Atlanta in May offers great weather and some of the city’s most popular events. There is plenty on throughout the month, culminating in several big festivals and events held over the Memorial Day weekend.
May weather in Atlanta is usually sunny and very warm, ideal for enjoying the best of the city’s outdoor festivals and attractions. The average daily high temperatures in May is 79°F (26°C), with hotter days likely toward the end of the month.
Highlights of Atlanta’s May festivals include music festivals such as hugely popular Sweet Auburn Springfest and the Atlanta Jazz Festival, the Decatur Arts Festival, the Atlanta Food and Wine Festival, and two festivals of Caribbean culture, the Atlanta Caribbean Carnival and the Atlanta DeKalb Carnival.
Other Atlanta events in May include the Atlanta Air Show, the Kirkwood Spring Fling and Tour of Homes, Atlanta Field Day, and the Shaky Knees Music Festival, plus a variety of late spring festivals and arts and crafts festivals, garden tours, fan and hobby conventions, food and music events, and concerts and shows at Atlanta’s many performance venues.
There are many other things to do in Atlanta in May too. Outdoor attractions are ideal this month: a visit to one of Atlanta’s many parks, the BeltLine, or a scenic cemetery, or a trip out of the city to a nearby nature site or historic town such as Madison or Athens. Alternatively, Atlanta also has dozens of museums and historic houses, fantastic shopping, an excellent food scene, and one of the biggest aquariums in the world.
Interested in a specific type of event? See Atlanta’s calendars of upcoming:
– Comedy shows
– Beer and wine festivals
– Music festivals
– Musicals
– Food festivals
See also:
– Atlanta’s annual festival calendar
– Things to do in Atlanta
– Best time of year to visit Atlanta
!Event dates, venue and other details can change at short notice. Please check all information at the official website before making plans to attend an event.
→ See April events
→ For concerts this month, see concerts in Atlanta in May
– Dinosaur!, March 19 - May 4 2025
Children’s performance at Alliance Theatre. More details
– The Reservoir, March 29 - May 4 2025
Play at Alliance Theatre. More details
– Dr Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat, April 8 - May 25 2025
Puppetry performance at the Center for Puppetry Arts. More details
– The Play That Goes Wrong, April 11 - May 11 2025
Play at The Legacy Theatre, Tyrone. More details
– Laughs in Spanish, April 11 - May 11 2025
Play at Horizon Theatre. More details
– Atlanta Film Festival, April 24 - May 4 2025
Popular annual festival of new independent, international, animated, documentary, and short films. More details
– Siegfried, April 26 - May 4 2025
Opera at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. More details
– Peter Pan, April 29 - May 4 2025
Musical at the Fox Theatre. More details
– XPT: Xperimental Puppetry Theater, April 30 - May 4 2025
Puppetry performance at the Center for Puppetry Arts. More details
– UpTempo, May 1 2025
Youth pre-concert event at Woodruff Arts Center. More details
– Little Women, May 1-10 2025
Musical at Marietta’s New Theatre in the Square. More details
– Funny First Friday – Stand Up Comedy!, May 2 2025
Comedy show at Red Clay Music Foundry, Duluth. More details
– Wizard of OZ, The Ballet - Buford School of Ballet, May 2-4 2025
Ballet performance at the Gas South Theater. More details
– Lakewood 400 Antiques Market, May 2-4 2025
Monthly antiques and collectibles markets in Cumming. More details
– Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, May 2-18 2025
Musical at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center. More details
– C10s in the City, May 3 2025
Annual classic GM truck show in the Summerhill neighborhood. More details
– Tucker Day, May 3 2025
Annual festival in Tucker, with parade, vendors, live music on three stages, children’s activities, festival food and more. More details
– Run with the Wolves 5K and 1 Mile, May 3 2025
Annual 5K race and 1-mile walk/run to benefit Atlanta Neighborhood Charter School. More details
– Whine Walk Run 5K & International Food Festival, May 3 2025
5K fun run and celebration of Caribbean culture and healthy living in Piedmont Park, with music and live performances, Caribbean and international foods, costumes and national attire, and more. More details
– International Festival, May 3 2025
Annual food and culture festival at Atlanta Athletic Club celebrating the diversity of Johns Creek, with traditional foods, music and art from across the world. More details
– Masked Mania: The Lucha Libre Experience, May 3 2025
Wrestling event at the Gas South District. More details
– Mo Amer: El Oso Palestino Tour, May 3 2025
Comedy show at the Buckhead Theatre. More details
– Eugene Mirman, May 3 2025
Comedy show at Terminal West. More details
– Roswell Derby de Mayo Block Party, May 3 2025
Kentucky Derby and Cinco de Mayo themed bar crawl in downtown Roswell. More details
– Kentucky Derby Watch Party, May 3 2025
Special event at Red Phone Booth Downtown, with cocktails and light bites, attire competition and live entertainment. More details
– Kentucky Derby Watch Party, May 3 2025
Special event at Red Phone Booth Buckhead, with cocktails and light bites, attire competition and live entertainment. More details
– May-Retta Daze, May 3-4 2025
Annual arts, crafts and music festival at Marietta Square, with artists from across Georgia and the Southeast, local musicians, Derby Day hat parade, and more. More details
– ASC and Belle Esprit present Pride and Prejudice, May 3 - June 1 2025
Play at the Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse. More details
→ For concerts this month, see concerts in Atlanta in May
– Dr Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat, April 8 - May 25 2025
Puppetry performance at the Center for Puppetry Arts. More details
– The Play That Goes Wrong, April 11 - May 11 2025
Play at The Legacy Theatre, Tyrone. More details
– Laughs in Spanish, April 11 - May 11 2025
Play at Horizon Theatre. More details
– Little Women, May 1-10 2025
Musical at Marietta’s New Theatre in the Square. More details
– Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, May 2-18 2025
Musical at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center. More details
– ASC and Belle Esprit present Pride and Prejudice, May 3 - June 1 2025
Play at the Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse. More details
– Willow Pill, May 7 2025
Drag performance at The Masquerade. More details
– Taste of Alpharetta, May 8 2025
Annual food festival in downtown Alpharetta featuring dishes from 60+ local restaurants, cooking demonstrations, tasting events, and more. More details
– UpTempo, May 8 2025
Youth pre-concert event at Woodruff Arts Center. More details
– Clase Mela, May 8 2025
Comedy show at the Gas South Theater. More details
– Matriarch: An Evening with Tina Knowles, Family, and Friends, May 8 2025
Talk event at The Tabernacle. More details
– Scott Antique Market, May 8-11 2025
Monthly antiques market at the Atlanta Expo Center. More details
– Peach Party Atlanta, May 9-11 2025
Annual LGBTQ+ event with parties and other activities. More details
– Catch Tuplet: Atlanta Ballet, May 9-11 2025
Ballet performance at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. More details
– Georgia State Fair, May 9-18 2025
State fair at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, with carnival rides, fair food, shows, performances, petting zoo and more. More details
– Garden Tour, May 10 2025
Annual event of the Master Gardener Volunteers of Cobb County, visiting several local gardens. More details
– M2R Trailfest, May 10 2025
Annual public arts festival in downtown Marietta, featuring art installations in parks and along parts of the Mountain to River Trail and other performances. More details
– O4W5K, May 10 2025
Annual 5K race in Historic Old Fourth Ward and the Old Fourth Ward to benefit Hope-Hill Elementary Foundation. More details
– Varietopia with Paul F Tompkins, May 10 2025
Variety show at Variety Playhouse. More details
– Chris D’Elia, May 10 2025
Comedy show at Center Stage. More details
– Beethoven Project: Pre-Concert Talk With Dr Peter Höyng, May 10 2025
At Woodruff Arts Center. More details
– Under The Sea – Pointe of Grace Dance, May 10 2025
Child dance performance at the Gas South Theater. More details
– Dunwoody Art Festival, May 10-11 2025
Annual Mothers Day weekend arts and crafts festival in Dunwoody, with 130+ arts and crafts vendors, food, street performers, children’s activities and more. More details
– Sweet Auburn Springfest, May 10-11 2025
Annual family music and heritage festival in the Historic Sweet Auburn District, with live music, vendors, food, and more. More details
– The Little Mermaid, The Ballet – Pointe of Grace Dance, May 10-11 2025
Child dance performance at the Gas South Theater. More details
– Millions, May 10 - June 15 2025
Musical at Alliance Theatre. More details
– Bravo Reception Event, May 11 2025
Reception and concert at the Center Space at the Woodruff Arts Center, connecting young professionals with an interest in music and the arts. More details
– Counterpoint Reception Event, May 11 2025
Reception and concert at the Delta Sky360 Club. More details
→ For concerts this month, see concerts in Atlanta in May
– Dr Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat, April 8 - May 25 2025
Puppetry performance at the Center for Puppetry Arts. More details
– Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, May 2-18 2025
Musical at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center. More details
– ASC and Belle Esprit present Pride and Prejudice, May 3 - June 1 2025
Play at the Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse. More details
– Georgia State Fair, May 9-18 2025
State fair at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, with carnival rides, fair food, shows, performances, petting zoo and more. More details
– Millions, May 10 - June 15 2025
Musical at Alliance Theatre. More details
– Maria Bamford, May 14 2025
Comedy show at the Buckhead Theatre. More details
– Alyssa Edwards, May 16 2025
Drag performance at Center Stage. More details
– Tom Papa: Grateful Bread Tour, May 16 2025
Comedy show at The Tabernacle. More details
– Suds on the Parkway, May 16-17 2025
Annual beer festival in Fayetteville featuring local and national craft beers and wines, live music and more. More details
– Games Women Play, May 16-17 2025
Play at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. More details
– Marietta Greek Festival, May 16-18 2025
Annual festival of Greek food and culture at the Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, Marietta, with traditional Greek dishes, Greek dance and other cultural performances, church tours, and more. More details
– Kirkwood Spring Fling Festival & Tour of Homes, May 17 2025
Popular annual neighborhood festival in Bessie Branham Park, Kirkwood, with tour of local historic homes, 5K race, wing-cooking contest, food trucks, artist market, children’s activities and more. More details
– Porchfest, May 17 2025
Annual music festival in Virginia Highland featuring a wide range of musical performances on neighborhood porches and other outdoor spaces, plus vendors, food trucks and more. More details
– Heather McMahan, May 17 2025
Comedy show at the Fox Theatre. More details
– We Them One’s Comedy Tour, May 17 2025
Comedy show at State Farm Arena. More details
– Spring Recital presented by Northeast Atlanta Ballet, May 17 2025
Ballet performance at the Gas South Theater. More details
– Emperor & The Nightingale Presented by Northeast Atlanta Ballet, May 17-18 2025
Ballet performance at the Gas South Theater. More details
– Atlanta Cycling Festival, May 17-24 2025
Annual cycling festival with rides, bike tours and other cycling events across Atlanta. More details
– Frühlingsfest, May 18 2025
Annual spring festival of the Goethe-Zentrum Atlanta German Cultural Center at the Westside Provisions District, with exhibitions on German culture and language, local artists, authentic German and other foods and drinks, music and more. More details
– Emperor & the Nightingale, May 18 2025
Ballet performance at the Gas South Theater. More details
– Shakespeare Out of a Hat: As You Like It, May 18 2025
Part-improvised play at the Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse. More details
– Bryce Crawford, May 18 2025
Faith event at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. More details
→ For concerts this month, see concerts in Atlanta in May
– Dr Seuss’s The Cat in the Hat, April 8 - May 25 2025
Puppetry performance at the Center for Puppetry Arts. More details
– ASC and Belle Esprit present Pride and Prejudice, May 3 - June 1 2025
Play at the Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse. More details
– Millions, May 10 - June 15 2025
Musical at Alliance Theatre. More details
– Atlanta Cycling Festival, May 17-24 2025
Annual cycling festival with rides, bike tours and other cycling events across Atlanta. More details
– Shucked, May 20-25 2025
Musical at the Fox Theatre. More details
– Jay Shetty, May 22 2025
Podcast live show at Atlanta Symphony Hall. More details
– Jay Shetty: On Purpose Live Tour, May 22 2025
Podcast live show at the Fox Theatre. More details
– MomoCon, May 22-25 2025
Big annual anime, animation, comic book and gaming convention at the Georgia World Congress Center. More details
– Hollywood Confidential: The ATL Experience, May 23 2025
Talk event at Center Stage. More details
– ATU National Taekwondo Championship, May 23-24 2025
Martial arts competition at the Gas South Convention Center. More details
– Brew at the Zoo, May 24 2025
Annual beer festival at Zoo Atlanta, with beers from Georgia and elsewhere, live music, yard games and more. More details
– From Porn to the Pulpit, May 24 2025
Play at Atlanta Symphony Hall. More details
– Alpharetta Arts Streetfest, May 24-25 2025
Memorial Day weekend arts and crafts fair at the Grove at Wills Park, Alpharetta, with 100+ artisans, street performers, food, children’s activities and more. More details
→ For concerts this month, see concerts in Atlanta in May
– ASC and Belle Esprit present Pride and Prejudice, May 3 - June 1 2025
Play at the Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse. More details
– Millions, May 10 - June 15 2025
Musical at Alliance Theatre. More details
– Atlanta Fringe Festival, May 27 - June 8 2025
Annual festival of non-mainstream performing arts. More details
– Brad Williams: The Growth Spurt Tour, May 30 2025
Comedy show at Atlanta Symphony Hall. More details
– Atlanta Microshort Film Festival, May 31 2025
Annual festival of films of under 7 minutes duration, at Limelight Theater. More details
– Counterpoint Reception Event, May 31 2025
Reception and concert at the ASO Rehearsal Hall. More details
→ See more June events