Remembering Memorial Day: A Long Weekend in North Atlanta

Memorial Day weekend always feels like the unofficial starting line for summer in North Atlanta. School is winding down, the pools are opening, the grill is getting dusted off—and suddenly everyone is looking for something fun to do.

If you're staying close to home this Memorial Day weekend, you're in luck. There is plenty happening around metro Atlanta, from patriotic ceremonies and concerts to art festivals, baseball, hiking and, of course, plenty of good food.

A U.S. Army veteran honors the fallen on Memorial Day by playing taps on his trumpet.

But before we get to the fun, I always like to remember what Memorial Day is really about. This is a day to honor the men and women who gave their lives serving our country. So if you attend a local remembrance ceremony, take a moment to listen, reflect and thank a veteran or military family in your life.

Then? Go enjoy that long weekend!

Start With a Memorial Day Tribute

Stone Mountain Park is pulling out all the stops for Memorial Day weekend, with a special salute to the troops and an extended fireworks finale featuring the Music Across America Drone & Light Show. The festivities run May 23–26, making this an easy choice if you're looking for a full family outing.

Closer to home, Alpharetta will hold its Memorial Day Tribute at City Hall on May 26 at 9 a.m. The ceremony includes an invocation, National Anthem, Pledge of Allegiance, keynote remarks and “Taps.”

Norcross will also honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice with its Memorial Day Remembrance at Thrasher Park on May 26 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

These ceremonies are a wonderful way to remind our children—and ourselves—why this holiday matters.

Make It a Festival Weekend

If your ideal holiday weekend involves strolling, listening to music and eating your way through an event, Atlanta has you covered.

The Alpharetta Arts Streetfest returns May 24–25 at the Grove at Wills Park. Browse artwork, handmade goods and unique creations from artists and artisans while enjoying the beautiful park setting.

In Atlanta, the Atlanta Jazz Festival takes over Piedmont Park May 24–26. It’s a terrific way to spend an afternoon outside while enjoying one of the city's signature cultural events.

And if you're looking for something a little more theatrical, head south to Fairburn for the Georgia Renaissance Festival, running May 24–26. Expect knights, costumes, food, entertainment and enough medieval silliness to make everyone forget what century they're in.

Cheer for the Home Team

Memorial Day weekend and baseball just seem to belong together.

The Atlanta Braves will host the Padres May 23–25. If you haven't made it to Truist Park yet this season, this is a great excuse. Grab a hot dog, enjoy the game and let the kids run around the Battery afterward.

And if your family has never experienced a Braves game together, don't worry about whether everyone understands baseball. Half the fun is simply being there.

Get Outside

One of my favorite things about living in North Atlanta is how easy it is to escape into nature without actually escaping the city.

May is a wonderful month for a family hike, before the hottest part of the Georgia summer settles in. Pick a nearby Georgia state park, pack some water and snacks, and make an afternoon of it.

Or embrace one of my favorite early-summer traditions: strawberry picking. Local farms typically offer u-pick strawberries from mid-April into early June, so May is right in the sweet spot. Literally!

Make Your Own Memorial Day Tradition

You don't have to fill every minute of the long weekend.

Maybe Saturday is a Braves game, Sunday is strawberry picking and Monday begins with a remembrance ceremony before everyone heads home for burgers on the grill.

Or maybe you simply spend the weekend with family, fire up the barbecue and sit on the porch until the sun goes down.

After 30 years of living and working in North Atlanta, I've learned that the best weekends aren't always the busiest ones. They're the ones where we slow down enough to enjoy where we live—and the people we're lucky enough to share it with.

Happy Memorial Day, North Atlanta. And most importantly, let's never forget what we're honoring.