The fall season of crunchy leaves, cozy sweaters, and warm memories is almost here! To celebrate, discover 30+ fun fall activities in Atlanta and beyond. Make this an autumn to remember with apple picking, Oktoberfest events, fall festivals, foliage, and more!
A few of our favorite fall activities in Atlanta for 2022:
- Head to a festival celebrating cars, food, books, art, and more!
- Sample beers at an Oktoberfest event
- Pick apples and pumpkins
- Attend the L5P Halloween Parade
- Take a day trip to a farm, panoramic mountain views, and tourist spots
In this guide, you’ll find:
- Family-friendly activities that kids will love
- Pumpkin and apple picking: Georgia orchards and farms
- Where to see fall foliage
- Cozy fall date ideas
- Atlanta fall activities, festivals, and fairs
- Photo-worthy spots to capture fall memories, selfies, and TikToks
Fall Festivals & Fairs in Atlanta
Explore some of our favorite festivals in the video below – and read on for more!
1. Atlanta British Car Fayre: Sept 10, 2022
Happening in Downtown Norcross, the annual Atlanta British Car Fayre features more than 300 distinctive British automobiles and motorcycles. Additionally, the festival plays host to a “boot sale”! A boot sale is like a yard sale, with vendors selling items from the trunk or “boot” of their cars.
Moreover, you can feel good about attending this event! That’s because proceeds support the Amanda Riley Foundation, providing support to families with children in the Atlanta area who have been hospitalized with cancer.
2. Gwinnett County Fair: Sept 15-25, 2022
Held at the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds, this fair includes exciting rides, a petting zoo, concerts, and refreshments. Additionally, the Gwinnett County Fair is home to a home garden exhibit and classes, a jaw-dropping Ninja Experience show, and more!
3. Taste of Smyrna: Sept 17, 2022
Head to Smyrna’s Village Green for a family-friendly festival. At Taste of Smyrna, you’ll find more than 30 restaurants, live music, kids’ activities, and ongoing entertainment throughout the day.
4. Pumpkin Festival at Stone Mountain: Sept 17-Oct 30, 2022
Stone Mountain Park’s Pumpkin Festival includes not-so-spooky experiences and plenty of family fun!
Participate in the pie eating contest, watch a glow-in-the-dark parade, and more. You can even catch a train ride around the base of the mountain in a full-size locomotive.
5. Atlanta Greek Festival: Sept 23-25, 2022 – One of Our Favorite Fall Activities in Atlanta
The Atlanta Greek Festival returns in-person in 2022! For over four decades, this festival has been a beloved – and delicious – Atlanta tradition. Held at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Druid Hills, this festival explores the culture, history, faith, and cuisine of the Greek community.
Enjoy live music, dancing, authentic Greek food and pastries, Cathedral tours, a marketplace, amusement rides, and more! As the festival organizers say, being Greek means relishing the world around you and enjoying life to the fullest. Opa!
6. AJC Decatur Book Festival: Sept 30 (Keynote) & Oct 1, 2022
The Decatur Book Festival is a popular event for bibliophiles, library lovers, audiobook afficionados, and everyone in between. Held at the First Baptist Church of Decatur, this year’s Decatur Book Festival will highlight selected authors with new fall works.
The festival will host fifteen sessions, presented as part of three tracks to explore: adult fiction, adult non-fiction, and children & youth. Happy reading!
7. Fall Festival on Ponce: Oct 8 & 9, 2022
Set in scenic Olmstead Linear Park, the Fall Festival on Ponce includes a fine arts and crafts alongside folk art and “outsider art.” A children’s area will keep the kiddos busy, and there will be plenty of food and drinks available for purchase.
Best of all, admission to this event is free!
8. L5P Halloween Parade: Oct 22 & 23, 2022 – One of Our Favorite Fall Activities in Atlanta
This year, the beloved Little 5 Points Halloween Parade is back for the first time since 2018! Expect a new route, a new time, and plenty of fun tricks and treats! Little 5 Points is known for punk and grunge vibes, alternative attire, and a counterculture attitude. During Halloween, families flock to this neighborhood for a fun Halloween parade and festival.
A Monster Ball for adults will take place on Oct. 20 at the Star Bar. Then, join a Monster Hunt on Saturday, October 22! Local artists will set up in locations throughout L5P, creating monsters for you to find. Make a donation, get a map, and start monster hunting!
You can also attend a BIZarre Bazaar Haunted Market with handmade goods and local art, take a L5P ghost tour, and more. Browse more fun nearby in Atlanta’s Old 4th Ward neighborhood.
Apple Picking, Hayrides, Pumpkins, & Other Outdoor Fun
9. Visit Gibbs Gardens
Located an hour north of Atlanta, Gibbs Gardens is home to more than 300 acres of sprawling gardens, including the largest Japanese garden in the U.S.! Here, you can stroll through a variety of landscapes and witness the beauty of nature.
During a fall visit, you can expect to see colorful leaf foliage, a rainbow of wildflowers, azaleas, and of course, 3,000 vibrantly-colored Japanese Maple trees. In fact, many visitors come during fall just to see the stunning Japanese Maples! This area of the garden includes scenic bridges and boulders, seven spring-fed ponds, weeping willows, and more. Pro tip: head here on a weekday to skip some of the crowds!
10. Take Selfies in a Sunflower Field: Opening for Fall in September 2022
Just south of Burt’s pumpkin Farm (mentioned in idea #10 above), Fausett Farms in Dawsonville is home to a field of 900,000+ sunflowers across 30+ acres.
Stroll through the sunflower fields and enjoy a relaxing fall experience. Additionally, this spot is the perfect backdrop for selfies, family portrait sessions, and cottagecore TikTok videos alike. For picture-perfect photo hues, plan your visit during “golden hour,” around dusk. After your sunflower session, head to Amicalola Falls nearby for more fall views and memories!
11. Pick Pumpkins at Sleepy Hollow Farm
Located in Powder Springs, Sleepy Hollow Farm farm offers an annual pumpkin patch, corn maze, wagon rides, and more. Find the perfect jack-o-lantern or baking pumpkin. They also offer kids’ games and a farm playground, with farm animals on-site. Pick up some treats at the country store, or book an additional Escape Woods adventure game.
Another popular pumpkin-picking option is Burt’s Pumpkin Farm in Dawsonville. Stay tuned for 2022 opening date and details for both farms!
12. Pick Apples in North Georgia
While we haven’t found a metro Atlanta spot for apple picking, there are plenty of u-pick orchards in North Georgia! A few of our favorites include Mercier Farms, B.J. Reece Orchards, and R&A Orchards.
Apple picking is a great date activity as well as a chance to have some family fun and make fall memories. Be sure to pick up some apple cider, fried pies, and spiced donuts during your trip! A basket of apples also makes for a thoughtful fall gift for dinner hosts and neighbors. Or, share some homemade jam or baked goods with your picks!
13. See Fall Foliage in the Mountains
Atlanta is just an hour or two away from beautiful rolling landscapes and mountains. Explore the great outdoors with this list top fall foliage hikes in North Georgia.
You can also check out Georgia State Parks to see the leaves changing color. Some spots, like Black Rock Mountain State Park, offer drive-up views with no hiking required! In fact, this is the highest-elevation state park in Georgia, offering breathtaking vistas with minimal trekking.
14. Hike Arabia Mountain – One of Our Favorite Fall Activities in Atlanta
Each fall, Arabia Mountain explodes with with vibrant yellow daisies, making the mountain’s already-otherworldly surface look even more magical. September is the perfect time to visit this spot to catch the area in full bloom.
To explore even more, the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area offers tours of the AWARE Wildlife Center, homeschool days, and classes on topics like archery and tree-climbing.
Oktoberfest Events in Atlanta
In the video below, you’ll find a few of our favorite Oktoberfest events. Keep reading for more details!
15. Atlanta Oktoberfest: Sept 30-Oct 2, 2022
Dubbed “Atlanta’s biggest German-themed party,” Atlanta Oktoberfest has everything you’d expect, and then some! Enjoy cold German and craft beer, German food, live music, Oktoberfest-themed games, and other activities. Grab a frosty mug, brawts, and a Bavarian pretzel. Then, try your hand at games like keg roll racing, pretzel toss, a stein hoisting contest, and more!
Additionally, don’t miss the Atlanta Oktoberfest dog parade as part of the fall fun!
16. Helen Oktoberfest: Sept 8-Oct 30, 2022
Around 1.5 hours northeast of Atlanta, Helen, GA is a small town that’s home to an incredibly popular Oktoberfest celebration. This mountain town festival offers lively entertainment, dancing, and plenty of flowing beer.
Moreover, Helen’s charming architecture makes you feel like you’re in a rustic alpine German village. After the festival, escape the hustle and bustle with a hike at Anna Ruby Falls or Unicoi State Park nearby.
17. Tucktoberfest: Sept 17-Oct 2, 2022
Tucktoberfest, a fall bierfest at Tucker Brewing Company, is inspired by Munich’s famous Oktoberfest. You can expect to find festive decorations, games, and live music (including polka bands!). Plus, order from a special German menu with Oktoberfest favorites.
The brewery’s beer garden is over 8,500 square feet – the largest of its kind in Georgia!
More Favorite Fall Activities in Atlanta
18. Take a Walking Food Tour – One of Our Favorite Fall Activities in Atlanta
Fall is the perfect time to take a walking tour of Atlanta. Stroll through Atlanta’s historic neighborhoods while taking in the crisp fall air and foliage.
On our Grant Park Past & Future Food Walk, you’ll taste 9 dishes at 3 food stops with an expert guide. And, the tour includes a walk through Historic Oakland Cemetery – perfect for spooky season!
19. Discover the Spirits of Oakland Cemetery
In the video below, hear about a few of our favorite ghost tours in Atlanta – including Discovering the Spirits of Oakland Cemetery!
The popular Spirit of Oakland Halloween Tours will delight and educate tour-goers on weekends from Oct 20-Oct 30, 2022. These tours are designed to “enlighten rather than frighten.” The only thing that’s scary is how quickly they sell out each year! These tours often sell out in July – so reserve your tickets ASAP when they’re available!
During this experience, you’ll follow a costumed docent through Historic Oakland Cemetery, learning tales of Oakland’s residents along the way. Stroll through the beautifully-lit Victorian gardens for a unique Halloween experience. Additionally, you can enjoy live music, craft beer and cocktails, and more. Costumes encouraged!
20. Thrift the Perfect Fall Flannel
Warm, stylish, and festive – who doesn’t love a good fall flannel? Fortunately, Atlanta has plenty of charming and unique thrift shops to find the perfect pattern.
A few of our favorite Atlanta thrift shops:
- Mother Lode: With 30+ vendors, Mother Lode in Avondale Estates is home to vintage clothing as well as mid-century modern furniture, antiques, jewelry, and more. They often host “maker’s markets” and special events with food vendors!
- Lost-n-Found Youth: Find your flannel and support a worthy cause at this thrift shop. Proceeds from Lost-n-Found Youth’s thrift shop support street outreach, a youth center, and transitional housing for LGBTQ+ youth who are experiencing homelessness. In addition to clothing, you’ll find furniture, toys, art, collectibles, and more.
- Ecologie Vintage: This hip Kennesaw shop offers a hand-picked selection of vintage threads. Shop online or in-store!
21. See Scarecrows at the Atlanta Botanical Garden: 2022 Dates to be Announced!
Each fall, the Atlanta Botanical Garden experiences an invasion of scarecrows! These works of art are crafted by local businesses, families, schools, and individuals. The display of scarecrows is scattered throughout the gardens in Midtown and Gainesville for visitors to explore.
The garden will typically hosts other fall activities, including Goblins in the Garden, The Great Pumpkin Carving Contest, and Fest-of-Ale events for ages 21+ throughout October.
22. Get Spooky at Six Flags: Sept 18-Oct 31 – One of Our Favorite Fall Activities in Atlanta
Fright Fest is back at Six Flags Over Georgia this year. Get your spooks and your screams all in one fun place!
During the day, you’ll find family-friendly shows and attractions. Then, when night falls, thrilling rides and scary haunted houses will delight more adventurous guests. Either way, you’re sure to boost your adrenaline with a thrill-seeking adventure.
Looking for more Atlanta haunted houses? Check out a few of our favorites in the video below!
Grab a Fall Drink in Atlanta
23. Cozy Up to Fall Tea at Just Add Honey
Just Add Honey is an Atlanta-based tea purveyor and retail café, with locations in Old 4th Ward and Inman Park. They offer “thoughtfully blended loose leaf teas, gifts, and tea accessories.”
This local business focuses on using natural, fresh ingredients with unique and interesting flavors. Order their teas online, or book a tea tasting at their store locations! Some of their tea flavors are perfect for a cozy fall up! Try the Good Morning blend (organic black tea blend with cacao nibs), Sweet Auburn (organic red rooibos tea with vanilla, almond, and calendula), and the Cacao Chai (with organic ingredients including cacao husks, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, cardamon, anise, and black pepper).
24. Bring Your Pup for Fall Fun at Fetch
Why should your 4-legged best friend miss out on all the fall fun? Head to Fetch, a “dog-friendly social pub” with locations in Alpharetta, Buckhead, Columbus, O4W, and West Midtown Atlanta.
As the weather turns chilly, soaking up those crisp fall days is rejuvenating for humans and dogs alike. With weekly events like “Ales, Tails, & Trivia” and karaoke to “howl the night away,” everyone is in for a treat at Fetch!
25. Find the Best Fall Latte in Atlanta – One of Our Favorite Fall Activities in Atlanta
From pumpkin spice everything to roasted hazelnut, caramel apple, and maple, there’s nothing quite like the flavors of fall. Keep your fingers toasty and your taste buds dancing with a fall latte challenge!
Make a list of coffee shops you’d like to try in Atlanta this fall. Browse Eater Atlanta’s guide to the best coffee shops in Atlanta for inspiration. Then, with your family, partner, roommates, or friends, set out to try each spot! If you’re a purist, you can order the same drink at each coffee shop for an “apples to apples” comparison. On the other hand, you could go wild and try the house special or switch up your order! No matter how you do it, this is a fun challenge that will help you get out of your usual routine and neighborhood.
Along the way, use your Notes app or a journal to rank each stop on categories like drink flavor, overall coffee shop vibes, and more. At the end of the season, average each of your ratings to determine the best place for fall coffee drinks in Atlanta!
26. Try Latin-Inspired Coffees & More at Golden Drops
At Golden Drops Café in Druid Hills, you’ll find Latin-inspired coffees, pastries, Cuban sandwiches, and small plates. Housed in a uniquely dome-shaped building, this café is popular with Emory students, as well as Decatur locals. A colorful mural greets visitors as you drive up, and their patio is perfect for enjoying fall days.
For a perfect new fall favorite, try their signature Golden Latte. This drink is served with your choice of milk and a special blend of spices. The drink has hints of ginger, cinnamon, and other warming fall flavor notes. In the mood for something cold? Choose a fruit shake or a Brazilian soda made from Guarana fruit!
Fall Day Trips from Atlanta
27. Visit Serenbe for an Upscale Taste of Farm Life
Around a half-hour southwest of Atlanta, Serenbe offers a tranquil, upscale farm experience for visitors and residents. To start your farm day, park near the Serenbe Inn and explore the grounds. You can visit the animals nearby- including pigs, goats, sheep, and chickens.
Then, drive to downtown Serenbe to check out the shops and restaurants. The Serenbe community also offers goat yoga, farm tours, a Saturday morning farmers market, wine tastings, and more.
28. Visit the Labyrinth in Rome, GA
Have you ever visited a labyrinth? Unlike a maze, a labyrinth has a clear path leading through it. As a result, walking a labyrinth can be meditative and peaceful. The Rome, GA labyrinth is around an hour and twenty minutes northwest of Atlanta, and it’s free to visit.
This site was originally built as an erosion control pond. However, in the 60s and 70s, folk artists began using the area as a place for reading poetry and playing music. The late Ed Baker worked with local government to create a maze here using more than 5,000 bricks.
29. See Rock City & Chattanooga
For those feeling a little more ambitious, try a longer day trip 2 hours from Atlanta. In the northwest corner of Georgia, Rock City is an iconic tourist spot with plenty to see.
Here, you can marvel at massive ancient rock formations, stroll gardens with 400+ native plant species, and see panoramic views of 7 states from Lookout Mountain! Additionally, little ones and all those who are young at heart will love the Enchanted Trail, Fairyland Caverns, and Mother Goose Village.
Best of all, Rock City and Lookout Mountain are just 6 miles from downtown Chattanooga! Continue your adventures in this scenic, bustling city. Head to Sugar’s Ribs for delicious BBQ with a view. Then, get your ice cream fix at local favorite spot, Clumpy’s!
30. Take a Winery Trip through North Georgia
At North Georgia’s wineries, you can sip delicious wines with a backdrop of beautiful mountain views. Just an hour or two north of Atlanta, you can spot some of the best local foliage of the season. Book an experience with North Georgia Wine Tours for a turnkey wine adventure. They offer a variety of wine tours including private tours, bachelorette wine tours, wine tours for couples, and more.
North Georgia Wine Tours and similar wine tour companies will handle the logistics and planning while you sit back, relax, and enjoy being driven to North Georgia’s best wineries!
For more fall fun in Atlanta, check out our guide: 14+ Atlanta Labor Day Weekend Activities.
