Free family day
No-ticket or likely-free events that work well as the anchor for a low-cost weekend plan.
Open this plan →Atlanta family weekend planner
Things to do with kids this weekend in Atlanta
Updated October 10, 2026
October 9–11
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Sat · All day · Atlanta
Free
Atlanta Pride 2026
Atlanta Pride 2026 takes over Piedmont Park — the weekend's unmistakable headliner.
Sat · 10:00 AM · Marietta FreeChalktoberfest
Free Chalktoberfest turns Marietta Square into a giant sidewalk canvas.
Fri · 12:00 PM · Alpharetta FreeOnce Upon A Not So Spooky Maze
Once Upon A Not So Spooky Maze — free Halloween fun that will not scare the little ones.
Sat · 8:00 PM · Marietta FreeMovies Under the Stars: E.T.
Free Movies Under the Stars: E.T. on the lawn at Church Street Park.
Fri · 6:00 PM · Alpharetta FreeWire & Wood Alpharetta Songwriters Festival
Free Wire & Wood Songwriters Festival fills downtown Alpharetta with live music.
The weekend of October 9–11 brings Wire & Wood Alpharetta Songwriters Festival in Alpharetta (Friday). Every listing below comes from the organizer's own calendar, with times, venues, and official links — and the free ones are marked.
56 family events across 11 Atlanta cities this weekend — 34 likely free. Biggest clusters: community (26), library (17), outdoors (5).
56 family events
34 likely free
11 cities
Don't miss this weekend
Ranked by how hard each one is to catch otherwise — marquee one-offs first, always-on drop-ins last.
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Fall Family Fun
Why it ranks pumpkin · outdoors · editor's pick
Fall Family Fun at the Atlanta Botanical Garden — free, and the garden peaks in October.
FreeAll agesOfficial ↗
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Once Upon A Not So Spooky Maze
Why it ranks holiday · community program · editor's pick
Once Upon A Not So Spooky Maze — free Halloween fun that will not scare the little ones.
FreeAll agesOfficial ↗
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Movies Under the Stars: E.T.
Why it ranks one-time special · community program · editor's pick
Free Movies Under the Stars: E.T. on the lawn at Church Street Park.
FreeAges 2–11Official ↗
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Wire & Wood Alpharetta Songwriters Festival
Why it ranks monthly · community program · editor's pick
Free Wire & Wood Songwriters Festival fills downtown Alpharetta with live music.
FreeAges 2–11Official ↗
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Atlanta Pride 2026
Why it ranks one-time special · outdoors · editor's pick
Atlanta Pride 2026 takes over Piedmont Park — the weekend's unmistakable headliner.
Ages 2–11Official ↗
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Plant. Eat. Repeat. Workshop: Container Gardening for Edible Plants
Why it ranks annual · outdoors
$Ages 2–11Official ↗
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Chalktoberfest
Why it ranks monthly · community program · editor's pick
Free Chalktoberfest turns Marietta Square into a giant sidewalk canvas.
FreeAges 6–11Official ↗
Music & performance 16Festivals & community 14Arts & crafts 13Animals & nature 8Food & markets 8Story time & books 6Free only 34
Start with a ready-made plan
Pick a guide preset and FamHop will open it as an editable plan you can share for votes.
Toddler and preschool picks
Shorter, earlier programs with age signals that are easier for little kids.
Open this plan →Indoor backup plan
Libraries, museums, makerspaces, and indoor culture picks for weather or low-energy days.
Open this plan →Low-drive plan in Marietta
A tighter cluster in one city so the day does not turn into a long drive.
Open this plan →Family events in Atlanta this weekend: October 9–11
Generated October 10, 2026 from official event sources
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Showing 56 of 56 events
Friday, October 9
15 events · 9 free · already happened
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Once Upon A Not So Spooky Maze
Join us for a Not-So-Spooky holiday adventure for the whole family!
Free Official ↗ -
Wire & Wood Alpharetta Songwriters Festival
Enjoy live music from more than 30 performers at six outdoor stages through the streets of Downtown Alpharetta as local, regional and…
Free Official ↗ -
Learning Labs | Sewing Machine Basics
A hands-on program showing how to use a sewing machine.
Free Official ↗ -
Building Blocks
Ages 0 to 24 months Building Blocks provides an environment where children and caregivers begin to develop language, motor, and social skills together.
Free Official ↗ -
Greet the Sheep and Goats
Not-Yet Members. Tickets Members Login This event is included with the cost of admission. To reserve your spot, add your general admission…
Official ↗ -
Homeschool Fun Friday
Ages 5 to 12 years Join us as we play games, meet new friends, and do our October activity—junk journaling.
Free Official ↗ -
Pony Bead Wall Art
Ages 13 to 17 years Make a small fall-themed art piece to hang on your wall using pony beads.
Free Official ↗ -
Homeschool Friday
Family (All Ages) Homeschoolers, come to the branch to interact with other homeschoolers and parents.
Free Official ↗ -
Ragtime: The Musical
History. Hope. Heartbreak. And the courage to dream. Marietta’s New Theatre in the Square proudly presents Ragtime, the Tony Award-winning…
Official ↗ -
Midnight Wake VIP Experience
Hannah Root’s father, Leonard Simpson, died in the Root House on October 11, 1856.
Official ↗ -
Descendants: The Musical
Based on the popular Disney Channel Original Movies, Disney’s Descendants: The Musical is a brand-new musical jam-packed with comedy,…
Official ↗ -
Plot Buddies
Ages 8 to 12 years This club is for beginning and aspiring young writers to develop their creative writing technique and find other creatives to share their works.
Free Official ↗ -
Marietta History Center at 30
The Marietta History Center is proud to announce the opening of its landmark 30th-anniversary exhibition, “Marietta History Center at 30.”…
Official ↗ -
Comedy on the Square
Join us for a night of uproarious laughter and side-splitting comedy at the Alley Stage’s Comedy on the Square!
Official ↗ -
Preschool Storytime
Ages 3 to 5 years An energetic and interactive storytime, complete with stories, songs, fun activities, and more that are perfect for preschoolers.
Free Official ↗
Saturday, October 10
31 events · 20 free
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Fall Family Fun
in the Children’s Garden will delight youngsters of all ages!
Free Official ↗ -
Once Upon A Not So Spooky Maze
Join us for a Not-So-Spooky holiday adventure for the whole family!
Free Official ↗ -
Movies Under the Stars: E.T.
Free monthly outdoor movie nights in Church Street Park.
Free Official ↗ -
Wire & Wood Alpharetta Songwriters Festival
Enjoy live music from more than 30 performers at six outdoor stages through the streets of Downtown Alpharetta as local, regional and…
Free Official ↗ -
GWTI Teacher Professional Development
Free with RSVP RSVP Capacity is limited to 50 participants on a first-come first-served basis.
Free Official ↗ -
Plant. Eat. Repeat. Workshop: Container Gardening for Edible Plants
Join the Atlanta Botanical Garden and Food Well Alliance for Plant Eat Repeat , a workshop series exploring ways to grow, eat and connect with plants.
Official ↗ -
Chalktoberfest
is an art-filled weekend with something for the whole family to enjoy.
Free Official ↗ -
Chalktoberfest: Craft Beer Festival
The Marietta Cobb Museum of Art is proud to present Chalktoberfest and its annual Craft Beer Festival in Marietta Square.
Official ↗ -
Garden Chef Demo: Pamela D. Jones Mack
Select Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. during the Fall.
Free Official ↗ -
Hoop Group: Embroidery and Cross Stitch
Family (All Ages) From beginners to experts, all are welcome to socialize, share in-progress projects, and learn tips and tricks for cross-stitch and embroidery.
Free Official ↗ -
Hiking Storytime
Family (All Ages) An interactive storytime on the move outdoors.
Free Official ↗ -
Saturday Matinee at the Library
Family (All Ages) Come watch a movie and have some popcorn on us.
Free Official ↗ -
Family Museum Program
Family-friendly museum programming, discovery activities, and exhibit-based learning in Atlanta.
Official ↗ -
Holiday Orb Wreath Workshop
Join the Root House for some festive fun as we create beautiful orb light decorations.
Official ↗ -
Community | Hispanic Heritage Trivia
Bring the whole family to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by joining our Trivia Game!
Free Official ↗ -
GSO Concert: American Tapestry
Celebrate the spirit, energy, and complexity of America through an unforgettable evening of music that is bold, inspiring, and deeply human.
Official ↗ -
GOTSpace Rocketry Program
Ages 12 to 18 years Join Georgia Tech’s two rocket teams for a rocketry activity.
Free Official ↗ -
Family Nature Program
Outdoor nature, ranger, garden, or recreation programming for families in Atlanta.
Free Official ↗ -
Sensory Playtime
Ages 1 to 5 years Sensory play encourages young children to engage with all of their senses and helps develop language and motor skills.
Free Official ↗ -
Ragtime: The Musical
History. Hope. Heartbreak. And the courage to dream. Marietta’s New Theatre in the Square proudly presents Ragtime, the Tony Award-winning…
Official ↗ -
Frog Feeding
s at 10 a.m.: Drop by the Fuqua Conservatory lobby to watch the frogs jump into action when presented with their meals.
Free Official ↗ -
Family Fitness and Play
Low-pressure movement, games, and recreation for families in Atlanta.
Free Official ↗ -
Descendants: The Musical
Based on the popular Disney Channel Original Movies, Disney’s Descendants: The Musical is a brand-new musical jam-packed with comedy,…
Official ↗ -
Magic: The Gathering for Teens
Ages 12 to 18 years Invite your friends and bring everything you need to play Magic: The Gathering.
Free Official ↗ -
Marietta Square Artisan Market
An open air showcase of locally made art.
Official ↗ -
Marietta Square Farmers Market
The market has an average of 64 vendors and hundreds of customers each week.
Official ↗ -
Marietta History Center at 30
The Marietta History Center is proud to announce the opening of its landmark 30th-anniversary exhibition, “Marietta History Center at 30.”…
Official ↗ -
Comedy on the Square
Join us for a night of uproarious laughter and side-splitting comedy at the Alley Stage’s Comedy on the Square!
Official ↗ -
Sensory Play
Ages 1 to 4 years Songs, activities, and more to engage the senses and develop language and motor skills.
Free Official ↗ -
Atlanta Pride 2026
*This event is hosted by an external partner and is not produced by Piedmont Park Conservancy.
Free Official ↗ -
Take & Make Saturdays
Ages 5 to 10 years Pick up a craft kit and craft at home while supplies last.
Free Official ↗
Sunday, October 11
10 events · 5 free
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Fall Family Fun
in the Children’s Garden will delight youngsters of all ages!
Free Official ↗ -
Once Upon A Not So Spooky Maze
Join us for a Not-So-Spooky holiday adventure for the whole family!
Free Official ↗ -
Chalktoberfest
is an art-filled weekend with something for the whole family to enjoy.
Free Official ↗ -
6th ANNUAL FITLIFE EXPO
Welcome to Alpharetta City Center as you’ve never seen it before!
Official ↗ -
Gaming | Grayson Chess Club
Checkmate boredom and join us for some friendly competition!
Free Official ↗ -
Family Museum Program
Family-friendly museum programming, discovery activities, and exhibit-based learning in Atlanta.
Official ↗ -
Family Nature Program
Outdoor nature, ranger, garden, or recreation programming for families in Atlanta.
Free Official ↗ -
Ragtime: The Musical
History. Hope. Heartbreak. And the courage to dream. Marietta’s New Theatre in the Square proudly presents Ragtime, the Tony Award-winning…
Official ↗ -
Descendants: The Musical
Based on the popular Disney Channel Original Movies, Disney’s Descendants: The Musical is a brand-new musical jam-packed with comedy,…
Official ↗ -
Community Chalk Challenge
Theme This year MCMA is happy to share that they are celebrating America’s 250th anniversary with our “America the Beautiful” chalk challenge theme.
Official ↗
Browse by interest
Jump to the kind of weekend you're after — story time, hands-on science, music, the outdoors, and more.
Music & performance
Concerts, recitals, dance, theater, sing-alongs, and live shows.
- Preschool StorytimeDoraville Library · Doraville · Ages 1–5
- Wire & Wood Alpharetta Songwriters FestivalDowntown Alpharetta · Alpharetta · Ages 3–12
- Descendants: The MusicalSpotlight Community Stage · Alpharetta · Ages 5–12
Festivals & community
Fairs, parades, seasonal celebrations, and big community gatherings.
- Once Upon A Not So Spooky MazeOnce Upon a Maze · Alpharetta · Ages 5–12
- Wire & Wood Alpharetta Songwriters FestivalDowntown Alpharetta · Alpharetta · Ages 3–12
- Ragtime: The MusicalMarietta’s Theatre in the Square · Marietta · Ages 3–12
Arts & crafts
Drop-in making, painting, drawing, and creative studio time.
- Pony Bead Wall ArtHairston Crossing Library · Stone Mountain · Ages 10–13
- Plot BuddiesSalem-Panola Library · Lithonia · Ages 5–13
- Wire & Wood Alpharetta Songwriters FestivalDowntown Alpharetta · Alpharetta · Ages 3–12
Animals & nature
Zoos, farms, gardens, and wildlife walks to get up close with the outdoors.
- Greet the Sheep and GoatsAtlanta History Center · Atlanta · $ · Ages 3–12
- Marietta Square Farmers MarketMarietta Square Farmers Market · Marietta · Ages 3–12
- Fall Family FunAtlanta Botanical Garden · Atlanta · Ages 5–12
Food & markets
Farmers markets, food trucks, tastings, and cooking fun.
- Wire & Wood Alpharetta Songwriters FestivalDowntown Alpharetta · Alpharetta · Ages 3–12
- Marietta Square Farmers MarketMarietta Square Farmers Market · Marietta · Ages 3–12
- Marietta Square Artisan MarketMarietta Square · Marietta · Ages 3–12
Story time & books
Read-alouds, story hours, rhyme times, author visits, and book clubs.
- Preschool StorytimeDoraville Library · Doraville · Ages 1–5
- Building BlocksRedan-Trotti Library · Lithonia · Ages 1–5
- Wire & Wood Alpharetta Songwriters FestivalDowntown Alpharetta · Alpharetta · Ages 3–12
Active & outdoors
Sports, playgrounds, swimming, biking, and run-around energy burners.
- Building BlocksRedan-Trotti Library · Lithonia · Ages 1–5
- Sensory PlaytimeHairston Crossing Library · Stone Mountain · Ages 1–5
- Sensory PlaySalem-Panola Library · Lithonia · Ages 1–5
