Books, Live Music and a New Trail: 16 North Atlanta Events, November 13–15, 2026

North Atlanta’s weekend brings a literary fair headlined by Ariel Lawhon, a Carpenters tribute, two theater productions, an improv show, ice skating and the opening of a long-awaited Woodstock trail connection.

This guide covers Friday, Nov. 13, through Sunday, Nov. 15, 2026. The selected events span 16 North Atlanta Star communities. Milton and Peachtree Corners do not appear because their public calendars did not offer a comparably strong, well-documented pick for these dates.

Schedules and remaining capacity can change, especially for events that require reservations. Check the linked organizer page before leaving, and see the North Atlanta Planner for more public events and deadlines.

Friday openings and full-weekend events

Alpharetta: Try Pvolve’s new North Point studio

Pvolve Alpharetta is offering free public classes Friday through Sunday, Nov. 13–15, before its regular schedule begins Monday. The 50-minute sessions introduce the studio’s low-impact mix of strength, mobility and stability work at 970 North Point Drive, Suite 150, in Stone Walk at North Point. Advance registration is required, and current class times and remaining spots appear in the Pvolve booking system. NAS’s opening profile explains the equipment, class formats and local ownership.

Buford: A Carpenters tribute comes to the Sylvia Beard Theatre

Michelle Berting Brett and her band perform “We’ve Only Just Begun: Carpenters Remembered” at 8 p.m. Friday in the Sylvia Beard Theatre at the Buford Community Center, 2200 Buford Highway. The concert pairs songs including “Close to You,” “Yesterday Once More” and “Rainy Days and Mondays” with the story of the duo’s career. Tickets cost $35 to $45, and the official event page was still offering sales Thursday morning.

Chamblee: Gothla Atlanta mixes dance, swords and performance

Gothla Atlanta brings fusion belly dance artist Belladonna to Atlanta Fusion Belly Dance, 5522 New Peachtree Road, Suite 111, for workshops and performances Friday through Sunday. Friday’s program runs 4–9 p.m.; Saturday includes sword-dance and fusion workshops from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and a 7–9 p.m. show; Sunday closes with body-care and double-sword sessions from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration is required, and prices vary by session or package on the organizer’s registration page. Some dance experience is recommended for several workshops.

Cumming: Antique engines and farm machinery return to the fairgrounds

The Cumming Steam, Antique Tractor & Gas Engine Exposition runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Cumming Fairgrounds, 235 Castleberry Road. The annual show puts antique tractors and steam and gas engines alongside modern vehicles and large farm machinery. An admission price has not been published, so visitors should confirm the current charge before traveling.

Brookhaven: Oglethorpe opens a spoken-word “Cyrano”

Oglethorpe University Theatre opens Martin Crimp’s adaptation of “Cyrano de Bergerac” at 8 p.m. Friday, with a second performance from 8 to 10 p.m. Saturday. The production recasts Edmond Rostand’s love triangle through spoken word, contemporary poetry and rap at the Conant Performing Arts Center, 4484 Peachtree Road NE. Public ticket prices are not posted on Oglethorpe’s event page; university students, faculty and staff receive a free ticket with a Petrel Pass and do not need a reservation.

Roswell: Real stories become a one-night improv show

“Road Trip” builds a completely improvised show from real stories at 7 p.m. Friday at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest Street. The performance runs to 9 p.m., and its rotating Atlanta cast turns each storyteller’s material into scenes made on the spot. Tickets are $17 through the city-presented event page. The organizers advise that the unscripted comedy can include adult humor and occasional strong language.

Sandy Springs: Skate City Springs opens with Fright Night

Skate City Springs begins its winter season Friday at City Green, 1 Galambos Way, with an Atlanta Figure Skating Club exhibition and a Fright Night session from 8 to 10 p.m. Costumes are encouraged for the opening-night skate. Friday-through-Sunday tickets are $18 for adults and $15 for children ages 2–9, including skate rental. The two-hour theme night replaces the rink’s usual one-hour sessions. Advance reservations are strongly recommended through the City of Sandy Springs event announcement.

Saturday’s markets, books, music and outdoor picks

Canton: Shop a small makers market inside The Mill

The season’s final Makers Market at The Mill on Etowah runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday inside the Shoppes at The Mill, near Sweety’s and Suds & Bottles. The compact market features a rotating group of local crafters and makers at 225 Reformation Parkway. No entry fee is published, and parking in front of the mill is free. Vendor purchases are separate.

Duluth: Art, handmade gifts and chili meet at the Hudgens

The Hudgens Center for Art & Learning combines its Holiday Makers Market, Family Day and the opening of new exhibitions from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Handmade work and art activities anchor the day at 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., a chili cook-off and bowl fundraiser offers tickets starting at $20, including tastings and a handmade ceramic bowl; collector bowls cost extra. The center’s event page does not post a separate market admission price.

Dunwoody: Choose your own neighborhood cleanup project

The Great Dunwoody Cleanup runs from sunrise to sunset Saturday, giving individuals, families and groups a full day to clear litter from a Dunwoody street, stream, common area or wooded space. Volunteers choose their own location, register it with the city, and bring bags or buckets, gloves and grabbers. The event runs rain or shine, and community-service verification is available on request. There is no participation fee. The sign-up form and waiver are on the City of Dunwoody cleanup page.

Johns Creek: Ariel Lawhon headlines the Literary Fair

The fifth Johns Creek Literary Fair opens at 3 p.m. Saturday at Johns Creek United Methodist Church, 11180 Medlock Bridge Road. A four-author panel begins at 3:30 p.m.; Ariel Lawhon and Patti Callahan Henry speak at 5:30 p.m., followed by a 6:30 p.m. signing. General admission is free. The $45 VIP experience includes a signed copy of Lawhon’s “The Pirate Queen,” priority seating, a reception and a photo opportunity; VIP sales end Friday at 5 p.m. See the official schedule and NAS’s event preview.

Lawrenceville: Maggie Baugh brings country music to the LAC

Country singer and multi-instrumentalist Maggie Baugh plays the Lawrenceville Arts Center from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, with Caroline Keller opening on the Clyde & Sandra Strickland Grand Stage. Tickets start at $34, and the center’s ticket page was still taking bookings Thursday morning. The venue is at 125 N. Clayton Street; drivers can use the Purple Deck at 147 E. Crogan Street.

Norcross: Downtown shops hold a holiday open house

The Historic Norcross Holiday Open House runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday across downtown. Participating shops will offer seasonal displays, refreshments, door prizes and store promotions, while downtown restaurants remain open for lunch and dinner. The city does not list an admission charge; purchases are up to each visitor. Start with the participating-business information on the City of Norcross event page.

Sugar Hill: Chili tasting supports children’s programs

Sugar Hill’s Chili Cook-Off and Festival takes over downtown from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free, with vendors, an artist market, food trucks and a children’s activity zone. Tasting armbands cost $15 for adults and $5 for children 12 and younger, covering samples from every competitor and repeat tastings. Proceeds support Project Green’s camps, school excursions and educational programs. The event is centered near 5039 W. Broad Street; the city page links to advance armband sales.

Suwanee: Run, walk or waddle for the arts

The inaugural Art on the Run Turkey Trot 5K starts at 9 a.m. Saturday in front of Suwanee City Hall, 330 Town Center Avenue, and finishes at the Suwanee Arts Center. Check-in opens at 7:30 a.m.; a one-mile children’s fun run begins at 10:15 a.m., followed by awards at 10:30. The 5K costs $40 plus a $3.40 registration fee through Friday night, then $45 plus $3.70 on race day. The children’s run is $15 plus $1.90. Registration and packet details are on the Suwanee Arts Center page.

Woodstock: A new Noonday Creek Trail link opens

Woodstock opens its 1.5-mile Noonday Creek Trail extension to the public Saturday. The new paved segment runs south from the trailhead near Reformation Brewery and Elm Street Green, passes beneath Highway 92 and reaches Noonday Creek Park in Cobb County. No ceremony time has been announced, so this is a trail outing rather than a timed program. Access is free. Drivers can use the City Center East parking deck; the continuous connection to the Silver Comet Trail remains unfinished.

Sunday, Nov. 15, is the final day for Gothla Atlanta and Pvolve’s free opening classes. There is no holiday-Monday extension to this edition; Monday, Nov. 16, begins the next regular week.