the Civil Rights movement for years, marks African-American History Month with numerous educational and entertainment events. For specific dates and times, call (404) 730-1976.

Southeastern Flower Show
City Hall Exhibition Center, City Hall East
640 Ponce de Leon Ave. N.E.
(404) 888-5638
This show, held over a weekend late in the month, benefits the Atlanta Botanical Garden. It features a wide range of garden-related events including displays, demonstrations, workshops and children's activities.

March:
Atlanta Passion Play
Atlanta Civic Center, 395 Piedmont Ave. N.E.
(404) 347-8400
Since 1976, the First Baptist Church of Atlanta has annually presented this pageant portraying Christ's life, death and resurrection. Its reputation is so widespread, it now draws people from around the country. Each year's production varies slightly with different focuses on the story line and different music. The elaborately staged and costumed play is the work of more than 500 people, including a chorus and full orchestra. Due to the three-hour length, the sacred nature of the performance and the graphic portrayal of Christ's death, children younger than 6 are not admitted. The play is performed the final three weekends of Lent, not including Easter weekend.

April:
Easter Sunrise Services
Georgia's Stone Mountain Park
U.S. Hwy. 78 east to Stone Mountain Park exit
(770) 498-5702
As Easter morning breaks, local ministers lead an ecumenical worship service.. The weather is often windy and cold, so you might need to bring a blanket. The service is free, but there is a per car charge of about $6 to be admitted into the park.

May:
Lasershow
Georgia's Stone Mountain Park
U.S. Hwy. 78 east to Stone Mountain Park exit
(770) 498-5690
Seven nights a week from early May through Labor Day, the sky over Stone Mountain explodes with a rainbow of laser light. To stirring musical accompaniment, lasers are projected on the mountain's north face, which becomes a natural million-square-foot screen. After Labor Day through late October, the show is presented on Friday and Saturday nights only. The show is free with admission to the park.

Springfest and the Corporate Garage Sale
Georgia's Stone Mountain Park
U.S. Hwy. 78 east to Stone Mountain Park exit
(770) 498-5690
Cooks from around the South compete in a barbecue cookoff for thousands of dollars in cash and prizes. In addition to live music, the weekend in early May includes a huge garage sale.

June:
Virginia-Highland Summerfest
John Howell Park
Virginia Ave. at Ponce de Leon Pl.
(404) 222-8244
Founded in 1916 and originally called North Boulevard Park, the Virginia-Highland neighborhood annually throws this popular, free party featuring bands, food from area restaurants and lots of fun for the children. It's held the first full weekend in June.

July:
Fantastic Fourth Celebration Georgia's Stone Mountain Park
U.S. Hwy. 78 east to Stone Mountain Park exit
(770) 498-5702

Independence Day
Various Locations
200,000 spectators line Peachtree Street at dawn to watch 50,000 runners compete in the annual Peachtree Road. Midday there's WSB-TV's Salute 2 America Parade with bands, balloons and celebrities; it's the largest Independence Day parade in the nation.
The Southeast's largest fireworks display is at Lenox Square, 3393 Peachtree Road, (404) 233-6767; it's always free. Live bands start playing at 6 PM, and the fireworks begin at 9 PM. There's also a children's entertainment area and food and drink concessions.
Braves fans see a fireworks display at Turner Field, 755 Hank Aaron Drive, following the ball game, call (404) 522-7630.

September:
Montreaux Atlanta International Music Festival
Piedmont Park
1085 Piedmont Ave.
(404) 817-6815
Famous jazz acts perform at this free outdoor festival sponsored by the City of Atlanta. The event kicks off the week prior to Labor Day with local groups performing at afternoon concerts at either Woodruff Park or Centennial Park, both in downtown Atlanta. The three days of Montreaux concerts are held at Piedmont Park in Midtown and feature jazz, reggae, blues, rock and country music. Admission is free.

October:
Georgia Renaissance Festival
I-85 at Exit 12, Fairburn
(770) 964-8575
More than 100 daily performances take place on 10 stages, and food concessions abound. A special attraction at the fall celebration is the Haunted Castle. The festival is open Saturdays and Sundays only.

November:
Lighting of Rich's Great Tree
Underground Atlanta, 50 Upper Alabama St.
(770) 913-5551
Even though Rich's once-proud downtown flagship store is gone, this holiday tradition begun in 1948 still continues. At 7 PM on Thanksgiving night, thousands of Atlantans gather to sing carols with mass choirs and await the lighting of Rich's Great Tree, an enormous evergreen decorated with basketball-size ornaments atop Underground Atlanta's parking garage. During the highest note of "Oh, Holy Night" the switch is thrown, and the huge tree explodes with light.

Holiday Celebration
Georgia's Stone Mountain Park
U.S. Hwy. 78 east to Stone Mountain Park exit
(770) 498-5702
The park's holiday party goes on seven nights a week, with horse-drawn carriage rides, a decorated plantation home, Christmas music and a holiday laser show. The guest of honor, is Santa, accompanied by his elves. More than two million lights are strung throughout the park, and you can go on a driving tour to see all the designs. The lights are displayed from the Friday after Thanksgiving through New Year's Eve.

December:
The Atlanta Ballet-The Nutcracker
The Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. N.E.
(404) 873-5811
The Atlanta Ballet's annual production of The Nutcracker, staged from early December through Christmas, has been a holiday tradition for more than 30 years) The production features an orchestra, a full company of dancers and more than 200 children. Tickets go on sale at the beginning of October.