April is a busy month in Georgia. With warmer weather heralding spring, the amount of outdoor activities significantly increases.
While most are billed as festivals of some sort, you can find different themes to satisfy your interests. From food to art, music and culture there is no end to the fun across the entire month.
Credit: Courtesy of Panda Fest
Credit: Courtesy of Panda Fest
A taste of culture
1. Panda Fest
Take part in a vibrant celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander culture with over 80 local and national vendors serving over 200 dishes. Check out live performances and a lively market fair full of artisan goods. While enjoying all the treats, don’t forget about the pandas. While you’ll find them everywhere throughout Panda Fest, the main attraction is the 15-foot inflatable panda. Tickets have a timed entry for access to the event. VIP access includes bonus freebies, a fast pass lane for entrance and access to exclusive VIP areas.
Friday, April 3-Sunday, April 5, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. General admission tickets are $17.38 and VIP tickets are $41.57 on Friday and Sunday. General admission tickets are $19.68 and VIP tickets are $43.86 on Saturday. Everyone age 6 and up must have a ticket. Pinnacle Lot in Atlantic Stations, 241 20th St., Atlanta. 404-733-1221. pandafests.com.
2. Roswell Music Festival
With six adult contemporary bands performing in historic downtown Roswell, this music festival is all about the tunes. See original and tribute bands performing classic rock, country, soul and indie rock. A Tom Petty tribute band plays right in the middle of the line up. Vendors and local businesses will be providing food for sale throughout the day as well. VIP access gets you into a special VIP tent, along with preferential seating near the stage, complimentary food and craft beer and access to a special cash bar.
Saturday, April 18, 12:30-10 p.m. General admission tickets are $45 if bought before the day of the event and $50 on the day. VIP tickets are $150 if bought before the day of the event and $175 on the day. 37 Magnolia St., Roswell. roswellmusicfestival.com.
Grab some eats
3. Pickle Fest
Celebrate all things brined and bold with an entire festival dedicated to the pickle. Sample pickle-inspired food and drinks while exploring goods from a curated lineup of local vendors at the market. Food and drink specials are on the menu all day long as well as an extensive beer, cider and seltzer selection from New Realm Brewing. This is a must-go festival, right on the Eastside Beltline trail, for pickle lovers and brine enthusiasts alike.
Saturday, April 25, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Free admission, but you can reserve a spot online. New Realm Brewing, 550 Somerset Terrace NE, Atlanta. discoveratlanta.com/event/detail/pickle-fest.
Credit: Taste of Marietta/Facebook
Credit: Taste of Marietta/Facebook
4. Taste of Marietta
Over 50 restaurants roll out tastes of their handcrafted delicacies at this cash-based festival. All food is available for purchase with items ranging from $2-$10. Beyond the bites, you can enjoy live music on multiple stages, culminating with a sunset concert. Family-friendly activities that include games and inflatables can be found at the Kid’s Alley. There’s also a Sports Corner, celebrity chef demonstrations and food trucks for even more good eats.
Sunday, April 26, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Free admission with food available for purchase as tastes ranging from $2-$10. Historic Marietta Square and Glover Park, 50 Park Square, Marietta. tasteofmarietta.com.
Credit: Sher Pruitt
Credit: Sher Pruitt
Take in a little art
5. Sandy Springs Artsapalooza
With up to 125 arts and crafts participants in every discipline, there’s so much to see at Artsapalooza. Stop by one of the many interactive art stations as you browse the booths. Spend some time in the children’s play area if you’re traveling with the whole family, and stop to listen to some local music from any of the live bands performing. Swing by on Sunday, and the family can participate in an Easter egg hunt kicking off at 2 p.m.
Saturday, April 4, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, April 5, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free admission. Sandy Springs City Center, 6100 Lake Forrest Drive, NW, Sandy Springs. sandyspringsartsapalooza.com.
6. Festival on Ponce
Take in more than 100 displays of fine arts and crafts, folk art and “outsider” art, pieces created by self-taught artisans, at the Festival on Ponce. Divided into sections, you decide where to stop — Craft, Antiques, Children’s and Fine Arts. Situated in the old-growth forest of Olmsted Linear Park, you’ll have a lush canopy of trees to keep you cool as you explore. A family-friendly event, you’ll also find a children’s area and plenty of places to buy local food and beverages.
Saturday, April 11, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, April 12, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free admissions. Olmsted Linear Park, 1451 Ponce de Leon Ave., Atlanta. festivalonponce.com.
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