A Labor Of Fun: What To Do In Atlanta Over Labor Day Weekend
There’s a lot happening in metro Atlanta over the Labor Day weekend. The federal holiday, occurring on the first Monday of September, celebrates the American labor movement and marks the end of the summer season. There’s plenty of goings-on in metro Atlanta to help celebrate the holiday. Here’s a list of the Top 15 events to help you plan your holiday celebration:
1-Dragon Con
Fantasy and science fiction merge in Atlanta over Labor Day weekend at Dragon Con, the world’s largest multi-media and pop-culture convention focusing on fantastical sci-fi. You’re as likely to see a contingent of storm troopers marching along Peachtree as you are a troop of Spartans from ancient Greece or any number of out-of-this-world creatures, heroes and heroines, gaming stars, actors and entertainers. The convention kicks off on Sept. 4 at various venues in Atlanta and runs through Labor Day. Check out the Dragon Con website for more info.
2-Sports
College football takes center stage at the Georgia Dome on Sept. 5 when the Auburn Tigers take on the Louisville Cardinals in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game at 3:30 p.m.
The Atlanta Falcons take on the Baltimore Ravens in the Falcon’s final preseason game at the Georgia Dome at 7 p.m. Sept. 3.
The Atlanta Dream take on the Washington Mystics at 3 p.m. Sept. 6 at Philips Arena.
If soccer is your game, Georgia Soccer’s Publix Atlanta Cup youth soccer tournament gets underway on Labor Day weekend, starting on Sept. 5 and running through Labor Day Monday. The Publix Atlanta Cup unfolds over 15 venues across metro Atlanta over the holiday weekend.
3- Decatur Book Festival
Bookworms unite. The Decatur Book Festival kicks off Labor Day weekend. The festival features lectures and book-signing opportunities from more than 600 national and local authors. Also on tap: author readings, panel discussions, a children’s area, live music, poetry slams, writing workshops, parades and cooking demonstrations.
4- Black Gay Pride Celebration
The Black Gay Pride celebration kicks off Sept. 1 and runs through Labor Day. The celebration includes numerous events in Atlanta. A few of the highlights this year include a health and wellness fair, a marketplace at the Georgian Terrence Hotel in Midtown on Sept. 4 and 5, educational workshops and entertainment.
5-Buford Corn Maze
The Buford Corn Maze opens on Sept. 5 and features a five-acre corn maze that’s billed as a family-friendly destination. The event also features hayrides and pony rides, a pumpkin patch, a corn box, not to be confused with a sandbox, and more.
6-Stone Mountain Fireworks
Stone Mountain is hosting a laser light show called the Lasershow Spectacular, followed by a fireworks display Labor Day weekend each evening Sept. 4 to 6. There’s a lot more to do at the park, too. Stone Mountain boasts the nation’s largest adventure course called SkyHike and a mountain summit ride called Summit Skyride.
7- The Big Peach Sizzler
You can start off your Labor Day with a quick 10K marathon to benefit cystic fibrosis. Runners take their mark at 7:30 a.m. Sept. 7 at the Chamblee Marta station and head for the finish line at the Buckhead Station Shopping Center. There’s a big post-race party that includes food, music and swag from the sponsors.
8-Midtown Restaurant Week
The event kicks off Sept. 5 and runs through Sept. 13. For the price of a ticket, $15, $25 or $35, you can sample three-course menus at more than three dozen Midtown restaurants.
9- Theater
The Alliance Theatre at the Woodruff is bringing the Broadway version of the Oscar-winning movie “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” to Atlanta. The show starts on Sept. 2 and runs through Sept. 20.
OnStage Atlanta is staging the Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Driving Miss Daisy” on Sept. 3 to 5.
10- Marietta Art In The Park Festival
The 29th annual Art in the Park Festival over Labor Day Weekend in Marietta Square in Marietta gets started on Sept. 5 and runs through Labor Day Monday. The Chalk Art Display happens on Sept. 5.
11- Caribbean Jerk Festival and Family Fun Day (Jerkfest)
The 10th Annual Grace Atlanta Caribbean Jerk Festival and Family Fun Day is scheduled for Sept. 6 from noon to 11 p.m. at Panthersville Stadium in Decatur. The main festival draw is the exotic flavors of the jerk cuisine, but there are also games, vendors, a cook-off, and dancing to reggae, dancehall, calypso and soca music.
12-House In The Park Music Festival
House in the Park is a free, annual outdoor amplified music festival at Atlanta’s Grant Park on Sept. 6. There’s two pavilions for dancing and plenty of space for picnics and grilling.
13- 7th Annual Buckhead Kickoff Bar Bash
A ticket to the Bar Bash gets you into 11 bars and includes entertainment, some free food and drinks and specially priced fare, as well.
14-Treffen South Volkswagen Show
Fans of vintage Beetles won’t want to miss this classic car show at the Atlanta Speedway on Sept. 5. The event features a dose of nostalgia with Volkswagens from yesteryear on display for the day.
15- Kingsland Catfish Festival
If Southern fried catfish is your dish, maybe a road trip to Camden County, Georgia, is the perfect Labor Day adventure for you. The 33rd annual Kingsland Catfish Festival gets underway on Sept. 4 and runs through Sept. 5 in Kingsland, in southeastern Georgia near the Florida line. There’s more than catfish on tap at the festival, too. There are arts and crafts, entertainment and a children’s amusement area.