Free Things to Do in Atlanta This Weekend (Oct. 23-25, 2026)

Updated Oct. 22, 2026 by Spread the Word. Times are Eastern.

A good weekend in Atlanta doesn't have to cost a thing. These are free things to do around metro Atlanta for Friday, Oct. 23, through Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, each checked against the organizer's or official page on Oct. 22. Plans change, so tap through to the organizer before you head out.

It's the weekend before Halloween: for every free trunk-or-treat we've confirmed, see our day-by-day trunk-or-treat guide, and for church and city festivals see fall festivals this weekend. For garage, yard and estate sales, open the free sales and events map, tick the stops you want and get directions in one tap.

All weekend

Scarecrow Harvest in downtown Alpharetta – any time through Nov. 1, Downtown Alpharetta. More than 150 community-made scarecrows line downtown Alpharetta through Nov. 1, free to stroll past any time. Grab a Scarecrow Puzzle Hunt pack at Alpharetta City Hall, 2 Park Plaza, or play on your phone, and stop by the Welcome Center for a photo with the city's own scarecrow. Details

Friday, Oct. 23

Free Friday at the Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA) – 12-7 p.m., Museum of Design Atlanta, 1315 Peachtree St. NE. Free admission all afternoon, including MODA's newest exhibition, SALT: A Design Story. Groups of more than 10 can't be accommodated on Free Fridays. The Arts Center MARTA station is across the street. Details
Out On Film Presents Fright Night: Halloween Horror Shorts – 7:30-9:30 p.m., Founders Green, South Downtown, 110 Broad St. SW. A free outdoor screening of Halloween horror short films on the lawn. Food and concessions start at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free, but an RSVP is required. Five Points and Garnett MARTA stations are about a 5-minute walk. Details

MODA's Free Friday runs until 7 p.m., so you can see the museum and still make it downtown on MARTA for food at Founders Green before the 7:30 p.m. screening.

Get next weekend's free list by email. The free Weekend Roundup lands every Friday morning with the best sales and free events across metro Atlanta, mapped. First name and email only.

Saturday, Oct. 24

Spooky Science at Fernbank Science Center – 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Fernbank Science Center, 156 Heaton Park Dr. NE. A free day of family-friendly spooky science investigations, free planetarium shows and sweet treats, plus a science-themed costume contest. Per DeKalb County School District policy, no weapons or toy guns with costumes. Details
Fall Fest at The Krog District – 12-3 p.m., Atlanta Stove Works breezeway, 112 Krog St. NE. Free to attend: a petting zoo, free face painting, balloon art and caricature portraits, live music from Atticus Roness, mini pumpkin painting, jack-o'-lantern judging and pumpkin pie eating contests at 12:30, 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. Details
The Little Mermen: Peachtree Corners concert series finale – 7 p.m., Town Green, Vox Stage, 5140 Town Center Blvd., Peachtree Corners. The free season-closing concert: live music starts at 7 p.m. and The Little Mermen's rock-and-pop Disney sing-along, with the Princess Pals, takes the stage around 8:15-8:30 p.m. Costumes and Mickey ears are encouraged. Details

Fernbank Science Center and The Krog District are a short drive apart, so a family can do Spooky Science in the morning and Fall Fest after lunch. Saturday is also the biggest day for garage and estate sales: see this weekend's metro Atlanta sales, which we update as listings post through Friday.

Sunday, Oct. 25

Grant Park Conservancy Fall Festival & Market – 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Boulevard Green, Grant Park, 781 Boulevard SE. Market in the Park returns for a free, family-friendly fall festival: local makers and vintage sellers with pottery, jewelry, vintage clothing, plants, bonsai, dog treats and more, plus food. Free to attend, all ages. Details

Estate sales that run Friday to Sunday often cut prices on the last day, so check the map for sales still open Sunday.

Tips for a free weekend in Atlanta

RSVP where it's asked. Some free events, like Fright Night at Founders Green, need an RSVP so organizers can plan.
Take MARTA or the BeltLine. MODA (Arts Center station) and Founders Green (Five Points or Garnett) are short walks from rail, and The Krog District sits on the BeltLine Eastside Trail. Parking near Krog and Midtown is usually paid.
Go early to the freebies. Treats, face painting and contest sign-ups are first come, first served.
Bring a little cash or a card. Admission is free, but food, vendors and market finds usually aren't.

Hosting a free event or sale?

Spread the Word writes your listing and posts it to free local sale-finder sites, calendars and community pages that fit your sale or event, then emails you a proof sheet with every live link. Flat prices, all site fees included: garage or yard sale $3, estate sale $8, church, HOA or community event $12, business event $18. We can't promise turnout, but more people will know about it. List your sale or event.

More metro Atlanta guides

Free things to do in Atlanta: FAQ

What free things are there to do in Atlanta this weekend?

For Oct. 23-25, 2026: MODA's Free Friday (Fri. noon-7 p.m.), Out On Film's free Fright Night horror shorts at Founders Green (Fri. 7:30-9:30 p.m., RSVP required), Spooky Science at Fernbank Science Center (Sat. 10 a.m.-2 p.m.), Fall Fest at The Krog District (Sat. noon-3 p.m.), the free Little Mermen concert in Peachtree Corners (Sat. from 7 p.m.) and the Grant Park Conservancy Fall Festival & Market (Sun. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.). Check with the organizer before you go.

Are there free trunk-or-treats in Atlanta this weekend?

Yes. Our day-by-day trunk-or-treat guide lists the free ones we've confirmed around metro Atlanta for Oct. 24-31, 2026, with times and addresses: https://atl.spreadtheword.si/atlanta/trunk-or-treats-near-me-2026.html

Where can I find garage sales in Atlanta this weekend?

Spread the Word maps garage, yard, estate and church sales across metro Atlanta every week on a free map at https://atl.spreadtheword.si/atlanta/events-map.html. Most weekend sales post Wednesday through Friday.

How do I get free events in Atlanta sent to me?

Sign up for the free Weekend Roundup. It lands every Friday morning with the weekend's best sales and free events across metro Atlanta, mapped. First name and email only.

Event details come from organizers' and official public pages as of Oct. 22, 2026. Spread the Word is not affiliated with these hosts. Questions or corrections: admin@spreadtheword.si.