Arts Agenda: Festivals, late summer and early fall

July 31-August 3

The four-day Cobb International Film Festival provides filmmakers with a platform to showcase their work and engage in discussions about the topics presented in the films, as well as explore the filmmaking process to foster and encourage dialogue among attendees.

August 8-10

The 22nd annual Atlanta Underground Film Festival spotlights independent filmmaking with screenings of more than 160 films at the Limelight Theater (349 Decatur St. SE).

August 15-16

The annual Pigs & Peaches food and music festival, now in its 25th year, takes place at Kennesaw’s United Bankshares Amphitheater, with barbecue competition, live music, beer, arts and crafts and more.

August 16-17

The Piedmont Park Arts Festival is a two-day outdoor event with an emphasis on the visual arts and family fun presented by the Atlanta Foundation for Public Spaces. It features up to 250 painters, photographers, sculptors, leather and metalwork, glass blowers, jewelers and crafters, along with demonstrations, hands-on activities and festival foods.

August 20-25

The BronzeLens Film Festival is a four-day cinematic celebration of work created by and for people of color, featuring premieres, workshops, panel discussions, master classes, special appearances and more.

August 23-24

The Grant Park Conservancy’s Summer Shade Festival is a free outdoor festival that celebrates Atlanta’s oldest public park. The event brings together a variety of regional and local artists, food vendors and music entertainment.

August 29-30

For more than a decade, the Atlanta Black Theatre Festival has served as a hub for playwrights, actors, directors, visual artists and creative professionals to showcase their work, collaborate and amplify the voices of marginalized communities.

August 30-September 1

Now in its 39th year, Marietta Art in the Park offers two days of outdoor family fun during Labor Day weekend with an artist market that showcases works by 220 artists from all over the country. It takes place in Marietta Square’s Glover Park on August 30 and September 1.

August 31

House in the Park is an annual house music festival beginning at noon on the Sunday before Labor Day in Grant Park. This year features legendary house music DJs
Kai Alce, Kemit, Salah Ananse and Ramon Rawsoul.

September 4-7

Stone Mountain Park’s Yellow Daisy Festival welcomes more than 400 artists and crafters, along with craft demonstrations, vintage vendors, live music, a beer garden, food and more. The 59th annual festival takes place September 4 through September 7.

September 19-21

With more than 60 bands each year, the Shaky Knees Music Festival offers a diverse lineup ranging from world-renowned acts to up-and-coming artists. In previous years, the festival took place in spring, but this year marks both a new date and a new home in Piedmont Park. Deftones, Blink-182 and My Chemical Romance are this year’s headliners.

September 20-21

JapanFest is an annual celebration of Japanese food and culture with food from local Japanese restaurants, arts and martial arts performances, anime, vendors, hands-on activities and more. It’s happening at the Gas South Convention Center, September 20 and September 21.

September 25-27

SCAD AnimationFest is the nation’s largest festival that showcases cutting-edge animation and digital media arts techniques, technologies and trends alongside the work of student animators. Check it out at SCADshow, September 25 through September 27.

September 25-October 5

The mission of Out on Film is to inform, entertain, educate and enrich the LGBTQ culture by showcasing films by, for and about the LGBTQ community and its allies. In 2020, it became an Oscar-qualifying film festival. This year, screenings begin on September 25.

September 27

AIDS Walk Atlanta Music Festival & 5K Run is a benefit for local AIDS service organizations, and this year’s music festival includes performances by CeeLo Green and Trombone Shorty.

September 27-28

For more than 40 years, downtown Duluth has hosted the annual Duluth Fall Festival. The fest hosts more than 18 arts and crafts vendors offering everything from paintings and photographs to jewelry and candles, all of it handmade. There’s also a parade, a 5K race, music and other live entertainment.

September 28

Oakland Cemetery’s Sunday in the Park featuring Tunes from the Tombs combines history with music. You’ll find historical tours, a Victorian costume contest, craft beer and cocktails, food trucks, an artist market, living history performances and more in Oakland Cemetery on September 28.