Top things to do in and around Atlanta this week

ATLANTA — Here is a look at some of the upcoming events in the Atlanta area.

RELATED: See things to do, fun events around town

Fridays starting April 26

Sound Waves! at Georgia Aquarium

Georgia Aquarium is bringing back its music series, Sound Waves! Enjoy live music, enhanced lighting, and atmospheric elements along with access to the Aquarium’s galleries – all (yes, all!) included with General Admission or membership. The music kicks off Friday, April 26 running each Friday through May 31 from 5- 8 p.m. and is open to all ages. Specially-themed food and cocktails will also be available for purchase.

Apr. 26-28

5th Annual Alpine Helen Songwriters Festival

Sixteen longtime Nashville and Georgia songwriters will perform their award-winning tunes the weekend of April 26-28 at five downtown Helen venues, a rare opportunity to see those who write many of Music City’s greatest hits.

Apr. 27-28

Blue Angels

The renowned United States Navy’s flight demonstration squadron will be a part of the airshow during the Vidalia Onion Festival.

Apr. 28

Revival benefit at Fox Theatre with Indigo Girls

The Fox Theatre will host the Revival benefit concert to support Fox Gives, the theatre’s outreach program dedicated to preserving Georgia’s historic theaters and enhancing educational outreach in the arts. Featuring headliners The Indigo Girls and Charlie Starr with Benji Shanks of Blackberry Smoke, along with Matthew Sweet and Shawn Mullins, the event will be emceed by Atlanta’s own Kevn Kinney of Drivin n Cryin. The concert celebrates the pivotal role of theaters in community building through music and storytelling, aiming to rally substantial support for Fox Gives.

Feria de April Celebration

Fogón & Lions will host a La Feria de April Celebration in honor of Seville Fair, the most colorful festival in all of Spain. From 3:00-7:00 PM, join the restaurant for Flamenco music and dancing, an art form based on the musical history of southern Spain, alongside $5 sangria and paella samples. Guests are encouraged to wear Flamenco outfits and accessories to truly immerse themselves in the tradition of this iconic Spanish festival.

Heritage Fire Festival

Heritage Fire unites live-fire cooking, family farms, and local chefs in diverse destinations. The all-inclusive walk-around feast features thoughtful bites prepared by some of the most critically acclaimed kitchens, with products from locally sourced farms and sponsors. After indulging in each dish, over 800+ guests will vote for their favorite bite of the day. It’s a friendly competition resulting in a feel-good, delicious time for all!

Now-Apr. 28

LuminoCity’s Dino Safari Festival

The Dino Safari Festival will transport attendees to an era long past, offering a captivating glimpse into the ancient world of dinosaurs, mammoths, saber-toothed tigers and more. Using state-of-the-art animatronics with light art, experience these larger-than-life-size prehistoric giants come to life with jaw-dropping realism.

Now-May 5

Spin the District

The family-friendly cycling series returns to the ATL Airport District with cycling, music, food trucks, craft beer and wine, kids’ activities, an art market and more, this FREE event offers something for cyclists and non-cyclists alike. There are several big events spread across the area including the Union City Crit on April 30, Hapeville’s Friday Night Beats Crit on May 3 and the College Park Crit and Street Party on May 5.

Now-May 5

Atlanta Film Festival

Now in its fourth decade, the Atlanta Film Festival (ATLFF)—one of only two-dozen Academy Award® qualifying festivals in the U.S.—is the area’s preeminent celebration of cinema. ATLFF is one of the largest and longest-running festivals in the country, welcoming an audience of over 28,000 to discover hundreds of new independent, international, animated, documentary, and short films, selected from 8000+ submissions from all over the world.

Now-May 19

Brews & Bites Festival

The iconic food and beverage festival is back and bigger than ever with an extended five-weekend runtime at Six Flags Over Georgia, over 75 craft brews from local and national vendors, an exciting culinary menu and hands-on entertainment for the whole family.

Weekends now-June 2

The Georgia Renaissance Festival

As soon as the gates to the village of Newcastle open, visitors are transported to a magical medieval theme park full of fun and whimsy. Over 100 skilled artisans inhabit charming cottages, creating unique one-of-a-kind treasures for your shopping pleasure. Strolling minstrels fill the air with music, and our colorful village characters are always ready to regale you with a joke, a story, or just plain silliness!

Now-June 9

Balloon Museum

Balloon Museum presents: Let’s Fly at Pullman Yards in Atlanta, an original concept featuring works from the most inflated to the most colorful. Always at the avant-garde, the curatorial team is committed to redefining the way art is experienced by pushing back the boundaries of art installation and the classical interactions we know. Synonymous with freedom, flight and access, the Let’s Fly experience takes spectators on an unprecedented sensory journey.

May 4

Casting Crowns 20th Anniversary Tour

The Band Returns with a New Show! Casting Crowns is one of the most popular figures in Contemporary Christian music, a group whose message of faith and love is perfectly balanced by their music’s soaring instrumentation. They are back on tour again with an exciting new show, and tickets for all dates are on sale now! While their most recent album was Healer, they are sure to perform songs from across their award-winning career, too.

Beastly Feast Gala at Zoo Atlanta

The black-tie gala will feature signature cocktails and hors d’oeuvres on an evening stroll through the Zoo, followed by a seated dinner from Zoo Atlanta’s premiere caterer, Proof of the Pudding; dancing in a Ford Pavilion magnificently transformed by Tony Brewer & Company; and silent and live auctions of travel adventures, jewelry, art, Zoo experiences, and more.

Fiesta de Mayo Live!

Live! at the Battery is hosting their annual Fiesta de Mayo party. The celebration will feature live music from a Mariachi band and a DJ, refreshing margaritas, shopping from Hispanic- & Latin-owned local businesses vendors, colorful photo ops, plus a Live! fajita buffet add-on to keep the party going all day.

Yappy Hour

Yappy Hour returns to The Hamilton Hotel Alpharetta on select Saturdays. Head to the hotel from 12 - 4 p.m. in the courtyard for a doggone good time. Enjoy furry friends, craft cocktails, and tasty bites while supporting animals in need. The Hamilton will be donating $1 back on specialty cocktails to animals in need.

May 7-12

To Kill a Mockingbird

Emmy Award-winning actor Richard Thomas is starring as Atticus Finch for the complete third touring season of the First National Tour of the history-making production of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, including the Atlanta engagement at the Fox Theatre, May 7 – 12 as part of the 2023/2024 Regions Bank Broadway in Atlanta season.

May 9

Taste of Alpharetta

Indulge in a wide array of savory, sweet, spicy, and umami dishes offered by more than 60 of Alpharetta’s finest restaurants. Discover an astonishing variety of gastronomic delights, from elevated Southern cuisine to authentic Korean BBQ, pillow-soft masa tacos to hand-dipped cake donuts, and many more mouthwatering specialties.

Now-June 9

What’s in Chip’s Garage?

Savoy Automobile Museum is excited to announce the opening of its newest temporary exhibit, What’s in Chip’s Garage? Chip Foose is an automobile designer, artist, and star of the reality show “Overhaulin’.” He has won numerous awards for his work including the prestigious Ridler Award, which he has won three times and, he is a member of the Hot Rod Hall of Fame. He started working in his father’s custom car shop at age seven; he studied at the Art Center College of Design and worked for Boyd Coddington. While he has built exquisite cars for others, the real question is “What does Chip drive?” Join us for a never-been-shown display of Chip’s personal cars.

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