As we settle to back-to-school routine, now it’s time to look forward to the first holiday break of the school year. The Labor Day weekend in Atlanta provides many fun, family friendly things to do for families that decide to stick close to home. We have posted some Labor Day Family Fun in Atlanta a few days ago. And today, we have a complete guide to Labor Day Weekend events in Atlanta for 2012 that you can enjoy with the whole family.
Labor Day Weekend Events in Atlanta 2012
Atlanta: Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game Events
Billed as the “Daytona 500 of College Football,” the annual Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game matches top teams in a neutral-site match-up to start the college football season.
The 2012 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game weekend will feature the first-ever double hosting of marquee, BCS-style games on back-to-back days in the same venue, Atlanta’s Georgia Dome. On Friday and Saturday, families can visit the Chick-Fil-A Kickoff Game FanZone at the Georgia World Congress Center to get up close and personal with team players and cheerleaders. Experience pep rallies, interactive games and make a visit to AT&T’s autograph area.
Place: Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game FanZone, Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, Georgia
Date: August 31 – September 1, 2012
Time: Friday: 2-6 p.m., with official Team Walks beginning at 5:00 p.m. and Saturday: 12:30-6 p.m., with official Team Walks beginning at 4:30 p.m.
Cost: $7 per person online, $10 per person at the door
Atlanta: Dragon*Con Parade
You don’t have to be a geek to enjoy the Dragon Con parade. This annual convention is one of the biggest fantasy and sci-fi convention in the country. If your kids love Star Wars like my kids, they will probably enjoy this parade. Head downtown to watch the parade in the early Saturday morning and have a chance to interaction with almost-real costume. Beware that some costume might be more realistic than a little one can handle. Use your parental guidance and judgement call on this one.
Also check out our ultimate guide to Dragon*Con Parade for Families with Kids
Make sure to head out early to secure a front row spot. Limited parking so it’s best to use Marta to get to downtown.
Place: Downtown Atlanta
Date: September 1, 2012
Time: 10AM
Cost: FREE
Acworth: Love the Lake Festival
The Acworth Love the Lake Festival takes place on Saturday, September 1, 2012 from 10am to 6pm and Sunday, September 2, 2012 from noon to 6pm. The Labor Day weekend festival takes place at Cauble Park near downtown Acworth and features over 150 arts & crafts vendors as well as 30 food vendors and live entertainment. There is also a large kids zone.
Place: Lake Acworth Beach at Cauble Park near Downtown Acworth, 2293 Beach Street, Acworth, GA 30101
Date: September 1-2, 2012
Time: Saturday: 10am – 6pm, Sunday: noon – 6pm
Cost: FREE
Decatur: Annual AJC Decatur Book Festival 2012
Calling all bookworms young or old, it’s time to check out the 2012 AJC Decatur Book Festival this Labor Day weekend. Meet your favorite authors, check out various children activities, listen to the Live music performed by nationally touring musicians, watch Cooking demonstrations by noted cookbook authors and enjoy food and beer from local vendors. This is a Bookzilla size festival that will entertain the whole family.
Place: Downtown Decatur, GA
Date: August 31 – September 2, 2012
Time: See event schedule here
Cost: FREE
Decatur: Atlanta Caribbean Jerk Festival and Family Fun Day
The Atlanta Caribbean Jerk Festival and Family Fun Day will give residents of Metro Atlanta the opportunity to experience the best in Caribbean culture and cuisine. will feature activities such as jerk preparation demonstrations, the crowning of Atlanta’s Top Jerk Chef, a celebrity cook off, live reggae and calypso bands, top Caribbean music DJS, a kiddies’ playground and games tent.
Place: 2817 Clifton Springs Rd. Decatur, Georgia
Date: September 2, 2012
Time: noon – 10pm
Cost: Admission $15. Children under 12 free. Free parking
Marietta: Arts in the Park
Explore fine art shows features an artist market, children’s art alley and an artist demonstration area and the famous Painted Pots. This fine art extravaganza features an artist market, children’s art alley and the famous Painted Pots. Art displayed will include paintings, photography, pottery, graphic arts, sculptures, jewelry, woodworking from 150 of the countries finest artists. Festival guests will also have the opportunity to visit the unique shops and boutiques, restaurants, museums and galleries, take in a historic walking tour plus much more, all within walking distance to the festival.
Place: Glover Park/Marietta Square, 50 Park Square, Marietta, GA
Date: September 1-3, 2012
Time: 10am – 5pm
Cost: FREE
Marietta: Celebrate Freedom Atlanta
Join 104.7 the Fish for one of the Largest FREE one day concert in Atlanta where christian musicians and bands lined up to celebrate with free children activities and performances. The event lasts the whole day and if your kids are up for it then there is firework at 11pm. Check out their site for more detail on event features and how to get free ticket.
Place: Jim Miller Park, 2245 Callaway Road Southwest, Marietta, GA 30008
Date: September 1, 2012
Time: 9am – 11pm
Cost: FREE. ($5 parking)
Newnan: Powers’ Crossroads Country Fair and Art Festival
Two hundred fifty talented artists and craftsmen from across the nation gather each Labor Day Week-end to display their works from Saturday through Monday. One of the many highlights of the Festival is the abundance of delicious country cooking. Highlights include demonstrations of plantation skills such as blacksmithing, sorghum syrup mill, spinning yarn, and the original Powers’ Plantation grist mill. Many of exhibitors demonstrate their art or craft at the booths during thorugout the weekend.
Place: Powers’ Art Festival, 4766 West Highway 34 – Newnan, GA
Date: September 1-3, 2012
Time: 9am – 5pm
Cost: $5 for Advance purchase and $7 at the door. Children 6 and under are FREE.
Pine Mountain: Callaway Gardens Sky High Hot Air Balloon Festival
If you are looking for a quick weekend getaway from Atlanta that doesn’t involve a really long drive from Atlanta, Callaway Gardens will fit the bill perfectly. Plus this weekend, you will get to enjoy the Sky High Hot Air Balloon Festival.
After a fun day at the gardens, you can enjoy the view of sky filled with colorful hot air balloon. Between the launch you can also enjoy wide range of entertainments, family activities, music, exhibits and demonstrations.
Place: 17800 US Hwy 27, Pine Mountain, Georgia 31822
Date: August 31, September 3, 2012
Time: Varies
Cost: Adult $25, Children (6-12) $12.50
Stone Mountain: Stone Mountain Park Labor Day Weekend
Enjoy all of our exciting attractions including the all-new Geyser Towers®, a first and only adventure of its kind featuring multiple levels of suspended rope bridges and net tunnels connected to towering platforms that overlook a gushing geyser. Go for an adventure in the tree tops on Sky Hike, one of the nation’s largest adventure courses. For an unprecedented view of the Atlanta Skyline, hop aboard the Summit Skyride. And of course, your family is sure to enjoy the YOGI BEAR 4-D Adventure, Scenic Railroad, Mini-Golf, The Great Barn and much more!
After a fun day at the park, end the night with Stone Mountain park Labor Day Weekend celebration featuring the Lasershow Spectacular in Mountainvision followed by a special fireworks display on all three nights!
Place: Stone Mountain Park, 1000 Robert E. Lee Boulevard, Stone Mountain, GA 30083
Date: September 1-3, 2012
Time: 10:30 am – 7 pm
Cost: Adult: $28, Child: $22
