Atlanta in November 2026 (9 Best Things to Do)
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November is one of the best months to visit Atlanta, with fall color, food festivals and the kickoff of the holiday season. Atlanta’s lively festival culture and warm fall weather make it a perfect place to explore in the month of November.
I also love that Atlanta has mild Fall weather and beautiful changing leaves during this month. So, keep reading and I’ll share nine of my favorite activities that I recommend adding to your Atlanta Fall bucket list.
Top things to do in Atlanta in November
- Catch peak Fall foliage season around Atlanta
- Mercedes-Benz Stadium for Atlanta Falcons Game
- Chastain Park for Arts Festival
- Cabbagetown for the Chomp & Stomp Chili Cookoff
- Center Parc Stadium for the Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon
- Atlanta Symphony Orchestra for Holiday music
- Atlanta Botanical Garden for Garden Lights, Holiday Nights
- Stone Mountain Park for Holiday Events and Native American Festival
Peak Fall foliage season in Atlanta
See Atlanta’s treelined streets and parks turn to bright red and orange hues in the Fall. Also called the City in the Forest, Atlanta is pretty great for seeing the leaves change colors.
The best spots I’ve found to view fall foliage around Atlanta is the Beltline Eastside Trail, Piedmont Park, and Skyline Park at Ponce City Market (great for treetop views above the city).
Atlanta Falcons Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
When: The Falcons host the Kansas City Chiefs at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, November 15, 2026. Check the Falcons schedule for kickoff time and tickets.
The Atlanta Falcons begin their season in September. Watch the Falcons play at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where the season will be in full swing in November. Bring a light lap blanket or a good coat, in case it’s a cooler day.
Chastain Park Arts Festival
Where: Chastain Park in Buckhead
When: November 7 and 8, 2026. Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Atlanta has the funnest neighborhood festivals, so why not add one to your November itinerary?
The Chastain Park Arts Festival brings together local artists and craftsman over a weekend event each year.
Take a walk through the winding art stalls, listen to live music, and taste some of Atlanta’s renown local food trucks.
Chomp & Stomp Chili Cookoff in Cabbagetown
Where: Cabbagetown
When: Saturday, November 7, 2026, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., with the Romp 5K at 8 a.m.
One of my favorite festivals of the year! Get into the Fall spirit with a neighborhood chili cookoff, 5k, and festival in Cabbagetown. The festival supports Cabbagetown parks, so you’re also supporting a wonderful cause (Atlanta takes its parks very seriously).
I recommend signing up to walk or run the 5k. This gets you a free tasting spoon, menaing you can skip the spoon line and go straight for the best samples. If you’re not in the 5k, you can also purchase a tasting spoon at one of the designated shops, or onsite at the festival.
Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon
Where: Starts and finishes at Center Parc Stadium
When: Thursday, November 26, 2026. The half marathon starts at 7:45 a.m.
Start Thanksgiving morning with one of Atlanta’s favorite traditions. The Atlanta Track Club’s Thanksgiving Day race has a half marathon, 5K, mile and kids’ dash, so there’s a distance for everyone before the big meal.
Atlanta Symphony Orchestra holiday music
Where: Atlanta Symphony Hall at the Woodruff Arts Center in Midtown
When: Holiday concerts start in late November. Check the ASO calendar for 2026 dates.
Purchase tickets for the orchestra’s holiday productions like Swan Lake, Elf in Concert, and a Charlie Brown Christmas. This is a great reason to dress up and visit the beautiful symphony venue in Midtown.
Atlanta Botanical Garden Garden Nights, Holiday Lights
Where: Midtown, next to Piedmont Park
When: Garden Lights, Holiday Nights opens November 14, 2026 and runs through January 10, 2027, nightly from 5 p.m.
Tour the 30-acre garden and the garden gift shop. This is one of my favorite places in Atlanta, and its perfect for soaking up the peaceful glow of the holiday garden lights.
This awesome holiday lights show begins in mid November and continues to January. If you’re going to the Garden Lights event at the gardens, visit Piedmont Park beforehand to see the vibrant colors of the changing leaves.
Stone Mountain Park
When: The four-day Native American Festival and Pow Wow wraps up on November 1, 2026, and Stone Mountain Christmas starts on select dates in early November.
Visit Stone Mountain, just north of Atlanta, for their Stone Mountain Christmas events that begin in November. Get in the holiday spirit in early November with Christmas lights, carolers, and holiday light shows at the park.
The park’s Native American Festival is also one of the top annual festivals hosted at Stone Mountain. The festival takes place in the first weekend of November.
Fox Theatre holiday shows
Fox Theatre is a great place if you want to watch live music, comedians, and holiday shows like ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas and Nutcracker. Get ready for nostalgic theatre vibes and a fun night out in the historic theater setting.
Atlanta in November: where to go for Christmas events in November
Who wants to wait until after Thanksgiving to kick off the Christmas celebrations? Atlanta’s holiday events tend to start in mid to late November.
Here are festive Christmas events that start in November:
- Bid on Christmas trees for a cause at Georgia Festival of Trees at Gas South Arena (a fantastic fundraising event to end human trafficking).
- Find magical gifts and mulled wine at Atlanta Christkindl Market (a German Christmas Market with 2 locations near Atlanta).
- View incredible Holiday light shows around Atlanta and Georgia.
Pro travel tip: If you don’t mind a short drive, you can also visit Dahlonega and Helen for cozy mountain town vibes and lots of holiday spirit.
Where to stay in Atlanta in November
Stay around Midtown or Old Fourth Ward so you can walk or take a short ride to most of the events on this list. For more neighborhood ideas, see my guide to the best areas to stay in Atlanta.
The Georgian Terrace: A historic hotel right across the street from the Fox Theatre, and close to the Botanical Garden and Piedmont Park. Check rates.
Hotel Clermont Atlanta: A boutique stay in Poncey-Highland, near Ponce City Market and the BeltLine, with a rooftop bar overlooking the city. Check rates.
Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park: A great pick for a Falcons game or a downtown weekend. It’s steps from the Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca-Cola and a short walk to Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Check rates.
What is the weather like in Atlanta in November
The typical weather in Atlanta in November is calm, sunny, and warmish (think 50s and 60s Fahrenheit). I always advise friends to bring a jacket for the evenings, because the temperatures will cool down even if the day is sunny.
The Fall leaves are incredible this time of year, and because Atlanta is full of trees, you’ll see changing colors everywhere. This means Atlanta is the spot if you want all the Fall vibes without freezing.
Final thoughts
This article covered my nine top recommendations for activities in November in Atlanta. The city hosts great events throughout the month, so you can add these to your calendar and spread them out across the month.
Traveling to Atlanta and searching for the ideal done-for-you Atlanta weekend itinerary? Check out my perfect 4-day trip to Atlanta.
