7 Atlanta events to check out this Labor Day weekend

Labor Day weekend brings a packed slate of festivals, concerts, theater and cultural events to metro Atlanta.

This year’s offerings include a Pulitzer Prize-winning play about a prominent Black family, a five-day celebration of underground Black dance music, a hip-hop festival and a 50th anniversary concert featuring Raphael Saadiq and Ari Lennox.

Whether you’re staying close to home or visiting Atlanta for the long weekend, here are seven events to consider.

Artwork for 'Purpose,' the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning play by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. The production is being performed at Alliance Theatre Aug. 28-Sept. 20, 2026. (Courtesy of Alliance Theatre)

Purpose: For theater lovers

“Purpose,” the Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning play by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, runs at Alliance Theatre through Sept. 20. It follows a prominent Black family in Chicago as long-held dark secrets emerge during a weekend gathering.

Directed by Keith Arthur Bolden, the witty drama explores identity, family, parenthood and history. Opening night for the production is Friday. Tickets can be purchased online and at the box office.

“Purpose.” Aug. 28-Sept. 20. Tickets start at $55. Alliance Theatre, 1280 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta. alliancetheatre.org.

From the Archives: The cast of “A Soldier’s Play” by Charles Fuller, directed by Chris Scott, at the Atlanta Black Theatre Festival. (Courtesy of David Price)

Atlanta Black Theatre Festival: For Black theater and emerging talent

The Atlanta Black Theatre Festival is celebrating plays and storytelling from across the African Diaspora at Spelman College Sept. 3-5.

Now in its 15th year, the three-day event, themed “Rise to the Rhythms,” features staged readings, live performances, film screenings, HBCU student showcases, networking and an awards gala. Individual tickets and festival passes are available for purchase online.

15th Annual Atlanta Black Theatre Festival. Sept. 3-5. Tickets and festival passes range from $5-$189. Spelman College, 440 Westview Drive SW, Atlanta. abtf.ludus.com.

People pack the tennis court dance floor during the 20th anniversary of the House In The Park music festival in Grant Park on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024. (Ben Gray for the AJC)

Atlanta Weekender: For serious dancers and Prince fans

Atlanta Weekender, a festival dedicated to underground Black dance music, marks its 15th anniversary Sept. 3-7.

The five-day festival kicks off Thursday with Lovesexy, a Prince-themed dance and costume party celebrating its 25th anniversary at Knock Music House.

Badge and ticket holders can also attend listening sessions, panels, parties and wellness retreats. House in the Park, its signature outdoor dance party, is at Grant Park on Sunday.

Festival badges are sold out, but individual tickets for events are available for purchase.

Billy Dee Williams makes an appearance in the annual Dragon Con parade through downtown Atlanta on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013. This year 57,000 people were expected to attend the five-day-long event, which is in its 27th year. (Courtesy of Jonathan Phillips)

Dragon Con: For cosplay, gaming and sci-fi fans

Fans of fantasy, science fiction and gaming can head to Dragon Con in downtown Atlanta Sept. 3-7.

Celebrating its 40th year, the five-day extravaganza for comic book and pop culture enthusiasts includes workshops, costumes, signings, meet-and-greets, vendors, screenings, live performances and contests. The annual parade on Peachtree Street is free and open to the public on Saturday at 10 a.m.

Comic book creators Ryan Benjamin, Chuck Brown, Keron Grant, graphic novelist John Jennings and actress Dawnn Lewis are scheduled to attend.

Memberships are required to purchase festival badges.

Marietta Art in the Park: For art lovers and families

Marietta Art in the Park is an annual showcase for local and national artists at Historic Marietta Square and Glover Park Sept. 5-7.

The free, three-day event, now in its fourth decade, showcases painting, ceramics, photography, jewelry and woodworking. Guests can also visit vendors, a children’s art display, shops and museums within walking distance of the art festival.

Acrylic artists Emmanuel Anderson and Emmanuel Ekong Ekefrey, woodworker Dayo Johnson and oil painter Lauren Lane will have booths at the festival.

40th Annual Marietta Art in the Park. Sept. 5-7. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free and open to the public. 50 North Park Square, Marietta. artparkmarietta.com.

ATL Hip Hop Day Festival: For beats, rhymes and culture

The 17th annual ATL Hip Hop Day Festival is at Historic Fourth Ward Park Sept. 5-6.

The two-day festival celebrates artists and entrepreneurs who continue to promote hip-hop’s foundational elements: emceeing, DJing, breaking and graffiti art.

There are live performances, rap battles, dancers, DJs, visual artists, community organization stations and food trucks.

The outdoor event is free and open to the public.

17th Annual ATL Hip Hop Day Festival. Sept. 5-6. 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Free and open to the public. Historic Fourth Ward Park, 680 Dallas St. NE, Atlanta. eventbrite.com.

Singer Ari Lennox. Photo taken Saturday Oct. 26, 2024, at Central Park. (Ryan Fleisher for the AJC)

V-103 50th Anniversary Celebration: For R&B lovers

Grammy-winning musician Raphael Saadiq and R&B singer Ari Lennox are headlining hip-hop station V-103’s 50th anniversary concert at Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park on Sunday, Sept. 6.

Saadiq, a founding member of R&B group Tony! Toni! Toné!, will perform songs spanning his four-decade career, including solo hits and music from his years with the group.