AJC Decatur Book Festival
Erica Jong will be the keynote speaker and launch her long-awaited sequel to Fear of Flying called Fear of Dying at this year’s festival, which runs Sept. 4-6. Hundreds of authors will be in town during the weekend for readings, signings and events. Authors expected to appear include Roxanne Gay, Ron Rash, Sara Paretsky, ReShonda Tate Billingsley, Cat Cora, Pat Conroy, Samuel Delany, Christopher Moore, Elizabeth Alexander, Kevin Henkes, Libba Bray and Saeed Jones. For a full line-up of events and authors, visit decaturbookfestival.com.
Dragon Con
Sci-fi, fantasy and gaming fans will descend on Downtown Sept. 4-7 to meet up with actors, authors, artists and more. Expect plenty of cosplay and nerds losing their minds over the new Star Wars film and the return of Doctor Who. Some of this year’s special guests include Stephen Amell, John Barrowman from the hit series Arrow, Paul McGann, Sylvester McCoy, Jamie Bamber, Amber Benson and Keir Dullea. The annual parade of costumed characters down Peachtree Street will be held on Sept. 5 at 10 a.m. For a detailed schedule and to register, visit dragoncon.org.
WRFG Labor Day Blues Barbecue
annual music and food festival will be held Labor Day, Sept. 7, from 1 to 8 p.m. at Park Tavern, 500 10th St. The event, fundraiser for the noncommercial, community radio station based in Little Five Points, will offer a day of live blues featuring James Armstrong, Albert White & Chickenshack, Lola, JP Blues, and Blind Cadillac. Barbecue from Fat Matt’s Rib Shack available for purchase. Entry donation is $20. Advance tickets for $15 at wrfg.org. Children 12 and under are free.
Music Midtown
Music Midtown will rock Piedmont Park on Sept. 18-19 with two days of acts including Elton John, Drake, Van Halen, Sam Smith, Lenny Kravitz, Hozier, Hall & Oates, Alice in Chains, Run the Jewels, Billy Idol, Panic! At the Disco, Jenny Lewis, Tove Lo Icona Pop and many more. For tickets and details, visit musicmidtown.com.
East Atlanta Strut
Come on out and strut your stuff at the annual music and arts festival held in the heart of East Atlanta Village at the intersection of Glenwood and Float Shoals avenues. This one-day extravaganza will take place on Sept. 26 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Attractions include a classic car show, live music, an artist market, kids village, food and beverages, and the famous Strut Parade, which steps off at 2 p.m. at Glennwood and Patterson avenues. For more information or to volunteer, visit eastatlantastrut.com.
Atlanta Greek Festival
Celebrating its 40th anniversary this fall, the Atlanta Greek Festival at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral on Clairmont Road offers a chance to embrace the spirit of “opa” (a joyous expression or having a good time).More than 25,000 people typically expected during the annual four-day event, which offers food, dancing, art and more. Proceeds from the festival go toward covering the maintenance of the church’s buildings and a percentage of the revenue is donated to a local charitable organization. This year’s festival runs Sept. 24-27. Visit atlantagreekfestival.org for more information.
Candler Park Fall Fest
The Candler Park Neighborhood Organization presents the 15th annual festival on Oct. 3-4 with live music, local food vendors, a 1980s-themed 5K race (dress for the decade!), kids zone, home tour and more than 150 artist booths. Featured entertainers include Gringo Star, Blair Crimmins & The Hookers, Smithsonian (The Smiths tribute band) and Clashinista (The Clash tribute band), Bogey and the Viceroy, Tray Dahl and the Jugtime Ragband, Webster, Guru Fish, Squirrelheads and 4th Ward A.K.O. For more details on the entire event, visit candlerparkfallfest.com.
Martha Nodar contributed to this article.