Updated for 2023!
If you’re looking for things to do in October in Atlanta, this is the right place! We’re highlighting a few activities and events this month, hoping to give you some entertainment ideas. The list will continue to grow after October 1st, so please check back!
Our readers have asked us for content like this, that allows them to see events farther in advance so they can save the date.
Please remember to verify every event before you head out! That’s why we provide so many links. We are not always able to keep up with last-minute cancellations.
You may also be interested in:
- The best corn mazes and pumpkin patches to visit this fall
- Fall Apple Festivals and pick-your-own orchards
- Complete guide to FREE outdoor concerts this fall
- Discounts for Stone Mountain's Pumpkin Festival "Glow by Night" attraction
- Enjoy an outdoor movie under the stars
- 30+ Trick-or-Treat and Trunk-or-Treat events
- Things to do for Halloween: Our huge list of spooky fun!
- Unwind with these free yoga classes in metro Atlanta parks
- The North Georgia State Fair: daily deals & discounts
- The Atlanta Greek Festival is back in 2023!
- Atlanta Fair returns to Turner Field this fall
- The Georgia State Fair returns to Atlanta Motor Speedway
October in Atlanta:
best things to do this month
Below the spotlighted events, you’ll find a day-by-day calendar listing of October events, in chronological order.
Go to the fair!
There are no less than FOUR fairs this month — click thru the links below for dates and details, including free admission days and ride discounts.
- North Georgia State Fair in Marietta (closes Oct. 1st)
- Georgia State Fair at Atlanta Motor Speedway
- Atlanta Fair at Turner Field
- Cumming Country Fair & Festival
Head to a weekend festival
The weather is perfect for being outdoors! In October, you can find a festival every weekend, including:
- Milton’s Crabapple Festival
- Norcross Art Splash
- Decatur Book Festival
- Candler Park Fall Fest
- Wire & Wood Music Festival
- Oakhurst Porchfest
- Chalktoberfest on the Marietta Square
- Fall Festival on Ponce
- Georgia Apple Festivals
- Marietta Harvest Fest
- Rescue Dog Games
- Alive in Roswell Street Festival
- Cumming Greek Festival
- Woodstock International Food Festival
Check out our Complete Guide to Atlanta Fall Festivals & Fairs -- which covers the entire metro area and includes all the fairs and festivals from September thru November.
Don’t miss the Pumpkin Festival “Glow by Night” attraction
Thru Oct. 30th
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only
Stone Mountain Park
Hours are 2 p.m. to 9 p.m., with the glow attractions lighting up at dusk. Daytime activities include most regular park attractions (some are still closed). But the immersive Glow By Night experience is where it’s at! This year’s glow display is even bigger and brighter, with plenty of nighttime experiences that are perfect for date night as well as for families.
More festival details
You can come to Stone Mountain to play by day, glow by night with a special deal on Groupon. Thanks to Groupon, the pass is just $24.99 per pass (discounted from $34.95).
Take advantage of FREE museum days
There are three FREE admission offers in October, 2023!
- October 7th & 8th — Free admission for Bank of America cardholders at Atlanta History Center, The High Museum of Art, and Tellus Science Museum (through the Museums on Us program)
- October 8th — Free Second Sundays admission at the High Museum of Art
Have some frightful Halloween fun
As usual, we’re compiling a list of Halloween events for grownups, as well as safe events for kids — including trick-or-treat, trunk-or-treat, festivals, parties, spooky movies under the stars, and more.
Note that the list might seem sparse if you check it early in October — but we’ll be busy adding events all month long, so please check back as Halloween draws closer. You could also subscribe to our newsletter to be notified when new activities are added.
View the list here
Visit a scarecrow display
You’ll find scarecrows galore, all month long! Many communities around the region set up these fall displays, often as a competition for prizes. Check out list of the best scarecrow displays, from McDonough to Alpharetta to Woodstock. Want to get great fall-themed family photos? These displays offer the perfect backdrop.
Take a ghost tour or visit a haunted house
Content coming soon! Please check back, or subscribe to our newsletter for updates.
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month — with food!
Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from September 15th to October 15th. What better way to celebrate it than through Latin food? And what better place than Buford Highway?
The BuHi corridor is considered to be Atlanta’s international food mecca. There is said to be over 150 international restaurants in a 10-mile section of road that stretches through Brookhaven, Chamblee, and Doraville — including many that feature Latin cuisine.
Wander thru a corn maze, pumpkin patch, or haunted forest
Most days in October
Fall is a great time to be outdoors! Grab your family or a friend and head to one of the farms on our big list of pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and haunted trails. Many of the farms listed have produce markets, petting zoos, picnic areas, hayrides, games and more. All have safety precautions and distancing measures in place. Some have discounted admission deals, and you’ll find those listed too.
Get more details.
Go apple picking in north Georgia
Weekends and some weekdays in October
Many of the North Georgia orchards open for apple-picking and fun farm days in October, or until the apples are gone. Take a look at our handy guide to apple festivals and u-pick orchards.
Hang out with alpacas
Every Saturday & Sunday in October
Creekwater Alpaca Farm
2812 Centerville Rosebud Rd SW
Snellville, GA 30039
This Gwinnett County farm is open to the public on weekends. The admission fee for the barn tours includes one bag of feed, so you can give the friendly alpacas a healthy snack when you visit them in their pens. According to the farm’s website, tour groups are limited to around 10 people and happen at an easy pace.
Get more details
Celebrate Oktoberfest with beer
Head to a local brewery for a local Oktoberfest experience. There are roughly 50 breweries in the extended metro Atlanta area — and many of them mark the season with new beer releases, German food on site, special merchandise, activities, festivals, or other themed events.
If you don’t already have a favorite brewery, you can find one here — and then visit the brewery’s website or social media page to find out what’s going on for Oktoberfest.
Buy local at fall farmers markets
There is a farmers market happening somewhere on nearly every day of the week in October Check out our full schedule of markets, organized by day of the week and location. We also let you know which markets double EBT dollars.
Find a farmers market near you
Day-by-day guide to October events:
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Friday, March 29, 2024
Saturday, March 30, 2024
Sunday, March 31, 2024
Monday, April 1, 2024
Tuesday, April 2, 2024
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
Thursday, April 4, 2024
Friday, April 5, 2024
Saturday, April 6, 2024
Sunday, April 7, 2024
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Thursday, April 11, 2024