Tag Archive for: grant park summer shade festival

SUMMER SHADE FESTIVAL UNVEILS 2026 MUSIC, FOOD AND ENTERTAINMENT LINEUP

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 8/17/26

Live Music, Deep South Wrestling, a New Kids Village, 140+ Artists and Makers, 

Vintage Finds, Local Eats and More Takeover Grant Park

Free to Attend and Benefitting Grant Park Conservancy 

Saturday, August 22 and Sunday, August 23, 2026

The annual Summer Shade Festival is just around the corner, returning to Grant Park on Saturday, August 22, and Sunday, August 23, for its 24th year. The free two-day festival will once again fill Atlanta’s oldest park with live music across the Main Stage and Gazebo, more than 140 artists and makers, vintage vendors, local food, family programming and the return of Deep South Wrestling. Presented by and benefiting the Grant Park Conservancy, Summer Shade takes place Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday’s Main Stage lineup includes Yes Ma’am Band, Vanille Noire, Superstar, Predawn Pours, Sweet Melissa’s Blues Revue, James Hall and the Steady Wicked, KJ and the Funk Maysons,The Higher Choir and The Veldt. Over at the Gazebo, festival goers can catch BOLO BOYS, Questionable at Best, Crooked Roots, False Hearted Lovers, Bonemeal Baker and PeetMidnite and the Back Taxes. 

On Sunday, Happy to Be Here with Sonnie, Jarvis Taylor, Dave Franklin, Ghost Riders Car Club, Das Kaiser and Bully take the Main Stage, with Chasing the Light, Flat Tired, Bradley Cole Smith Band and Moonchild at the Gazebo. Yoga Poses Daily opens Saturday’s Main Stage programming and Sunday will also feature a Tree of Life Dojo demonstration.

Deep South Wrestling returns with four family-friendly matches throughout the weekend, taking place from 1 to 1:30 p.m. and 4:30 to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 to 3 p.m. Sunday. The new Kids Village will also be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days near Loomis Plaza. With Musicologie’s Instrument Petting Zoo, gymnastics activities from The Little Gym of Grant Park, robotics with Sim2Real Academy, and toys, coloring and soft play for younger festival goers from the Grant Park Parents Network.

Food is also getting plenty of room at this year’s festival, with a mix of new and returning vendors serving everything from tacos, banh mi and burgers to barbecue, Korean corn dogs, gyros, noodles, crepes, pretzels, frozen treats and more. New additions include Argentine Eats, Banh Mi Chi Em, Big Softie, Cultured South, Dolce Tropical, El Ponce, Fair on Wheels, Not Your Nonna’s, Pretty Little Tacos, Bangin’ Burgers and Buns and Top That Chocolate. Returning favorites include Bun & Bites, Carbart’s K-dogs, Coffyn Pyes, Different Twist Pretzel Co., Gumbowl, Gyro Chef, Island Noodles, King of Pops, Lisa’s Creperie, Ms. Pearl’s BBQ & Soul Food, Repicci’s Italian Ice, The Pickle Food Truck, Williamson Bros. BBQ and YOM Ice Cream, among others.

Beverage options will include SweetWater beer, Climbing Kites THC beverages and Creature Comforts Sunglow vodka seltzers.

Throughout the weekend, more than 140 artists, makers and vintage vendors from across the Southeast will fill the park with handmade goods, original artwork, jewelry, vintage clothing, home décor, specialty foods and small-batch finds, Over in the Vintage Area near Milledge Fountain, Grant Park neighbor Port Royal will DJ throughout both days. Festivalgoers will have plenty to explore between sets, matches and bites.

The Grant Park Conservancy Summer Shade Festival (800 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30315) is produced by and benefits the Grant Park Conservancy, the non-profit organization committed to the restoration, maintenance, and beautification of historic Grant Park. For the most up to date information about this year’s Summer Shade Festival, visit www.summershadefestival.org. Stay connected on Instagram at @grantpark.atlanta and Facebook at facebook.com/SummerShadeFestival. 

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SUMMER SHADE 2026 MUSIC LINEUP

Saturday:

Main Stage:
11:00 a.m. – Yoga Poses Daily
12:00 p.m. – Yes Ma’am Band
12:50 p.m. – Vanille Noire
1:55 p.m. – Superstar
2:50 p.m. – Predawn Pours
3:50 p.m. – Sweet Melissa’s Blues Revue
4:45 p.m. – James Hall and the Steady Wicked
5:50 p.m. – KJ and the Funk Maysons
7:00 p.m. – The Higher Choir
8:30 p.m. – The Veldt

Gazebo:
12:00 p.m. – BOLO BOYS
1:00 p.m. – Deep South Wrestling
1:30 p.m. – Questionable at Best
2:30 p.m. – Crooked Roots
3:45 p.m. – False Hearted Lovers
4:30 p.m. – Deep South Wrestling
5:00 p.m. – Bonemeal Baker
6:00 p.m. – PeetMidnite and the Back Taxes

Sunday:

Main Stage:
12:00 p.m. – Happy to Be Here with Sonnie
1:00 p.m. – Jarvis Taylor
2:05 p.m. – Dave Franklin
3:10 p.m. – Ghost Riders Car Club
4:00 p.m. – Tree of Life Dojo Demonstration
4:35 p.m. – Das Kaiser
5:45 p.m. – Bully

Gazebo:
12:00 p.m. – Chasing the Light
1:00 p.m. – Deep South Wrestling
1:30 p.m. – Flat Tired
2:30 p.m. – Deep South Wrestling
3:00 p.m. – Bradley Cole Smith Band
4:00 p.m. – Moonchild

ADAMS REALTORS RUN FOR THE PARK 5K SETS THE PACE FOR SUMMER SHADE FESTIVAL WEEKEND

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 7/19/25

Featuring a 5K and Free Kid’s Tot Trot for Ages 5 and Under 

Through Historic Grant Park to Benefit the Grant Park Conservancy

Beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday, August 23, 2025

The 23rd annual Summer Shade Festival returns to Grant Park on Saturday, August 23, and Sunday, August 24, 2025, kicking off with the annual Adams Realtors Run for the Park 5K. Hosted by Grant Park’s premier real estate firm, Adams Realtors, the scenic neighborhood race sets the pace for a weekend of music, art, food, and fun—all benefiting the Grant Park Conservancy. Open to runners, walkers, and strollers alike, the race begins at 8 a.m., followed by the Tot Trot for kids five and under at 8:45 a.m.  

Race day kicks off at 7 a.m. with registration and check-in at Zoo Atlanta’s main entrance (800 Cherokee Ave), welcoming participants of all ages to support the Grant Park Conservancy’s mission to preserve, maintain, and enhance the park for future generations. The morning continues with a guided stretch led by René of Challenge Aerial at 7:30 a.m., followed by the National Anthem at 7:55 a.m. The certified 5K race begins at 8 a.m., winding through the heart of the historic Grant Park neighborhood and serving as a Peachtree Road Race qualifier. At 8:45 a.m., little ones can take part in the Tot Trot for kids five and under, and an awards ceremony will follow at 9 a.m. After crossing the finish line, participants 21 and older can show their race shirt—featuring original artwork by acclaimed Atlanta artist Greg Mike—along with valid ID to enjoy a complimentary draft beer at Dakota Blue, courtesy of Bill Adams and Adams Realtors. Registration is now open at summershadefestival.org.

Once the race wraps, the momentum carries into the Grant Park Conservancy Summer Shade Festival beginning at 10 a.m. Browse curated artist and vintage markets set to the sounds of a live DJ, treat taste buds to local food truck favorites, and let the little ones burn off energy in the vibrant Bouncy House Village. Festival highlights also include action-packed Deep South Wrestling matches, a rejuvenating Move & Groove session led by the Grant Park Parents Network, a complimentary bike valet for cyclists, live music, and plenty more surprises waiting to be discovered, making for a weekend full of fun for festival-goers of every kind.

Summer Shade Festival is produced by and benefits the Grant Park Conservancy, the non-profit organization committed to the restoration, maintenance, and beautification of historic Grant Park’s 131 acres. From trail maintenance to major restoration projects, the Conservancy works year-round to protect, improve, and activate this vital green space for everyone who enjoys it. Summer Shade is its biggest fundraiser of the year and one unforgettable way to give back to the park that gives so much to Atlanta. 

Additional details about the 2025 festival, including the full performer lineup, will be announced in the coming weeks. For the most up-to-date information, visit www.summershadefestival.org. Stay connected on Instagram at @grantpark.atlanta and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SummerShadeFestival/.

CHEERS TO 21 YEARS OF THE GRANT PARK CONSERVANCY SUMMER SHADE FESTIVAL

Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 6/9/23

Free, Family-Friendly Festival With Live Music, an Artist Market, Food Trucks, Bouncy House Village, 5K Run, and Much More

Saturday, August 26 and Sunday, August 27, 2023

For two decades, the Grant Park Conservancy Summer Shade Festival has welcomed music, art, and event enthusiasts to close out summer during two fun-filled two days celebrating Atlanta’s oldest park. The 21st annual Summer Shade Festival will take place on Saturday, August 26, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday, August 27, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Featuring an impressive lineup of live music, an expansive artist market, bouncy houses for the kids, a 5K run, family-friendly activities, local food trucks and vendors, cocktails, beer and more, the festival is free to attend and welcomes all ages.

“I am so proud of the work the Conservancy and the Summer Shade committee do to bring this festival to the community. Their hard work and volunteer efforts are what make this festival a beloved southeast Atlanta tradition. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back to the park this August for great music, food, and art,” says Michelle Blackmon, Executive Director of the Grant Park Conservancy. 

On Saturday morning at 8 am, runners, walkers and strollers are invited to kick off the festival at the annual Adams Realtors Run for the Park 5K. Raising funds to support the Grant Park Conservancy, the race starts and finishes at the main entrance of Zoo Atlanta. Register for the race today: www.tinyurl.com/runforthepark

To celebrate Grant Park’s 140th birthday, make a $140 donation and become a Summer Shade Festival Sustaining Supporter! In addition to supporting your favorite park and festival, you’ll get a cool Summer Shade themed 6-pack cooler. It takes a lot of resources to produce a free festival, so please consider donating today at gpconservancy.org/get-involved/support/

The festival is produced by and benefits the Grant Park Conservancy, the non-profit organization committed to the restoration, maintenance, and beautification of historic Grant Park. Additional details about the 2023 festival including the full performer lineup will be announced in the coming months. For the most up to date information, visit www.summershadefestival.org. 

Grant Park Summer Shade Festival 2019

Date: Saturday, August 24th and Sunday, August 25th

Time: Noon

About: The Grant Park Conservancy has revealed the live music lineup and schedule for the 17th annual Grant Park Summer Shade Festival on Saturday, August 24 and Sunday, August 25, 2019. Earning a reputation as a must-attend event to see some of the hottest up-and-coming bands, local talent and notable favorites, festival goers are invited to watch two days of nonstop high-energy performances. Featuring a diverse lineup for all tastes, 2019 artists include Blair Crimmins, Stripped, Cicada Rhythm, Common Ground, Old Ceremony, Mafia do Samba, ASH, R.A.H and many more. Produced by and benefiting the Grant Park Conservancy, the 2019 Grant Park Summer Shade Festival is open to all ages and free to attend. In addition to the impressive music lineup, this year’s festival will also have an expansive artist market, a Kids Zone presented by Grant Park Parents Network, the annual Adams Realtors Run for the Park 5K, a diverse selection of local food trucks, wine, frosty beers, craft cocktails and more. Additionally, tickets are now available for the exclusive VIP Lounge. Attendees are invited to relax in a private tent and enjoy complimentary food from a local caterer, premium wines, Monday Night Brewing craft beer, and the Signature Summer Shade Cocktail served in a souvenir cup. Guests are also invited to enjoy private, air-conditioned restrooms, misting stations, lounge seating.  Both single day and weekend VIP tickets are available for purchase at www.summershadefestival.org/vip.

More Information:

http://www.summershadefestival.org/