Things to do in Atlanta this weekend, Nov. 12 to 15
Thursday night belongs to Oakland Cemetery
By Lou P. and the Atlanta Loop editors. Thursday, November 12, 2026
illumine opens the weekend at Oakland Cemetery on Thursday. On Saturday, Marietta Square has its Veterans Day Parade, and Avondale Estates paints a mural under the MARTA overpass and puts on The Merchant of Venice at sunset. Ellen Greene comes to Symphony Hall for a 40th anniversary screening of Little Shop of Horrors.
IF YOU ONLY DO ONE THING
illumine 2026
illumine 2026 brings people to Oakland Cemetery on Thursday evening at 7:30, and few places in town feel more like Atlanta after dark.
Oakland Cemetery after dark, lit with color and art installations from Atlanta artists, with the city skyline behind. Live entertainment, several bars and a pop-up shop are on hand, and tickets support the cemetery's preservation.
Thursday at 7:30 pm; also Fri 7:30 pm, Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 7:30 pm · Oakland Cemetery, 248 Oakland Ave SE, Atlanta, GA, 30312
FREE THIS WEEKENDcosts nothing
Marietta Veterans Day Parade
Saturday
Marietta Square, 39-75 E Park Square, Marietta, GA, 30060
Marching bands, drill teams, floats, military vehicles and veterans' organizations fill the streets from Roswell Street Baptist Church to Marietta Square, aiming to arrive at 11:11 am in tribute to those who have served.
Community Mural Painting Day
Saturday at 11 am
MARTA overpass on N. Clarendon Ave. - Avondale Estates GA 30002
Pick up a brush and help artist Teresa Abboud paint the MARTA overpass bridge on N. Clarendon Ave. Sign up for a 20-minute slot and add your part to a neighborhood mural.
WITH KIDSbring them
GT Arts Presents: Mario the Maker Magician
Saturday at 2 pm
Ferst Center for the Arts, 349 Ferst Dr. N.W., Atlanta, GA, 30332
A one-hour family show mixing robots, magic, engineering and slapstick, with a lot of audience interaction. Mario has appeared on The Tonight Show and Sesame Street, and the show suits all ages.
THE WEIRD ONE with Lou P.
Toddler Rave World Tour
The Toddler Rave World Tour stops at The Eastern on Saturday at 11:30 in the morning.
Saturday at 11:30 am · The Eastern, 800 Old Flat Shoals Rd., Atlanta
OUTSIDEfresh air
Shakespeare at Sunset - The Merchant of Venice
Saturday at 6 pm
Avondale Estates Town Green - 64 N Avondale Rd. Avondale Estates GA 30002
Free outdoor Shakespeare on the Avondale Town Green, with live music and kids' activities before The Merchant of Venice. Performed by actors from Georgia Classic Theatre, with audience Q&A. Bring chairs and a picnic.
John's Homestead Sunday Hike with Tommy Lupo
Sunday at 3 pm
3071 Lawrenceville Highway, Tucker, GA 30084, United States
A guided walk through John's Homestead led by certified naturalist Tommy Lupo. You'll learn the park's history and look at seasonal changes, plants, wildlife, and how the land, creek and watershed connect. It happens every Sunday at 3.
DATE NIGHTfor two
Little Shop Of Horrors: 40th Anniversary Screening Feat. Ellen Greene
Friday at 8 pm
Atlanta Symphony Hall, 1280 Peachtree St, Atlanta, GA, 30309
A 40th anniversary screening of the 1986 cult-classic musical about a florist and his man-eating plant, hosted by Ellen Greene, the original Audrey. She is making a rare appearance.
Jazz at All Saints’ Presents Kenny Banks Jr.
Friday at 7 pm
All Saints' Episcopal Church - Atlanta, 634 West Peachtree Street Northwest, Atlanta, 30308
Atlanta pianist Kenny Banks Jr. blends jazz and gospel with Afro-Cuban and hip-hop touches. The concert is in the All Saints' sanctuary, followed by a Q&A and a reception in the Parish House.
BRING A TOTEmarkets and sales
Decatur Makers' Holiday Makers Market
Saturday at 10 am
Decatur Makers, 605 W. Ponce De Leon Ave., Decatur
A free holiday market for shopping local handmade gifts. There are also youth maker activities, face painting and mechanical animal rides, so it works well for families.
BIG SHOWSyou've heard of these
- THU 7 PMOlivia Rodrigo: The Unraveled Tour, State Farm Arena
- FRI 8 PMOrville Peck - Man Turned Mule Tour, Tabernacle Presented by iTHINK Financial
PLAN AHEAD
- Nov. 29An Advent Procession of Lessons and Carols, The Cathedral of St. Philip. Details
- Nov. 28Holiday Tree Tour with Trees Atlanta, Perkerson Park, 770 Deckner Avenue SW, Atlanta, Georgia, 30310, United States. Details
- Nov. 28Professor Brian Cox - Emergence, Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Details
WHAT DID WE MISS?
We do our best to read every calendar in Atlanta, and we still miss good stuff. The church supper, the band at the corner bar, the block party your neighbor is throwing. If you know about something, tell us. Just write hello@loopcities.com. We read every note.
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