What to Do in Atlanta April 2026 – Art, History, Design Edit in 6 Events

Spring brings so many fun, free events to Atlanta! Locals love the Streets Alive free community events (the next one is Sunday, April 19) and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s free concert in Piedmont Park (also Sunday, April 19). We even have Lantern Parades and Arts Festivals on deck. There are a lot of excellent options.

But you’re looking for something a little more niche, something a little more tailored to the history buff, the artist, designer, or lifelong learner in you, here are a few events to check out when you’re considering what to do in Atlanta this spring. Specifically, April into May.

John Galliano for Christian Dior, photo taken at SCAD FASH Dior Exhibit

Georgia Renaissance Festival

6905 Virlyn B. Smith Rd / Fairburn, GA 30213
April 11 – May 31
Saturdays & Sundays plus Memorial Day, 10:30–6 (rain or shine)

Y’all know my policy: I don’t go outside the perimeter of my own volition unless there is a very special reason. The GA Ren Fest is a very special reason—the only special reason on this list.

If you’ve never been to the Renaissance Festival before, the best way I can explain it is that it’s like if the county fair attracted all the most delightful drama-kids and artisans and transported them back in time and space to Renaissance Europe.  

That’s approximately the 15th through 17th centuries, in the generous interpretation, and in my gross overgeneralization, this period marked serious advancements in fields like science and medicine, art, literature, and philosophy—just to name a few. Think, anything commissioned by the Medicis. Think, Shakespeare. Think, Queen Elizabeth. But, at the county fair and a little drunk.  

That’s not to say you have to drink at the Ren Fest, though there are many period-consistent options to do so. You can gorge yourself on turkey legs and chimney cakes or sit down to English-style tea. You can try on costumes, visit the armory, and view a demonstration on everything from and-spinning and loom weaving to coin minting. You can ride the barrel o’ bedlam or the corkscrew slide or the deadman’s drop. And, of course, there are the jousts.   The Georgia Renaissance Festival is very child-friendly, as county fairs are wont to be. I plan to bring my 20-month-old daughter and fully dress her up in as much period attire as she will allow.  

Costumes are not required, but… why wouldn’t you dress up? And practice your accents, while you’re at it—did you know there are theme weekends? I’m obviously most intrigued by the Celtic Gathering. The book I’m writing now is set in 1661 Scotland, so I’m about to be insufferable at this event. I can’t wait.  

Tickets vary in cost depending on the day and upgrades, but a base admission costs $27-35.‍ ‍

The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales

Center for Puppetry Arts
April 9–May 17
various morning and evening shows

What you’ve heard is true: Co-Artistic Director Jason Hines at the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta has adapted the Jon Scieszka book illustrated by Lane Smith, The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Talesto the stage! With puppets!  

In case you need a refresher on the children’s book, it retells traditional fairy tales like Chicken Little, Cinderella, the Ugly Duckling, and the Gingerbread Man into absolute chaos… all narrated by your boy Jack, of the Beanstalk. It’s the most meta children’s book I may have ever seen, with storytelling devices like the Table of Contents diverting the Giant from grinding Jacks’ bones to make his bread. And the show imitates the tone of the book exactly. The stage craft and costumes are impeccable, I heard that there were over 100 puppets used in this show, and of course, the actual performances are *chef’s kiss*.  

This one is designed for children, but it wouldn’t be weird if you, an adult, went to see it on your own, not only because the humor works for all ages, but also because you’ll appreciate the artistry.  

Non-member tickets cost $25, and every ticket includes a build-a-puppet workshop (this one’s a rod puppet!) as well as full access to the World of Puppetry Museum and visiting exhibits prior to the show.  

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Dior: Crafting Fashion atelier exhibit at SCAD FASH

Dior: Crafting Fashion

SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film
April 16–August 23, 2026
Tuesday–Saturday 10–5, Sunday 12–5

SCAD FASH the fashion museum of Atlanta. Christian Dior Couture has collaborated with SCAD university to showcase the legacy and influence of Christian Dior. It’s the first presentation of House of Dior in the southeastern US, and it claims to be a “master class in the magic of a legendary maison.”

Seven sections narrate House of Dior’s heritage through more than 100 historic pieces, and it’s specially created for SCAD’s unique learning environment, so if you are interested in fashion history, this one is not to be missed!

Bonus: if you decide to become a member (like me!), SCAD FASH often hosts lectures and other events to add to the experience—those are my favorite.

You don’t have to rewatch The New Look on AppleTV+ to prepare, but why wouldn’t you?

General admission costs $10.

‍Dungeons and Taverns: The Heart of the Fairy Queen

Shakespeare Tavern’s Porpentine Stage
Thursday April 23, 2026, 8:45PM

Shakespeare Tavern is a crown jewel of Atlanta, so when they host a role-playing game a la Dungeons & Dragons… with their clasically trained actors playing characters from Midsummer Night’s Dream Queen Titania’s court, I’m in.

Yes, that’s Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Moth, and Mustardseed navigating the fey court to discover the nature of evil and save their queen. This is going to be so much fun to watch.

Snacks are included in the ticket price which is now SOLD OUT. (Be sure to sign up for their newsletter so you can get your ticket with in one hour of their release, which is apparently how fast this night’s space goes!) Don’t worry—Timon of Athensis on stage now, and there’s a great season ahead.

Villa Albertine’s Night of Ideas

The Carter Center
Wednesday, April 29
6–9PM

The French Institute for Culture and Education hosts this free public dialogue event about “contemporary relevance of Enlightenment ideals and values that have long linked France and the United States: democracy, progress, the First Amendment, culture, education, and the rule of law.”

The night has an arrangement of speakers including Civil Rights Activists and Fulbright Visiting Scholars, plus they’re supplying a Living Library, where instead of checking out a book, you check out a person to talk to for thirty minutes.

The Civic Market is full of booths that showcase Atlanta’s various nonprofits, like Alliance Française Atlanta, Out of Hand Theater, and many others, and the night’s VR programming looks fascinating as well.

It’s free to attend, but it fills up quickly, so you want to register here.

[downton exhibit flowers photo]

Fleurs de Villes: FLORA

Phipps Plaza
April 29–May 3
Monday–Saturday 11–8, Sunday 12–6
(Special Kentucky Derby Viewing Party on Saturday May 2, 5-7)

Fleurs de Villes returns to Phipps Plaza at the end of the month with FLORA, a free exhibit open to all.

Last spring, Fleurs de Villes curated a similar exhibit to promote the film Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, which was absolutely stunning, and I’m sure this one will top even that with its thirteen floral installations that include their signature fresh floral mannequins that blend fashion and flowers.

Plus, on Saturday, May 2, Phipps Plaza hosts their annual Kentucky Derby viewing party on The Green, and this year it will feature floral demonstrations, a pop-up flower market, and even selfie moments like a floral-adorned Porsche. It’s sure to be a fun day!

The exhibit is free from April 29 – May 3 during mall hours, even if you can’t make it to the Derby Party!

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