Monday, August 4, 2025
In Grant Park, Atlanta, Georgia, nan cherished Summer Shade Festival returns for its 23rd version and will return spot connected Saturday, August 23, and Sunday, August 24, 2025. Sponsored by nan Grant Park Conservancy, this free two-day show serves arsenic a summertime farewell celebration, bringing together Atlanteans and visitors to nan city’s oldest nationalist parkland for a play filled pinch inspiring unrecorded performances, creation exhibits, delicious food, and a awesome consciousness of community.
Event Overview
- When & Where
The festivities statesman connected August 23, moving from 10 AM to 10 PM, and proceed connected August 24, from 10 AM to 6 PM, each held nether nan lush canopy of Grant Park, located astatine 800 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30315. - Purpose & Mission
Summer Shade is not only a ceremony it’s nan largest yearly fundraiser for nan Grant Park Conservancy, nan nonprofit devoted to nan restoration, maintenance, and beautification of Grant Park. All proceeds support long‑term preservation efforts
What to Expect
Live Music & Entertainment
Enjoy performances connected aggregate stages, including a Main Stage and Gazebo Stage, showcasing section musicians and organization acts passim some days
Artist & Vintage Market
Explore a curated marketplace featuring 140+ location artists and vintage vendors, organized by GVG Events, offering handmade crafts, antiques, and unsocial treasures
Food & Drink
Discover a assortment of section nutrient vendors, offering everything from chimney cakes and maize dogs to tacos, BBQ, salads, and yogurt. Alcohol is served onsite (which supports nan Conservancy), but extracurricular intoxicant is prohibited.
Family Zone & Activities
Kids will delight successful nan Kids Zone, featuring creation projects, a bouncy location village, look painting, and more. Additional programming includes Sunday’s Move & Groove, yoga connected nan lawn, and entertaining organization activations.
Run for nan Park 5K
The play kicks disconnected early pinch nan Adams Realtors Run for nan Park 5K connected Saturday astatine 8:00 AM, a vicinity title winding done nan scenic streets of Grant Park. Registration benefits parkland conservation and includes a post‑race brew for participants.
Visitor Guidelines & Tips for Travelers
Getting There & Parking
Grant Park is situated successful a residential area wherever thoroughfare parking is very limited. Two charismatic parking tons 1 adjacent Zoo Atlanta connected Cherokee Ave SE, and different connected Boulevard SE service nan event. Attendees are encouraged to see MARTA routes 9 aliases 832, ridesharing, walking, biking, aliases e‑scooters to scope nan festival
Admission & Policies
Entry to nan show is wholly free, though nutrient and vendor purchases are available. Pets including dogs, cats, aliases different animals are not allowed, per metropolis ordinance Summer Shade Festival.
Weather & Comfort
Although held during August’s highest heat, Grant Park offers ample earthy shadiness beneath its mature character canopy. Complimentary h2o stations guarantee visitors enactment hydrated. Festival hours tally rainfall aliases shine; successful lawsuit of terrible weather, announcements will beryllium provided via charismatic channels Summer Shade.
Safety & Amenities
Medical unit (EMTs) are stationed connected tract successful lawsuit of emergencies. Portable restrooms and hand‑sanitizer stations are conveniently located passim nan venue. Festival layout maps posted onsite will guideline you to stages, creator booths, restrooms, and nutrient areas Summer Shade Festival.
Suggestions for Out‑of‑Town Visitors
- Accommodations nearby
Consider staying astatine hotels wrong 2 miles of Grant Park specified arsenic Origin Hotel, The Connally Hotel Downtown, aliases SpringHill Suites by Marriott Atlanta Downtown, from wherever nan show is easy reachable. - Plan Your Transportation
MARTA stations nearby, positive rideshare and scooter services, make navigating easier. If driving, get early to unafraid a spot successful 1 of nan charismatic lots; load‑in originates early Saturday for title participants. - What to Pack
Bring sun protection hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and comfortable stepping shoes. Consider a broad aliases folding chair for relaxing during performances. Wallet aliases paper for vendor purchases. - Timing
Arrive earlier nan 8 AM commencement of nan 5K if participating aliases spectating. Check capacity schedules online beforehand to drawback favourite artists. Saturdays tally precocious (until 10 PM), truthful scheme post‑festival proscription accordingly.
Why It Matters
The Summer Shade Festival goes beyond providing entertainment; it promotes civic engagement. This arena contributes to nan Grant Park Conservancy’s efforts successful preserving a historical 131‑acre greenish abstraction successful Atlanta, arsenic it sells tickets, registers participants for runs, sells drinks, and features vendors. The show helps build organization spirit, provides a level for section artists and chefs, and serves arsenic a delightful end-of-summer ceremony successful nan city’s core.
Schedule Summary
Saturday | 5K Run, euphony stages, creator market, family fun | 8 AM–10 PM |
Sunday | Continued show activities, Kids Zone, wrap-up | 10 AM–6 PM |
Whether you’re present for nan art, nan food, nan tunes, aliases simply nan vibrant atmosphere, nan Summer Shade Festival astatine Grant Park promises a memorable ceremony of organization and culture. Come bask nan last flare of summertime wholly free, wholly local, and wholly uplifting.