Dunwoody’s annual Lemonade Days festival returns in the spring of 2026 for it’s 26th  year!
The five-day event will happen from Wednesday, April 22 thru Sunday, April 26, 2026.

Lemonade Days Festival hours:

• Wednesday — 4 to 10 p.m.
• Thursday  — 4 to 10 p.m.
• Friday — 4 to 10 p.m.
• Saturday  — 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Sunday — noon to 6 p.m.

Admission to the festival is FREE, but you’ll want to drop a few bucks on food and activities.

The festival location is Brook Run Park, in Dunwoody.

Lemonade Days features 30 full-scale carnival rides.

On Wednesday and Thursday, unlimited ride wristbands are $25.
For the rest of the festival, the price is $35.
Wristbands are good only on the day of purchase.

Individual ride tickets are $1.25, but each ride requires more than one ticket.

In addition to the carnival rides, you’ll find 20 food and beverage vendors, three days of staged performances that include the popular Dunwoody Idol contest, a 5K run, a petting zoo, pony rides, an antique car show, arts and crafts for sale, and more.

See the complete schedule of Lemonade Days events
For weather updates, please check the Facebook events page.

Brook Run Park is located at:
4770 North Peachtree Road
Dunwoody, Georgia 30338

Check out our complete guide to all the spring festivals this year in Atlanta & suburbs!

Getting there and parking

Brook Run Park is located at 4770 North Peachtree Rd. in Dunwoody.

Parking for Lemonade Days is available at:

• Kingswood United Methodist Church
• Peachtree Middle School (Friday, Saturday, Sunday ONLY)
• St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church
• St. Barnabas Church

Some of these lots are free and others come with a parking fee. Please be conscious of NO Parking signs during Sunday Church schedules.

Check out other fun events around Atlanta:

The post The Lemonade Days Festival returns to Dunwoody, opening Wednesday, April 22nd appeared first on Atlanta on the Cheap.

Atlanta Streets Alive: Enjoy 3 miles of Peachtree St. with NO TRAFFIC!

 
Streets Alive will return to Peachtree Street in 2026. 
Here’s how it works:
On select Sunday afternoons, for four glorious hours, three miles of Peachtree Street will be closed to cars — and open for people to stroll, roll, bike, and play!

The Streets Alive Peachtree Route stretches from downtown to midtown, right through the heart of the city. Peachtree Street will be closed from Alabama Street, downtown, to 15th Street in midtown. (See the map, below.)

Here’s what to expect…

(photos courtesy of Colony Square)

Streets Alive is FREE and it’s for everyone. You don’t have to be an athlete to join in. It doesn’t matter how old you are or what neighborhood you live in. Even if you’ve never heard of the Open Street concept before, you’re invited to get out and experience it firsthand.

The open street route has no formal beginning or end. You can hop on at any point you like. The flow of people will move in both directions, like it does on the Beltline, so you can create your own experience. 

This is a chance for you to EXPLORE  our city. You can stroll, roll, shop, eat, play, socialize, or simply enjoy the spring weather — all without the noise, fumes, and intensity of Atlanta’s traffic. 

The idea is to OPT OUT of traffic. 
Getting to Atlanta Streets Alive is easy by MARTA, by bike, or any human-powered mode of transportation. 

Streets Alive creates a a whole new healthy and vibrant city street experience  in Atlanta.
So bring your bicycle, your skateboard, or just your feet, and get ready to explore your community streets in a safer, healthier, more livable way!

Electric bikes and scooters are allowed, but please maintain a safe speed.
Leashed dogs are allowed.

There will be designated vehicle crossing points along the way, where Atlanta police will be directing traffic. These include Pine, Linden, North, Ponce, Edgewood, and other main streets that cross Peachtree.
Visit the Streets Alive website for more info.

When is Atlanta Streets Alive?

Events are typically 2 to 6 p.m. 

For 2026, the following dates have been scheduled for all routes. 
Note that we have separate information pages for each of the routes — just click thru the links for specific route info.

• Sunday, March 22 — NEW route! MLK: Beltline to Broad
• Sunday, April 19 — Peachtree Street route (downtown to midtown)
• Sunday, May 31 — Southwest route (West End to Grant Park)
• * Sunday, June 14 — NEW route! MLK: Beltline to Broad
• Sunday, Sept. 27 — Peachtree Street route (downtown to midtown)
• Sunday, Oct. 18 — Southwest route (West End to Grant Park)
• Sunday, Nov. 8 — Howell Mill Road (Westside Stride partnership event)

*NOTE that the June 14th date may change, as it’s happening close to the FIFA World Cup games in Atlanta. 

Getting to Streets Alive — Peachtree Street route

CLICK HERE for info on the Southwest Route

Please don’t bring a car to Streets Alive!

The entire route is accessible by six Marta stations — from the Five Points Station at the southern end of downtown to the Arts Center Station in midtown.

You can also hop on or off the Atlanta Streetcar at the Woodruff Park or Peachtree Center stops.

We recommend the Marta On The Go app for easy access to rail maps and timetables. Remember, trains run less often on Sundays, usually every 20 minutes.

View the route map on the Streets Alive website

Photo courtesy of Atlanta Streets Alive

 

Photo courtesy of Atlanta Streets Alive

The post Atlanta Streets Alive returns to Peachtree Street on April 19th appeared first on Atlanta on the Cheap.

The annual Bluesberry & Beer Festival takes place in downtown Norcross on Saturday, April 18, 2026 from 3 to 10 p.m. 
It’s in the spring this year, rather than in the fall as usual. 

The festival is centered at Betty Mauldin Park — that’s where the music stages will be. You can kick back there and relax to the blues.

You can also wander the downtown area looking for merchants with the “cool blue dude” decal displayed — this means they have bluesy specials, including berry-inspired food and drink. 

This unusual festival started with the idea of a blueberry day, with all the downtown restaurants featuring blueberry cocktails and gourmet dishes. Then someone got the idea to add blues music to the mix… and the rest is history.

The Iron Horse Tavern is at the heart of the Bluesberry & Beer Festival. The building is over 130 years old, with exposed brick walls and original wood floors. There’s a huge deck where you can enjoy good weather and listen to live music.

In the past, beer trucks throughout the festival offered plenty of selections from local breweries.

Betty Mauldin Park is located at: 
65 Lawrenceville St
Norcross , GA 30071

More info:
Website
Facebook
See the graphic below for featured performers.

You may also be interested in:

• Enjoy $1 movies with Regal Summer Express
• 15+ summer festivals happening in metro Atlanta
• Have a close-up butterfly encounter this summer
• Complete guide to free summer concerts
• Enjoy a night under the stars: free outdoor movies
• Free outdoor community yoga and fitness classes this summer
• 4th of July fireworks and celebrations

More upcoming events:

[lotc-tag tag=”summer” span=”+16 days”]

The post The Bluesberry & Beer Festival takes place in Norcross on April 18th appeared first on Atlanta on the Cheap.

Deposit Photos

Celebrate National Poetry Month with a FREE reading by acclaimed poet, author, and Pulitzer Prize in Poetry finalist Danez Smith!

It takes place on Saturday, April 18, 2026 from 2 to 3 p.m., at the Auburn Avenue Research Library in Atlanta.

The program is free and open to all. 
Registration is encouraged. 
Please plan to arrive early, as parking and seating are limited. 
Register: https://bit.ly/DanowskiReadingDanezSmith 

The Auburn Avenue Research Library is located at: 
101 Auburn Avenue NE
Atlanta, GA 30303

About Danez Smith

Danez Smith is a National Book Award finalist and World Poetry Slam finalist whose work has appeared in Vanity Fair, The New York Times, The New Yorker, and on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.”

Smith is the author of four celebrated poetry collections, including Don’t Call Us Dead, Homie, and most recently, Bluff. They also curated Blues In Stereo: The Early Works of Langston Hughes.

Their work has been recognized with the Forward Prize for Best Collection, the Minnesota Book Award in Poetry, the Lambda Literary Award for Gay Poetry, and the Kate Tufts Discovery Award.

Smith has also been a finalist for the NAACP Image Award in Poetry, the National Book Critics Circle Award, and the National Book Award, and has received an array of grants, fellowships, and residencies, including a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship and the Princeton Arts Fellowship.

Danez Smith

The post Free poetry reading by Pulitzer Prize finalist Danez Smith at this Atlanta library appeared first on Atlanta on the Cheap.

Atlanta Festivals in March

The cooler days of spring are perfect for outdoor festivals — just bring a sweater or jacket, for when the sun goes down!

Jump to April Festivals
Jump to May Festivals

Atlanta Fair

March 6 to April 12, 2026
Georgia State Stadium (formerly Turner Field)

This is Georgia’s only urban fair, taking place in downtown Atlanta.
The Atlanta Fair typically opens the first Friday in March and runs for 5 weeks.
It features plenty of exciting rides and your favorite carnival cuisine — from cotton candy and funnel cakes to Polish Sausage with peppers and onions. There’s also nightly entertainment, like concerts and dance troupes.

The fair has an admission fee, but there are daily discounts and free admission days.
Details and discounts for Atlanta Fair

Cumming Wine Festival

March 7, 2026
Cumming City Center

Take advantage of early-bird pricing and buy your ticket in advance! The festival features tastings for those 21 and over, plus a FREE concert that anyone can enjoy.
Details for Cumming Wine Festival

Georgia Beer Day

March 7, 2026
Multiple locations

We’re including this annual celebration even though it’s not a true festival. Each year, 50-70 craft breweries statewide mark Georgia Beer Day with food and drink specials, live entertainment, a limited-edition beer glass, and more.
Details on Georgia Beer Day

Atlanta St. Patrick’s Parade

March 14, 2026
Midtown Atlanta

This annual event has been an Atlanta tradition for well over 100 years! Get there early to find your spot along Peachtree Street in midtown.
Details for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Butterfly Lantern Parade & Festival

March 21, 2026
Samuel Hape Plaza
(formerly Dearborn Plaza)
Hapeville

Music, food trucks, vendors, and an illuminated parade! To march in the procession, you just need an illuminated, butterfly-themed object.
You can also sign up for a lantern-making workshop; get registration info at the link below.
Details for the Lantern Parade

Wing & Rock Fest

March 21 – 22, 2026
Etowah River Park
Canton, GA

Great-tasting wings from 25+ restaurants and food trucks, plus a rockin’ musical festival in a beautiful venue — what’s not to love? FREE and family-friendly, with activities for the little ones in the Kids Zone. There’s also a nice selection of craft beer and cocktails for the adults.
Details for Wing & Rock Fest

Atlanta Streets Alive

March 22, 2026
New route: MLK/Beltline to Vine City

On these Sundays, streets are are temporarily closed to traffic for four hours — so you can come out to walk, run, stroll, bike, scoot, roll, and just have fun. It’s the ultimate “open streets” event in metro Atlanta, and it’s a heckuva good time.
Details for Streets Alive

Atlanta Dragon Festival

March 28, 2026
Lawrenceville Lawn
FREE

This is a vibrant celebration of Asian culture, community, and creativity, put on by the Georgia Asian Community. 

It will feature cultural performances, Asian cuisine, and a Dragon Egg Hunt for the kids. The Dragon Egg Hunt is a fun spin on the classic Easter egg hunt for kids. 

More info on the Dragon Festival + Egg Hunt

Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival

March 28 – 29, 2026
Blackburn Park

This new-ish festival is fast becoming a local favorite! The event includes an incredible music line-up, an art market, food vendors galore, family-friendly activities in the Kidz Zone, a classic car show, and more. Festival admission is FREE.
Details for Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival

Atlanta Festivals in April

April is PRIME TIME for spring festivals — this is when the biggest and best ones happen, so get out there and have some fun!

Jump Ahead to May Festivals
Jump Back to March Festivals

Atlanta Fair

Through April 12, 2026
Georgia State Stadium (formerly Turner Field)

Okay, maybe this isn’t technically a festival. But it’s Georgia’s only urban fair, taking place downtown.

The Atlanta Fair typically opens the first Friday in March and runs for 5 weeks.
It features plenty of exciting rides and your favorite carnival cuisine — from cotton candy and funnel cakes to Polish Sausage with peppers and onions. There’s also nightly entertainment, like concerts and dance troupes.

The fair has an admission fee, but there are daily discounts and free admission days.
Details and discounts for Atlanta Fair

404 Day Festival

April 4, 2026
Piedmont Park

On 4/04, celebrate all things Atlanta with live music, food, local vendors, live art, and more. The date was chosen to reflect Atlanta’s original area code, 404.
Details for 404 Day

Atlanta Dogwood Festival

April 10 – 12, 2026
Piedmont Park, midtown Atlanta

The Dogwood Festival is the queen of all Atlanta festivals, now in its 90th year!  This iconic spring event is the third oldest fine arts festival in the country and the longest running festival in Atlanta. There is so much to do — music, live performances, food, a fine art market, midway rides, and more. 

Unfortunately, the festival is no longer free, and there will be an entry fee in 2026.
Atlanta Dogwood Festival details

Georgia Renaissance Festival

April 11 to May 31, 2026
Weekends only, plus Memorial Day Monday
Fairburn, GA

Well worth the drive! Travel back in time to days of yesteryear and yore, with this popular themed festival. There are multiple discounts and ways to save on the price of admission, including a BOGO deal for opening weekend.
Get the details and view the discounts

Conyers Book Festival

April 11 – 12, 2026
Conyers International Horse Park

Books for sale, author talks, live music, food trucks, and more!
This is a paid event in 2026; it is no longer free.
Visit the festival website

Atlanta Streets Alive

April 19, 2026
Peachtree Street
Downtown & midtown Atlanta

On these Sundays, streets are are temporarily closed to traffic for four hours — so you can come out to walk, run, stroll, bike, scoot, roll, and just have fun. It’s the ultimate “open streets” event in metro Atlanta, and it’s a heckuva good time.

The April event will use the Peachtree Street route — which stretches from Alabama Street to 15th Street.
Details for Streets Alive

Georgia State Fair

April 24 to May 3, 2026
Atlanta Motor Speedway
Hampton, GA

Welcome back to the fair! Enjoy the usual midway rides, classic carnival food favorites, live entertainment, and more. Check out detailed post about this fair, which includes info on all the available discounts and FREE admission days!
Details for the Georgia State Fair

Canton Garden in the Park

April 25, 2026
Cannon Park
Downtown Canton, GA

This one-day festival features handmade art, plants for sale, flower arrangements, and more.
More info on Garden in the Park

Atlanta Festivals in May

Warm weather is here to stay, so pack the sunscreen and stay hydrated during May’s prelude to summer.

Jump back to April Festivals
Jump back to March Festivals

Georgia Renaissance Festival

Weekends in May, plus Memorial Day Monday
Fairburn, GA

Well worth the drive! Travel back in time to days of yesteryear and yore, with this popular themed festival. There are multiple discounts and ways to save on the price of admission.
Details on the GARenFest

Duluth Chalk Art Festival

May 1 – 2, 2026
Downtown Duluth

You’ll be dazzled by the work of professional chalk artists who will transform the pavement into mind-bending 3D illusions and stunning masterpieces. Work on a chalk mural with others, stroll the art walk in Parsons Alley, enjoy yummy food and drink, and shop with local vendors.
Details for Chalk Festival

Georgia State Fair

Through May 3, 2026
Atlanta Motor Speedway
Hampton, GA

Welcome back to the fair! Enjoy the usual midway rides, classic carnival food favorites, live entertainment, and more. Check out detailed post about this fair, which includes info on all the available discounts and FREE admission days!
Details for the Georgia State Fair

Johns Creek International Festival

May 2, 2026
Heisman Field

This one day event celebrates multi-culturalism with traditional food, music, and art. A selection of restaurants and food trucks will serve traditional foods from around the world. The Global Wine and Beer Garden gives you a chance to sip spirits from around the globe (if you’re 21 or over!)
Details for the International Festival

Tucker Day

May 2, 2026
Downtown Tucker

This one-day street festival includes food, vendors, live music by local artists, and a parade — all along Main Street in downtown Tucker. It’s a family-friendly event and a great cheap date.
Details on Tucker Day

Gwinnett Multi-Cultural Festival

May 2, 2026
Sugarloaf Mills Mall parking lot

This family-friendly event is just a few hours long, but it features cultural performances from around the globe, bounce houses for the kids, carnival rides, touch-a-truck activities with public safety vehicles, and more. There is also a lantern parade.
More info on Gwinnett Multi-Cultural Festival

Taste of East Cobb

May 2, 2026
Johnson Ferry Baptist Church
Marietta

This one-day food festival highlights local restaurants every year on the first Saturday in May. Admission is FREE and tasting tickets are $1 each. Food items require anywhere from 1 to 5 tickets. You’ll also find local vendors, live entertainment, and a Kids’ Zone (pay for activities there with taste tickets).
More info about Taste of East Cobb

Acworth Dragon Boat Festival

May 2, 2026
Dallas Landing Park

This annual festival features teams of people racing in 46-foot long ornamental dragon boats. The races are a spectator sport, and there will be various cultural activities and plenty of food on site as well.
Details on the Dragon Boat Festival

Yaarab Shrine Circus & Fair

May 8 – 17, 2026
Jim Miller Park
Marietta

This is a fun-packed event, including 35+ carnival rides for all ages, classic fair food, and daily circus performances (included in admission price). The discounts and special offers also make it a relatively affordable event.
Discounts and deals for Yaarab Shrine Circus

Woodstock Art on the Green

May 9 – 10, 2026
Downtown Woodstock

Local artists from North Georgia will gather on the Event Green to display their art, which includes: paintings, mixed media, photography, hand-crafted jewelry, eccentric gifts…and MUCH more.
Details for Art on the Green

Marietta Greek Festival

May 15 – 17, 2026
Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church in Marietta

Be Greek for a day! In typical years, this annual event takes place on the weekend following Mother’s Day each May. It features cultural experiences including authentic food, crafts, music, and dance.

There are special activities for children as well.
The Byzantine style sanctuary of the church is often open for guided tours.
Click through the link for info on admission and food deals.
More details for the Greek Festival

Kirkwood Spring Fling & Tour of Homes

May 16, 2026
Bessie Branham Park

This popular street festival takes place in Atlanta’s historic Kirkwood neighborhood each spring, along with the tour of homes.
Details on Kirkwood Spring Fling

 Atlanta Jazz Festival

May 23 – 25, 2026
Piedmont Park

This is one of the country’s largest FREE jazz festivals, typically taking place in Piedmont Park over Memorial Day weekend. Over the years the Atlanta Jazz Festival has been backdrop to musical legends such as Miles Davis, Dizzie Gillespie and Nina Simone.
Details on Atlanta Jazz Festival

Worth a mention in May

• Midtown Garden Stroll
  View gorgeous private gardens in Midtown — for FREE!

Day-by-day list of spring events:

This is a rolling list, so events fall off the beginning of the list once they’ve passed. You’ll only see the events listed from today and onward, for the next 21 days.

The post 75+ of the best spring festivals in metro Atlanta: things to do in March, April, and May appeared first on Atlanta on the Cheap.

Image courtesy of Goldfish

Parents everywhere know the deal: You “borrow” a handful of Goldfish from your kids’ bag, a practice which the internet has dubbed “parent tax.”

This Tax Day, Goldfish is flipping the script with its first-ever Goldfish Parent Tax Return, giving families a playful way to settle their snack time IOUs.

Starting at 4:15 p.m. on April 15, 2026, parents can visit GoldfishParentTax.com to “file” their return by answering a few quick questions about their household’s snacking habits.

Eligible families will receive a delicious “tax refund” in the form two FREE bags of Goldfish crackers, while supplies last.

These online giveaways are extremely popular, so act fast before the all of the Goldfish crackers are claimed.

View our big list of Tax Day deals and freebies

Upcoming spring events:

The post How to get two free bags of Goldfish crackers on Tax Day, April 15th appeared first on Atlanta on the Cheap.

Free things to do in Atlanta!

The post FREE & CHEAP things to do this weekend, all over metro Atlanta appeared first on Atlanta on the Cheap.

Photo: Chuck E. Cheese

Kids love Chuck E. Cheese because it serves one of their favorite foods — pizza! However, more importantly, they truly love all the games and fun. 

Having a good time at the family-friendly pizzeria can get expensive, so its Summer Fun Pass is the perfect ticket for big savings. The pass pays for itself in just a few visits. 
For example, a family that visits just twice with the Bronze pass recoups the full cost compared to buying games individually. 

This year’s Pass is available immediately and covers unlimited visits through Labor Day, September 7, 2026. 

You only need ONE pass per family!
Up to six kids can share the games and discounts that are included on one Fun Pass. 

The pass lets you and your kids play a certain amount of free games per day.
It also gives you up to a 50% discount on food and drinks.
Pass holders are also treated to special bonus benefits on a regular basis.
More info here — just change the location to the venue you prefer.

Some fine print:
If you already have a 2‑Month Fun Pass purchased before April 6, 2026, that pass is the standard 2‑month pass and does NOT extend through Labor Day.
The 2‑Month passes bought between April 6–July 5, 2026 that are sold as Summer Fun Passes are valid through Labor Day; in-store activation may be required by July 5 for full benefits.

2026 Summer Fun Pass options

Please look online at the pricing info for the location you plan to visit — we found some discrepancies in pricing, and we want you to be sure you get the accurate information for your preferred location. 
The prices below came from the Norcross location. 

Bronze Fun Pass
$54.99  per family (price may depend on location)
Unlimited visits
40 games per visit
20% off on most food, drinks and extra games

Silver Fun Pass
$79.99 to $96.99 per family (price may depend on location)
Unlimited visits
100 games per visit
30% off on most food, drinks, and extra games

Gold Fun Pass
$149.99 for two full months (price may depend on location)
Unlimited visits
250 games per visit
50% off on most food, drinks, and extra games

Find more information about the Summer Fun Pass here
Prices and participation vary by location. 

Atlanta area locations of Chuck E. Cheese

• Norcross
• Alpharetta
• Cumberland
• Buford
• Kennesaw
• Conyers
• Douglasville
• Jonesboro

More food and drink deals:

The post Chuck E. Cheese’s Summer Fun Pass pays for itself in just two visits & is good for unlimited visits thru Labor Day appeared first on Atlanta on the Cheap.

Tax Day is on Wednesday, April 15th in 2026. And Krispy Kreme is trying to ease your pain a little, with a special deal that cuts you a break.

On April 15th, when you visit a participating Krispy Kreme shop and buy any dozen doughnuts, you’ll receive a FREE Original Glazed dozen as a bonus.

If you’re ordering online or via the app for pickup or delivery, you can use the promo code TAXBREAK to get your second dozen of Original Glazed for FREE. 

There is a limit of two dozen per customer in shop, and a limit of one dozen online.
Read the press release

Check out our huge list of Tax Day deals and freebies in 2026!

Krispy Kreme locations around Atlanta

If you’re traveling or on the go, you can find a Krispy Kreme shop nearby by visiting www.krispykreme.com

Here’s a full list of locations in metro Atlanta. Be sure to check and make sure your preferred location is participating in the Sweet Tax Break promotion.

Atlanta – Midtown
295 Ponce de Leon Ave
Atlanta, GA 30308

Atlanta – West End
633 Evans Street
Atlanta, GA 30310

Decatur
2533 Wesley Chapel Rd
Decatur, GA 30035

Smyrna
4560 S. Cobb Dr
Smyrna, GA 30080

Riverdale
6689 Highway #85
Riverdale, GA 30274

Marietta
299 Cobb Parkway South
Marietta, GA 30062

Roswell
10781 Alpharetta Hwy
Roswell, GA 30076

Duluth
2346 Pleasant Hill Rd
Duluth, GA 30096

Stockbridge
120 Georgia Hwy 138
Stockbridge, GA 30281

Lilburn
129 Highway 78
Lilburn, GA 30047

Woodstock
9420 Highway 92
Woodstock, GA 30188

More food and drink deals:

The post Krispy Kreme: On Tax Day, April 15th, buy a dozen & get a 2nd dozen for FREE! appeared first on Atlanta on the Cheap.

Let’s face it, income tax prep can be stressful — deadlines, payments, waiting on a refund, you name it. That’s why Kona Ice wants to help Georgians chill out on Tax Day, which is Wednesday, April 15, 2026.

On Tax Day, Kona Ice is hosting its 9th annual National Chill Out Day.

This means Kona Ice trucks around the country will be serving FREE cups of shaved ice — including several locations in metro Atlanta.

The giveaway is only available during a limited period of time on Tax Day, and the hours vary by location.
Limit one cup of free. shaved ice per person.

Find a location
You’ll find an interactive map showing all locations and hours, nationwide, at kona-ice.com/chilloutday.
When you click on a point on the map, you’ll get an address and a start time for the giveaway at that location.

We also received a list of local participating locations in an emailed media alert.
These include:

• 6840 Church St, Douglasville, GA 30134  from 1-3 pm
• 600 N Lakeshore Dr, Carrollton, GA 30117 from 4-6 pm
• 928 Commercial St NE, Conyers, GA 30012 from 2-4 pm
• 3435 Centerville Hwy, Snellville, GA 30039 from 2-4 pm
• 1015 Univeter Rd, Canton, GA 30115 from 1-2:30 pm
• 3493 Ashford Dunwoody Rd NE, Brookhaven, GA 30319 from 4-6 pm
• 2737 Watts Drive, Kennesaw, GA 30144 from 2-4 pm
• 4405 Cherokee Street, Acworth, GA 30101 from 2-4 pm
• 5 Dean Drive, Cartersville, GA 30121 from 2-4 pm
• 4525 Nelson Brogdon Blvd NE Buford, GA 30518 from 4-6 pm
• 2265 Wisteria Drive, Snellville, GA 30078 from 4-6 pm
• 210 Luckie Street, Lawrenceville, GA 30046 from 4-6 pm
• 65 Kissam Street, Jefferson, GA 30549 from 4-6 pm
• 2006 Heritage Walk, Milton, GA 30004 from 1-2 pm
• 38 Hill St, Roswell, GA 30075 from 11:30am-12:30pm
• 3370 Sugarloaf Pkwy, Lawrenceville, GA 30044 from 3-5 pm

More spring events

The post Chill out on Tax Day, April 15th, with a FREE cup of shaved ice at Kona Ice appeared first on Atlanta on the Cheap.

Deposit Photos

Sunday, April 26th, 2026, is National Pretzel Day — which means there are freebies and deals available. It’s the perfect time to enjoy this favorite snack, full of salty, crusty, chewy goodness.

The origin of pretzels is unknown for certain.
They are sometimes attributed to an Italian monk, who created them as a reward for children who learned their prayers, back in A.D. 610. Another legend says they were invented by German bakers. We love history, but we love eating pretzels more, so keep reading for the scoop on where to find a free one!

You may also be interested in:

• Complete guide to Atlanta spring festivals -- March, April, & May
• Midtown Garden Stroll: Tour gorgeous private gardens for FREE
• 40+ egg hunts, pics with the Easter Bunny, and more
• Atlanta Fair returns to Turner Field this spring
• The Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park

2026 National Pretzel Day offers & freebies

National Pretzel Day falls on April 26th each year.
This list is for 2026 and we update annually in mid-April.

Please remember that not every location offers every deal, and most offers are subject to availability.

We will keep adding deals and freebies right up till April 26th, so please check back. 

Auntie Anne’s

Image: Auntie Anne’s

On April 26, 2026, Auntie Anne’s Rewards members can get a FREE Original or Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel, no purchase necessary, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at participating locations.
You’ll find the Reward in the Auntie Anne’s Rewards app, and you must apply the reward at checkout.
Join Auntie Anne’s Rewards here

Auntie Anne’s has locations at:

• Perimeter Mall
• Lenox Square Mall
• Cumberland Mall
• North Point Mall
• Sugarloaf Mills
• The Gallery at South Dekalb
• Clipper Travel Center (Smyrna)
• Stonecrest Mall
• Mall of Georgia
• Town Center at Cobb
• Hartsfield-Jackson Airport
• Outlet Shoppes (Woodstock)
• Southlake Mall
• Arbor Place Mall
• North Georgia Premium Outlets

The Pretzel Company

Have delicious soft pretzels delivered right to your door!
The Pretzel Company is offering:

• $10 off all pretzel boxes, no code needed
• FREE shipping when you spend $60
• FREE 19-oz gourmet mustard of your choice with orders of $45 or more

Just use promo code PRETZELDAY at checkout.
This deal was announced on the website here, and also on Facebook.
Order at thepretzelcompany.com

Wetzel’s Pretzels

Wetzel’s Pretzels is celebrating its annual “National Wetzel Day” by offering a FREE Original Pretzel on April 26, 2026 at participating locations — from 3 p.m. to closing.
No purchase necessary. (There is an additional charge for any upgrades.) 
The giveaway is open to all customers and you don’t need a Rewards account.
Limit one per person. 
The deal was announced on Facebook.

Locations at:
Buford
Lawrenceville (Sugarloaf Mills mall)
Marietta
Newnan 
NOTE: We did not verify participation at these locations. 
Find other locations here

Image courtesy of Wetzel’s Pretzels

Pretzelmaker

On April 26, 2026, Rewards members can receive a FREE Small Pretzel Bites snack, no purchase necessary.
The offer is valid only for Rewards members thru the Pretzelmaker app. 
Your choice of salted or unsalted.
One per customer, valid in-store only.
Rewards members can also receive a free limited-edition sticker just by verifying their Rewards membership in-store. 

Find a Pretzelmaker location at these venues:

• Atlantic Station
• Stonecrest Mall
• Arbor Place Mall
• Greenbriar Mall
• Tanger Outlets

Superpretzel

On April 26, 2026, Superpretzel is rolling out its largest promotion in more than 50 years.
For one day only, you can get $1 soft pretzels, while supplies last. 
Your choice of original, salted, or cinnamon sugar. 
The offer is good at participating Subway locations located inside Walmart stores nationwide. 
No coupon needed. 
Read the press release

Philly Pretzel Factory

On April 26, 2026, you can get one FREE pretzel at participating locations.
Rewards members will receive double points on any purchase. 
One location, at 300 Marietta St NW in Atlanta — inside Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks. 
Note that we did not verify this location’s participation in the deal. 
Visit the website

Moondog Pub & Grub

We don’t yet have an offer for 2026, but last year Moondog offered a deal on their giant soft pretzels for dine-in. 
Located at 5077 Peachtree Road, Chamblee, GA 30341.

Milwaukee Pretzel Company

Craving Bavarian-style soft pretzels?
Get 20% OFF your order with promo code NPD20. 
Sign up for their email list and you’ll receive a special promotion to your inbox on April 26, 2026. 
The offer appears on the website home page and a ticker-style banner at the top of each page. 

In past years, we also had deals from the following shops.
We will be checking on them and updating with current details once they are available.

• Harry & David
• Hudson Grille
• Twin Peaks

More food and drink deals:

The post National Pretzel Day: Where to get a FREE or discounted pretzel on April 26th appeared first on Atlanta on the Cheap.

Tax Day is Wednesday, April 15, 2026!
Every year, many restaurants and retailers offer Tax Day discounts and freebies, in an effort to help you ease the stress. This is a list of those deals.

Many of the deals are only valid on Tax Day, April 15th. However, the dates vary, so be sure to review the details before making your rounds.

You can assume all offers are only valid at participating locations, while supplies last.

2026 Tax Day deals & freebies in Atlanta

Feeling the Tax Day pain! (Image: Deposit Photos)

Please click through the links to verify all details on these deals and freebies.

California Pizza Kitchen

We don’t have an offer yet for 2026, but we expect one, so stay tuned. 
Last year, they offered $10 OFF a $40 order, for Rewards members. 
Sign up for Rewards

Checkers & Rally’s

On April 14 and April 15, 2026, Checkers & Rally’s is serving up the iconic Big Buford burger for just $3.

And there’s even more relief at Checkers & Rally’s with additional value-packed options:
· Spicy Chicken Flatbread Combo for $5 (includes small fry and a small soft drink)
· Bacon Burger Flatbread Combo for $6 (includes small fry and a small soft drink)
· The $5 MVP Meal Deal (sandwich, fries, drink and apple pie)
Read the press release

Cheesecake Factory

New and existing Cheesecake Rewards members who download the app and log into their account will receive a FREE slice of cheesecake as their first reward, redeemable from now thru May 7, 2026.
The deal is good with any purchase of food or drink (excluding gift cards).
Loyalty members must sign-up and/or login by April 30, 2026 to qualify for the freebie. 
A slice of cheesecake is regularly $11.50 to $12.95, so this is a great deal for not much effort.
More info

Chili’s

Enjoy the restaurant’s monthly margarita for April for just $6, the Peachy Dream Marg. Also, check out the restaurant’s daily happy hour specials for what’s available on Wednesdays.  

Combine the drink specials with Chili’s popular 3 For Me deal. Enjoy a beverage, appetizer and entrée, all starting at $10.99. The meal deal is available every day, not just Tax Day.

Church’s Chicken

On April 15, 2026, Real Rewards members can score an 8‑piece leg & thigh order for just $4.99. 
The offer is available to Real Rewards members in the U.S. who sign up before April 15, and it can be redeemed through the Church’s Texas Chicken mobile app, churchs.com, or in‑restaurant after checking in with the in‑app QR code.
Read the press release

CT Cantina & Taqueria

April 15th is usually all about paying taxes, but not at CT Cantina & Taqueria!
This family-owned restaurant believes you have paid enough taxes, so on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, they’re going to pay the sales tax on all food and beverages you order that day. 

CT Cantina & Taqueria has locations in:
Halcyon (Alpharetta)
Trilith (Fayetteville)
Dunwoody
PLUS CT Reforma is located in the Modera Prominence development in Buckhead. 
See the deal online

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit

Get $10 off orders of $50 or more when you use the promo code WRITEOFF.
The deal is available online only at dickeys.com and through the Dickey’s app on Tuesday, April 14 and Wednesday, April 15, 2026.

Fazoli’s

On April 15, 2026, Fazoli’s is offering a buy-one-get-one FREE Classic Baked Spaghetti for digital orders via the restaurant’s site or app. Use promo code TAX26 at checkout. 
Locations in Cartersville and Newnan.

Great American Cookies

At participating locations, Great American Cookies is offering a BOGO deal on Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake slices. Buy one, get another free. The offer is good in-store only on April 15, 2026, for Rewards members. 
View the press release
Join Rewards here OR download the app to sign up. 

Grubhub

Through April 15, 2026, get $10.40 off an order of $50 or more when you make a Grubhub order from Sweetgreen, Krispy Kreme, or Chili’s.
Read the press release

Kona Grill

Kona Ice

Celebrate Kona Ice’s annual Chill Out Day on April 15, 2026 with a FREE cup of shaved ice.
There are multiple locations participating in metro Atlanta, and the hours vary by location for the freebie. 
Find a participating Kona Ice near you

Krispy Kreme

On April 15, 2026, when you visit a participating Krispy Kreme shop and buy any dozen doughnuts, you’ll receive a FREE Original Glazed dozen as a bonus.
If you’re ordering online or via the app for pickup or delivery, you can use the promo code TAXBREAK to get your second dozen of Original Glazed for FREE. 
There is a limit of two dozen per customer in shop, and a limit of one dozen online.
More info

Kroger

From April 15 to May 5, 2026, Kroger customers can buy one, get one 50% off on Private Selection frozen meals, including the newly-expanded line of globally inspired, restaurant-quality dishes. 
Note that the offer excludes pizzas. 
You can download the digital coupon through Kroger’s website or mobile app and redeem in-store. 
Go to the coupon page — remember, this coupon won’t appear there until April 15th. 

Office Depot & Office Max

Office Depot and Office Max offer FREE document shredding up to 5 lbs of paper at participating locations with coupon. 
Offer valid now through May 23, 2026.
Details and coupon here

Olive Garden

From now through May 3, 2026, Olive Garden is giving diners a FREE take-home entrée with the purchase of entrée in-restaurant. Both dishes are from a select menu. 
In restaurant, your entree includes unlimited bread sticks and salad. 
The take-home entree comes cold, for reheating at home. 
More info + menus

Paris Baguette

On April 15, 2026, Paris Baguette is offering a FREE pastry with any beverage purchase. The offer is only available for Paris Baguette Rewards members.
Join Paris Baguette Rewards here. 
There are Metro Atlanta locations in Doraville, Perimeter/Dunwoody, and Duluth.
Read the press release

QDOBA

Now through April 15, 2026, QDOBA invites Rewards Members to “file” for Tax Day Guac Relief.
By taking a quick survey about a time you had to pay extra for guac on an entrée elsewhere, Rewards Members can unlock a $5 Reward to use toward any QDOBA full-sized entrée purchase.
Read the press release

Here’s how to get your QDOBA Tax Day Guac Relief Reward:

• Sign up for QDOBA Rewards if not already a member.
• Visit www.TaxDayGuacRelief.com and take a short survey between Wednesday, March 25 and Wednesday, April 15.
• Receive a $5 Reward to use toward any QDOBA full-sized entrée purchase — automatically deposited into your QDOBA Rewards wallet on Monday, April 20 and valid through Sunday, April 26.

Shake Shack

From April 9 to 22, 2026, Shake Shack is offering a FREE item from its Korean-style menu, when you purchase another item from that menu. 
The offer is valid for qualifying orders of two K-Shack menu items placed at a kiosk in-Shack, or for delivery or pick-up via the Shake Shack Mobile App or shakeshack.com. 
Use promo code SPICYSWEET at checkout. 
More info on the BOGO deal

Subway

On Tax Day through April 28, 2026, Subway is rewarding Sub Club members with a special offer: a FREE footlong sandwich with the purchase of another footlong.

And, because filing your 1040 form is no fun, 1,040 lucky guests who purchase a sandwich on April 15th will receive a full refund on their entire order, getting both footlong sandwiches completely FREE. 

The BOGO offer is available via the Subway app or website using promo code FLBOGO.
Read the press release

Ziggi’s Coffee

On April 15, 2026, when you make an in-store purchase at participating Ziggi’s Coffee locations, you will receive a $2 Bounce Back coupon — to use on your next visit. 
The offer is good while supplies last – no sign-ups, no app, no extra steps.
One per customer.
You can redeem your $2 coupon between April 16 and 22, 2026.
Read the press release

Past Deals

In past years, there have been deals from the venues below, and we’re watching to see if they announce similar deals in 2026.

• AMC Theatres
• Dairy Queen
• Burger King
• Hooters
• The Cheesecake Factory
• Marble Slab Creamery
• Wayback Burgers
• Applebee’s
• Chili’s
• Planet Fitness
• Smoothie King
• Sonny’s BBQ

More free things to do around Atlanta:

The post Tax Day deals and freebies around metro Atlanta in 2026 appeared first on Atlanta on the Cheap.

Michael C. Carlos Museum: free admission days and ticket discounts

Photo: Daniel Mayer, via Wikimedia

The Michael C. Carlos Museum has the largest collection of ancient art and artifacts in the Southeast — including objects from ancient Greece, Egypt, Rome, Africa, and the ancient Americas. 

This is the only place in Atlanta where you can view Egyptian mummies. You’ll also come face to face with Greek and Indian deities, African ritual masks, and artifacts from the Americas.

The Carlos Museum is also a real bargain as Atlanta museums go, with some of the cheapest admission prices in town. It is located on the Emory University quad.

The Michael C. Carlos Museum of Emory University is located at 571 S. Kilgo Circle, Atlanta.

Museum hours:

• Tuesday thru Friday — 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Saturday — 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Sunday — noon to 5 p.m.

Museum prices:

• Adults — $8
• Seniors, students, and children age 6-17 — $6
• $2 for an audio guide rental (recommended)
• FREE for kids age 5 and younger
• FREE for members, plus Emory students, faculty, and staff

Free admission days & discounts at the Carlos Museum

As a reminder, those with a membership to the Carlos Museum members always get in free.

Visit for free with the Georgia Public Libraries Family Pass

Anyone with a valid Georgia library card can check the Family Pass out from almost 400 participating libraries across all 159 Georgia counties. The Family Pass admits six guests for FREE.
Click here to find a library near you that participates. Then, simply visit a participating library branch and ask your librarian to check out a pass. 

Sunday Fundays

Sunday FUNday is a free drop-in program for all families and includes admission to the galleries.

On each Sunday of the event, there is special programming, including stories, crafts, etc. from noon to 4 p.m.

First come, first served, while supplies last.
No registration is required.

The program runs during the academic school calendar only.

2026 Dates:
February 1 
March 1
May 3 — more info here
We’ll add fall dates when they are announced!
Check the Museum events calendar

Image courtesy of the Carlos Museum

More upcoming free events:

The post The Carlos Museum: Free admission day thru the Sunday Funday program is May 3rd appeared first on Atlanta on the Cheap.

Dogwood Festival 2023, Atlanta Dogwood Festival, Dogwood Festival Piedmont Park

The Atlanta Dogwood Festival is back at Piedmont Park for 2026, right on schedule this April. Did you know this is the third oldest fine arts festival in the country, and the longest running festival in Atlanta? 
It’s now in its 90th year!

The festival opens at noon on Friday, April 10th, and runs through Sunday, April 12th, 2026.

There’s a major change for  the festival this year — it is no longer free, but is now a ticketed event. 
This was necessary to keep our iconic Dogwood Festival up and running, according to the organizers. 

For the concert line-up, just scroll down to the bottom of the page. 
Concerts are FREE with your ticketed admission. 

How does ticketing work?

You can buy a ticket in advance or at the gate.

Advance-purchase tickets include access to the Express Lane – you’ll bypass the line of people paying on-site. 

Tickets include access to all festival features except the Atlanta Dogwood Festival Mimosa 5K and Party in the Park VIP Experience, which have separate ticket requirements. 

This is your chance to have a stake in keeping this annual spring tradition alive!
Buy tickets online here

Prices: (no added fees!)
Friday, noon to 9 p.m. — $5
Saturday or Sunday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. — $10
Weekend pass for both days — $15
Info on the VIP experiences are just below!

You may also be interested in:

• Complete guide to Atlanta spring festivals -- March, April, & May
• Midtown Garden Stroll: Tour gorgeous private gardens for FREE
• 40+ egg hunts, pics with the Easter Bunny, and more
• Atlanta Fair returns to Turner Field this spring
• The Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park

Photo courtesy of Atlanta Dogwood Festival

 

Know before you go

Due to a city ordinance, no dogs (other than service animals) are allowed in Piedmont Park during the festival. PLEASE do not bring your pet and expect an exception.

There is no smoking in Piedmont Park.

You may not bring outside food or drink into the festival, and no coolers are allowed. You can bring lawn chairs, but no tents or umbrellas.

There are porta-potties and ATMs on site.

Atlanta Police will be strictly enforcing parking ordinances around Piedmont Park, so leave the car at home if at all possible! See the section below for details about MARTA, shuttle service, and parking options.

You can download a PDF of the festival map from the website.

Photo courtesy of Atlanta Dogwood Festival 

Dogwood Festival hours

Friday:

• Festival is open noon to 9 p.m.
• Artist Market is open noon till 7 p.m.

Saturday:

• Festival is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Artist Market is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Main Stage VIP Experience (ticketed event) 6 to 9 p.m. — details below
• Party in the Park VIP Experience (ticketed event) noon to 4 p.m. — details below

Sunday:

• Festival and Artist Market are open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Party in the Park VIP Experience (ticketed event) noon to 4 p.m. — details below

Photo courtesy of Atlanta Dogwood Festival

 

Artist Market

As always, the highlight of the festival is the Artist Market — one of the largest and most diverse juried arts festivals in the country.

More than 260 artists from all over the country will exhibit and sell works in 12 categories, including: glass, clay, wood, paintings, photography, sculpture, metal arts, jewelry, leather, and more.

You can find a complete list of vendors online.

Photo courtesy of Atlanta Dogwood Festival

Food

Rest assured, there will be plenty of your favorite festival foods. Bring your ID if you want to enjoy an adult beverage or kick back in the Beer Garden.

Photo courtesy of Atlanta Dogwood Festival

Kids Village

The Kids Village is located on Oak Hill, just inside the 12th Street entrance to Piedmont Park.
Families will find:

• Interactive arts and crafts projects
• Face painting
• Inflatables
• Bubble fun
• Teddy Bear Hospital
• Topplin’ Tots Mobile Play Lounge
• Puppet shows with Peter Hart
• More info

Mimosa 5K and Kids’ Mini-Mosa

This 5K run is an annual tradition and a Peachtree Road Race qualifier. It starts on Saturday morning at 8 a.m. The route follows midtown streets before ending up back in the park for a mimosa toast.

The registration fee includes a t-shirt and a mimosa (ONLY for participants age 21+).

The registration fee is non-refundable. This is a rain or shine event.
Register for the Mimosa 5K

Photo courtesy of Atlanta Dogwood Festival

 

Party in the Park VIP experience in 2026

Party in the Park offers ticket holders the chance to upgrade their festival attendance with seating, private bathrooms, a private bar, lunch from the Loaded Burger/Loaded Taco food truck and more, all with a perfect view of the Coca-Cola Main Stage.

The Party takes place on Saturday and Sunday, April 11 and 12, 2026, from noon to 4 p.m.
More info and purchase tickets

General Admission: includes admission to VIP area, seating, private restrooms, beer and wine tasting, and access to food truck and cash bar.
Tickets: $40 if purchased in advance, may be more the door (lunch not included). Small fee is added. 

VIP Access with Lunch: includes all General Admission perks plus lunch from the Loaded Taco/Loaded Burger food truck. Tickets: $55 if purchased in advance, small fees added. 

Platinum VIP Access with Lunch: includes all VIP Access with Lunch perks plus four drink tickets to use at VIP bar.
Tickets: $80 if purchased in advance, fees added. 

Live entertainment at the Dogwood Festival

Photo courtesy of Atlanta Dogwood Festival

The Main Stage features live music. 
The International Stage features improv and cultural performances that include music, ballet, flamenco, belly dancing, and more. 
See the complete schedule

2026 Main Stage headliners

Friday, April 10

6 to 7 p.m.
Moonlark
(Indie Soul)

7:30 to 9 p.m. 
Arkose 
(Acid Jazz / Funk)

Saturday, April 11

3:50 to 4:20 p.m.
Guitar Shed
Student Showcase

4:40 to 5:40 p.m.
Guitar Shed
Youg Adult ensemble

6 to 7 p.m.
Frute
(psychedelic rock)

7:30 to 9 p.m. 
Members Only 
(80s tribute)

Sunday, April 12

2:20 to 3:05 p.m.
Del Roscoe
(Americana)

3:30 to 4:30 p.m. 
The Weekend Lovers
(pop)

5 to 6 p.m. 
Brandon Boone & The Reunion
(Blues / Rock)

International Stage

Each year, the festival highlights the many international communities that make up metro Atlanta, and features both professional and amateur performers from children to adults. Performances include dance, song, martial arts, drumming, and more.
View the international performance schedule online

Photo courtesy of Atlanta Dogwood Festival

Getting there and parking

If you don’t want to be towed or ticketed, PLEASE don’t park illegally.
You can pay in advance for guaranteed reserved parking — details here.

But your best bet is to leave the car at home and take MARTA to the festival.

It’s an easy  15 to 20 minute walk to Piedmont Park from either Arts Center Station or Midtown Station. Which station you choose to exit at depends on which side of the festival you want to hit up first (Midtown is closer to the Midway rides, while Arts Center is closer to the Artist Market).

You can park your car for FREE at the following rail stations:

• Lindbergh
• Lenox
• Brookhaven
• Chamblee
• Doraville
• Dunwoody
• Sandy Springs
• North Springs
• College Point
• East Point
• Lakewood
• West End

TIP:  Purchase a Breeze Card in advance if you don’t have one. If you do, add a round trip fare online, so you don’t have to wait at a fare machine. Remember, trains run every 20 minutes on the weekend. The MARTA ON  THE GO app can put train schedules in your pocket!

Biking to the festival

There is a bike valet on 10th Street near Charles Allen Drive, in the bicycle  lane.
More info

Shuttle info

There is apparently NO shuttle in 2026.

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The post The Atlanta Dogwood Festival in Piedmont Park runs through Sunday appeared first on Atlanta on the Cheap.

Deposit Photos

Shredding your sensitive documents is one way to protect yourself from identity theft and fraud. It’s particularly important to shred financial documents that might contain banking, tax, or credit card info.

This spring, Office Max and Office Depot are FREE shredding services for up to 5 pounds of paper. You’ll just pay the tax on the shredding order.

To redeem the deal, you’ll need the coupon — which you can find here, by scrolling way down the page.
This free shredding promotion continues through May 23, 2026.

Please read the fine print on the deal!
And please verify with your preferred store that they are participating in this offer.

The Fine Print:
Valid in store only. Must present this original coupon (reproductions not valid) to cashier at time of purchase. Not combinable with Store Purchasing or Store Discount Cards; Rewards Member or Business Select Member pricing; or other offers and promotions. Not valid for purchases made in Office Depot or OfficeMax clearance/closing stores. Coupon is good for one-time use only, is not transferable, and is not for resale or auction. No cash back. Excludes taxes. Void where prohibited. We reserve the right to limit quantities sold to each customer. Limit 1 coupon per household/business.

More shredding events!

We maintain a list of free paper shredding events around metro Atlanta. Many of them take place in April, to coincide with Tax Day and Earth Day recycling events — but there’s often free shredding events again in the fall, and the individual counties often include shredding in their hazardous waste collection events.

Browse these FREE events:

The post Get FREE document shredding at Office Depot and Office Max stores this month appeared first on Atlanta on the Cheap.

On Saturday, April 11, 2026 the 5th annual Dino Egg Hunt takes place on the lawn at Morgan Falls Overlook Park. The event is tailored to children with physical and developmental disabilities. It is FREE to attend, with advance registration.

The event runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., but you’ll register for a specific time slot.

There will be an accessible area for children in wheelchairs to score some eggs.
Spots are limited to accommodate children that prefer their personal space.
Multiple egg hunt time slots are available.

Each kid will take home three of their favorite fossils that they find.

There will also be an assortment of dinosaur statues for photo opps. The
best part is the meet and greet with our life-size prehistoric guest!
More info

You must register in advance for this event.

Morgan Falls Overlook Park is located at:
200 Morgan Falls Rd.
Sandy Springs, GA 30350

Browse our huge list of FREE egg hunts and bunny photo opps!

You may also be interested in:

• Complete guide to Atlanta spring festivals -- March, April, & May
• Atlanta Fair returns to Turner Field this spring
• Don't miss the Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival
• How to watch March Madness games without cable
• The best things to do in March in Atlanta
• Atlanta Science Festival features dozens of free events
• Gibbs Gardens puts over 20 million flowering bulbs on display

Browse these FREE events:

The post Register for the FREE Dino Egg Hunt for kids with special needs, this Saturday, at Morgan Falls Overlook Park appeared first on Atlanta on the Cheap.

Deposit Photos

Beginning with the 2026 season, the Atlanta Braves have taken full control of their local broadcasts under a new system called BravesVision.

For Atlanta‑area fans, the biggest changes involve where you watch baseball games and how much you pay — PLUS the elimination of local blackout dates. 

For most people in metro Atlanta, BravesVision simplifies things:

• If you still have cable or satellite, you’ll watch BravesVision on your provider’s platform once the channel deals are finalized.
• If you’re a cord-cutter who streams the games, Braves.TV is your new home for Braves baseball.
• If you live outside the Braves’ territory, MLB.TV remains your option.
• The biggest win is the removal of local blackouts, which have frustrated Atlanta fans for years.

If you’ve been wondering where to watch, how streaming works, or what it’s going to cost, here’s a straightforward breakdown of the key points.

What is BravesVision?

BravesVision is the Braves’ new in‑house broadcast operation.

Instead of relying on a regional sports network, the team will now produce and distribute more than 140 regular‑season games, plus pre‑ and post‑game programming.

These are the same locally distributed games you’re used to — just under a new name and controlled directly by the team.

The Braves are partnering with cable, satellite, and streaming providers to carry BravesVision as a traditional TV channel — known as Braves.TV. Those agreements are still being finalized, and the team will announce channel lineups as deals are completed.

Is BravesVision a streaming service?

The biggest shift for fans is the launch of Braves.TV, a new streaming service created by MLB specifically for BravesVision broadcasts. This is the option most Atlanta-area cord‑cutters will use.

Here’s what Braves.TV offers:

• Live streaming of all locally distributed Braves games that aren’t nationally exclusive.
• No local blackouts for in‑market subscribers.
• On‑demand replays.
• Access at home or on-the-go within the Braves’ six‑state territory.

Braves.TV is available for a fee and can be watched on most devices, including phones, tablets, smart TVs, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, PlayStation, and Xbox.

How much does BravesVision cost?

There are two main price points, depending on how you watch.

1. Braves.TV (in‑market streaming)
• $99.99 for the full season
• $19.99 per month 
If you’re a season ticket holder, you can receive up to a 30% discount on the season package.

2. Cable or satellite TV
If your current provider carries BravesVision, you can watch games the same way you always have.
Pricing depends on your TV package, not on the Braves.
***The team has finalized distribution deals with 34 cable, satellite, and streaming services — we have the full list at the bottom of the page. 

3. Out‑of‑market options
If you live outside the Braves’ home territory, BravesVision is not the product you’ll use. Instead, you’ll subscribe to MLB.TV, which costs:
• $149.99 per season or
• $29.99 per month
You can also bundle Braves.TV with MLB.TV for $199.99 per season if you want access to every MLB team.

FREE trial! 
There is a 7-day free trial available, but you must enter your payment info to access it. 
And of course, it will auto-bill you for the full season at $99.99 if you don’t cancel within the 7-day period — so be careful!

Military discount!
Verified military customers receive a 35% discount on the full season price. 
There’s a link on the order page that takes you to the authorization site. 

What about blackouts?

For Atlanta‑area fans, this is one of the biggest advantages!

Under the former blackout rules, in-market viewers could not use MLB.TV to stream the live regional games.

But Braves.TV has no local blackouts for in‑market subscribers.

You can stream every locally distributed Braves game within the Braves’ territory — which includes Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, and western North Carolina. (See the map of the coverage area at the bottom of the page.)

Note that nationally-exclusive games (ESPN, FOX, Apple TV+, etc.) still follow league rules for blackouts. 

Can I watch BravesVision for free?

Well, yes and no. 

A select number of games will air for FREE on Gray Media stations across the Southeast. 
Gray Media’s flagship station in Atlanta is WANF (channel 46), branded as Atlanta News First. 

Games broadcast on a Gray Media station like Channel 46 are available over-the-air with a standard antenna, and offer a no‑cost option for fans who want occasional access without a subscription.

The 2026 Braves games simulcast schedule for Braves on Gray stations is below.

• Friday, March 27 vs. Kansas City (Opening Day) — 7:15 p.m. ET
• Tuesday, March 31 vs. Athletics — 7:15 p.m. ET
• Tuesday, April 7 @ LA Angels — 9:38 p.m. ET
• Tuesday, April 14 vs. Miami — 7:15 p.m. ET
• Tuesday, April 21 @ Washington — 6:45 p.m. ET
• Tuesday, May 5 @ Seattle — 9:40 p.m. ET
• Sunday, May 10 @ LA Dodgers — 4:10 p.m. ET
• Tuesday, May 12 vs. Chicago Cubs — 7:15 p.m. ET
• Friday, May 15 vs. Boston — 7:15 p.m. ET
• Saturday, May 16 vs. Boston — 7:15 p.m. ET
• Sunday, May 17 vs. Boston — 1:35 p.m. ET
• Monday, May 18 vs. Miami — 6:40 p.m. ET
• Tuesday, June 2 vs. Toronto — 7:15 p.m. ET
• Tuesday, June 9 @ Chicago White Sox — 7:40 p.m. ET
• Sunday, June 14 vs. NY Mets — 1:40 p.m. ET
• Tuesday, June 16 vs. San Francisco — 7:15 p.m. ET
• Tuesday, June 23 @ San Diego— 9:40 p.m. ET
• Tuesday, June 30 vs. St. Louis — 7:15 p.m. ET
• Tuesday, July 7 @ Pittsburgh — 6:40 p.m. ET
• Tuesday, July 21 vs. San Diego — 7:15 p.m. ET
• Tuesday, July 28 @ NY Mets — 7:10 p.m. ET
• Tuesday, August 11 vs. NY Mets — 7:15 p.m. ET
• Tuesday, August 25 vs. LA Dodgers — 7:15 p.m. ET
• Tuesday, September 8 vs. Tampa Bay — 7:15 p.m. ET
• Tuesday, September 15 @ Chicago Cubs – 7:40 p.m. ET

For updates on the Braves On Gray broadcast schedule online, click here.

Watch on these cable, satellite, and streaming service providers

The Braves have reached distribution deals with 34 cable, satellite, and streaming services to provide BravesVision to their customers.
Again, any extra fees you pay for access are up to the provider, not the Braves. 

For example, we know that Xfinity has included BravesVision in many of its existing plans at no added cost — but your mileage may vary.

Watch for texts or emails from your provider for info on BravesVision, or give them a call. 

BravesVision will be available throughout Braves Country on the platforms below:
(DMA is designated market area)

• Xfinity (channel 1254)
• Spectrum
• DIRECTV (channel 645 on streaming and satellite; channel 1730 (HD) on U-verse)
• FuboTV
• Absolute Cable TV (channel 670, DMAs: Atlanta, GA / Macon, GA / Augusta, GA)
• Ben Lomand Connect (channels 41 (SD)/341 (HD), DMA: Nashville, TN)
• CDE Lightband (channel 99, DMA: Nashville, TN)
• CNSNext (channel 39, DMAs: Thomasville, GA)
• Comporium (channel 294, DMAs: Charlotte, NC / Columbia, SC / Greenville-Spartanburg, SC)
• Cox (channel 78, DMA: Macon, GA)
• Dalton Utilities (channel 34, DMA: Chattanooga, TN)
• Darien Telephone Company (channel 100, DMA: Savannah, GA)
• Elberton Utilities (channel 434, DMAs: Greenville, SC / Spartanburg, SC / Asheville, NC)
• EPB Fi TV (channel 328, DMA: Chattanooga, TN)
• ETC (channel 14, DMA: Atlanta, GA)
• FTC (channel 43, DMA: Columbia, SC)
• HomeTel (channel 16, DMA: Charleston, SC)
• HTC (Hartwell) (channel 131, DMAs: Greenville, SC / Spartanburg, SC / Asheville, NC)
• HTC (Horry) (channel 74, DMAs: Myrtle Beach, SC / Florence, SC)
• Jackson Energy Authority (channel 100, DMA: Jackson, TN)
• MonCre (channel 504, DMA: Montgomery, AL)
• Pine Belt Communications (channel 158, DMAs: Meridian, AL / Mobile, AL / Montgomery, AL)
• Pineland (channel 540, DMA: Savannah, GA)
• PRTC (channel 1078, DMA: Charleston, SC)
• Scottsboro Electric Power Board (channels 40(SD)/709(HD), DMA: Huntsville, AL)
• Southern FiberNet (channel 1612, DMA: Atlanta, GA)
• Suburban Cable (channel 15, DMA: Macon, GA)
• SVE Connect (channel 88, DMA: Chattanooga, TN)
• TDS Telecom (channels 610/1610/TDSTV+/242, DMAs: Charlotte, NC / Knoxville, TN / Nashville, TN)
• TDS Telecom (channels 610/1610/TDSTV+/243, Camden County, GA)
• Tullahoma Utilities Board (channel 40, DMA: Nashville, TN)
• Twin Lakes (channel 41, DMAs: Chattanooga, TN / Knoxville, TN / Nashville, TN)
• United Teleports (channels 36/1036, DMA: Nashville, TN)
• Watscon Cable (channel 29, DMA: Macon, GA)
• And more to come at a later date

Here is a representation of the 6-state Braves territory.

The post BravesVision: A new way for Atlanta baseball fans to watch games (no blackout dates!) appeared first on Atlanta on the Cheap.

North Fulton Master Gardeners will host Garden Faire 2026 in partnership with the City of Alpharetta.

The Garden Faire will take place at Wills Park on Saturday, April 11, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
It is FREE to attend.

Wills Park is located at:
175 Roswell St
Alpharetta, GA 30009

There will be something for everyone, rain or shine.

●   Pass-along Plant sale – Thousands of Master Gardener-grown plants will be for sale. You’ll find a huge selection for your garden, including perennials, annuals, natives, and more.

●   Vendors Market – Over 30 vendors will be selling garden-related items and plants for your gardens and home, including honey, pottery, birdhouses, and more.

●   Children’s Corner – Children’s activities will be from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. Bring your little sprouts to enjoy gardening-related fun.

●   Food  – Food vendors, including coffee, lemonade, sandwiches and a sweets/popsicle cart.

●   Ask-a-Master Gardener Booth – Stop by to have your gardening questions answered.

●   Live Bluegrass music — Enjoy!

Parking & shuttle

Parking at the Alpharetta Community Center at Wills Park (175 Roswell St.) is available but limited.

A free shuttle will transport attendees to and from Garden Faire, running continuously from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with a short break from noon to 12:30 p.m.

The shuttle will bring you directly to and from Garden Faire.
The Pick Up/Drop Off will be clearly marked and there will be volunteers available to help you as well.

Leave your purchases in the designated holding area until you can drive up and load your vehicle. 

You may also be interested in:

• Complete guide to Atlanta spring festivals -- March, April, & May
• Midtown Garden Stroll: Tour gorgeous private gardens for FREE
• 40+ egg hunts, pics with the Easter Bunny, and more
• Atlanta Fair returns to Turner Field this spring
• The Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park

Browse these free events:

The post The Garden Faire at Wills Park in Alpharetta: plant sale, kids activities, food, demonstrations, more this Saturday appeared first on Atlanta on the Cheap.

Free museum days in April

•  The High Museum Art hosts its Second Sundays FREE day on April 12, 2026.
Details on Second Sundays at the High

• The High Museum also hosts its FREE Access For All program on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 — you need to register in advance for this one.

•  The Museums On Us program offers FREE admission to Bank of America cardholders at four metro-area museums on April 4th & 5th.  This includes the High Museum and Atlanta History Center.
Details on Museums On Us

• The Marietta History Center hosts its FREE monthly Family Fun Day on Saturday, April 18, 2026.

Free craft and DIY workshops

Take advantage of one of these FREE crafting events — just click through for details and to register.
In most cases, supplies are provided.

• Home Depot Kids Workshop — make a farm planter on Saturday, April 4th

• Lowe’s Kid Workshop — make a terrarium on Saturday, April 18th.

Egg hunts & photos with the Easter Bunny

Easter 2026 is a hopping affair! There are plenty of family-friendly events, including egg hunts, photo opps with the Easter Bunny, petting zoos, craft fairs, and spring carnivals.

We have a rolling list of Easter-themed events and egg hunts all over metro Atlanta.
You can view it here

FREE outdoor spring concerts

The outdoor concert season starts in April!
No matter where you are in metro Atlanta, you can find FREE music around town, on every weekend.

For your convenience, we have a rolling, day-by-day list of upcoming FREE concerts that starts on today’s date and continues for the next 60 days.
Find a FREE concert near you

Atlanta Dogwood Festival

April 10 – 12, 2026
Piedmont Park, midtown Atlanta
$5 to $10 entry fee

The Dogwood Festival is the queen of all Atlanta festivals, now in its 90th year!  This iconic spring event is the third oldest fine arts festival in the country and the longest running festival in Atlanta. There is so much to do — music, live performances, food, a fine art market, midway rides, and more. 
Admission is now ticketed, in an effort to save the festival and keep it running.
Atlanta Dogwood Festival details

Inman Park Festival

April 25 – 26, 2026
Along Edgewood Ave, in Inman Park

It’s been called Atlanta’s “most spirited and eclectic” street festival, and it’s our personal favorite here at Atlanta On The Cheap.

The Inman Park Festival & Tour of Homes takes place each year during the last weekend of April. It includes a street parade, artist market, food, three stages of live music, a tour of the historic neighborhood homes, and some of the best people-watching in town! Festival admission, the parade, and the live entertainment is FREE but there is a charge for home tour tickets.
Details for the Inman Park Festival & Tour of Homes

Dino Fest at Stone Mountain Park

Through April 19, 2026

This is a brand new attraction at Stone Mountain Park! It features a lighted dinosaur parade and a special dino light and drone show, plus displays of life-size dinosaurs.
More info on Dino Fest and available discounts

Thanks to a limited-time offer from Groupon, you can buy a daily Attractions Pass at HALF OFF — that’s just $19.99, for both children and adults. (The regular price is $39.99 for adults, and $34.99 for kids.)

More discounts for Stone Mountain Park:
Get a 1-year Mountain Membership for just $49.99 and save $5 on a parking pass

Georgia Renaissance Festival

Weekends from April 11 to May 31, 2026
Plus Memorial Day Monday
Fairburn, GA

Well worth the drive! Travel back in time to days of yesteryear and yore, with this popular themed festival. There are multiple discounts and ways to save on the price of admission, including a BOGO deal for opening weekend.
Get the details and view the discounts

Atlanta Fair

Through April 12th

This is Georgia’s only urban fair, taking place downtown in the GRAY LOT of the stadium at Old Turner Field. It features plenty of exciting rides and your favorite carnival cuisine. There’s also nightly entertainment, like concerts and dance troupes.
Details for Atlanta Fair

Strawberry festivals and you-pick fields

Fresh, local strawberries are a sign of spring in Georgia!  It’s the perfect time to plan a pick-your-own outing or enjoy a strawberry festival at a Georgia farm.
We’ve put together a list of strawberry festivals and you-pick farms that are within an hour drive from downtown Atlanta.
Find a strawberry festival or farm

Upcoming April events:

This is a rolling list. That means events fall off the list as their date is passed. You’ll only see April events from today forward.

The post April in Atlanta: All the best things to do this month! appeared first on Atlanta on the Cheap.

 

Come to downtown Duluth for a FREE jazz band concert on Friday, April 17, 2026, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. 

The Peachtree Ridge Band will perform, featuring the talented musicians of Peachtree Ridge High School.

It all takes place in Parsons Alley, in downtown Duluth. 

Parsons Alley is a multi-building development rather than a single address, but the main area is frequently associated with the address 3067 Main St, Duluth, GA 30096. 

More events in downtown Duluth:

• Flicks on the Bricks outdoor movie series
  
• Rock the Block Live & Loud summer concert series
• Summer Stage Concert in August
• Viva Las Duluth
• Duluth Chalk Art Festival
• Duluth Spring Arts Festival

You may also be interested in:

• Complete guide to Atlanta spring festivals -- March, April, & May
• Midtown Garden Stroll: Tour gorgeous private gardens for FREE
• 40+ egg hunts, pics with the Easter Bunny, and more
• Atlanta Fair returns to Turner Field this spring
• The Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park

More spring events:

The post Free live jazz band concert in Duluth on April 17th appeared first on Atlanta on the Cheap.

Outdoor spring and summer concerts are back in 2026! No matter where you are in metro Atlanta, you can find FREE music around town.

This is a rolling, day-by-day list of upcoming summer concerts.

It’s organized in chronological order, starting with today’s date — so you can scroll through to find an outdoor concert this week, next week, or next month.

Upcoming FREE concerts in metro ATL

• This is a rolling list, starting with today’s date and including the next 60 days.

• You can click thru the links for more info — including the complete 2026 line-up for that concert series.

• Most of these are outdoor concerts, but there are a few exceptions.

•We’re still adding 2026 concert dates, so check back again soon!

The post Our guide to free outdoor concerts in 2026 — enjoy a musical interlude this spring appeared first on Atlanta on the Cheap.

A practical guide for Atlanta riders as MARTA rolls out its biggest fare upgrade in decades.

Stock image: Deposit Photos

You may have heard that MARTA is making some big changes, but you may not fully understand how these changes will affect you. 
This guide will answer some of your questions and help you to navigate the transition. 

What’s happening with MARTA in 2026?
MARTA is officially transitioning to its new Better Breeze payment system — an overhaul designed to make payments more secure, and get the bus and rail system ready for the 2026 FIFA World Cup crowds.

The shift affects every rider, whether you tap a Breeze card or use the app to pay with your phone; and whether you use MARTA occasionally to get to events or use the transit system to commute on a daily basis. 

Expect construction, open gates, and a mix of old and new equipment through early May.
This upgrade may feel messy in the short term, but it’s a major step toward a more modern MARTA experience.

What is Better Breeze?

Better Breeze is MARTA’s first major fare system upgrade in decades. It replaces all fare equipment — including gates, vending machines, and bus validators. 
It also introduces new cards, a new app, and a NEW tap‑to‑pay option that we haven’t had here in Atlanta before. 

MARTA calls it a “future‑proof” system built for speed, security, and flexibility.
And it’s rolling out now at stations across the rail network.

When is Better Breeze rolling out? 

Here are key dates to know. 

Transition period: March 28 to May 2, 2026
Both old and new Breeze systems will operate during this window.
During this transitional time, you’ll see a mix of old and new gates, temporary entrances, and construction zones. It would be good for you to pay down any balances on your old card or the old app, and start to get familiar with the new system. 

The old system is completely retired: May 2, 2026
On this date, old Breeze cards and the current Breeze Mobile 2.0 app will stop working.
The old vending machines will be turned off and you won’t be able to use them to load new fare.

Balance transfer window: May 5 to Oct. 30, 2026
If you still have money on an old Breeze card or the old app, you can transfer it to a new account.
The details on how you will do this have not yet been released by MARTA — so stay tuned. 

How will I pay to ride under Better Breeze?

The Better Breeze system introduces multiple ways to pay, and will be more convenient. You don’t have to rely on a Breeze card anymore. 

1. Tap your credit or debit card.
It’s that simple — just tap your physical bank card at the rail station fare gate or bus validator to pay a single ride fare. 
All major cards are accepted.

2. Tap your phone or smartwatch to pay with your digital wallet. 
If you use a digital wallet, just open it up and tap your phone at the fare gate or bus validator, the same way you use it at stores.
Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay will all work.

3. Use the NEW Breeze mobile app.
The new app launched on March 28th, and you can download it to your phone now.
NOTE that you have to create a new account on the new app — you can NOT log in with your credentials from the old app. You’ll also have to add your payment method to the new app.
You can NOT add value to the old app after March 28th, although you can continue to spend down your balance through the transition period. 

4. Buy the New Orange Breeze Card.
It will be available at all stations and new touchscreen vending machines during the transition period.
These cards replace the old blue Breeze cards.

What’s actually changing at MARTA stations? 

Here’s what to expect when you get to a rail station. 

New sliding fare gates
• More secure and harder to tamper with.
• Designed to reduce fare evasion and speed up entry.

Touchscreen vending machines
• Faster, more reliable, and they give change.
• A major upgrade from the old mechanical buttons. 

Open gates during construction
• You may see fare gates propped open temporarily while the new equipment is being installed.
• MARTA is doing this to keep riders moving while the old and new systems overlap — but you are still expected to pay for your ride. 

What about MARTA buses?

Buses are being outfitted with new validators that accept:
• Tap‑to‑pay bank cards
• Digital wallets
• New Orange Breeze cards
The new payment options are designed for convenience and flexibility. 

What if I have a reduced fare card now?

If you have a reduced fare card as a senior citizen, mobility customer, or other fare program, you’ll receive your new card in the mail, according to MARTA. 
Most people will not need to stand in line at MARTA headquarters to replace their card. 

Why is MARTA making these changes now?

MARTA is finally modernizing a system that hasn’t seen a major upgrade since the Breeze system first launched.
In other cities, riders have had the tap-to-pay option for quite some time now. 

MARTA is also timing this upgrade to prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, when Atlanta will see massive transit demand — similar to when we hosted the Olympic summer games in 1996. If you remember, new stations and rail lines were added in preparation for that. 

What if I need help? 

MARTA is deploying Transit Ambassadors across the system to help riders navigate the new gates, vending machines, and app. 
But before you get to a rail station, you can prepare for the new experience: 
• Start switching to the new orange Breeze card or tap‑to‑pay now.
• Download the new Breeze app, available starting March 28th. 
• Use up any old Breeze balance before May 2 — or plan to transfer it later.

The post MARTA is changing to the Better Breeze system: Here’s what to know appeared first on Atlanta on the Cheap.

Image: Cheesecake Factory

 The Cheesecake Factory is just celebrating its new Cheesecake Rewards app with a FREE slice of cheesecake — starting April 1, 2026.

This is NOT an early April Fool’s prank!

The new app makes it easier than ever for Cheesecake Rewards members to: 

• Make reservations
• Search the menu and place pickup orders
• Quickly reorder favorites from their online order history
• View and track rewards in one place
• Turn on notifications for updates and reward alerts

The app brings reservations, ordering and rewards together in a single, easy-to-use platform for fans of the popular restaurant.

The Cheesecake Factory’s new app is now available on the App Store and Google Play.

 

FREE Slice of Cheesecake Giveaway

Image: Cheesecake Factory

New and existing Cheesecake Rewards members who download the app and log into their account will receive a FREE slice of cheesecake as their first reward, redeemable from April 1 to May 7, 2026.

The deal is good with any purchase of food or drink (excluding gift cards).

Loyalty members must sign-up and/or login by April 30, 2026 to qualify for the freebie. 

A slice of cheesecake is regularly $11.50 to $12.95, so this is a great deal for not much effort.
Join Cheesecake Rewards here

Cheesecake Factory locations

There are five locations in metro Atlanta, at the malls.

• Lenox Square (Buckhead)
• Cumberland Mall (Vinings)
• Perimeter Mall (Dunwoody/Brookhaven)
• North Point Mall (Alpharetta)
• Mall of Georgia (Buford)
• For locations nationwide, click here

The post The Cheesecake Factory offers a FREE slice of cheesecake just for downloading the new app appeared first on Atlanta on the Cheap.

Stock image: Deposit Photos

Food safety experts advise using up ham leftovers within one week. Frugal living experts advise minimizing food waste. So what can you do with the leftover ham in your fridge after a holiday dinner or family celebration?

It turns out there are dozens of ways to use leftover ham, including some easy-peasy dishes that you can create quickly in your own kitchen, plus classic recipes that let you expand your culinary skills.

The ideas below are meant to inspire you to create yummy new meals from that leftover ham.

You may also be interested in:

• Subscribe to our daily newsletter and stay in the know!
• Metro Atlanta area Farmers Markets, listed by day of the week
• Free and cheap things to do this week
• Local daily deals from Groupon
• Atlanta on the Cheap events calendar

How to to use leftover ham

Leftover ham is a versatile ingredient with lots of possibilities. Here are some inspired ways to create yummy meals, from simple to sensational.

Simmer a pot of soup

For a quick-and-easy upgrade, add diced ham to your favorite canned vegetable soup.
Or, make soup from scratch, starting with a meaty hambone for the base. Classic ham soup recipes often include potatoes, white beans, or split peas; they make a thick and hearty meal. We’ve found that all types of dried and canned beans often come with a soup recipe right on the package!
Recipe ideas

Add some protein to your pasta

Balance out those carbs with a little bit of protein!
Substitute ham for bacon or pancetta in Italian dishes like spaghetti alla carbonara.  If you prefer a cold pasta salad, add cubed ham to your favorite recipe for a new twist.

Jazz up your vegetables

Sneak a quarter cup of minced ham into sauteed spinach or green beans for a little extra flavor. Add the ham when the vegetables are nearly cooked and saute just long enough to warm it through and let the flavors mingle.

Concoct a yummy casserole

Find a classic recipe for scalloped potatoes and ham — the creamy goodness is pure comfort food. You can also add minced ham to a baked mac-and-cheese recipe. Or, substitute ham for turkey in a tettrazini recipe.
Casserole ideas

Toss together a stir fry

A last minute stir fry is the poster child for frugal ways to use leftovers. Hint: you can use up nearly anything in a big old pan of fried rice. For a classic flavor, use ingredients like soy sauce, ginger, sesame oil, or garlic.

Step up your sandwich game

Sliced ham is a versatile ingredient in sandwiches. Go with simple grilled ham and cheese on your favorite bread, or take it up a notch and try your skills at creating at a classic Monte Cristo sandwich, which is cooked like French toast.

For a fun lunch, make sliders with sliced ham and provolone or Swiss cheese on Hawaiian rolls. Use a layer of fig jam, dijon mustard, smashed avocado, or honey mustard sauce to change the flavor profile. You can assemble the sliders ahead of time and pop in the oven at meal time — just long enough to get gooey, deliciously melted cheese. Many of the slider recipes we looked at suggest brushing the top bun with garlic or herb butter before baking.

And don’t forget about breakfast sandwiches! Layer up ham, egg, and cheese on a homemade biscuit or English muffin.
Sandwich ideas that are anything but ordinary

Load up a baked potato

Fully loaded for the win! There are endless options for topping and customizing a fluffy, steaming spud — and they include chopping up some leftover ham. For a really fun meal, you can create a Loaded Potato Bar and let everyone do their own thing. It’s similar to a DIY taco bar. Besides ham, you can set out toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, snipped chives, broccoli, pico de gallo, black beans, etc.

Bring it on for brunch

Ham is a natural for breakfast and brunch recipes. When you have leftover ham, you can skip that time-consuming and greasy step of frying bacon. These are just a few ideas for weekend brunch, or those days you just want breakfast foods for dinner.

The Western Omelette (aka Denver Omelette) is a diner specialty that melds together ham, onions, sweet bell peppers, and sharp cheddar cheese. But you can combine any ingredients you’d like to make a customized omelette.

Breakfast skillets are a great way to combine ingredients quickly and informally. Add chopped ham to hash brown potatoes for a yummy meal. And if you’ve never mastered the skill of flipping an omelette perfectly, you can always go with the foolproof version — a ham-and-cheese scramble!

Quiche is less work when you buy a frozen pastry shell. Try your hand at a a classic Quiche Lorraine and substitute diced ham for the crumbled bacon the recipe calls for. Or, skip the pastry completely and go with a frittata — which is like a crustless quiche that you start on the stovetop and finish in the oven.

In case you missed the section on sandwiches above, just scroll back to see suggestions for breakfast sandwiches.

Spring for salad

Traditionally, Chef Salad and Cobb Salad include ham. But you can also add ham to a classic Cesar Salad for a change. And then of course there’s cold ham salad — possibly the best way ever to use up leftover ham. Just mix together minced ham with pickle relish, mayonnaise, celery, and whatever else you’d like in it. Serve on its own or as a sandwich filler.

Get controversial with Hawaiian pizza

Okay, let’s face it — pineapple is the pizza topping that divides the world. People argue over whether fruit belongs on pizza or not. But if you’re a fan of the tropical-style treat, you can use your leftover ham on a homemade Hawaiian pizza. Make your own dough, or buy a frozen crust — and be sure to post pics of your controversial creation on social media.

The post 12 yummy ways to use leftover ham after your holiday dinner appeared first on Atlanta on the Cheap.

Calling all musicians, poets, singers, and other creatives!
Celebrate National Poetry Month by performing at Switzer Library’s Open Mic Night on Monday, April 20, 2026 at 6 pm!

Recite your own work or someone else’s who inspires you.
You can draw on poetry, short stories, or songs. 

Please keep performances library-appropriate and limited to 7 minutes. 
Performers must be 16 years or older.

To perform, register here.
Don’t delay, because there are limited slots available. 

Switzer Library is located at:
266 Roswell Street
Marietta GA 30060

More info on Facebook
More info on the website

The post Celebrate National Poetry Month by performing at Switzer Library’s Open Mic Night on April 20th appeared first on Atlanta on the Cheap.

Photo courtesy of GaRenFest

Eat, drink, and be merry at the Georgia Renaissance Festival, returning to Fairburn, GA, from Saturday, April 11th to Sunday, May 31st in 2026.  This is about a 30-minute drive from downtown Atlanta.

The festival is open on Saturdays and Sundays, plus Memorial Day Monday.
Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., rain or shine.
Parking is FREE.

There is quite a bit to do at the Georgia Renaissance Festival and it is a family-friendly event with plenty for the kiddos. It’s a rain or shine event, so dress accordingly and pack ponchos and umbrellas if the forecast leaves any doubt.

There is food and drink (with a Renaissance theme!) available for purchase. You’ll also find plenty of entertainment and an artisans market for shopping. If you’re interested in special themed weekends (pirates, fairy tales, wizards, etc.), you can see them here.

NOTE: The Festival announced they have reduced daily capacity in 2026, so some dates may sell out more quickly than you expect.

Admission
Prices in 2026 are on a tiered system — there are Value Days, Standard Days, and Peak Days, ranging from $25.95 to $32.95 for adult tickets. 
You’ll pick your ticket date on a calendar and see the price that day before you check out. 

Children’s tickets range from $13.40 to $1950, depending on day.
Kids 5 and under get in FREE.

You must buy your ticket online —  there are NO gate sales this year.

Location:
6905 Virlyn B. Smith Rd.
Fairburn, GA 30213

You can get more information at the Festival website, including various ways to upgrade your experience, like the daily pub crawl and fairy tea party.

Check out our complete guide to all the spring festivals this year in Atlanta & suburbs!

Deals & Discounts for GA RenFest

The easiest ways to save money right now are through advance online purchase.
We’re also hoping for a Groupon offer, and we’ll update if it appears.

NOTE  that sales tax is added to tickets, and Big Tickets charges a fairly reasonable ticketing fee of about $2 per ticket.

When you buy tickets, you’ll choose mobile delivery or the print-at-home option.

Photo courtesy of GaRenFest

March Flash Sale

For just five days, March 15th thru 19th, 2026, you can save $5 on adult admission.
Use the promo code LUCKY at checkout to get your discount.

Photo courtesy of GaRenFest

Memorial Day Appreciation offer 

The RenFest offers FREE admission on Memorial Day Monday at the box office for active military, veterans, EMTs, fire fighters, and police officers, with valid ID. 
These groups can also buy reduced-rate family tickets that day. 
Get the details

The Groupon deal — up to 29% off

Groupon is not yet running this deal in 2026 — but we expect it to return, and we will update you!

Photo courtesy of GaRenFest

Print your Groupon voucher in advance! You’ll need the paper document, because there is no wi-fi at the festival and the cell reception is said to be very spotty.

Upcoming FREE events:

The post Make merry at the Georgia Renaissance Festival, opening for the season this Saturday appeared first on Atlanta on the Cheap.

Cycle Gear is hosting its Ride With Us ride day experience on Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, April 12, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

The event is open to anyone age 16 or older. 

This event lets you try out riding a motorcycle for FREE, in a safe, controlled environment, with certified coaches. 

You don’t need any experience to participate. 
The motorcycle and riding gear are provided for you. 

The event takes place at Cycle Gear,
722 Collins Hill Road
Lawrenceville, GA 30046

Since there aren’t many details provided, you may want to call the Cycle Gear with questions. 
It isn’t clear if you can just show up, or if there’s a way to reserve a spot. 

You can also find info here:
Facebook
Cycle Gear website

More spring events:

The post Try riding a motorcycle for FREE this weekend, all gear and coaches provided by Cycle Gear appeared first on Atlanta on the Cheap.

Duluth will host Rock The Block: Live & Loud Fridays on Friday nights in June, July, and August in 2026.

The events take place on the Town Green from 6 to 9 p.m.
They are all FREE to attend.

On these evenings, the Town Green will transform into the ultimate outdoor concert experience.

Whether you’re into rock, pop, country, blues, or something else, there will be a different sound each week.

Bring your blankets and chairs!

And don’t forget about the Duluth Summer Stage Concert on August 8, 2026!

You may also be interested in these recurring summer events in Duluth:
Flicks on the Bricks

Browse our big list of FREE outdoor movies and our complete guide to FREE outdoor concerts this summer!

2026 Rock the Block schedule

All dates are Friday nights.
No acts have been announced yet — it’s all still To Be Determined.
Check back later for more details, or click thru the link for each event to get more info as the date approaches.

• June 5 
• June 12 — in tandem with Flicks on the Bricks
• June 19 — Juneteenth Celebration
• June 26 — Pride Celebration
• July 10 — in tandem with Flicks on the Bricks
• July 17 
• July 24
• July 31
• August 7
• August 14 — in tandem with Flicks on the Bricks
• August 21 
• AUGUST 28 — Multicultural Week celebration instead of Rock the Block

Downtown Duluth’s open container policy

Duluth has a liberal alcohol policy with an open container policy.
During special events, you can carry an alcoholic beverage with you, as long as it was purchased from licensed downtown merchant. So swing by a local restaurant and grab a cocktail when you arrive!
You cannot bring outside alcohol into an event. 

You may also be interested in:

• Enjoy $1 movies with Regal Summer Express
• 15+ summer festivals happening in metro Atlanta
• Have a close-up butterfly encounter this summer
• Complete guide to free summer concerts
• Enjoy a night under the stars: free outdoor movies
• Free outdoor community yoga and fitness classes this summer
• 4th of July fireworks and celebrations

The post The FREE “Live & Loud Fridays” concert series in Duluth launches on June 5th appeared first on Atlanta on the Cheap.

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Smyrna Summer Concerts take place at either the Smyrna Village Green Park or at Reed House. 

Admission is FREE, but you could buy a VIP table.
Concerts are 6:30 to 8:30
The schedule is below.
More info here

Reed House is located at:
3080 Atlanta Road
Smyrna, Georgia 30080

The Village Green is located at:
1250 Powder Springs ST SE
Smyrna, GA 30080

Browse our big list of FREE outdoor movies and our complete guide to FREE outdoor concerts this summer!

2026 Smyrna concerts

• April 11 – The Squirrelheads at the Reed House
• May 9 – Edgewood String Quartet at Reed House
• Oct. 17 – Blair Crimmins & The Hookers at Village Green Park
• Dec. 12 – Gwen Hughes & The Retro Kats at Village Green Park

You may also be interested in:

• Enjoy $1 movies with Regal Summer Express
• 15+ summer festivals happening in metro Atlanta
• Have a close-up butterfly encounter this summer
• Complete guide to free summer concerts
• Enjoy a night under the stars: free outdoor movies
• Free outdoor community yoga and fitness classes this summer
• 4th of July fireworks and celebrations

More summer fun:

The post Smyrna Blanket Concert Series: The Squirrelheads open the season on Saturday appeared first on Atlanta on the Cheap.

Here’s a listing of FREE gardening classes to get you started. They are all hosted at various Pike Nurseries locations around the Atlanta metro area.

Pike’s spring events usually include classes on growing spring veggies, tomatoes, and blooming hydrangeas.
Fall events focus on seasonal containers, cool weather vegetables, and bulb planting. 
We’ll add more classes as they are announced.
You can find the complete Pike’s events calendar online.

FREE classes at Pike Nurseries

Remember to click through the links and register online for your preferred store location.
The classes are in chronological order — some of the dates may have already past, so just keep scrolling.

Landscape Design Basics

Saturday, March 14, 2026
9 to 10 a.m. 
All locations 
Discover how to design a beautiful and balanced landscape that you will love for years to come. This class is for all skill levels and will help set up an educational understanding to designing a space that will bring joy. 
Register here for your location

Container Design Essentials

Saturday, March 28, 2026 
9 to 10 a.m. 
All locations
This class will help you as you’re designing beautiful containers for your patio, porch and garden space. Mix, match and create stunning potted displays with tips and guidance from the Pike’s team. 
Register here for your location

Bees, Butterflies, and Beyond

Saturday, April 11, 2026 
9 to 10 a.m. 
All locations
Get the buzz on bees, butterflies and more! Discover how to turn your garden into a pollinator paradise with the right plants and simple tricks.
Register here for your location

Browse these FREE events:

The post Pike Nurseries: Free Saturday morning class on creating a pollinator garden, on April 11th appeared first on Atlanta on the Cheap.

The Flying Biscuit’s Midtown location is celebrating its 23rd anniversary with a special offer. 

On Wednesday, April 15th and Thursday, April 16, 2026, you can get the famous High Flyer Breakfast for just $7, all day long. 

The special is limited to one per person.
So you can’t eat one on-site and take another one home with you.

It’s valid for dine-in and carry-out — but is NOT available on third-party delivery or online orders. 

The High Flyer is typically $16 to $18, depending on location, so this is a great deal. 

The deal was announced in a Facebook post. 

Remember, this is the Midtown location only! 
Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on these dates, according to the website. 
You may want to avoid peak hours. There was a similar offer last month in Sandy Springs, and the pace was mobbed at lunch time. 

High Flyer Breakfast includes:
* Two eggs, served your way
* Your choice of either 2 sausage patties or 3 strips of bacon
* Creamy, Dreamy Grits
* Fluffy flying biscuit
* Your choice of buttermilk pancake or Belgian waffle

Flying Biscuit MIDTOWN is located at: 
1001 Piedmont Rd. 
Atlanta, GA 30309

Check out our guide to 2026 spring festivals & fairs: including March, April, and May

Upcoming spring events:

The post Flying Biscuit in Midtown offers $7 High Flyer Breakfast all day long, next Wednesday & Thursday appeared first on Atlanta on the Cheap.

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Legacy Park’s Community Day event is a FREE, family-friendly Earth Day celebration you won’t want to miss!

It takes place on Saturday, April 18, 2026 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the South Lawn of Legacy Park, rain or shine. 

Enjoy interactive exhibits, hands-on activities, live music, and inspiring eco-friendly demonstrations.
Meet local organizations, shop community vendors, and celebrate sustainability while connecting with neighbors at this lively outdoor event for all ages. 

In addition, Trellis Horticultural Therapy Alliance will host its Spring Plant Sale and Open House, offering plants for sale and information about therapeutic horticulture and accessible gardening practices.

Legacy Park is located at:
500 S. Columbia Drive
Decatur, GA 30030

Participating organizations and activities include:

• The Grief House, seed sharing and kid’s crafts
• Global Growers Network, foraging
• L’Arche Atlanta, organizational info and collaborative art activity
• Refugee Women’s Network, organizational info
• Compassionate Atlanta, love notes and re-usable bags
• Wild Nest Bird Rehabilitation, bird education
• Decatur Book Festival, book themed coloring
• Paint Love, pop-up shop of free art supplies and kits
• Global Spokes, bike tune-ups
• Tai Chi 4 LIFE Cooperative, plant sales and sharing
• Dekalb Symphony Orchestra, quartet performance
• Georgia Arborist Association, tree giveaway
• Decatur Arts Alliance, “Absurdity” art exhibiition
• Amphibian Foundation, educational critters
• Decatur Community Habitat, plant swap

Vendors:

• Camilla and Elena’s Closet, gently used clothing and accessories
• Alex Cameron Woodworking, wooden goods with natural finish and no stains
• B Buckets, mosquito buckets and biodiversity; DIY on-site bucket decorations
• Beech Hollow Wildflower Farm, small pots of Piedmont native plants and educational information
• Joyful Jarra, package-free, non-toxic, clean-ingredient home and body products
• Phamcliff Farms, carnivorous plants
• Oakhurst Guinea Pig Rescue, animal shelter bringing a few piggies to show off
• Avondale ACTion, an Indivisible Group, sharing information about environmental issues impacting our area (e.g., data center policy, PSC policy impact on gas company expansion, Okefenokee Swamp redesignation to protect against mining operations)

Food:

• Refugee Women’s Network Chefs Club
• Heaps Pies
• Hapa Kitchen

The post FREE Earth Day celebration at Legacy Park in Decatur on April 18th appeared first on Atlanta on the Cheap.

The Lawrenceville Boogie returns to the Lawrenceville Square on Saturday, April 11, 2026. This is a block-party style street festival that made its debut a couple of years ago. It is FREE to attend.

Festival hours are 3 to 8:30 p.m.
Head to the Square for delicious food, live music, and an inspiring art market.

Events will be centered in downtown Lawrenceville along the square and on the lawn of the historic Gwinnett County Courthouse.
Bring your lawn chairs and blankets.

You’ll find live music on two stages, covering all genres.

There’s also a silent disco, a car show, and Jazz in the Alley.

2026 music line-up

Boogie Wonderland Stage

• Say She She
• Sallie
• 12Eleven
• Desmond Myers

Jazz in the Alley Stage

• Arkose
• Katherine Jovanni
• AllanOnSax

Find more info and the complete music lineup on the website.
Or, visit the Facebook event page.

You may also be interested in:

• Complete guide to Atlanta spring festivals -- March, April, & May
• Midtown Garden Stroll: Tour gorgeous private gardens for FREE
• 40+ egg hunts, pics with the Easter Bunny, and more
• Atlanta Fair returns to Turner Field this spring
• The Atlanta Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park

More Spring Fun:

The post The Lawrenceville Boogie is a block party featuring live music on two stages, on Saturday, April 11th appeared first on Atlanta on the Cheap.

Spring is festival season in Atlanta! The Spring Festival on Ponce 2026 takes place on Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, April 12.

The festival is FREE and open to the public — and leashed dogs are welcome, too!

Check out our complete guide to spring festivals in Atlanta & suburbs!

And save the date for Fall Festival: October 10-11, 2026!

About the venue

• Deepdene  Park
• Dellwood Park
• Shadyside Park
• Oak Grove Park
• Virgilee Park
• Springdale Park

More FREE events around Atlanta:

The post Spring Festival on Ponce returns this weekend, April 11th & 12th appeared first on Atlanta on the Cheap.

FREE weekly group walks and ranger-guided walks at Mason Mill Park

If you’ve never explored Mason Mill Park, now is the time!  The park is located in the Emory area of Decatur. It’s a 120-acre forest, with some of the nicest, most scenic trails inside the perimeter.

The South Peachtree Creek Trail runs though Mason Mill Park. It features both multi-use paved sections and breathtaking elevated boardwalks. The trail connects Mason Mill Park to Medlock Park. 

Several FREE weekly fitness walks, nature walks, and bird-watching walks are being offered now through late September. It’s a great way to bring nature — and fitness — into your weekly routine. All the info is below.

Since the pandemic, some of the events (but not all!) have limited capacity and require an advance registration. They sometimes fill up quickly, so you’ll need to sign up quickly.

You can see upcoming events on Eventbrite, as well as here on our page. But registration for them doesn’t open until about a week ahead of the event. So If you see an event you want to attend, we suggest setting a calendar reminder that will notify you the morning that registration opens.

You may also be interested in:

• Complete guide to Atlanta spring festivals -- March, April, & May
• Atlanta Fair returns to Turner Field this spring
• Don't miss the Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival
• How to watch March Madness games without cable
• The best things to do in March in Atlanta
• Atlanta Science Festival features dozens of free events
• Gibbs Gardens puts over 20 million flowering bulbs on display

Accessing the Mason Mill trailhead

Whether you want to explore on your own or join one of the FREE walks at Mason Mill Park, you’ll need to find the trailhead.

The trailhead to S. Peachtree Creek Trail is located at the intersection of Mason Mill Rd and McConnell Drive, with parking available near the Dekalb Tennis Center (1400 McConnell Dr, Decatur 30033).

It can often be unnecessarily difficult to locate trailheads, but the good thing is that the S. Peachtree Creek Trail shows up in the Google Maps mobile app. According to TrailLink, both forks of the S. Peachtree Creek Trail together are 3.3 miles in length.

See the PATH Foundations trail map with trailhead locations
Visit Dekalb County’s Mason Mill Park webpage

Free events at Mason Mill Park

Some of these events and walks have limited capacity, and they tend to fill up. Registration opens a week or so before each event. If there’s a walk you’re interested in, we suggest setting a calendar reminder for the first day of registration and signing up right away.

FREE: Walk for Wellness events 

 Come out and walk with a friendly group!
 In 2026, these walks will happen on second Saturdays and fourth Wednesdays. 
They start at 10 a.m. and last till about 11:30 a.m. 

NOTE:
We’ve seen some discrepancies in dates for these recurring events. 
PLEASE double-check the date on Eventbrite a day or two ahead of time (you’ll have to scroll thru all the naturalist events to find “Walk for Wellness” dates. 

The walks are open to everyone, of all ages.
You don’t need a reservation — just show up!

The walk is about 2 miles, and is on solid surfaces — concrete and a wooden boardwalk. 
You’ll be lead by an experienced guide.

Please dress for the weather (layers are a good option, so you don’t overheat) and wear appropriate shoes or boots.

To participate:
Find the group leader at the South Peachtree trailhead near the Mason Mill Tennis Center. You’ll gather in the parking lot by the pickleball and tennis courts. 
More info here

Stay in the know!

The best way to learn of free walks, guided hikes, and trails you haven’t explored yet is to subscribe to our free daily newsletter.

Never miss a post from Atlanta on the Cheap Your email address:* Please enter all required fields Correct invalid entries No spam, ever. Promise. Powered by FeedBlitz

More free and cheap events:

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The Suwanee Arts Festival takes place on Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, April 12, 2026.
It is FREE to attend.

The festival takes place at Suwanee Town Center, the central hub of the city.

Festival hours:
Saturday 10 am to 6 pm
Sunday 10 am to 5 pm

You’ll find artisans selling their creations in various mediums — including paintings, ceramics, photography, sculpture, wood, jewelry, blown glass, fiber, and more.

Live entertainment will be happening all day long on the Town Center stage.

You’ll also find plenty of food and drink.
Visit the website

Suwanee Town Center is located at:
340 Town Center Ave.
Suwanee, GA 30024

Browse our complete guide to spring festivals and fairs

Upcoming spring events:

The post The Suwanee Arts Festival takes place this weekend, April 11 & 12 appeared first on Atlanta on the Cheap.

Save the dates for the new Conyers Concert Series in 2026! They are listed just below.
The events take place in Olde Town on Railroad Street on select dates from April to July.

Enjoy live music and food trucks as part of the popular Trucks on the Tracks series returns.
Parking and admission are FREE!

Food trucks begin serving at 6.
The opening act takes the stage at 7.
The headliner act begins around 8:30.

The concert stage is at the intersection of Pine and Bank Streets.

Please park legally!
You can use the Main Street lot, the Travis Street lot, the Elm Street lot, and other municipal lots.
Parking is FREE.

There will be food trucks on site, and these will be announced in advance on social media.
Beer, wine, and mixed drinks are available for purchase.

You can bring your own food, but no outside alcohol.

Chairs and blankets are encouraged.
No canopies.
More info

Note that there are no organized children’s activities at the concerts, but kids are welcome.

Browse our big list of FREE outdoor movies and our complete guide to FREE outdoor concerts this summer!

2026 Conyers concert schedule

Saturday, April 11
7 Bridges (Eagles tribute)
Opening act: TBA

Saturday, May 9
Nashville Nation (country)
Opener: TBA

Saturday, June 13
Uptown Funk (Bruno Mars tribute)
Opener: TBA

Friday, July 3
Bogey & the Viceroy perform at Red White & Boom before fireworks. 

You may also be interested in:

• Enjoy $1 movies with Regal Summer Express
• 15+ summer festivals happening in metro Atlanta
• Have a close-up butterfly encounter this summer
• Complete guide to free summer concerts
• Enjoy a night under the stars: free outdoor movies
• Free outdoor community yoga and fitness classes this summer
• 4th of July fireworks and celebrations

The post The Conyers FREE Concert Series opens the season this Saturday with 7 Bridges, an Eagles tribute band appeared first on Atlanta on the Cheap.

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Repticon returns to the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds in Lawrenceville for two days: Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, April 12, 2026.

During Repticon, you can see many types of reptiles up close, during live animal encounters. Some exhibitors may let you handle the animals.

NOTE that the 2026 tickets have not yet gone on sale — but will be online soon. 
You can see the info you need on the Facebook page. 

This family-oriented, fun-filled event lets you learn about animals not normally seen in local pet stores. You can even shop for a new family pet among the hundreds of reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, spiders, and small exotic animals on site.

Already have a companion reptile?
You can shop for merchandise, habitats, supplies, and food for your pet.

NOTE that tickets are available ONLINE ONLY this year.

According to the website, there is FREE ADMISSION for teachers, first responders, veterans, and active military.
Bring your ID!

The Gwinnett County Fairground is located at:
2405 Sugarloaf Parkway
Lawrenceville, GA 30045
This event is in the Entertainment & Expo Center. 

Repticon hours, prices, discounts

HOURS
Saturday: 9 a.m. 4 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

PRICES
(Tickets sold online only)
General admission for adults (anyone over 12) — $15
Saturday after 1 p.m. — $12
Kids age 5-12 — $7
Kids 4 and under — FREE
There’s also a super ticket that gets you in both days — the adult price is $20 and kids are $7.
Buy tickets online

There is FREE ADMISSION for teachers, first responders, veterans, and active military.
Bring your ID!

MORE INFO:
Go to the website
Visit the Facebook event page

Deposit Photos

More upcoming events:

The post Repticon returns on April 11th & 12th with FREE admission for teachers, military, first responders appeared first on Atlanta on the Cheap.

The Acworth Art Fest is back for 2026!
This has always traditionally been a vibrant, two-day celebration in Cobb County. Admission is FREE.

This year’s event will take place on April 11 and 12, 2026, along Main Street in Acworth’s historic downtown business district.

Over 65 artisans from all over the country will have booths at the festival, selling paintings, pottery, metalwork, folk art, ceramics, art glass, jewelry, yard art, and more.

FESTIVAL HOURS:

• Saturday — 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Sunday — 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

View a list of participating artists
Visit the Facebook event page

Check out our complete guide to all the spring festivals this year in Atlanta & suburbs!

Know before you go

This is a pet-friendly event — dogs are welcome, but must be leashed.

It’s also family-friendly, with a Kidz Zone that features face painting, balloon art, and fun activities.

An outdoor food court will supplement Acworth’s own downtown restaurants.

There will be ATMS on site, along with a first-aid station, a lost-and-found, and plenty of restaurants. The festival organizers have you covered!

Free parking is available throughout the downtown Acworth area. Download the Public Parking Map for locations of all downtown public parking.

Anything else you need to know is at the festival website.

Photo courtesy of Splash Festivals

Getting there

If you’re not familiar with Acworth, don’t let that stop you. Coming from Atlanta, it’s an easy ride up I-75 North. Just enter this address in your GPS:

4415 Senator Russel Blvd
Acworth, GA 30101

or Click Here for a Google map.

The Kidz Zone will keep the little ones entertained and happy.

Upcoming events:

The post Don’t miss the Acworth Art Fest, happening this weekend, April 11th & 12th appeared first on Atlanta on the Cheap.

Cumming City Center announced the FREE concert line-up from March thru October in 2026

Image: 123RF

The city of Cumming will host a series of outdoor summer concerts in 2026.
They are FREE to attend.

Concerts begin at either 7 p.m. or 8 p.m. and last roughly two hours.
They take place at the Lou Sobh Amphitheater, located within Cumming City Center.
The concert schedule is just below — covering March through October.

Parking is FREE.
Coolers and outside food are not allowed.

The Lou Sobh Amphitheater is located at:
450 Vision Dr.
Cumming, GA 30040

Browse our big list of FREE outdoor movies and our complete guide to FREE outdoor concerts this summer!

Photo: Atlanta on the Cheap

Cumming City Center 2026 summer concerts

Visit the Cumming events calendar page to see all events.
The concerts have different start times — some are 7 pm and some are 8 pm.
There is also conflicting information between the city website and the city Facebook page.

Please click thru the links below to double-check dates and times before you head out!

Friday March 27 at 7 pm
Primal Crue
(Motley Crue tribute)

Saturday, March 28 at 7 pm
Talk Dirty
(Poison tribute)

Friday, April 3 at 7 pm
Letterbomb
(Green Day tribute)

Saturday, April 4 at 7 p.m.
Purple Madness
(Prince tribute)

Friday, April 10 at 7 p.m 
Brooklyn Boys
(tribute act)

Saturday, April 11 at 7 pm
The Gold Standard Band

Friday, April 17 at 7 p.m. 
Human Clay

Saturday, April 18 at 7 pm
Smokey Joens and the 3 Dollar Pistols
(Country)

Friday, April 24 at 7 pm
90s Kids

Saturday, April 25 at 7 p.m.
Heart Breaker 
(Heart tribute)

Friday, May 1 at 8 pm
Ashley Brooks
(Country)

Saturday, May 2 at 8 pm
The Spirit of Rush
(Rush tribute)

Friday, May 8 at 8 p.m.
Mic Check One-Two

Friday, May 15 at 8 pm
Interstellar Echoes (Pink Floyd tribute)

Saturday, May 16 at 8 pm
JT: A Tribute to Justin Timberlake

Saturday, May 23 at 8 p.m.
The Stranger 
(Billy Joel tribute)

Friday, May 29 at 8 p.m. 
Brother Jason & The Red Dirt Saints

Saturday, May 30 at 8 p.m.
Blank 281

Saturday, June 6 at 8 pm
Sunset Strip

Friday, June 12 at 8 pm
Greggie and the Jets 
(Elton John tribute)

Saturday, June 13 at 8 pm
Love Story 
(Taylor Swift tribute)

Friday, June 19 at 8 p.m. 
Stereo FM

Saturday, June 20 at 8 p.m.
Slippery When Wet 
(Bon Jovi tribute)

Saturday, June 27 at 8 pm
Guardians of the Jukebox
(80s nostalgia)

Friday, July 3 at 8 pm
Totally Toby & The Red Solo Band
(Toby Keith tribute)

Saturday, July 4 at 8 pm
Dukes of Country

Friday, July 10 at 8 pm
Rock the 90s

Saturday, July 11 at 8 pm
The Ultimate Garth Brooks Tribute

Friday, July 17 at 8 p.m.
AudioVault

Saturday, July 18 at 8 pm
Dock Rock Radio

Friday, July 24 at 8 pm
Brotherhood
(Doobie Brothers tribute)

Saturday, July 25 at 8 pm
Double Take

Friday, July 31 at 8 pm
84: A Van Halen Tribute

Saturday, August 1 at 8 pm
Jackson Chase

Friday, August 7 at 8 pm
Nick & The Knacks
(Rock)

Saturday, August 8 at 8 pm
Nashville Nation 
(Country)

Friday, August 14 at 8 pm
Back N Black 
(AC/DC tribute)

Saturday, August 15 at 8 pm
Jimmy Cav Project 
(classic rock)

Saturday, August 22 at 8 pm
Hardwired 
(Metallica tribute)

Saturday, August 29 at 8 pm
R&B, Inc. 

Friday, Sept. 4 at 8 pm
The Fixins

Saturday, Sept. 5 at 8 p.m.
The Troubadour Project
(classic rock)

Friday, Sept. 11 at 8 pm
Boogilicious

Saturday, Sept. 12 at 8 pm
Elevation 
(U2 tribute)

Saturday, Sept. 19 at 8 pm
Excitable 
(Def Leppard tribute)

Friday, Sept. 25 at 8 pm
Departure 
(Journey tribute)

Saturday, Sept. 26 at 8 p.m.
Radio 80s Band

Saturday, Oct. 3 at 7 pm
The Dave Matthews Tribute Band 

Friday, Oct. 23 at 7 pm
Murder of Crowes 
(Black Crowes tribute)

You may also be interested in:

• Enjoy $1 movies with Regal Summer Express
• 15+ summer festivals happening in metro Atlanta
• Have a close-up butterfly encounter this summer
• Complete guide to free summer concerts
• Enjoy a night under the stars: free outdoor movies
• Free outdoor community yoga and fitness classes this summer
• 4th of July fireworks and celebrations

More FREE outdoor concerts:

The post Cumming City Center: Free concert by the Brooklyn Boys (tribute act) on Friday, and The Gold Standard Band on Saturday appeared first on Atlanta on the Cheap.

Image: Olive Garden

Olive Garden is bringing back one of its most popular giveaways!
For a limited time, you can enjoy two delicious dishes for one price with the “Buy One, Take One” special, which returned to the menu for a limited time. 

From March 16 to May 3, 2026, Olive Garden diners who enjoy one of their favorite entrées from a select menu in-restaurant get a FREE entrée to take home for later.

Dine-in entrees that qualify for the giveaway start at $14.99.

The take-home entrée is given to you cold so you can heat it at home later. 

Each entrée in the restaurant is served with unlimited breadsticks and soup or salad. 
The take-home entrée does not include soup, salad, or breadsticks.

Choose from one of the following entrées to enjoy in-restaurant:

• NEW! Rigatoni alla Vodka
• Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
• Four-Cheese Manicotti
• Fettucine Alfredo ($3 upcharge)
• Five-Cheese Manicotti ($4 upcharge)
• Lasagna Classico ($4 upcharge)
• Chicken Parmigiana ($7 upcharge)

Then, choose one of the following entrées to take home:

• Fettucine Alfredo
• Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
• Five Cheese Ziti al Forno 

If you want to get early access to the giveaway, sign up for Olive Garden’s eClub for early access from March 9 to 15, 2026.
Sign-up for Olive Garden’s eClub here

More info on this offer:
Visit the Olive Garden’s web page for the deal

Olive Garden locations in metro Atlanta

• East Point (3390 Camp Creek Pkwy)
• Smyrna (2467 Cobb Pkwy SE)
• Morrow (Southlake Mall)
• Dunwoody (Perimeter Village Shopping Center)
• Austell (1350 East-West Connector)
• Lithonia (Stonecrest Mall)
• Fayetteville (1380 Highway 85N)
• Roswell (905 Holcomb Bridge Rd)
• Kennesaw (429 Barrett Pkwy)
• Duluth (Gwinnett Place Mall)
• Find a location nationwide

Check out our complete guide to spring festivals & fairs

Upcoming FREE events:

The post Olive Garden: Get a FREE entree to take home, when you dine in the restaurant appeared first on Atlanta on the Cheap.

Pontoon Brewing and Sudnat Studios will host a new weekly event series, Food & Film Fridays. 

The events will run every Friday from March 6 to November 13, 2026, and are FREE to attend — just bring your wallet for food and drink. 

Each week there will be two featured films running between 5 and 9 p.m.
The early movie will be family-friendly, and the later one will be more adult. 
These are outdoor events, weather permitting. 

You’ll also find a mini artist market and food trucks on site.
The vendors will switch up weekly. 

Pontoon Brewing has 15+ beers on tap, plus hard seltzer. 

Music and yard games round out the experience. 
All ages are welcome. 
More info on Facebook
More info on Eventbrite

Pontoon Brewing is located at:
8601 Dunwoody Place
Sandy Springs, GA 30350

2026 upcoming film schedule 

We’ll update each month OR you can check the Facebook page for current info. 

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