North Atlanta weekend: Global food, outdoor concerts and two nights of arena-sized rock

North Atlanta’s weekend begins with several outdoor concerts Friday before shifting into a crowded Saturday filled with markets, festivals, environmental activities and live music.

Weather deserves some attention. The National Weather Service forecast calls for highs around 92 to 94 degrees Friday, with heat-index readings near 100 and scattered afternoon thunderstorms possible. Saturday and Sunday should be sunnier, but afternoon temperatures will remain in the low 90s.

Bring water and sun protection to daytime events. For Friday’s outdoor concerts, check the organizer’s page before leaving in case a storm changes the schedule.

Friday, Aug. 21

Decades Band at Avalon

Decades Band opens the weekend with a free Avalon Nights Live performance from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Plaza, 400 Avalon Blvd., Alpharetta.

Visitors can bring chairs or blankets but cannot set them out before 5 p.m. Coolers are prohibited. Avalon will post weather-related cancellations through its social channels.

Admission is free and no registration is needed.

Lilac Wine in Downtown Duluth

Duluth’s Rock the Block: Live & Loud Fridays returns to the Town Green from 6 to 9 p.m., with Lilac Wine providing the music.

The city event is free and family-friendly, with downtown restaurants within walking distance. Arriving early is advisable because Friday-night parking near the Town Green can become tight.

Adaptive Recreation Dance Night in Johns Creek

Teenagers and young adults with disabilities are invited to an Adaptive Recreation Dance Night from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Mark Burkhalter Amphitheater inside Newtown Park, 3150 Old Alabama Road.

The free evening includes a DJ, light refreshments and glow sticks. It is intended for participants age 15 and older, and advance registration is requested. Because the event is outdoors, families should monitor the forecast.

Jack Johnson and Lake Street Dive in Alpharetta

Jack Johnson brings his SURFILMUSIC Tour to Ameris Bank Amphitheatre, 2200 Encore Parkway, at 7:30 p.m., with Lake Street Dive joining the lineup.

Official tickets remain available. Standard seats were priced at $182.50 Thursday morning, while resale inventory began around $138. Prices may change as the concert approaches.

Parking upgrades are sold separately, so ticket holders should confirm what is included before arriving.

Bret Michaels in Sugar Hill

Bret Michaels returns to The Bowl at Sugar Hill, 5039 W. Broad St., for an 8 p.m. concert. Doors are expected to open around 7 p.m.

Some seating categories have sold out, including premium seats and several table options. Remaining official inventory included individual seats for $70.29 with fees and accessible seating for $54.42 Thursday morning.

This is one of the weekend’s clearest sellout risks.

Fleetwood Mac songs for a local cause in Cumming

Landslide, a Fleetwood Mac tribute band, will perform during Rokin for a Reason from 8 to 10 p.m. at the Lou Sobh Amphitheater, 423 Canton Road.

The concert supports awareness of Keystone Village, a planned Forsyth County residential community for adults with disabilities. Admission and on-site parking are free.

Bring lawn chairs or blankets. Outside food, drinks, alcohol, coolers, glass containers and tents are prohibited.

Saturday, Aug. 22

Alpharetta Farmers Market

The Alpharetta Farmers Market runs from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. around the Downtown Alpharetta Town Green, 2 Park Plaza.

Farmers, bakers and artisans will offer produce, flowers, prepared foods and locally made goods. Entry is free, with purchases priced by individual vendors.

Suwanee Farmers Market

Suwanee’s weekly market is open from 8 a.m. to noon at Town Center on Main. The city calendar confirms Saturday’s market along with the evening’s Suwanee-oke program.

Admission is free. An early visit offers the best chance to avoid the strongest heat and the evening-event parking buildup.

Count pollinators in Roswell

Keep Roswell Beautiful and the city are inviting residents to participate in the Great Southeast Pollinator Census from 10 a.m. to noon at Roswell Area Park, 10495 Woodstock Road.

The count takes about 15 minutes, and organizers will supply the necessary materials. Admission is free and registration is not required.

Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water. The activity will be held outdoors.

Peachtree Corners International Festival

The Town Green becomes a global village Saturday during the Peachtree Corners International and Cultural Festival.

The free festival runs from noon to 10 p.m. with international music and dance, food representing multiple cultures, artisan vendors, exhibits and children’s activities.

The Town Green is at 5140 Town Center Blvd. Large crowds are expected, and the midday portion will coincide with temperatures around 90 degrees. Families may find the late-afternoon and evening hours more comfortable.

K-pop convention in Duluth

K-POP MINICON ATL takes over the Gas South Convention Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, from noon to 11 p.m.

The program includes panels, workshops, contests, vendors and a mini concert featuring GSOUL and Korean-American performer Gun Boi Kaz. Current ticket options include a convention-only pass for $37.52 with fees, concert packages starting at $53.46 and an add-on children’s pass for $16.27.

Advance tickets remain available. Some passes show a 1 p.m. entry time, so purchasers should check the conditions attached to their ticket. Gas South District is cashless for parking and concessions; use Deck 1 or Deck 2.

Sing with a live band in Suwanee

Suwanee-oke runs from 6 to 10 p.m. at Town Center Park.

Instead of singing with a recorded backing track, volunteers take the microphone with a live band supporting them. Watching is free, and the event is open to all ages.

Parking around Town Center will be busiest near the 6 p.m. start. Anyone hoping to sing should arrive early and look for the on-site signup process.

Metallica tribute in Cumming

Hardwired closes Saturday with a free Metallica tribute concert from 8 to 10 p.m. at the Cumming City Center amphitheater.

Admission and parking are free. Lawn chairs and blankets are allowed, along with leashed dogs. Coolers, outside food and beverages, tents, glass containers and smoking are prohibited.

Sunday, Aug. 23

Final performance of “Quilters” in Roswell

Roswell Cultural Arts Center gives its final performance of “Quilters, A Musical” at 2 p.m. Sunday.

The musical uses the stories of American frontier women to explore family, hardship and community. A live “hootenanny” begins 30 minutes before curtain.

Tickets start at $36.75 and remained available Thursday. Parking is available beside the Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest St., and across the footbridge in Roswell City Hall’s Lower Lot F.

Girl Scouts can earn a technology badge

Junior Girl Scouts can work toward an Entertainment Technology badge during a hands-on workshop at Mimms Museum from 1 to 3 p.m.

Scout admission is $20 and chaperone admission is $15, including materials and museum entry. Advance registration is mandatory and closes at midnight Friday, Aug. 21.

Participants who want to save their animated creations should bring a phone or tablet. The museum is at 5000 Commerce Parkway in Roswell, with free parking near its rear lower-level entrance.

Brass and accordion music in Roswell Town Square

The Dogwood Brass Quintet will be joined by musicians from the Atlanta Accordion Club for “The American Heritage, in Brass”.

The free concert runs from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Roswell Town Square, 610 Atlanta St. Visitors may bring chairs, picnic blankets, food and beverages.

Sunday should be sunny with a high near 91, but the later start will avoid the worst of the afternoon heat.

Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson in Alpharetta

Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson bring their co-headlining tour to Ameris Bank Amphitheatre at 6:15 p.m., with The Hu and Orgy also scheduled to perform.

Official tickets remain on sale. Thursday’s available inventory included secondary-market seats from $77.05 and standard seats around $100.45, with prices varying by section.

Confirm parking arrangements separately and allow extra time for traffic around Encore Parkway.

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