Georgia World Congress Center – Local Festivals

If you’re headed to the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia, chances are you’re going there to attend some big event. After all, the Georgia World Congress Center holds a variety of gatherings each year, including conventions, sporting events, business meetings, trade shows, and more. It’s a real hub of activity in an already bustling city.

Of course, there are more events going on in and around Atlanta than just what’s happening at the Georgia World Congress Center. Who knows, maybe there will even be one taking place while you’re in town. If you think you’ll have some free time and are interested in possibly checking out another event taking place near the Georgia World Congress Center, have a look at the list of festivals below.

Atlanta Food & Wine Festival

Foodies, take note! The Atlanta Food & Wine Festival is one of the country’s foremost culinary celebrations and it takes place in the heart of the city just a few miles from the Georgia World Congress Center. So if you love food, wine, or both and will be in Atlanta between late May and early June, this event is a can’t-miss.

The goal of the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival isn’t to bring together only local restaurants and wineries but rather to “shine an international spotlight on the rich food and beverage traditions of the Southern U.S., from Texas to D.C.” In other words, attending the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival is like going on a 1,500-ish-mile road trip without ever leaving The ATL.

It’s hard to say for sure what culinary experiences will await you at future Atlanta Food & Wine Festivals since it’s always evolving year after year. Some things you can expect, however, are more than 250 food and wine tastings, classes held at the swanky Loews Atlanta Hotel, exclusive dining experiences, and other delicious events.

Atlanta Dogwood Festival

With so much to see and do, it’s no surprise that the Atlanta Dogwood Festival has been going on for more than 80 years. There’s something for everyone to enjoy at this springtime celebration, from fine arts to food trucks. The setting is lovely too, as the festival takes place in Atlanta’s Piedmont Park while the native dogwood trees are in full bloom; hence the name, “Atlanta Dogwood Festival.”

The “dogginess” of the Atlanta Dogwood Festival doesn’t stop there though. The festival also hosts the US Disc Dog Nationals World Finals Qualifier, a tradition that’s gone on for more than 25 years. At this fur-flying sporting event, the nation’s top disc dogs compete to see who’s, well, top dog when it comes to catching Frisbees.

In addition to the nationally renowned Artist Market, the palate-pleasing variety of food vendors, and the USDDN Qualifier, the Atlanta Dogwood Festival features rides, kid-friendly activities, and the Atlanta High School Art Exhibition. There’s also the International Village and Stage, where cultures from all around the world are put on display. It’s hard to believe admission is free!

Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival

You know what goes good with tender, smoky barbecue that’s been cooked low and slow for hours on end? Beer and bourbon, that’s what! And you can get a taste of all three at the aptly named Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival that comes around to Atlanta every spring.

Beer, bourbon, and barbecue aren’t the only things this festival’s got going for it though, as hard as that may be to believe. Another big draw is the Tasting Theater, where professional brewers, distillers, and pit masters host in-depth seminars about their craft. Aside from attending seminars and getting their fill of barbecue and booze, guests can jam out to live rock and country music, play fun outdoor activities, and more.

In years past, this festival has run for one day only, so the chances of it serendipitously lining up with your visit to the Georgia World Congress Center are slim, to say the least. On the bright side, at least that gives you a reason to come back and visit Atlanta again.

Georgia Renaissance Festival

Here ye, here ye! The Georgia Renaissance Festival brings medieval merriment to the Atlanta suburb of Fairburn for eight weekends every spring. So unlike the aforementioned Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival, there’s actually a pretty good chance you might be in the area while it’s taking place. That’s good news if you’re a history buff who’s looking to take a quick trip back in time to the 16th century.

Like any good renaissance festival, the Georgia Renaissance Festival offers an incredibly immersive experience. The whole thing takes place on a 30-plus-acre plot of land in Fairburn, which is about a half-hour drive from the Georgia World Congress Center. Highlights of the festival include a variety of live entertainment, an artisan market, games, rides, and, of course, plenty to eat and drink.

JapanFest

If you’ve ever wanted to take a trip to Japan but don’t feel like being stuck on a plane for hours on end, JapanFest is the answer. As one of the largest cultural festivals of its kind in the county, JapanFest offers a variety of unique and enlightening experiences.

All sorts of aspects of Japanese culture are on display at JapanFest, from martial arts to music. The 21-plus crowd can wet their whistles at the Sake & Beer Garden while the little ones play fun Japanese games at the Children’s Playland. There are also plenty of opportunities for shopping and dining, because no trip to Japan is complete without finding a souvenir to bring back home and diving into the local cuisine.

The Infinite Energy Center, where JapanFest is held, is almost 30 miles from the Georgia World Congress Center, so it’s a bit farther away than the other festivals on this list. Don’t let that deter you from going though. After all, having to drive 40 minutes or so is a lot better than crossing the Pacific.