Yalo, the experiential marketing agency in Atlanta, hits the streets to check out popular music fests in downtown Atlanta that will rock your world!
Spring is here in Atlanta, Georgia, which means the start of weekends filled with fun activities, festivals, flea markets, camping, parties and concerts suited for all types and ages of people! Atlanta is especially known for having grand music festivals that feature great local musicians as well as national headliners playing in a wide variety of musical styles. These cultural gatherings also present hometown art and cuisine. Thanks to this blog post, you can sample four great festivals ahead of time and decide if you’d like to partake yourself. (HINT – you’ll want to do so!) Get ready for four MUST-EXPERIENCE music festivals in groovy downtown Atlanta!
- Atlanta Blues Fest. The Atlanta Blues Scene was a tremendous influence on blues music and culture in the South, reigning supreme in the 1920s and 30s but still continuing today. The Atlanta Blues Fest keeps that spirit alive annually. One of the premier blues events in the South and involving local blues musicians and some famous blues greats, this live concert usually happens in April every year, barring unforeseen cancellations. Expect excellent music, brotherly and sisterly love, tasty concessions, and good drinks!
- SweetWater 420 Fest. SweetWater 420 Fest is all about the experience, so you know that Yalo will be there! This festival, presented by SweetWater Brewery, normally takes place around the time of Earth Day each year and is an environmental celebration with an eco- friendly focus. It takes place in Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta – a thrilling and gorgeous site in and of itself and the world’s gathering spot during the Summer Olympics of 1996. The event features live music, comedy, art, food, and Planet 420. Planet 420 is an eco-village area where attendees can learn how to be eco-friendly in their daily lives and become more sustainable in all that they do. It’s a great addition to a really fun festival and folks enjoy learning How-Tos and Whys of a greener lifestyle. Besides many “woke” and “enlightened” performers, there’s also the amazing beer created by SweetWater Brewery to enjoy!
- Shaky Knees Music Festival. The Shaky Knees Music Festival is an annual indie rock/indie folk/country/alternative rock concert event featuring more than 60 bands including national, regional, and local favorites. Past participants to this smorgasbord of sonorous sounds include Modest Mouse, The Lumineers, Wilco, Cage the Elephant, Neutral Milk Hotel, Florence and the Machine, Explosions in the Sky … you get the idea! The festival takes place at Central Park in Atlanta – the perfect location to see views of the skyline and explore the best downtown bars and restaurants afterward. The Shaky Knees Festival is truly about the experience. There will be food trucks with all types of food, fun photo booths, official festival merch, and screen prints of your favorite bands, as well as lounges and unique viewing spots. Who could ask for more, right?
- Atlanta Jazz Festival. Bring your family downtown to Piedmont Park on Memorial Day weekend each year to the annual Atlanta Jazz Festival – one of the country’s largest and FREE Jazz festivals and such a great time. The festival showcases local and national jazz greats, a neighborhood jazz series, a youth jazz band competition, a kids zone, and many other family-friendly activities. Enjoy the park while checking out some of the city’s finest arts and crafts, food and drinks, and of course, merchandise! Maybe you’ll even get the opportunity to meet a great like John McLaughlin!
There are of course other excellent musical events throughout the year in Atlanta, as well as art, food, drama and athletic experiences too. We could tell you about every one of them but we think it’s better for YOU to come and find out for yourself. Experiences are better than second-hand information, we’ve found – and our team at Yalo knows a few things about such matters. The Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau is also an excellent resource for all-things Atlanta.
While you’re visiting Atlanta and soaking up the sights, sounds, and vibes, perhaps you’d like to consider doing business with one of the rockingest creative agencies in Atlanta? That’s us – Yalo. We’d love to meet you – get the gig started by contacting us here.
