North Atlanta Weekend: Film, Live Music, Markets and a Whitney Houston Tribute

The final weekend of August brings an unusually broad mix of things to do across North Atlanta, from outdoor movies and downtown concerts to a 10th-anniversary film festival, multicultural dance, art exhibitions and one of the larger Latin music shows of the summer in Duluth.

Most of the strongest choices fall on Friday and Saturday, with Alpharetta, Roswell, Cumming, Sugar Hill, Suwanee, Johns Creek and Peachtree Corners all hosting events. Outdoor schedules can change with weather, so it is worth checking the organizer before heading out.

Friday, Aug. 28

Downtown Alpharetta pairs the Moonlight Market with live music

Downtown Alpharetta may offer the easiest all-in-one Friday night. The Moonlight Market runs from 5 to 10 p.m. around City Center with local artists and makers, while the On the Green concert series begins at 6 p.m. at the Town Green. Friday’s headliner is Hot Flash. Both are free, and the downtown restaurants make it easy to turn the combination into dinner and an evening outside.

‘Grease’ goes outdoors in Cumming

Cumming City Center puts “Grease” on the big outdoor screen at the Lou Sobh Amphitheater from 8 to 10 p.m. Admission and parking are free. Guests can bring lawn chairs or blankets; snacks and drinks will be available for purchase, while outside food, coolers and alcoholic beverages are not permitted.

Sugar Hill closes summer with water, music and a movie

Splash Night runs from 6 to 9 p.m. behind Sugar Hill City Hall, with inflatables, local vendors, community groups, food trucks and live music. After sunset, the evening shifts to The Bowl for a screening of the 2025 version of “Lilo & Stitch.”

City of Sugar Hill

Roswell’s multicultural dance festival reaches performance weekend

The (MC)² Multicultural Dance Festival, curated by George Staib and staibdance, brings together culturally rooted Atlanta dance organizations for classes, performances and conversations. The festival culminates with 7 p.m. performances Friday and Saturday after a week of programming in Roswell.

Adults get their own robotics camp in Roswell

The Mimms Museum of Technology and Art is hosting a Robotics Adventure Camp specifically for adults from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday. Participants get the chance to build and program a robot at the museum on Commerce Parkway — a notably different Friday-night option from the region’s usual concerts and festivals.

Saturday, Aug. 29

Start early at the Alpharetta Farmers Market

The Alpharetta Farmers Market returns downtown from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday. It is one of several morning markets around the region this weekend, and an easy choice for anyone who wants breakfast, produce and a downtown walk before the afternoon heat builds.

Suwanee offers a run and a market in the same morning

The Annandale Village Extra Mile 5K and 1-mile run/walk begins at Town Center Park at 8 a.m. and welcomes runners, walkers, wheelchair athletes, strollers and pets. The fundraiser supports Annandale Village, the Suwanee nonprofit serving adults with developmental disabilities and acquired brain injuries. Nearby, the Suwanee Farmers Market is also open from 8 a.m. to noon at Town Center on Main and DeLay Nature Park.

Johns Creek closes Summer Serendipity with an evening reception

The Art Center’s 12th annual Summer Serendipity exhibition ends Saturday with a closing reception and awards program from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The regional juried show has been on display since July 27, and the reception is free and open to the public at 6290 Abbotts Bridge Road.

The Art Center

Southern Shorts marks 10 years in Roswell

One of the weekend’s more distinctive events is the 10th-anniversary Southern Shorts Awards International Film Festival at Aurora Cineplex. The program begins at 11 a.m. with screenings of 12 previous Best Picture winners, followed by founder Stephen P. Sherwood’s showcase at 2:15 p.m., the current festival films at 4 p.m. and an awards presentation later in the evening. An all-day pass is $10, and the festival features 29 short films from around the world.

Roswell CVB

Cumming Farmers Market runs before the evening concert

Cumming City Center hosts its Farmers Market from 7 to 11 a.m. Saturday, with produce, locally raised meats, eggs, honey, baked goods, plants, preserves and handmade items in the Vision Parkway parking area.

Cumming City Center

R&B, soul and funk take over the Cumming amphitheater

Saturday night at Cumming City Center belongs to R&B, Inc., the nine-piece Atlanta R&B, soul and funk band. The free concert runs from 8 to 10 p.m. at Lou Sobh Amphitheater. Lawn chairs and blankets are welcome, and parking is free.

Sugar Hill can fill almost an entire Saturday

Sugar Hill begins the day with free all-levels yoga at The Bowl from 9 to 10 a.m. By afternoon, Players Guild has two Saturday performances of “On Golden Pond” at The Eagle Theatre, at 3 and 8 p.m. The production, which runs through Sept. 6, begins its opening weekend Friday. In between, the Sugar Hill Art Gallery hosts a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. for Kim Pitts’ exhibition “Yesterday When I Was Seven.”

Peachtree Corners pays tribute to Whitney Houston

The Town Green’s Summer Concert Series closes August with “Passing the Torch,” a Whitney Houston tribute featuring Melanie Amaro, winner of “The X Factor USA.” Live music begins at 7 p.m., with the main tribute performance expected around 8:15 to 8:30 p.m. The concert is free and open to all ages at the Peachtree Corners Town Green.

Sunday, Aug. 30

Cumming gives kids one more summer water day

Slide Into Sundays returns to Cumming City Center from noon to 8 p.m., with bounce houses, water slides and games. Admission is $10 per child, making it one of the more straightforward family options for a hot Sunday afternoon.

Omar Courtz brings his U.S. tour to Duluth

Sunday night brings the weekend’s largest arena show. Puerto Rican artist Omar Courtz brings the “Por Si Mañana No Estoy” U.S. tour to Gas South Arena in Duluth at 8 p.m., with doors opening at 7. Tickets currently start at $48.75 through the venue.

Gas South District

For anyone who missed “On Golden Pond” Saturday, Sugar Hill also has a Sunday performance at 3 p.m., giving the weekend guide one final indoor option before Monday arrives.

About the Author

Tsvi Jolles

Author, Editor & Publisher

Tsvi Jolles is the author of seven books and the founder and publisher of North Atlanta Star. He has lived in Cumming for almost a decade.

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