This weekend proves the fun doesn't stop just because summer break did — festivals, live reptiles, bunny breakfasts, and free football-season kickoff festivities. Here's everything worth checking out this weekend.

Summer Shade Festival (Grant Park) — Live music, an artist market, food trucks, a Kids Zone, and a 5K make this one of Atlanta's best end-of-summer traditions. Free admission means you can just show up and see what happens. Grant Park, 840 Cherokee Ave. SE — Sat. Aug. 22 – Mon. Aug. 24 • Free

Reptile Day at Fernbank Museum of Natural History (Druid Hills) — Face-to-face encounters with live snakes, tortoises, lizards, and more — a one-day-only event that reptile-obsessed kids will talk about for weeks. Pair it with the T. rex exhibit next door for a full dino-and-scale-creatures day. Fernbank Museum of Natural History, 767 Clifton Rd. NE — Sat. Aug. 22 only • $27.95; ages 3–12, $25.95; ages 2 & younger, free

Breakfast with Bunnies (Lilburn) — Bunny-friendly breakfast foods, time in the Bunny Yard, and photo ops with the residents of Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary. Reservation required (limited to 40 people) — don't wait on this one. Yellow River Wildlife Sanctuary, 4524 US Hwy. 78 — Sat. Aug. 22 only • $40; ages 3–12, $35

Hall of Fame Football Fest & Free Day Presented by Peach Bowl (Downtown Atlanta) — Kick off football season with reimagined exhibits, inflatables, live performances, and giveaways — and admission is completely free. A great low-stakes Saturday outing if you're looking to stretch the legs without stretching the budget. Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame, 250 Marietta St. — Sat. Aug. 22 only • Free

The Great Southeast Pollinator Census (Multiple Locations) — Spend 15 minutes counting bees and butterflies at one of six metro Atlanta sites this weekend — it's real citizen science that kids can genuinely contribute to. Saturday locations include Sandy Springs Farmers Market (free, 8:30 a.m.–noon), Chastain Park Native Plant Garden (free, 9 a.m.–noon), Lake Claire Community Land Trust (free, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.), Autrey Mill Nature Preserve in Johns Creek (free, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.), and Growl Garden at Camp Truitt in College Park (free, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.). Various locations across metro Atlanta — Sat. Aug. 22 • Free at most sites

Cobb County International Festival (Marietta) — International music, dance, food, art, and crafts, plus a dedicated kids' area — a genuinely fun way to explore world cultures without a plane ticket. Free admission makes this an easy yes. Jim R. Miller Park Event Center, 2245 Callaway Rd. — Sat. Aug. 22 only • Free

Georgia Mountain Fair (Hiawassee) — Already listed above in Worth the Drive — this one closes Sunday, Aug. 23, so this weekend truly is your last shot. Last day: Sun. Aug. 23

Annie (Lawrenceville) — The beloved musical about orphan Annie, her dog Sandy, and Daddy Warbucks runs through Sept. 13 at Aurora Theatre. A wonderful intro to live theater for younger kids; check the website for showtimes. $29.76–$85.94.

DinoVerse Atlanta (Doraville) — Twenty-plus real fossils, dino science interactives, and a VR adventure make this a must for any kid who's ever roared at the dinner table. For ages 6 and older. Through Sat. Aug. 29

Niki in the Garden (Midtown) — Monumental, colorful sculptures by Niki de Saint Phalle dot the Atlanta Botanical Garden — magical for kids and genuinely stunning for adults. $24.95–$34.95; ages 2 & younger, free. Through Mon. Sep. 7

T. rex: The Ultimate Predator (Druid Hills) — Life-sized tyrannosaur models and hands-on interactives from the American Museum of Natural History — a must for your dino-obsessed kid. $23.95–$27.95; ages 2 & younger, free. Through Tue. Sep. 8

Wild Kratts: Ocean Adventure! (Downtown Atlanta) — Fans of the PBS show will love diving into ocean habitats alongside the Wild Kratts crew. Great for the elementary-school crowd. $19.95–$21.95. Through Mon. Sep. 14

Bubble Planet (Doraville) — Pastel dreamscapes with LED rooms, a Bubble Ocean, and sensory fun designed for the toddler-to-tween set — honestly fun for adults too. Ages 3–12 get discounted entry. Through Sun., Nov. 1, 2026

Frame by Frame: The Art of Stop-Motion Animation (Midtown) — Original puppets, sets, and production materials from real stop-motion productions — a treat for creative kids and fans of animated films. $12.50–$16.50; ages 2 & younger, free. Through Mon. Nov. 2

Los Porfiados (Midtown) — Fourteen giant inflatable wobbling sculptures inspired by a classic Chilean roly-poly toy — genuinely delightful and interactive for all ages. Included with museum admission. Through Mon. Nov. 30

Mazes & Brain Games (Cartersville) — A Maze of Illusions, Web Maze, puzzle tables, and more at Tellus Science Museum — a great rainy-day backup plan that's worth the drive. $16–$20; ages 2 & younger, free. Through Mon. Jan. 4, 2027

Have a great weekend, Atlanta families — see you next week.

The Weekend Radar ATL Team

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