Our calendar is bursting with festivals and fun. Start planning your trip to Decatur, GA, with these exciting, hand-picked happenings.
February
1. Book it to Decatur for multiple book festivals in 2026, starting with the Love Y’all Romance Book Festival, February 13-15! Fan girl over your fave authors and their conversations on enemies to lovers, characters who live rent-free, the hottest takes, and more. Bring your bookish soulmate with you and make some new BFFs while you’re there.
Keep scrolling for the Decatur Book Festival in October.
2. Take a self-guided Black History Tour. Explore Decatur’s Beacon Hill Exhibit, see the John Lewis Memorial sculpture, and visit the historical marker and timeline highlighting Martin Luther King Jr.’s time here.
3. Blow your own beautiful glass creations at Decatur Glassblowing. In February, heat up date night and make glass heart paperweights together.
March
4. Experience Holi, the “Festival of Colors,” at Chai Pani. Come dressed in white and ready to throw colored powder! Expect food and drink specials, henna tattoos, and pani puri too.
5. Raise a glass to independent breweries on Georgia Beer Day, March 7. Brewery hop between Decatur’s local breweries: Twain’s, Inner Voice Brewing, Sceptre Brewing Arts, and Three Taverns Brewery.
6. Celebrate the year of the fire horse at Decatur’s Pan-Asian Lunar New Year festival on March 1. The festival features the diverse customs of Vietnam, South Korea, China, Thailand, Japan, and the Philippines.
April
7. Enjoy free outdoor jazz concerts 7-9 pm on the lawn of the Solarium at the Historic Scottish Rite every Thursday in April (and September). Free event.
May
8. Legacy Park hosts Truckin’ Tuesdays every week in May (and September). Enjoy food truck eats and relax outside in Decatur’s largest greenspace.
June
9. Soccer fans unite! The countdown is on for the FIFA World Cup 26™ this summer, and Decatur is welcoming the world with Decatur Watch Fest 26. It’s a free 34-day watch party, starting June 11, on our downtown square where you can catch heart-pounding, must-see matches on a big, brand-new outdoor screen (pending FIFA approval). Live music and indoor WatchSpots too. Free event.
10. Come for the beach, stay for the party! On June 5, we’re bringing TONS of sand and all the summer vibes to downtown for the Decatur Beach Party. Build sandcastles and play in our sandy street “beach” on Ponce de Leon Avenue. Relax, dance, and soak up the fun with friends. We’ll have live music all night. Free event.
11. Bzz, did you know the city of Decatur became the very first Bee City USA® in Georgia in 2016? Celebrate at the National Pollinator mini festival in Decatur — or rather “Beecatur” on June 20.
Free event.
July
12. Celebrate the Fourth of July in Downtown Decatur with all the red, white, and blue we can gather. Fireworks, live music, and our annual Pied Piper parade! It’s a full evening of hometown-style fun for America’s 250th anniversary. Free event.
13. The bi-annual Songwriter’s Open Mic Shootout at Eddie’s Attic provides a rare opportunity for up-and-coming talent to showcase their music. Hear rising stars before they reach national attention.
August
14. Decatur’s Pan African Festival on August 15 is a celebration of Black culture and Black joy. Expect a vibrant showcase of African, Caribbean, and African American music, dance, and art. Free event.
September
15. Salsa, Bachata, Merengue — Placita Latina’s Salsa on the Square brings irresistible beats from live salsa bands, lessons and performances, and authentic Latin food and drinks to the heart of Decatur, September 19. Free event.
16. Break out your lederhosen and dirndl dresses for Oktoberfest at Brick Store Pub, ranked as one of the best pubs in the USA. Prost!
October
17. The Decatur Book Festival is one of the largest independent book festivals in the country. Pick from author talks in every genre and shop the street fair all day. Check it out for yourself on October 2-3. (Keynote Friday, October 2, and full festival Saturday, October 3) Free event.
18. On October 10, porches become stages at Oakhurst Porchfest, the ultimate grassroots music festival with more than 200+ performances. Wander around the neighborhood with your ears and serendipity as a guide. Free event.
19. Mmmm, can’t you smell that BBQ cookin’! Enjoy a day of great BBQ and live music in Harmony Park, Oakhurst at the Decatur BBQ Festival on October 17.
20. Have a shucking good time at Landlocked. This immensely popular annual fundraiser brings chefs, farmers, and oyster lovers together for a one-of-a-kind Southern seafood celebration. Tickets sell out fast!
November
21. Uncork some fun at the Decatur Wine Festival, November 7. Taste from more than 350+ wines at this outdoor event on the Decatur Square.
22. Santa is coming to town! Bring the kiddos and your camera to capture that classic holiday moment with Santa — for free at Santa at Santa on the Square on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 28. Enjoy cookies, crafts, tunes, and more. Bring your own camera. All activities are free.
December
23. Santa flips the switch at Decatur’s annual Tree Lighting on December 3! Come for carols, cocoa, and “snow”! Free event.
24. Join Chabad Intown as they light the grand menorah on Decatur Square, December 6. Enjoy hot drinks, latkes, music, and the Chanukah gelt drop by the Decatur Fire Department. Free event.
25. Roast marshmallows over a giant, roaring bonfire on the Decatur Square on December 10. Free event.
26. Have yourself a topical holiday! S.O.S. Tiki Bar transforms into a Mele-Kalikimaka-themed holiday bar with a festive menu of naughty and nice drinks.