From cosplay to college football, Labor Day weekend will see thousands of metro Atlanta visitors and residents engaging in fun, sports and entertainment. Here is what you need to know for the upcoming holiday weekend.
Weather for Atlanta’s Labor Day weekend
According to the National Weather Service in Atlanta, chances for isolated to scattered thunderstorms are expected from Friday to Sunday.
Highs will range from 75 to 85 degrees throughout the holiday weekend, with lows ranging from 54 to 68 degrees.
Busy Labor Day weekend travel expected in metro Atlanta
The Georgia Department of Transportation announced on Monday its plans to suspend all lane closures on Georgia interstates, from noon on Friday to 5 a.m. on Tuesday as a way to alleviate congestion on roadways.
The heaviest traffic periods are estimated to be from noon to 8 p.m. on Friday and from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday.
Where to go and what to expect
Dragon Con – Aug. 28 – Sept. 1 – This year’s convention will feature more than 3,500 hours of comics, film, television, costuming, art, music and gaming spread across several metro Atlanta hotels and AmericasMart. Officials estimate that roughly 75,000 will be in attendance this year.
This year’s marquee names include “Star Trek” icon William Shatner, “Back to the Future” star Christopher Lloyd, “Bones” stars David Boneranz and Emily Deschanel and “Star Wars” leading man John Boyega.
The annual Dragon Con parade will take to the streets of downtown Atlanta at 10 a.m. on Saturday, beginning at the intersection of Peachtree Street and Linden Avenue and continuing down Peachtree, ending at the Marriott Marquis Hotel.
Atlanta Black Pride – Aug. 27 – Sept. 3 – The annual festival highlighting Black LGBTQ culture returns to metro Atlanta with a series of events. Highly anticipated ones include the Influencers Gala at Starling Midtown on Friday from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., and the Pure Heat Community Festival in Piedmont Park on Sunday from noon to 8 p.m.
Aflac Kickoff Game – Aug. 30 – 31 – The annual college football event returns to Mercedes-Benz Stadium for two nationally broadcast games. Syracuse and Tennessee kick off Saturday at noon, airing live on ABC. On Sunday, Virginia Tech will face South Carolina, kicking off at 3 p.m. and airing live on ESPN.
Officials note that this is only the second time in the event’s 17-year tenure that kickoff games have been scheduled on consecutive days, and the first time a game has been scheduled on a Sunday.
16th Annual Atlanta Hip Hop Day Festival – Aug. 30 -31 – The beloved music celebration centered around hip-hop culture returns to Old Fourth Ward on Saturday, with a series of performances, food vendors and arts and crafts vendors.
Taste of Soul Atlanta – Aug. 30-31 – Held in Vine City, one of Atlanta’s most historic neighborhoods, the citywide festival returns to celebrate soul food, Southern cuisine, Black entrepreneurs and a variety of musical performances.
Stone Mountain Park Labor Day Weekend Lasershow – Back for a limited time, the 3,200-acre park will host the “Classic Lasershow” on Sunday and Monday at 9:30 p.m. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to secure a parking spot and viewing spot for the festivities.
Atlanta Black Theatre Festival – Aug. 28 – 30 – Regarded as one of the country’s largest self-producing platforms for Afro-centric theatre, the festival returns to showcase performances, readings and discussions centered on Black storytelling and art. The festival will also feature a Black Art Expo & Market, showcasing designs and brands from Black-owned businesses.
