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A photo of Little Five Points’ venerable Halloween Parade
Little Five Points’ venerable Halloween Parade, scheduled this year for Oct. 21.
ExploreGeorgia.org

Atlanta’s best bets for Halloween (and general October) revelry, mapped

The weather’s finally right for a rollicking October at events from downtown to Decatur and beyond.

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Little Five Points’ venerable Halloween Parade, scheduled this year for Oct. 21.
| ExploreGeorgia.org

When the coolers temps of late October roll around, Atlanta typically roars to life, and 2017 will be no exception.

From a rollicking parade that honors the grotesque to a beer bonanza and weekend-spanning downtown event that celebrates, well, horror-show celebrities, the ATL is a scream this month.

So, ye ghouls and ghoulettes, have a look at our top picks for October revelry across the city in the new map below:

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2017 Grant Park Halloween Lantern Parade

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Like its slightly older (and more famous) September counterpart on the Beltline’s Eastside Trail, the Grant Park Halloween Lantern Parade lights up the night for all ages. Creepy-fabulous lantern owners are asked to congregate at 6 p.m. Friday night (Oct. 20) near the park’s Milledge Fountain (expect food trucks and ghoulish beverages); the giant, glowing puppets and goblins begin their march at 8 p.m. sharp. Be aware the parade route is slightly different this year due to construction within the park.

Little Five Points Halloween Fest & Parade

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The ghoulish grandaddy of Atlanta Halloween revelry roars back this Saturday (Oct. 21), again with a festival to join the time-honored parade (a 17-year tradition). Expect a wicked variety of music from noon until who-the-hell-knows, plus a bounty of food options and an artists market. Parents should be advised that the parade, which kicks off at 4 p.m., is an anything-goes event (and awesomely so) that tends to get a bit risqué and gory, so keep plenty of candy handy to distract the kiddos.

Decatur Craft Beer Festival

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Few things pair better with boos than brews, and Decatur brings its classic celebration of suds this Saturday (from noon to 5 p.m.) with the Decatur Craft Beer Festival. Expect three bands and “unlimited sips” from more than 80 breweries. General admission: $50.

Taste of Atlanta 2017

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Billed as “Atlanta’s must-do food, wine, beer, and cocktail festival,” the always-impressive Taste of Atlanta makes its return in a new location this year—Historic Fourth Ward Park—from Oct. 20 to 22. Expect “taste points” from a bounty of restaurants that run the Atlanta gamut, from Hobnob to NaanStop and Nine Mile Station. General admission is $25 (in advance) per day.

Fernbank’s Fright Night

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The Fernbank Museum of Natural History will showcase Hallow’s Eve histrionics Oct. 27 (from 8 p.m. to midnight) with an adults-only “Fright Night” that includes a “creepy carnival” theme this year. The $25 entry (for non-members) buys carnival-style grub but not the for-sale “bewitching beer and creepy cocktails” on hand. It’s a 21+ event.

Boo at the Zoo

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What would Halloween be in Atlanta without the chance to party with 1,000 real animals from around the world? Boo at the Zoo happens four times this month—Oct. 21, 22, 28, and 29—from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. It’s all free for zoo members and kiddos under age 3; general admission applies otherwise.

This little creeper’s coming.
Boo at the Zoo

Walker Stalker Con

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The Walking Dead fanatics can get their freak on (please, not literally) from Oct. 27 to 29 at the Georgia World Congress Center. Here’s a list of celebrity guests on tap for 2017, to include the legend Ron Perlman. Per-day tix range from $35 to $55.

Goblins in the Garden

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The Atlanta Botanical Garden’s pristine beauty is even better with fall colors—and adorable costumes. This Sunday (Oct. 22), catch the Goblins in the Garden event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with train rides ($3), pony rides ($4), and even a costume fashion runway for the little monsters. Regular daily admission applies.

EAV-o-ween

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An entire festival devoted to Trick-or-Treating, this annual gathering at the East Atlanta Village Farmers Market is sure to get attendees in the spirit. Expect roaring bonfires, gobs of candy, and a tribute to the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter from 5 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 28. Plus, a costume contest.

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2017 Grant Park Halloween Lantern Parade

Like its slightly older (and more famous) September counterpart on the Beltline’s Eastside Trail, the Grant Park Halloween Lantern Parade lights up the night for all ages. Creepy-fabulous lantern owners are asked to congregate at 6 p.m. Friday night (Oct. 20) near the park’s Milledge Fountain (expect food trucks and ghoulish beverages); the giant, glowing puppets and goblins begin their march at 8 p.m. sharp. Be aware the parade route is slightly different this year due to construction within the park.

Little Five Points Halloween Fest & Parade

The ghoulish grandaddy of Atlanta Halloween revelry roars back this Saturday (Oct. 21), again with a festival to join the time-honored parade (a 17-year tradition). Expect a wicked variety of music from noon until who-the-hell-knows, plus a bounty of food options and an artists market. Parents should be advised that the parade, which kicks off at 4 p.m., is an anything-goes event (and awesomely so) that tends to get a bit risqué and gory, so keep plenty of candy handy to distract the kiddos.

Decatur Craft Beer Festival

Few things pair better with boos than brews, and Decatur brings its classic celebration of suds this Saturday (from noon to 5 p.m.) with the Decatur Craft Beer Festival. Expect three bands and “unlimited sips” from more than 80 breweries. General admission: $50.

Taste of Atlanta 2017

Billed as “Atlanta’s must-do food, wine, beer, and cocktail festival,” the always-impressive Taste of Atlanta makes its return in a new location this year—Historic Fourth Ward Park—from Oct. 20 to 22. Expect “taste points” from a bounty of restaurants that run the Atlanta gamut, from Hobnob to NaanStop and Nine Mile Station. General admission is $25 (in advance) per day.

Fernbank’s Fright Night

The Fernbank Museum of Natural History will showcase Hallow’s Eve histrionics Oct. 27 (from 8 p.m. to midnight) with an adults-only “Fright Night” that includes a “creepy carnival” theme this year. The $25 entry (for non-members) buys carnival-style grub but not the for-sale “bewitching beer and creepy cocktails” on hand. It’s a 21+ event.

Boo at the Zoo

What would Halloween be in Atlanta without the chance to party with 1,000 real animals from around the world? Boo at the Zoo happens four times this month—Oct. 21, 22, 28, and 29—from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. It’s all free for zoo members and kiddos under age 3; general admission applies otherwise.

This little creeper’s coming.
Boo at the Zoo

Walker Stalker Con

The Walking Dead fanatics can get their freak on (please, not literally) from Oct. 27 to 29 at the Georgia World Congress Center. Here’s a list of celebrity guests on tap for 2017, to include the legend Ron Perlman. Per-day tix range from $35 to $55.

Goblins in the Garden

The Atlanta Botanical Garden’s pristine beauty is even better with fall colors—and adorable costumes. This Sunday (Oct. 22), catch the Goblins in the Garden event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with train rides ($3), pony rides ($4), and even a costume fashion runway for the little monsters. Regular daily admission applies.

EAV-o-ween

An entire festival devoted to Trick-or-Treating, this annual gathering at the East Atlanta Village Farmers Market is sure to get attendees in the spirit. Expect roaring bonfires, gobs of candy, and a tribute to the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter from 5 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 28. Plus, a costume contest.