Atlanta, GA, August 26, 2025
News Summary
Atlanta is set to host a variety of events this Labor Day weekend, including the renowned Dragon Con, the Hip-Hop Day Festival, and Aflac Kickoff Games. Activities will cater to diverse interests such as pop culture, community celebrations, and sports. Families can enjoy events at the Children’s Museum, while food enthusiasts can indulge at various festivals, showcasing the vibrant culture of Atlanta. With many local attractions, the weekend promises entertainment for all.
Atlanta Welcomes Exciting Labor Day Weekend Events in 2025
Atlanta will be bustling with a variety of events this Labor Day weekend, from August 29 to September 1, appealing to diverse interests ranging from pop culture to sports and community celebrations. Among the highlights, Dragon Con stands out as one of the largest pop culture conventions in the U.S., encouraging attendees to engage in cosplay and celebrate their favorite characters.
Major Events This Weekend
Dragon Con will be held in downtown Atlanta, showcasing a slew of activities including the Comic and Pop Artist Alley, gaming sessions, an art show, and a much-anticipated parade on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. The event will also feature a fantasy and sci-fi gathering at the Georgia Aquarium on Saturday night.
Simultaneously, attendees can enjoy the Hip-Hop Day Festival at the historic Old Fourth Ward Skatepark over the weekend. This festival will deliver live performances, rap competitions, graffiti art exhibitions, and dance battles, promoting cultural expression through music and art.
Meanwhile, sporting events will attract fans to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where the Aflac Kickoff Games will see the Tennessee Volunteers face off against the Syracuse Orange on Saturday, followed by the South Carolina Gamecocks competing against the Virginia Tech Hokies on Sunday.
Cultural and Community Celebrations
The Atlanta Black Pride events will begin on Wednesday, continuing through the holiday weekend with festivals, workshops, and galas to celebrate diversity and inclusion.
Stone Mountain Park will host its Labor Day Weekend Laser Show, honoring working heroes, featuring a fireworks display from Saturday to Monday. Additionally, the Chattahoochee Nature Center will host the Festival of the Painted Rock on Saturday, offering fun from noon until 10 p.m.
Food lovers can indulge at the Taste of Soul Food and Music Festival in Vine City on Saturday and Sunday, with an array of food, music, and a vibrant marketplace. Atlantic Station will also feature a Creator’s Market over the weekend, showcasing local vendors with handcrafted products and gourmet treats.
Family-Friendly Activities
Families can look forward to TinyCON at the Children’s Museum of Atlanta, celebrating fantasy and science fiction for kids on Saturday and Sunday evenings. Zoo Atlanta will present “Play the Animal Way” on Saturday, offering insights into animal enrichment activities that engage the zoo’s inhabitants.
In addition to these events, “Scooby Doo! Mansion Mayhem” is set to entertain children at the Children’s Museum through September 7. Theater enthusiasts can enjoy “The Venetians” at the Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse, running through September 7, while the Muse of Fire Playwriting Festival showcases performances through staged readings on Friday and Saturday.
The Atlanta Symphony Hall is bringing in laughter with performances by The McElroys and DL Hughley on Friday and Saturday. Foodies should not miss Ludacris’ Chicken and Beer Labor Day Pop-Up at the Beltline, running from Friday through Sunday.
Traffic and Accessibility
The Georgia Department of Transportation has announced that lane closures will be suspended on interstates from Friday at 12 p.m. to Tuesday at 5 a.m. to facilitate smoother travel throughout the holiday weekend. However, heavy traffic is anticipated in metro Atlanta, particularly on Friday and Saturday between 12 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Additional Attractions
Visitors should check out various art and cultural exhibitions across Atlanta, including “Both Sides of the River” at The High Museum of Art and “BITTERSWEET: The Design of Chocolate” at MODA. Community events such as Art in the Park in Marietta Square and Labor Day Family Canoe Day at Chattahoochee Nature Center will contribute to a packed weekend of activities.
Key Event Summary
| Event | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Dragon Con | Aug 29 – Sep 1 | Largest pop culture convention with cosplay. |
| Hip-Hop Day Festival | Aug 30 – 31 | Live performances and competitions at Old Fourth Ward Skatepark. |
| Aflac Kickoff Games | Aug 30 – 31 | Tennessee vs. Syracuse and South Carolina vs. Virginia Tech. |
| Atlanta Black Pride | Aug 30 – Sep 1 | Celebratory workshops and festivals. |
| Labor Day Weekend Laser Show | Aug 30 – Sep 1 | Fireworks display at Stone Mountain Park. |
| Taste of Soul Food and Music Festival | Aug 30 – 31 | Food and music in Vine City. |
| TinyCON | Aug 30 – 31 | Fantasy celebration for children at Children’s Museum. |
| Ludacris’ Chicken and Beer | Aug 29 – Sep 1 | Pop-Up event at the Beltline. |
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Additional Resources
- Discover Atlanta
- WSB TV
- The Atlanta 100
- Travel and Tour World
- AJC
- Wikipedia: Labor Day
- Google Search: Atlanta events Labor Day 2025
- Google Scholar: Atlanta community events
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Labor Day
- Google News: Labor Day weekend events in Atlanta
Author: STAFF HERE ATLANTA WRITER
The ATLANTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAtlanta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Atlanta, Fulton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as vibrant music festivals like Shaky Knees and Music Midtown, major cultural celebrations including Dragon Con and the Atlanta Film Festival, and iconic sporting events like the Peachtree Road Race. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, beverages, and retail that power the local economy such as Delta Air Lines, The Coca-Cola Company, and The Home Depot. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAugusta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
