7 Things to do in Atlanta in Late October

If you live in the Atlanta area, then you probably already know this, but there is no excuse for being bored or feeling like there’s nothing to do. The Atlanta area is one of the most vibrant and thriving parts of this country. It is part of why we are so proud to be a part of this community here at Rick Hendrick Chevrolet of Buford. And while all our lives get pretty hectic when the holiday season starts up, a lot of us still have some free time in October.

We asked around at our lot and our friendly coworkers were more than happy to make some suggestions on things to do this October – especially in the second half of the month. If you’re looking for some great events in the Atlanta area, but you’re not sure what’s going on, then take a look at these seven ideas. These are sure to keep you busy!

#1 – Oktoberfest Atlanta – Oct. 11th – 12th

Let’s kick things off right with Oktoberfest Atlanta, a celebration of German food, beer, music, and good times. While a lot of Oktoberfest events are held in September, this is a great chance to keep the party rolling into October and get out for some fun. There will be lots of food and drinks to taste and enjoy, particularly some of the finest craft beers around, along with live music and games to take part in.

Oktoberfest Atlanta will be held on Friday, October 11th and Saturday, October 12th, from 5 pm to 11 pm on Friday and 11 am to 11 pm on Saturday. Tickets are available now at different prices depending on if you want a General pass, a Bier Lover pass, or a table reservation. Prices will increase closer to the event, so be sure to order your tickets soon. Oktoberfest Atlanta will be held at Historic Fourth Ward Park, located at 680 Dallas St NE with limited parking, so attendees are encouraged to use a rideshare service, taxi, or ride MARTA to and from the event.

#2 – Fall Festival on Ponce – Oct. 12th – 13th

If Oktoberfest isn’t quite your cup of tea (or bier), then consider the Fall Festival on Ponce, which is being held that same weekend. The Festival on Ponce is being presented by The Atlanta Foundation for Public Space, and will include many different types of arts and crafts on display. This is a celebration of Atlanta’s iconic landscape architecture, and there will be more than 100 displays of art, with a children’s area and local food and beverages for sale.

The Fall Festival on Ponce is being held on Saturday, October 12th from 10 am to 5 pm, and on Sunday, October 13th from 11 am to 5 pm. Admittance to the Festival is free of charge, though food and drink cost extra. The Fall Festival on Ponce is being held at Olmsted Linear Park, located at 1451 Ponce De Leon Ave NE.

#3 – Atlanta Magazine’s 5th Annual Whiskey Festival – Oct. 17th

If you enjoy the rich aroma and complex flavors of whiskey, then you should come out for the 5th Annual Whiskey Festival, presented by Atlanta Magazine. This is a celebration of all-things whiskey and, as you might expect, a number of top-shelf whiskeys and bourbons will be available to taste and enjoy. You’ll get a chance to meet and talk to master whiskey distillers and the owners of some of the most exciting and popular whiskeys on the market. There will be live music and activities to take part in, along with delicious Southern food pairings.

Atlanta Magazine’s 5th Annual Whiskey Festival will be held on Thursday, October 17th from 7 pm to 10 pm, and this is a 21+ event, so no children allowed. Tickets are available now, and different packages are offered for either general admission or VIP admission one hour earlier. The Whiskey Festival is being held at Flourish Atlanta, at 3143 Maple Drive NE.

#4 – Taste of Atlanta – Oct. 18th – 20th

For those of you more interested in food than drinks, we suggest Taste of Atlanta for a fantastic opportunity to discover and enjoy everything Southern cooking has to offer. There will be live music, tastings from more than two dozen of Atlanta’s favorite and most popular chefs, along with wine, beer, and cocktail tastings too – so don’t worry if you prefer a little libation with your meal. This is one of several big events going on this weekend, so clear your calendar now!

Taste of Atlanta will be held from Friday, October 18th through Sunday, October 20th, from 7:30 pm to 11 pm on Friday, 11 am to 4 pm on Saturday with a concert that evening at 7 pm, then from 11 am to 4 pm on Sunday. Tickets are available now, with different packages to choose from depending on what you’re interested in. Taste of Atlanta will be held at Historic Fourth Ward Park, located at 680 Dallas St NE.

#5 – Stone Mountain Highland Games – Oct. 18th – 20th

While a lot of people might not think of the Scottish when they think about Atlanta, that doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate Scotland just as quickly as we celebrate Germany and every other culture. The 47th Annual Stone Mountain Highland Games are a fantastic way to explore Scottish heritage and culture, plus have a lot of fun while you’re at it. In addition to plenty of delicious things to eat and drink, major events at the Games will include Highland Dance competitions, Hammer Throw competitions, the Caber Toss, Pipe Bands and Solo Piping contests, and competitions for both Scottish Harps and Scottish Fiddles.

The Stone Mountain Highland Games run from Friday, October 18th through Sunday, October 20th, with different contests and events scheduled throughout those days. Tickets are available now, and there are different packages to choose from depending on if you want to attend specific events or enjoy food and beverage tastings. The Games will be hosted at Stone Mountain Park, located at 1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd in Stone Mountain, just east of Atlanta off the 78.

#6 – Owl-O-Ween Hot Air Balloon Festival – Oct. 18th – 19th

If you’re interested in something a little different, then you should definitely check out the Owl-O-Ween Hot Air Balloon Festival, the Atlanta-area’s “largest hot air balloon festival & costume party.” Attendees are encouraged to dress in Halloween costumes at this all-ages event perfect for the entire family. There are multiple stages during the Festival with lots of different musical performances and acts to check out – plus a tremendous array of hot air balloons.

The Owl-O-Ween Hot Air Balloon Festival will be held on Friday, October 18th and Saturday, October 19th from 6 pm to 11 pm on Friday and 4 pm to 11 pm on Saturday. Tickets are available now, or you can buy them at the gate, and balloon ride tickets will be available at the event. The Owl-O-Ween Hot Air Balloon Festival will be held at Fifth Third Bank Stadium, located at 3300 George Busbee Pkwy NW in Kennesaw, northwest of Atlanta and just off the I-75.

#7 – Anime Weekend Atlanta – Oct. 31st – Nov. 3rd

Since we’ve already checked out German and Scottish culture in October, let’s wrap it up with an exploration of Japanese culture, specifically anime and manga. Anime Weekend Atlanta is a great way to get together with fellow fans of Japanese arts, including animation, comics, and video games. As you might expect, there will be plenty of cosplayers, along with concerts and fan panels to attend. There will also be a number of voice actors and other artists in attendance, with plenty of fun events planned throughout the weekend.

Anime Weekend Atlanta kicks off on Halloween, starting on Thursday, October 31stand going through Sunday, November 3rd. It is being held at Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel & Convention Center at 2450 Galleria Pkwy SE. This is one of the biggest anime conventions in the US and offers a fun, safe place for fans to get together.