North Atlanta Weekend: 15 Things to Do Aug. 14–16

North Atlanta heads into the weekend with one of August’s stronger event lineups, especially for anyone who prefers to stay close to home.

Friday brings overlapping outdoor concerts and markets in Alpharetta, Roswell, Duluth, Peachtree Corners and South Forsyth. Saturday shifts toward farmers markets, family activities, history, nature and the annual Light Up the Corners race. By Sunday, Roswell becomes the best bet for an afternoon of theater or intimate live music.

One practical consideration will affect almost everything outdoors: heat. Friday is expected to reach about 94 degrees around Alpharetta, Saturday about 95 with a chance of an afternoon thunderstorm, and Sunday could reach 97. Outdoor-event plans should include water, shade when possible and a last-minute weather check.

Friday, Aug. 14

Alpharetta Moonlight Market and On the Green

This is probably the easiest place to turn one event into an entire evening.

The Alpharetta Moonlight Market fills downtown with local artists and makers Friday evening, while On the Green brings The Retro Brothers to the nearby Town Green. The concert begins at 6 p.m. and runs into the evening; admission to On the Green is free. The market is scheduled from 5 to 10 p.m. around Alpharetta City Center.

Where: Alpharetta City Center and Town Green, downtown Alpharetta
When: Market 5–10 p.m.; concert begins at 6 p.m.
Admission: On the Green is free
Good for: Date night, families, strolling and dinner downtown

Because both events occupy the same general downtown district, parking will likely be easier earlier in the evening than closer to concert time.

Avalon Nights Live

For a separate Alpharetta option, Avalon Nights Live returns to the Plaza from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday. The weekly summer concert is free, and visitors can combine the music with dinner or shopping around Avalon.

Where: Avalon, 400 Avalon Blvd., Alpharetta
When: 6–8 p.m.
Admission: Free
Good for: An easy dinner-and-music evening

Roswell’s Music on the Hill

Roswell City Hall becomes an outdoor concert lawn Friday for Music on the Hill, with a “Piano Man vs. Rocket Man” tribute built around the music of Billy Joel and Elton John.

The concert runs from 7 to 9 p.m. and is free. The city encourages concertgoers to bring blankets or lawn seating and settle in picnic-style.

Where: Roswell City Hall, 38 Hill St.
When: 7–9 p.m.
Admission: Free
Good for: Classic-rock fans and a relaxed outdoor evening

“Quilters” Opens in Roswell

For something indoors—and air-conditioned—the Roswell Cultural Arts Center opens “Quilters, A Musical” Friday night.

The musical follows the stories of pioneer women through songs and quilt-making, with a local connection to Roswell’s own textile and mill history. Opening night is at 7 p.m. Friday, followed by two Saturday performances and a Sunday matinee. Tickets start at $36.75.

Where: Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St.
When: Friday 7 p.m.; Saturday 2 and 7 p.m.; Sunday 2 p.m.
Tickets: From $36.75
Good for: Theatergoers and anyone looking to escape the heat

Duluth Turns Town Green Into “Monsters University”

One of the weekend’s strongest family events is in Duluth, where Rock the Block and Flicks on the Bricks combine activities, entertainment and an outdoor showing of Monsters University.

Activities begin at 6 p.m., including monster bingo, crafts, giant bubbles, face painting, food vendors and live entertainment. The movie is scheduled to start around 7:15 p.m. Admission is free.

Where: Duluth Town Green
When: 6–9 p.m.; movie about 7:15 p.m.
Admission: Free
Good for: Families with younger children

Arriving before the film is worthwhile; much of the event is built around the activities preceding it.

Friday Night Live in Peachtree Corners

The Forum’s Friday Night Live series continues with The Rhythm Major Band from 6 to 8 p.m.

Seating is limited, so visitors are encouraged to bring tailgate chairs. Outside food, drinks and coolers are not permitted. The organizer also notes that outdoor performances are subject to weather cancellation.

Where: The Forum, 5155 Peachtree Pkwy. NW, Peachtree Corners
When: 6–8 p.m.
Good for: A casual early-evening concert

Summer Fridays at The Collection at Forsyth

South Forsyth residents have another easy Friday-night option at The Collection at Forsyth, where Summer Fridays runs from 5 to 8 p.m.

The recurring event combines live music with a walkable evening around the development, including food, shopping and to-go drink specials.

Where: The Collection at Forsyth, 410 Peachtree Pkwy., Cumming
When: 5–8 p.m.
Good for: South Forsyth residents who want something nearby without committing to a large event

Saturday, Aug. 15

Alpharetta Farmers Market

Saturday morning begins downtown with the Alpharetta Farmers Market, running from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Town Green.

The market is now well into its 2026 season and regularly brings a large mix of food producers, prepared foods, crafts and local vendors downtown.

Where: Town Green, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta
When: 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Good for: An early start before the afternoon heat builds

Suwanee Farmers Market

Suwanee’s summer farmers market also returns Saturday morning from 8 a.m. to noon.

It offers another early-day option for produce, food and locally made goods before temperatures climb into the mid-90s.

Where: Suwanee Town Center area
When: 8 a.m.–noon
Good for: Gwinnett residents looking for a low-key Saturday morning outing

Learn to Monitor North Georgia Streams

For something considerably different, Keep Forsyth County Beautiful is holding two Adopt-A-Stream training sessions at Cumming City Hall.

A chemical-monitoring workshop runs from 9 a.m. to noon, followed by bacterial-monitoring training from 1 to 4 p.m. Both are designed to teach participants how water quality can be tested and monitored in local streams.

Where: Cumming City Hall, 100 E. Main St.
When: Chemical monitoring 9 a.m.–noon; bacterial monitoring 1–4 p.m.
Good for: Environmental volunteers, science-minded teens and adults

Explore the Decorative Arts at Barrington Hall

Roswell’s History Seek Saturdays series heads inside Barrington Hall for a one-hour Decorative Arts Exploration beginning at 11 a.m.

Decorative-arts expert and appraiser Courtney Christy will focus on selected pieces from the historic home’s collection.

Where: Barrington Hall, 535 Barrington Drive, Roswell
When: 11 a.m.–noon
Good for: History, antiques and architecture enthusiasts

Shane Alexander Plays Roswell Junction

Singer-songwriter Shane Alexander performs Saturday at Roswell Junction, bringing a smaller-scale live-music alternative to the weekend’s larger outdoor concerts.

Admission is $10.

Where: Roswell Junction, 340 S. Atlanta St.
When: Saturday, Aug. 15
Admission: $10
Good for: Indie-folk and singer-songwriter fans

Movie in the Park at Fowler Park

Forsyth County Parks and Recreation has Movie in the Park scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday at Fowler Park.

Where: Fowler Park, South Forsyth
When: 7 p.m.
Good for: Families looking for an evening activity closer to home

With a chance of scattered thunderstorms Saturday afternoon, this is one event where checking the county’s updates before leaving home would be especially sensible.

Light Up the Corners

Saturday’s biggest participatory event may be Light Up the Corners, the annual nighttime run and community fundraiser at The Forum in Peachtree Corners.

Activity Row is scheduled from 7 to 10 p.m. The Twilight Trot 1K starts at 8 p.m., followed by the four-mile race at 8:30. Registration remains open, and packet pickup is available Friday from 5:30 to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Proceeds support programs for children and families through the Fowler YMCA.

Where: The Forum, 5155 Peachtree Pkwy. NW, Peachtree Corners
When: Activities 7–10 p.m.; 1K at 8 p.m.; 4-mile run at 8:30 p.m.
Registration: Open
Good for: Runners, walkers and families who like a bigger community event

Expect the area around The Forum to be considerably busier than on a typical Saturday evening.

Sunday, Aug. 16

A Sunday Matinee of “Quilters”

Anyone who skips the Friday or Saturday performances can catch “Quilters” at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center.

Tickets begin at $36.75.

With temperatures expected to approach 97 degrees Sunday, an indoor matinee may have more appeal than usual.

Trumpeter Robert Garrison at Mimosa Hall

Roswell also offers one of the weekend’s more intimate choices Sunday afternoon.

Internationally active trumpeter Robert Garrison performs at Mimosa Hall & Gardens as part of the Art Around Sessions series from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Tickets include wine, nonalcoholic drinks and light refreshments.

The Roswell Arts Fund currently lists the Aug. 16 program at $10, making it one of the more affordable ticketed performances of the weekend.

Where: Mimosa Hall & Gardens, 127 Bulloch Drive, Roswell
When: 3:30–5 p.m.
Tickets: $10
Good for: Jazz and classical-music listeners, or a quieter Sunday afternoon

One cancellation to know about

Johns Creek had an outdoor Life Time yoga session scheduled for Saturday morning at Town Center, but the city now marks the Aug. 15 class as canceled.

That is worth checking before heading out, particularly because some older event calendars may still show the original session.

The weekend weather factor

Friday should be mostly sunny but hot and humid, with a high around 94. Saturday could reach 95 with a possibility of an afternoon thunderstorm. Sunday is expected to be the hottest day of the weekend, near 97.

For the many outdoor events Friday and Saturday, water and lighter clothing will matter more than usual. Saturday-night organizers may also make last-minute calls if thunderstorms develop, so checking the event page before driving is a good idea.

About the Author

North Atlanta Star

Editorial Desk

The North Atlanta Star reports and edits useful, independent journalism for communities across North Fulton, South Forsyth and northeast Gwinnett.

View profile About North Atlanta Star