Cool Things To Do in May in Atlanta

By Mary Welch

Published April 11, 2023
Last Updated June 6, 2023

It’s May. Festival season is in full swing as Atlantans head outdoors to enjoy the sun, flowers and the diversity of things to do that Atlanta offers everyone. Here are some of the cool things happening in May.

Dine with Dorothy and Toto

There’s no place like home, but there’s also no place like Amore e Amore, an Italian bistro in Poncey-Highland.  Amore e Amore serves up great food and drinks, and it also offers attitude, drama, decorations and fun. Currently with a “Wizard of Oz” theme, every inch of the restaurant is covered in green streamers, the Wicked Witch’s striped legs hanging from the ceiling, lights and disco balls, not to mention Dorothy and Toto, the Flying Monkeys and Glinda, the Good Witch watching all the fun. Around 8 p.m., the music cranks up and you’ll find yourself dancing in your seat as Abba, the Village People and Billy Joel belt out their hits. On top of that — but really who needs more? — the food is delicious. We highly recommend the chicken piccata, rigatoni Bolognese and the cioppino seafood feast..

Calling All Geeks

MomoCon is back and it is bringing fans of Japanese anime, American animation, comics, video games and tabletop games together to celebrate the passion for costuming/cosplay. The largest event of its kind in the Southeast, MomoCon dedicates more than 90,000 square feet to tabletop games, board games, card games, role playing games and miniatures. In addition, there will be celebrity voice talents, autograph sessions, parties, wresting lessons, designers and writers behind many of the favorite shows, games and comics. This four-day event will also feature special guests such as Our Kronii, Phaade, Adam Sanford and Kagonineko. Find MomoCon at Georgia World Congress Center May 25-28.

Immersive Yourself in Disney

Immersive Disney Animation opens at the Armour Yards development on May 1. Thanks to projection, sound and interactive technology, you’ll feel that you’ve entered the worlds of beloved Disney characters — from hits of today like “Encanto,” “Zootopia” and “Frozen” to the classics including “The Lion King,” “Peter Pan” and “Pinocchio.”

Additional interactive features include responsive floor projection design that moves with the audience and custom bracelets that light up in sync with the projections and based on the audiences’ movements through the galleries. In a particularly show-stopping moment, the Gazillion Bubbles special effects team fills the 500,000 cubic feet of galleries with bubbles.

See ‘Hairspray’ at the Fabulous Fox

“Hairspray,“ the Tony Award-winning musical comedy comes to the Fox Theatre May 30 through June 4 as part of Regions Bank Broadway in Atlanta series. “Hairspray” is the story of 16-year-old Tracy Turnblad in 1960s Baltimore as she sets out to dance her way onto television’s most popular show. Can a girl with big dreams (and even bigger hair) change the world? Among the hits are “Good Morning Baltimore,” “I Can Hear the Bells” and “The Nicest Kids in Town.”

And All That Jazz

The Atlanta Jazz Festival returns to Piedmont Park May 27 through May 29 and features some of the best jazz performers in the world. Called one of the largest free jazz festivals in the country, the festival offers something for every jazz lover, including sultry vocalists, contemporary, traditional, swing, fusion and Latin jazz. Among the performers are David Sanchez (Latin jazz saxophonist), Sélène Saint-Aimé (Afro-French bassist and vocalist); James Francies (pop-influenced jazz pianist) and Brandee Younger (contemporary jazz, soul and funk harpist). Another highlight is Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with famed trumpeter Wynton Marsalis.

America’s First LEGO Discovery Center (Autism Certified) Open

North America’s first next-generation LEGO Discovery Center is open at Phipps Plaza. The $5 million dollar renovation includes new and reimagined popular experiences like the state-of-the-art LEGO Space digital experience, Minifigure Creator and DUPLO Park.

The new immersive experience allows more family learning-through-play activities and also includes a new team of specialist Playmakers and Master Model Builders who will continue to inspire guests with interactive LEGO Creative Workshops.

The center is Certified Autism Center (CAC) and is the first indoor family attraction that is a CAC in Atlanta. A sensory guide will be available on the center’s website or at the center. Every ride and experience will have a posted sign with a sensory rating indicating whether there are bright lights, loud sounds or any features that you might need to plan around. Rating each attractions’ sensory levels – touch, taste, sound, sight and smell – makes it easier for families to plan activities that align with their needs and accommodations.

Try for a Hole in One

May is the perfect month to get the golf clubs out of the basement and hit the links. The city has a number of great public courses. However, if you’re worried about getting sunburned, test your skills out at Topgolf.

Fight Hunger and Have Fun

Food Well Alliance and WABE are hosting host the 8th annual Soil Festival and celebrating soil as a key source for building a strong local food system. Enjoy delicious food sourced from local vendors, learn about the importance of healthy soil, meet local food leaders and engage in cooking demos. In addition to kids’ activities there will be workshops on topics including composting, beekeeping and gardening. The event, which takes place May 6 at Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway, also will feature a growers’ panel, farmers market, beer garden, music and compost giveaways.

Among dishes being served up by the food vendors will be a delicious mixture of tacos with soulful meats and side dishes from Blaxican, gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches at Speakcheesy and Vietnamese banh mi or noodle bowl from 6packsubs. Attendees can also sip on hibiscus tea from Ms. Haylene Green “The Garden Queen” and fresh juice from Juiced Up. Everyone can stay cool with vegan fruit pops from Mocha Pops. 

It’s for the Birds

As Georgia’s largest bird and nature festival, Georgia Bird Fest features more than 40 activities, including guided field trips to Georgia’s best birding hot spots, nature-based workshops and guest speakers. The festival, which runs from April 22 to May 21 at Georgia Audubon, is tailored to all levels of bird, nature and outdoor enthusiasts. David Lindo, aka “The Urban Birder,” will be the guest speaker.

Taco Time

Put on your sombrero and find some of the city’s best tacos, Mexican food and beer at the Tacos N Taps Festival. Taking place May 13 at Atlantic Station, the festival will include live music, mariachi bands, a hot pepper eating contest, margaritas, piñata punching and boutiques offering everything from jewelry to hot sauces.  More than 15 taco trucks, taquerias and Mexican restaurants will be participating in this all-you-care-to-taste festival. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Spirit of Hope Children’s Foundation.

Have a Fling (in Kirkwood)

Kirkwood Spring Fling will once again bring out everyone who loves a neighborhood fling. Taking place May 13 at Bessie Branham Park, the festival will feature a 5K race, tour of homes, kids area, market, lots of food and the Wing Fling where you’ll find out who has the best chicken wings.

Chastain Parks Arts Festival

Chastain Parks Arts Festival should be on any arts lover’s calendar — or anyone just wanting to have a nice weekend outdoors. Taking place May 13 and 14, there will be fine arts and crafts, a children’s area, gourmet food trucks and acoustic musicians.

Sweet Family Fun

Called the “World’s Largest Family Reunion,” the Sweet Auburn Springfest features lots of family fun with music, vendors, comedy shows, a kids area and, of course, great food. Among the entertainment will be Afro dance, hip-hop, jazz, tap, Latin and line dance.

Make Something in Ormewood Park

The Ormewood Park Makers Festival, presented by SAND (South Atlantans for Neighborhood Development), seeks to showcase local makers, as well as provide an opportunity for community participation and learning. The street festival, May 20, will feature workshops and classes on how to make everything from fashion and jewelry to woodworking, blacksmithing, glass blowing and photographer. In addition, there will be lots of food, beverages, music and fun.

Burger Fest Aids Charity

Hungry for a burger? How about some of the best burgers in town all in one day at one place? Sounds like burger heaven. NFA Burger is introducing The Burger Benefit, a burger showdown between chefs and burger aficionados from around the country, all in support of the Giving Kitchen, an Atlanta-based nonprofit that supports hospitality workers in need.

Starting at 11 a.m. on May 7, up to three burger masters will staff the grill for an hour and prepare their version of a burger. Guests will purchase tickets ($20) for a time slot in advance, which includes one burger and fries. All proceeds will be donated.

It’s Fabulous

The Lake Claire Community Land Trust is presenting the First Annual Fabulous Family Fun Festival with a scavenger hunt, fairy village (bring a house), miniature golf, kids yoga, bird of prey show, veil dancing lessons, arts and crafts, storytelling, face painting, kids bands and a haiku poetry center. Taking place May 13 at 270 Arizona Ave., the festival’s price of admission is $10 for adults and $5 for kids.

For even more things to do in Atlanta, check our calendar of events.

Journalist Mary Welch writes business and lifestyle stories for local and national publications.