Looking for something fun to do this weekend with your family in metro Atlanta? Back-to-school bashes are happening throughout the area, with giveaways and entertainment to help kids get excited and ready for the new academic year. And you can cool off with sweet treats and participate in fitness routines and more at the annual Atlanta Ice Cream & Wellness Festival.
Check out the following 15 family-friendly things to do in metro Atlanta this weekend:
Credit: Photo courtesy of the Atlanta Ice Cream & Wellness Festival
Credit: Photo courtesy of the Atlanta Ice Cream & Wellness Festival
Atlanta Ice Cream & Wellness Festival
The 16th annual festival combines sweet treats and wellness with ice cream vendors and others selling things other than food, music, fitness routines and the Wellness Zone.
11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, July 25. Free admission. Piedmont Park at 10th Street and Charles Allen Drive, Atlanta. 678-964-5944.
Atlanta Sip & Drool Dog Festival
Bring your pup out for a doggy-centered festival with microchips, massage, nail trimmings and ear cleanings, doggy tunnels and games, vendors, music, food and raffles.
11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, July 26. Free admission, online reservations available. Historic Fourth Ward Park, 680 Dallas St. NE, Atlanta.
Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education open house
Ages 2 through adults are invited to explore the world of dance with fun, free classes. You’ll also be able to meet teachers, enroll in fall classes if you’d like, enter for a chance to win prizes and enjoy crafts with the Centre’s costume shop.
1-4 p.m. Saturday, July 25. Free. Michael C. Carlos Dance Centre, 1695 Marietta Blvd. NW, Atlanta. 404-873-5811.
Credit: Photo courtesy of the Southern Museum of Civil War & Locomotive History
Credit: Photo courtesy of the Southern Museum of Civil War & Locomotive History
This popular event returns with activities celebrating the railroad and transportation with flatcar rides for children, a model car display, railroad artifacts, tractors, a blacksmith demonstration, a railroad worker’s kids area with hands-on activities and more.
9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, July 25. Included with regular admission of $5-$10, additional charge of $5 for one or $7 for both (free for ages 2 and under) for Board the General Experience and Board the Caboose Experience. Southern Museum of Civil War & Locomotive History, 2829 Cherokee St. NW, Kennesaw. 770-427-2117.
Get ready for the school year with a free backpack and school supply giveaway (while supplies last), health and wellness resources and screenings, entertainment, mall sales, dessert vendors and complimentary treats and a kids zone with inflatables, games, face painting and more.
Noon-6 p.m. Saturday, July 25. Free. Town Center at Cobb, 400 Ernest W. Barrett Parkway NW, Kennesaw. 770-424-0742.
Bring a camping chair or picnic blanket and some snacks and watch “Jurassic Park” on an outdoor screen.
7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 25. Free. The Art Place, 3330 Sandy Plains Road, Marietta. 770-509-2700.
Credit: Photo courtesy of AWARE
Credit: Photo courtesy of AWARE
Meet cool ambassador animals such as turtles, owls and opossums as you tour the Atlanta Wild Animal Rescue Effort (AWARE).
1 p.m. Saturday, July 25, plus additional Saturdays. Free with donations welcomed. Atlanta Wild Animal Rescue Effort, 4158 Klondike Road, Stonecrest. 678-418-1111.
DeKalb County School District Back to School Rally
Help your kids get ready for school with health screenings, wellness resources, entertainment, a pep rally, fun zone and more.
9-11 a.m., 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 1-3 p.m. time windows, Saturday, July 25. Free, with registration required. DeKalb County School District, 1701 Mountain Industrial Blvd., Stone Mountain. 678-676-1200.
Chinatown Mall hosts an evening of art, story and community with three short films — “Wokman,” “Nuestra Realidad” and “Con Permiso” — along with music, a telling of the history of Buford Highway and an exhibition of visual art from Cross Keys High School and Sequoyah Middle School students.
7-9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 25. Free admission with online registration. Atlanta Chinatown, 5383 New Peachtree Road, #C, Chamblee. 770-458-6660.
In Sandy Springs, the Radio 80s Band delivers a high-energy tribute to the greatest hits of ’80s pop and rock, including tunes from Bon Jovi, Journey, Prince, Duran Duran and more. The Gyro Chef Mediterranean food truck will be on-site starting at 5:30 if you’d like to grab dinner.
7 p.m. Sunday, July 26. Free. Heritage Amphitheatre, 6110 Blue Stone Road, Sandy Springs. 770-730-5600.
Get ready for the school year with free school supplies and giveaways, a back-to-school resource fair, community services and support organizations and fun activities for the entire family.
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, July 25. Free. Centennial High School, 9310 Scott Road, Roswell and Banneker High School, 6015 Feldwood Road, Union City. 470-254-3600.
The free concert series features a performance by Tialauna Live, with guests encouraged to pick up dinner from one of the many nearby restaurants.
6 p.m. Friday, July 24. Free. Town Green, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta.
Because One Matters Splash & Dash Color Run 5K & Family Fun Day
Get blasted with color as you run, and stay after the race for activities including a car show, bounce house, DJ, snacks and refreshments, vendors and more. You’re also welcome to skip the race and just enjoy the Family Fun Day if you’d like.
8 a.m. 5K, 9:15 a.m. 1 Mile Run, Saturday, July 25. 5K $35, 1 Mile Run $20. Gwinnett County Fairgrounds, 2405 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville.
Suwanee Performing Arts performs Disney’s “The Lion King Jr.” and “The Jungle Book Kids” in an onstage double feature.
7-10 p.m. Friday, July 24 and Saturday, July 25. $12 and up. Town Center Park, Buford Highway and Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road, Suwanee. 678-482-6333.
Celebrate creativity with theatrical and music performances, interactive workshops, art displays, vendors and activities such as painting, terrarium building and henna art.
3-9 p.m. Saturday, July 25. Free admission. Lawrenceville Arts Center, 125 N. Clayton St., Lawrenceville. 678-226-6222.
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