Atlanta’s Halloween Weekend Offers More Than Tricks and Treats

October 30–November 1, 2026

Halloween falls on Saturday this year, giving Atlanta a whole weekend to dress up, get out and have some fun. But you don’t need a costume—or an appetite for haunted houses—to enjoy it. Options include Cuban music at the Fox, jazz in an intimate listening room, a free Clapton tribute, and a Sunday tour at Oakland Cemetery.

One of the biggest draws is Buena Vista Social Club, which finishes its Atlanta engagement at the Fox Theatre in Midtown on Sunday. The musical brings the story behind the celebrated Cuban album to the stage, with music, memory, and second chances at its heart. Weekend performances are Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m. Ticket prices vary by seat and performance. Make dinner part of the outing and you have a full evening—or afternoon—planned. [www.foxtheatre.org](https://www.foxtheatre.org/events/detail/buena-vista-social-club?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

A few blocks up Peachtree Street in Midtown, the Sanderson sisters will get unusually accomplished musical accompaniment. Disney’s Hocus Pocus in Concert pairs the 1993 comedy with a live performance of John Debney’s score by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Stuart Chafetz. The movie plays at Atlanta Symphony Hall on Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. It’s an option for a family outing, especially if Halloween movies have become a tradition across generations. [www.aso.org](https://www.aso.org/events/detail/hocus-pocus?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

Friday’s music choices extend well beyond the big stages. In Cumming, Clapton Comes Alive performs at the Lou Sobh Amphitheater from 7 to 9 p.m. The Atlanta tribute band covers Eric Clapton’s long career, including his work with Cream, Blind Faith, and Derek and the Dominos, as well as his solo recordings. Admission and parking are free. Bring a lawn chair or blanket, but leave the cooler and outside food at home. [cummingcitycenter.com]

For a smaller room and a different sound, the Nathanael Smith Trio takes over Red Light Café in Midtown from 8 to 10 p.m. Friday. Smith, an Atlanta-born pianist raised in Stone Mountain, has toured with the Glenn Miller Orchestra. His trio’s program includes jazz standards, original compositions and arrangements. The café’s tables, kitchen and full bar make this an easy place to settle in for the evening.

There’s also a free concert for listeners drawn to older musical traditions. A Mighty Fortress,featuring Echoing Air begins Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 731 Peachtree Street NE, in Midtown. The Indianapolis ensemble combines voices and Baroque instruments in music by Lutheran composers from the 16th through early 18th centuries. Parking is free, too, and a reception follows.

Of course, some people will want to begin the weekend in full Halloween mode. Fright Night at Fernbank lets you dance beneath the museum’s dinosaur skeletons on Friday from 7 to 11 p.m. The ticketed, ages-21-and-older party includes a DJ, special performers, and costume prizes, with cocktails, beer and small plates available. Guests can also explore The Secret World of Elephants exhibition. If your costume deserves something more memorable than a trip to the grocery store, this could be its big night.

Saturday can begin at a considerably gentler pace. The Peachtree Road Farmers Market runs from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the Cathedral of St. Philip in Buckhead. The October 31 calendar includes a chef pop-up, live music, and Alliance Theatre storytime, alongside farmers, food vendors and artisans.

Later in the day, Fairburn offers a chance to trade the 21st century for a village full of music, comedy and roaming characters. The Georgia Renaissance Festival’s Fall Fling opens Saturday, October 31, from 1 to 9 p.m. Its opening-day theme, Hallowtide, incorporates costumes, remembrance and autumn traditions. The festival features live jousting, artisan demonstrations, and stage entertainment, so allow time to wander rather than treat it as a quick stop. Admission is ticketed.

If your preferred historical period is the one with bell-bottoms and platform shoes, Alpharetta has you covered. The Velvet Note’s ’70s Party & Halloween Bash features VENZANT from the Red Sample Band, plus a best ’70s costume competition. Saturday’s shows run from 7 to 9 p.m. and 9:30 to 11:30 p.m.; listed admission is $42. Consider it a reason to revisit a favorite decade—or finally admit that you kept those clothes for a reason.

For a weekend built around movement, music and cultural discovery, Wontanara Festival: Roots to the Future runs Friday through Sunday at Southwest Arts Center, 915 New Hope Road SW. The three-day celebration of African and African-diaspora culture includes dance and drum classes, films, discussions, a vendor marketplace, children’s programming and a Saturday-night concert. You can participate in the experience or build your visit around performances; check the festival’s schedule and ticket options before you choose.

Air Dot Show Atlanta takes place October 31 and November 1 in Peachtree City. The ticket options range from general admission packages to reserved seating and premium viewing areas. When purchasing, pay attention to parking arrangements: general admission is sold in group packages that include one parking pass. Plan ahead, especially if you want seats rather than bringing your own chairs.

For something quieter outdoors, this is the final weekend of Scarecrows in the Garden at the Atlanta Botanical Garden in Midtown. The display runs through Sunday, November 1, featuring creations from local families, schools, businesses, and community groups. This year’s exhibition also marks the Garden’s 50th anniversary with supersized scarecrows made by previous winners. It’s a great opportunity for an autumn walk with a little humor along the way; check daytime admission and hours before you visit.

Sunday brings a different kind of seasonal gathering. Día de Muertos at Oakland Cemetery runs from noon to 5 p.m. and is free to attend. Hosted by the Consulate General of Mexico and the Institute of Mexican Culture, the traditional Day of the Dead celebration centers on remembrance—a fitting occasion to visit one of Atlanta’s most historic landscapes.

And in Avondale Estates, Manga Day Festival offers an introduction to a creative world that may be more familiar to your children or grandchildren. The inaugural, all-ages event runs Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Olive + Pine, 100 Pine Street. Admission is free, with live manga art, cosplay, K-pop, and a Shiba Inu parade among other attractions. You don’t need to arrive as an expert in Japanese comics or animation. Curiosity is a perfect reason to go.

Check the linked event pages for ticket availability, weather updates and schedule changes before heading out to any of these events.