It's a long weekend for most, which means plenty of ways to get out and enjoy! Here is this weekend's list of events:
WEEKEND EVENTS May 23-25, 2025
MEMORIAL DAY
Event Name: 21st Annual Memorial Day Parade
Event Date & Time: Memorial Day, May 26, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Event Location: Green St., Gainesville
Event Details: Join us as we honor our men and women in service. The parade will start at the First Baptist Church on Green St., going south onto E.E. Butler Pkwy and end at the Bank of America on Spring St. For details, go to www.gainesvilleamericanlegion.org.
Event Name: Red, White and Bluegrass & Bach
Event Date & Time: Friday, May 23, 7 p.m.
Event Location: Suwanee Town Center Park, 330 Town Center Ave., Suwanee
Event Details: The City of Suwanee is hosting a patriotic outdoor concert featuring bluegrass and some orchestra music. Bring your own chairs or blankets. Food will be available for purchase. For more details, go to www.suwanee.com.
Event Name: Memorial Day Car Show
Event Date & Time: Saturday, May 24, 8 am. – 2 p.m.
Event Location: Georgia Racing Hall of Fame, 415 GA-53 East, Dawsonville
Event Details: Enjoy some cars, vendors, crafts and food! Top prizes will be given to the best, most unusual cars/trucks. Get details at www.destinationdawsonville.com.
Event Name: Cumming Memorial Day Ceremony
Event Date & Time: Friday, May 23, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Event Location: Cumming City Center, Lou Sobh Amphitheater, Cumming
Event Details: Join us at the Cumming City Center Lou Sobh Amphitheater for the Annual City of Cumming Memorial Day Ceremony, featuring speakers, patriotic music, and dedication of new American flags representing deceased local veterans in the Avenue of Flags. Lou Sobh Amphitheater seat wall seating is available or guests are welcome to bring their own lawn chair. Event will be held rain or shine. All are welcome! Free parking and free admission. Bring your own chair. All are welcome as we honor our military men and women. Get details at https://www.cityofcumming.net.
Event Name: Lawrenceville Memorial Day Ceremony
Event Date & Time: Memorial Day, May 26, 1 p.m.
Event Location: Gwinnett Fallen Heroes Memorial, Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, 75 Langley Dr., Lawrenceville
Event Details: Join us as a U.S. Army Brigadier General Theodore R. Scott III will be our keynote speaker. Two fallen heroes will be inducted into the Fallen Heroes Memorial during the ceremony. The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners will also deliver remarks, as well as public safety officials. For details, go to www.gwinnettcounty.com.
Event Name: Memorial Day, Buford
Event Date & Time: Friday, May 23 – Sunday, May 26
Event Location: Lake Lanier Islands 7650 Lanier Islands Pkwy., Buford
Event Details: Join us for a spectacular Memorial Day Weekend celebration featuring breathtaking fireworks over Lake Lanier! On Sunday, May 25, around 9:30 p.m., the night sky will light up with dazzling displays reflecting off the water, creating an unforgettable lakeside experience for all ages. Enjoy live music, festive food, and family fun all weekend long—don’t miss this perfect way to kick off the summer season! Get details at www.lanierislands.com.
Event Name: Bavarian Fest, Helen
Event Date & Time: Saturday, May 24, 6 – 11 p.m.
Event Location: Helen Festhalle, 1074 Edelweiss Strasse, Helen
Event Details: We’ll start off the evening with a Color Guard presentation to honor our men and women in the military. Then, experience a bit of Bavaria while you and your family enjoy our Memorial Day weekend celebration at the Festhalle! A live Oompa band, dancing and a festive Bavarian atmosphere help us honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Anyone with a military ID will get in free! Find details at https://helenchamber.com.
Event Name: Memorial Day Sand Castle Competition, Gainesville
Event Date & Time: Monday, May 26, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Event Location: Don Carter State Park, 5000 North Browning Bridge Rd., Gainesville
Event Details: Calling all people who don't mind getting their hands a little sandy! Teams of 6 or less will have 45 minutes to build sand castles that are judged based on creativity, neatness, details, stability, and height. Prizes for first, second, and third place! Meet the judges at the beach and bring your own tools. Get details at https://exploregeorgia.org.
EVENTS AND FESTIVALS
Event Name: Movies Al Fresco, Cumming
Event Date & Time: Friday, May 23, 8 – 10 p.m.
Event Location: Cumming City Center, Lou Sobh Amphitheater, 423 Canton Rd., Cumming
Event Details: Grab your lawn chairs and blankets, because our 2025 outdoor movie series “Movies Alfresco” continues! We’ve got something for everyone from kid’s movies to movies for the whole family. We will also have all your favorite snacks and drinks available for purchase. This month’s movie will be Monsters Universe. Find out details at https://cummingcitycenter.com.
Event Name: Movies Under the Stars, Braselton
Event Date & Time: Saturday, May 24, 7 – 10 p.m.
Event Location: Braselton Town Green, 9924 Davis St., Braselton
Event Details: Grab your lawn chairs and blankets and join us for free, family-friendly Movie Under the Stars on the Braselton Town Green. Concessions will be available starting at 7 p.m. Movie starts as soon as it gets dark. Downtown restaurants offer to-go dinners and beverages. Find out details at www.explorebraselton.com.
Event Name: Honey Bee Festival, Athens
Event Date & Time: Saturday, May 24, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Event Location: Athens-Clarke County Extension 275 Cleveland Rd., Bogart
Event Details: The second annual Athens-Area Honey Bee Festival is at UGA Extension Athens-Clarke County in Bogart from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There will be bee hive explorations, honey tastings, plants for sale, food, games, and activities. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. Get details at https://extension.uga.edu/county-offices/clarke/agriculture-and-natural-resources/AAMGABulbSale.html.
Event Name: Spring Arts & Crafts Festival, Winder
Event Date & Time: Saturday, May 24, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Event Location: Downtown North Broad St., Winder
Event Details: Wrap up Winder’s Art Month with a laid-back afternoon in the park! Join us at Jug Tavern Park on Saturday, May 24 from 11 a.m.–2p.m. for our Art Pop-Up—featuring music, art vendors, and hands-on, art-centered activities in a relaxed outdoor setting. Get more details at www.cityofwinder.com.
Event Name: Gateway to Global Rhythms
Event Date & Time: Sunday, May 25, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Event Location: Nam Dae Mun Farmers Market, 3825 Shackleford Rd., Duluth
Event Details: Nam Dae Mun will commemorate the 20th anniversary of its first location with “Gateway to Global Rhythms,” an all-day festival celebrating community, culture, and connection. The event will feature live music, entertainment, hands-on activities, and food trucks offering flavors from around the world. As part of the celebration, attendees can also enter an exciting sweepstakes with prizes totaling more than $200,000. Get details at https://exploregeorgia.org.
Event Name: Luminocity’s Dino Safari Festival, Buford
Event Date & Time: Now Through June 15
Event Location: Mall of Georgia, 3333 Buford Dr., Buford
Event Details: LuminoCity’s Dino Safari Festival is returning to Atlanta! You are invited back into an awe-inspiring prehistoric world, bringing life-sized, roaring dinosaurs to life with vibrant light art. The festival combines cutting-edge animatronics featuring over 70 life-sized dinosaurs, along with hundreds of stunning light sculptures. Interactive Dino-themed attractions include the Dino Bounce House, Dino Speedway, a Safari Train Ride, and much more. Aspiring paleontologists can dig for fossils and treasures in the Safari Dig and Fossil Hunt. Adults and children can enjoy delicious food truck offerings amid the convenience of our Food and Relaxation Zone. Visit https://www.luminocityfestival.com/ to reserve your tickets.
Event Name: Mirth & Mischief, Helen
Event Date & Time: Now Through May 31, Weekends
Event Location: Uhuburg Castle, 571 Ridge Rd., Helen
Event Details: Mirth & Mischief is more than just a night out; it’s an unforgettable, immersive journey that will ignite your imagination and keep you dancing into the wee hours! Don’t miss this immersive show with breathtaking performances, spellbinding dragons and grand adventures you can be a part of. Friday and Saturdays are for adults only. Sunday is family day. Enjoy castle tours, themed activities, an artisan mini village, and themed entertainment at family-friendly fairy frolic on Sunday afternoons. Find details and tickets online at https://mirthandmischief.live/.
CONCERTS
Event Name: Midland Music Fest, Gainesville
Event Date & Time: Saturday, May 24, 5 p.m.
Event Location: Midland Greenway, 682 Grove St., Gainesville
Event Details: See various bands perform outdoors. Gates open at 5 and the first group plays at 5:30 p.m. See bands such as Midland Fest Family Band, Cole Grover, and the Wildflowers (a Tom Petty Tribute Band). Food and brew trucks will be on hand, as well. Find out details at www.midlandmusicfest.com.
Event Name: Ultimate Music Wave Festival, Gainesville
Event Date & Time: Friday, May 23, 4:45 – 10 p.m.
Event Location: The Smithgall Arts Center, 331 Spring St., SW, Gainesville
Event Details: Rehabs "Sittin at a Bar" 25th Anniversary Presents: The Ultimate Music Wave Festival. We bring to you a cross-genre day of music from many multi-platinum bands & National bands. Each band on the bill is known for their different hit songs. Expect a night full of hit songs, amazing bands, celebrity host and Rehabs Anniversary. Rehab will be only visiting areas one time for their anniversary so make sure you snag your tickets & meet them there. Get your tickets at www.theartscouncil.net.
Event Name: NÜ Wave ATL, Cumming
Event Date & Time: Saturday, May 24, 7 – 9 p.m.
Event Location: Cumming City Center, Lou Sobh Amphitheater, 423 Canton Rd., Cumming
Event Details: NÜ Wave ATL pays tribute to the most fun and energetic New Wave and Alternative 80's music known to humankind! This is a free concert for the community. No admission fee, no parking fee. Just bring a blanket or lawn chair. No outside food or beverages. Get details at https://cummingcitycenter.com.
