The unofficial start of summer arrives with a packed lineup of events across the city. The Atlanta Jazz Festival, one of the largest free jazz festivals in the country, returns to Piedmont Park for three days of performances.
The festival has been a Memorial Day tradition since 1978, drawing tens of thousands of music fans to the park's meadow for performances ranging from traditional jazz to contemporary fusion. This year's lineup spans multiple stages with both established artists and emerging talent.
Meanwhile, MomoCon takes over the Georgia World Congress Center downtown. The anime, gaming, and pop culture convention has grown into one of the Southeast's largest fan gatherings, with panels, cosplay contests, and gaming tournaments running through Monday.
For families, options abound across the metro area. Stone Mountain Park hosts an extended Memorial Day weekend celebration with fireworks and a new 250th anniversary drone light show. Wild Adventures in Valdosta kicks off daily summer operations.
Military appreciation events are also scheduled throughout the weekend. The College Football Hall of Fame offers free admission for active-duty military, veterans, and their families during Military Appreciation Week running May 23-31.
The weather forecast calls for daily storm chances through the holiday weekend, so outdoor plans may need flexibility. After Wednesday's flash flooding, forecasters warn that additional heavy rain could cause localized flooding through Friday.