Summer Fun in Atlanta: Festivals, Cool Places

With summer in full swing, it’s the perfect time to treat the family to some fun by attending a festival or local happening.

The best news is that most summer family-friendly festivals and happenings are free and open to the public. Plus, there are some great spots where you can cool down on a sizzling summer day. Here’s what’s happening this summer in Atlanta in July and August.

Summer Festivals and Happenings for Families in Atlanta:

• Peachtree Road Race Viewing Party. The Peachtree Road Race is an annual Fourth of July tradition in Atlanta, and this year Colony Square in Midtown is offering bleacher seating to catch all the action up close and personal. The five-tier seating will be installed along Peachtree Street between 14th and 15th streets. It’s available free of charge on a first come, first serve basis. Festivities include live music, a bounce house for kids, food vendors and of course, watching the spectacle of the race and cheering the runners on! Wednesday, July 4, from 7 a.m.-1 p.m. at Colony Square, 1197 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta.
• 17th Annual Heritage Arts Festival. Underground Atlanta is all set to throw a family-friendly festival that’s dedicated to celebrating countries from around the globe. Activities include stage plays, storytelling, book signings, film screenings, shopping, food and drinks. Wednesday, July 4-Sunday, July 8. Hours for this free family festival vary, so click here for more information
• Flying Colors Butterfly Festival. If there’s one festival that’s worth loading up the minivan or SUV for, it’s the annual Flying Colors Butterfly Festival at the Chattahoochee Nature Center in Roswell. This family-friendly two-day event will delight and enchant kids and parents alike. Featured family-friendly activities include live butterfly releases, a butterfly encounter with more than 200 free-flying butterflies, arts and crafts, face painting, sidewalk art, fairy house building, and a butterfly and caterpillar costume parade. Parents will love the butterfly plant sale and live entertainment, plus food and drinks. Admission is $10 per person (free for kids 2 and younger). Saturday, July 14 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and Sunday, July 15 from noon-5 p.m. at the Chattahoochee Nature Center (9135 Willeo Rd.; Roswell 30075). For more information, go to www.chattnaturecenter.org.
• Piedmont Park Arts Festival. This event was revived in 2011 and it’s better than ever in 2012. The Piedmont Park Arts Festival is not your typical fine arts show. Instead, it features work from local crafters and artisans. For the kids, there are arts and crafts and a children’s area, plus food, drinks and live entertainment. There might even be another flash mob. Sunday, Aug. 19 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. at Piedmont Park, 1071 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta.

Cool Ways to Beat the Summer Heat in Atlanta:

• Wills Park Public Pool. This public park is a hidden gem in Alpharetta. It’s home to Wacky World playground and a large public pool with low and high diving boards. So after enjoying time on the massive play structure, cool down with a dip in the oversized pool. It’s the perfect way to enjoy a hot summer day. There is also a covered baby pool and concession stand. Hours: noon-8 p.m. (Sunday), noon-5 p.m. and 7:15-9 p.m. (Tuesday-Friday), and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. (Saturday). $3 per person per day (ages 4-49), $1 (seniors 50 and up), and free for kids 3 and under. 11925 Wills Rd., Alpharetta.
• Fountain of Rings at Centennial Olympic Park. Every summer, families in-the-know head to downtown Atlanta to cool off in the Fountain of Rings at Centennial Olympic Park. The children’s play area features 251 jets that shoot water up to 35 feet in the air. There’s also a computer-controlled light and water show that plays at various times throughout the day. Centennial Olympic Park is located within walking distance of Georgia Aquarium, CNN Center and the World of Coca-Cola, making it a good spot to cool down while enjoying Atlanta’s best staycation attractions. The park is free and open to the public seven days a week. 265 Park Ave. NW, Atlanta.
• Mall of Georgia Fountains. The Mall of Georgia is a great place to visit in the summertime. Located in Buford, it’s one of the city’s largest malls and home to more than 225 stores. During the hot summer months, kids enjoy the free fountain, which sporadically spurts water into the air. It’s located outside in the courtyard area, which also includes a 500-seat outdoor amphitheater. Plus, if you stick around on Saturday evening, Mall of Georgia shows free outdoor movies in June, July and August. A trip to Mall of Georgia is a nice summertime diversion for parents and kids alike. 3333 Buford Drive, Buford.
• Fountain at Suwanee Town Center. This 10-acre live-work-play park is a perfect summertime retreat for families, especially with its cascading fountains to cool you off when the temperature soars. Town Center Park opened in 2003, is a great gathering place for families and features the largest interactive fountain in Gwinnett County. After splashing in the water, there’s enough open space to fly a kite, ride a bike and enjoy some unstructured playtime. The fountain is free and open to the public seven days a week. 330 Town Center Avenue, Suwanee.