September means an end to swimming in Piedmont Park, summer beer festivals and buckling Atlanta heat. But it also means music festivals, restaurant week and some of the largest events in the Southeast.
Dragon*Con
Labor Day means SciFi, costumes and culture at Dragon*Con in Atlanta. The celebration is the largest multi-media, pop culture convention with a focus on gaming, comis, books, art, music, fantasy and science fiction.When: August 31-September 3
Atlanta Underground Film Festival
Honor independent film month in September with the Atlanta Underground Film Festival. The Goat Farm, a visual & performing arts center, hosts the event with short films, features, art, music and evening parties.When: Throughout September
Atlanta Arts Festival
Head to Piedmont Park to see the Atlanta Arts Festival featuring local and international artists the 2nd weekend after Labor Day. Watch art demonstrations, listen to live music and get a taste of the local vendors. Take a class with Canvas by U!, an adult art class where students complete a painting in just one session taught step-by-step.When: September 15-16
Midtown Restaurant Week
You don't have to be a foodie to enjoy Restaurant Week, running during the first week of September. Participating restaurants offer up special three-course menus starting at $25, with lunch menus at $15, from across the city. Flip Burgers, Goin' Coastal, Baraonda, and Atmosphere are just some of the participating restaurants. This year, Abattoir is offering a menu of beets and celeste figs, chicken schnitzel, and chess pie among other creations.When: September 1-9
Music Midtown
Join one of the largest music festivals in Atlanta. Music Midtown took a hiatus after 2005, but has entertained thousands the last few years at Piedmont Park. For 2012, the partial line-up includes Foo Fighters, T.I., Pearl Jam, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts and Ludacris.When:September 21-22
JapanFest
Join the Japan-America Society of Georgia and The Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia for JapanFest at the Gwinnett Center.The annual event has taken place since 1986 as a picnic and now hosts some 19,000 people. The festival is the largest of its kind in the Southeast and honors all things Japanese culture. Watch taiko drum concerts, dance performances, tea ceremonies, calligraphy demonstrations and sample authentic food and beer.
When: September 15-16
The Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic
Watch Florida A&M play against Southern University at the Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic at the Georgia Dome. This year, Doug E. Fresh, often called “The original human beatbox”, headlines and emcees the halftime show.When: September 29
Yellow Daisy Festival
One of the largest arts and crafts shows and winner of numerous awards by the Southeast Festival and Events Association, the Yellow Daisy Festival returns for a 4-day event at Stone Mountain. Artists from around the country sell their work and offer demonstration along with live entertainment, children's activities and live entertainment.When: September 9