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Things to do this weekend in metro Atlanta, North Georgia | June 6-8, 2025

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Things to do this weekend in metro Atlanta, North Georgia | June 6-8, 2025


Looking for fun around metro Atlanta and North Georgia this weekend? From live music and art shows to foodie festivals and family adventures, there’s something for everyone. Here’s your guide to the best things to do!

Atlanta Bites: Father’s Day, events and deals, new eats | June 2025

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LIVE MUSIC & CONCERTS

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra: Mahler’s Symphony No. 7
When: Thursday, June 5, and Saturday, June 7, 8 p.m.
Where: Atlanta Symphony Hall, Atlanta
What: The orchestra’s season finale features guest conductor Peter Oundjian leading Mahler’s Symphony No. 7 and Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 1, with pianist Inon Barnatan and a trumpet showcase.
Cost: Tickets start around $30

River Tiber
When: Friday, June 6
Where: Aisle 5, Atlanta
What: Canadian R&B/electronic artist River Tiber performs live.
Cost: Tickets from $20

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First Friday Concert Series: Funky Fresh Night
When: Friday, June 6, 7–10 p.m.
Where: Historic Downtown Square, Gainesville
What: Free outdoor concert featuring The Sentimental Gentlemen and Go-Machine.
Cost: Free

Happy Together Tour 2025
When: Friday, June 6, 7 p.m.
Where: Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, Hiawassee
What: A nostalgic concert featuring The Turtles, Jay & The Americans, Little Anthony, and more.
Cost: All seats $50

Lil Baby – Wham World Tour
When: Saturday, June 7
Where: State Farm Arena, Atlanta
What: Atlanta native and Grammy-winning rapper Lil Baby brings his high-energy performance to the hometown crowd.
Cost: Tickets start at $59

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Atlanta Opera: Semele
When: Saturday, June 7; Tuesday, June 10; Friday, June 13; and Sunday, June 15
Where: Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Atlanta
What: The Atlanta Opera presents Handel’s Baroque masterpiece Semele, telling the story of Princess Semele entangled in a love triangle with Jupiter, king of the gods, and his wife Juno.
Cost: Tickets start around $40

The Kooks – All Over The World Tour
When: Saturday, June 7
Where: The Tabernacle, Atlanta
What: British indie rock band The Kooks perform hits from their latest album.
Cost: Tickets from $35

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The Isley Brothers with After 7
When: Saturday, June 7
Where: Mable House Barnes Amphitheatre, Mableton
What: Legendary R&B group The Isley Brothers perform classic hits with special guests After 7.
Cost: Tickets start at $45

Ray Howard Band Concert
When: Saturday, June 7, 7–10 p.m.
Where: Village Green Park, 1250 Powder Springs St. SE, Smyrna
What: Bring a lawn chair, blanket, and cooler to enjoy classic soul and R&B by the Ray Howard Band. Reserved tables with six chairs available for rent.
Cost: Free; table rental $60 for residents, $75 for nonresident

Fuzzstock Festival 2025
When: Saturday, June 7, doors at 2 p.m.
Where: Boggs Social & Supply, Atlanta
What: Celebrate the fifth year of Fuzzstock with a night of peace, love, and fuzz featuring Leafblower, Bleach Garden (Album Release), Bog Monkey, The Pinx, MammaBear, Gas Hound (7″ Release), and more. Enjoy brunch from Ria’s Baby Bird, dinner from Jimmie’s Jerk Chicken, and a DJ set from Vikki Vaden. Sponsored by Nocturnal Brewing, WFMU, Now Dig This, and others. 21+ event with ADA-accessible facilities.
Cost: $10 Early Bird, $15 Advance, $20 Day of Show

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Classical Remix Music Festival: Music Under the Moon
When: Sunday, June 8, 7:30 p.m. (additional performances June 22 and June 27)
Where: Leafmore-Creek Park Club, Decatur (June 8); Historic DeKalb Courthouse, Downtown Decatur (June 22 and 27)
What: The Classical Remix Music Festival blends pop and classical music, beginning with Music Under the Moon. Musicians from the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Alabama Symphony, Toronto Symphony, and others perform in this unique series.
Cost: Varies by performance

ART SHOWS & EXHIBITS

Cheryl Henos: It’s Not Just Black & White
When: June 5–Aug. 7
Where: The Gallery at Abernathy Arts Center, Bridgewood Valley Road NW, Sandy Springs
What: Cheryl Henos presents It’s Not Just Black & White, an exhibit of hand-painted photography using oils, acrylics, pastels, watercolor, and pencil. Henos blends her background in painting and photography to revive the traditional technique of hand-coloring black-and-white photos.
Cost: Free

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Marietta Square Art Walk
When: Friday, June 6, 5–9 p.m.
Where: Marietta Square, Marietta
What: A free, self-guided tour of local art galleries and studios with live music and food vendors. First Friday event. 
Cost: Free

Noah James Saunders: Wire Portraits
When: Through Sunday, June 8
Where: Marietta Cobb Museum of Art
What: Intricate three-dimensional wire sculptures of human faces.
Cost: Included with museum admission

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Beth LaCour: Mountains and Valleys
When: Through June 19
Where: Zuckerman Museum of Art, Kennesaw
What: Artist Beth LaCour presents a series of folded paper vessels and a large installation, exploring themes of form and space.
Cost: Free

Anonymous Fragments
When: Through June 29
Where: Michael C. Carlos Museum, Emory University, Atlanta
What: Timothy Hull’s series of paintings and drawings inspired by ancient Greek vase fragments, exploring histories of collecting and antiquities.
Cost: Free – $10

Call and Response
When: Through June 22
Where: Michael C. Carlos Museum, Emory University, Atlanta
What: An exhibition featuring five contemporary artists responding to the museum’s collections, examining whose voices are heard in the stories museums tell.
Cost: Free – $10 

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Ferguson Family: Clay and Kin Exhibit
When: Through Sept. 17
Where: Folk Pottery Museum of Northeast Georgia, Sautee Nacoochee
What: An exhibit showcasing the Ferguson family’s contributions to folk pottery.
Cost: Included with museum admission 

Solomon C. Judge: Contemporary Art Exhibition
When: Through July 8
Where: Stonecrest Library, Stonecrest
What: Multidisciplinary artist Solomon C. Judge explores themes of normalcy and identity through works created over three years, focusing on the intersection of mind, body, and soul.
Cost: Free 

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FOODIE EVENTS & FARMERS MARKETS

Wonderful Wizards of Raw
When: Friday–Sunday, June 6–8
Where: Tassili’s Raw Reality Cafe, Atlanta 
What: A festival celebrating raw, plant-based cuisine with workshops, vendors, and tastings.
Cost: Varies

Alpharetta Brew Moon Festival
When: Saturday, June 7, 6:30–11 p.m.
Where: Milton Avenue between Hwy 9 and Roswell/Canton Street, Alpharetta
What: Enjoy an evening of craft beer, food trucks, and live music by Chuck Martin and the Line Up in downtown Alpharetta.
Cost: Free

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Epic Farmer’s Market
When: Saturday–Sunday, June 7–8
Where: Riverside EpiCenter, Mableton
What: A weekend market featuring fresh produce, artisanal goods, and live entertainment.
Cost: Free

Midtown Black Makers Market
When: Saturday, June 7, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Where: The Art Walk, 987 Peachtree Walk NE, Atlanta
What: Support Black-owned businesses and creators at this outdoor market featuring vendors, live performances, and interactive art installations.
Cost: Free

Taste of Korea
When: Saturday–Sunday, June 7–8
Where: Uptown Atlanta, Main Street
What: Experience Korean culture with traditional food, music, dance performances, and cultural exhibits.
Cost: Free admission 

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Farmers Market Featuring the Bark Market
When: Sunday, June 8 and 22, 1–4 p.m.
Where: The Battery Atlanta
What: Browse a selection of farm-fresh produce, baked goods, prepared foods, and wellness products. Dog owners can explore the Bark Market for treats and accessories. A petting zoo will also be on-site.
Cost: Free 

Grant Park Farmers Market
When: Sunday, June 8
Where: Grant Park, Atlanta
What: Local produce, meats, artisanal foods, and live chef demos.
Cost: Free admission

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THEATER & COMEDY

Atlanta Fringe Festival
When: Through Sunday, June 8
Where: Multiple venues across Atlanta
What: Experimental and boundary-pushing performances, including “Don Toberman: Ping Pong Champ” and “40.4.40 (The Hip Hop Musical for Dreamers).”
Cost: Tickets vary by show

Atlanta Fringe Festival returns bigger, weirder and wilder for 2025

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Millions
When: Through June 15
Where: The Coca-Cola Stage, Alliance Theatre, Atlanta
What: “Millions” is the heartwarming tale of brothers dealing with the loss of their mother in different ways.
Cost: Tickets from $60 (various discounts)

Best of Atlanta Comedy Showcase
When: Friday, June 6, 10:30 p.m.; Saturday, June 7, 5 p.m., 8 p.m., 10:30 p.m.; Sunday, June 8, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Laughing Skull Lounge, Atlanta
What: A rapid-fire showcase featuring 10+ of Atlanta’s top comedians performing their best 10-minute sets.
Cost: Tickets start at $25

Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations
When: Friday–Sunday, June 6–8
Where: Fox Theatre, Atlanta
What: A Broadway musical chronicling the rise of The Temptations.
Cost: Tickets from $39

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Grease – The Musical
When: Through June 22
Where: Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre, Marietta
What: A live stage production of the classic musical “Grease.”
Cost: Tickets from $25

Mark Curry Stand-Up Comedy
When: Friday–Saturday, June 6–7
Where: City Winery, Atlanta
What: Comedian and actor Mark Curry performs stand-up comedy.
Cost: Tickets from $30

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Witch Cake
When: Saturday, June 7
Where: 7 Stages Theatre, Atlanta
What: Immersive horror play set in a dystopian neocolonial village.
Cost: Tickets from $25

Jackie Fabulous
When: Saturday-Sunday, June 6-7
Where: Atlanta Comedy Theater, Norcross
What: Comedian Jackie Fabulous was a semi-finalist on the 2019 season of “America’s Got Talent.”
Cost: Tickets start at $20 

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FESTIVALS & COMMUNITY EVENTS

Virginia-Highland Summerfest
When: Friday-Sunday, June 6-8
Where: Virginia-Highland neighborhood, Atlanta
What: Arts festival with live music, food, art vendors, and a 5K run.
Cost: Free

Flying Colors Butterfly Festival
When: Saturday–Sunday, June 7–8
Where: Chattahoochee Nature Center, Roswell
What: A family-friendly festival with butterfly encounters, educational exhibits, and live entertainment.
Cost: Included with general admission

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Suwanee Asian Festival 2025
When: Saturday, June 7, 12–8 p.m.
Where: Suwanee Town Center Park, Suwanee
What: The 3rd Annual Suwanee Asian Festival, founded by Michelle Kang, celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander culture with performances from JAAGO and traditional acts from Korea, China, Cambodia, Vietnam, and more. Enjoy family-friendly activities including bounce houses, K-pop dance challenges, Squid Game-inspired games, and a Korean circle dance. Explore over 80 food and retail vendors along with civic and nonprofit booths.
Cost: Free

Georgia Mountain Scottish Festival & Highland Games
When: Saturday–Sunday, June 7–8
Where: Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, Hiawassee
What: Scottish cultural festival with traditional games, music, and food.
Cost: Tickets from $20 

FAMILY

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A Turtles Shell-ebration
When: Saturday, June 7
Where: Fernbank Museum of Natural History, Atlanta
What: Celebrate the grand opening of the “Turtles” exhibit with hands-on activities, crafts, and opportunities to meet live turtles.
Cost: Included with museum admission

Zoo Atlanta Neighborhood Block Party
When: Sunday, June 8, 3:30–7:30 p.m. (last entry at 6 p.m.)
Where: Zoo Atlanta, 800 Cherokee Ave. SE, Atlanta
What: Take advantage of reduced admission to see the animals, attend Ask-A-Zookeeper Talks, engage with interactive displays, enjoy music by DJ Matt, color a mural, get airbrush tattoos, and play yard games.
Cost: Adults $19.95, children 3 and up $14.95, free for under 3 and Zoo Atlanta members

Summer Party at Atlanta Botanical Garden
When: Saturday, June 21
Where: Atlanta Botanical Garden, Atlanta
What: Celebrate the summer solstice with an enchanted evening of glowing lanterns, live music, magic, artistic exhibits, and more.
Cost: Tickets from $60 (for adults) 

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Family Saturday and UPS Second Sunday at the High Museum of Art
When: Saturday, June 7, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. (Family Saturday); Sunday, June 8, noon–5 p.m. (UPS Second Sunday)
Where: High Museum of Art, Atlanta
What: Family Saturday features toddler programming (ages 15 months–3 years), drop-in art-making classes for older kids, and docent-led family tours at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. On Sunday, enjoy free admission with art activities, free art supplies, music by an Atlanta DJ, and a 3 p.m. workshop and open rehearsal with Giwayen Mata, an all-sistah African drum, dance, and vocal ensemble.
Cost: Saturday included with museum admission; Sunday free admission

Kennesaw Outdoor Movie Series
When: Saturday, June 7, 6 p.m. premovie fun, movie starts at 8:15 p.m.
Where: Swift-Cantrell Park, 3140 Old 41 Highway NW, Kennesaw
What: Enjoy food vendors, games, and other activities before a screening of “Moana 2” on a large inflatable screen.
Cost: Free

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RockFest at Tellus Science Museum
When: Saturday–Sunday, June 14-15
Where: Tellus Science Museum, Cartersville
What: Experience geology-themed activities to explore rocks, minerals, and jewels.
Cost: Included with museum admission

HEALTH

Strength In the City Wellness Fest
When: Saturday, June 7, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Where: The Battery Atlanta
What: A rain-or-shine event with over 35 fitness and wellness classes, including yoga, HIIT, dance, and meditation. The day kicks off with a free 5K run and 2-mile walk led by Body Art Run Club. Local vendors, recovery services, and prize giveaways included. Advance registration required.
Cost: Free to $115 (portion benefits Strength in the City Foundation)

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OTHER

Helen to the Atlantic Balloon Race
When: Thursday–Saturday, June 5–7
Where: Downtown Helen
What: Witness the South’s oldest balloon event with colorful hot air balloons launching and competing in a race to the Atlantic.
Cost: Free to attend

JuneFest and Forest Forms Exhibit at Atlanta Botanical Garden, Gainesville
When: Saturday, June 7 (JuneFest); Exhibit runs June 7–October 5
Where: Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1911 Sweetbay Drive, Gainesville
What: Celebrate the Garden’s 10th anniversary with JuneFest, a family-friendly day featuring a DJ, educational booths, local vendors, kids’ activities, and an artist-led tour. Continue the experience with Forest Forms: Woodland Wonders, an outdoor exhibition of 21 larger-than-life metal sculptures of plants and animals by artist Huelani Mei.
Cost: Tickets from $25.95

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Bark in the Park
When: Saturday, June 7, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Where: Thurman Springs Park, 4485 Pineview Drive, Powder Springs
What: Bring your leashed pet for a “paw-ty” with story time for pets and kids, pet vendors, exhibitions, adoptions, and contests for best costume, biggest dog, smallest pet, most exotic pet, and best owner/pet look-alike.
Cost: Free

Lakewood 400 Antiques Market
When: Friday–Sunday, June 6–8
Where: 1321 Atlanta Highway, Cumming
What: A monthly market featuring antiques, collectibles, and designer items.
Cost: $3 admission

COMING UP

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Suwanee Summer Porch Jam
When: Friday, June 13, starting at 6 p.m.
Where: Old Town Suwanee, Suwanee
What: Enjoy a free evening of live music from local talent across 14 unique venues—including the mayor’s front porch! Performances feature bluegrass, folk, and rising artists like Anu & Ash, Rachael Mann, and Little Gracie. Food trucks and drinks available near the caboose. Free shuttle service from Town Center provided.
Cost: Free

Decatur Beach Party
When: Saturday, June 13
Where: Downtown Decatur, Decatur
What: Bask in the glow of summer with a pop-up beach, live music, games, boardwalk fare, and frozen treats.
Cost: Free

ATL Kids Summer Fest
When: Saturday, June 14
Where: Starr Park Amphitheatre, Forest Park
What: This summer concert specifically for kids features talented kid artists, vendors, engaging activities, and more.
Cost: Free

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Midnight Market Atlanta
When: Saturday, June 14
Where: Pinnacle Lot, Atlantic Station, downtown Atlanta
What: Night market with food vendors, DJs, and games.
Cost: Tickets from $15

Atlanta Summer Beer Fest
When: Saturday, June 14
Where: Old Fourth Ward Skatepark, Atlanta
What: Sample over 100 beers, plus wine and seltzers, with live music.
Cost: Tickets from $45

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Wine & Wildflower Festival at Serenity Cellars
When: Saturday, June 21, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Where: Serenity Cellars, Cleveland, GA (about 10 minutes from Helen)
What: Celebrate the inaugural Wine & Wildflower Festival at Serenity Cellars with wine tastings, food trucks, local artisan vendors, flower bouquet sales, and live entertainment. Guests can also explore Luce dei Flori, the winery’s new wildflower field planted with over 325 million blooms.
Cost: $30 advance tickets
 

If you would like to submit an item for a future list, send an email to joyce.lupiani@fox.com. 
 

Things To DoEntertainmentDeKalb CountyGwinnett CountyFulton CountyCobb CountyCherokee County
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Atlanta, GA

Atlanta chef charged after shooting 2 suspected teen porch pirates outside his home

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Atlanta chef charged after shooting 2 suspected teen porch pirates outside his home


An Atlanta chef allegedly shot two teenagers who were suspected of trying to steal packages outside his home in broad daylight.

Rakim Bradford was charged with two counts of aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony after he opened fire on the boys, ages 15 and 16, at his townhouse in the Mays neighborhood, southwest of Downtown Atlanta, on Thursday around 3:40 p.m.

Bradford, the head chef at an area IHOP, according to his LinkedIn, was at his home on the 700 block of Celeste Lane SW when he noticed the teens near his front porch, Atlanta Police said.

Rakim Bradford was charged with two counts of aggravated assault and possession of a firearm for the shooting on Dec. 11, 2025. Fox 5 Atlanta/YouTube

Officials believe the teens had traveled to the Villages of Cascade complex, where they spotted a delivery van and followed it, according to Atlanta News First, citing Bradford’s arrest warrant.

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“After the packages were dropped, they agreed to steal that package from the front of the residence,” the warrant stated.

Bradford caught the teens going for the packages and allegedly shot the pair before they could steal the delivery.

“We believe a property crime was occurring, that some packages were being taken off a front porch, which is common this time of year,” Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum told reporters. “The homeowner did discharge his weapon to stop that theft of packages.”

The unidentified 15-year-old was found with a gunshot wound to the right foot. Officers later found the 16-year-old suffering from a gunshot to the right arm.

Police believe the teens attempted to steal packages from Bradford’s front porch before the shooting broke out.
Police investigate the shooting that broke out in a townhouse complex at around 3:40 p.m. on Dec. 11, 2025. WLBT
Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum speaks to reporters after the shooting in southwest Atlanta on Dec. 11, 2025. Atlanta Police Department

He was transported to the hospital in critical condition before undergoing surgery. The teen is expected to survive.

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“The Atlanta Police Department takes gun violence very seriously,” Schierbaum said. “Anytime a child is injured in our city, we really take that really seriously. We want to make sure they know what’s happening.”

Bradford was detained after the shooting and brought in for questioning.

Officials ruled out a home invasion and didn’t announce any charges against the two teens.

Neighbors warned potential porch pirates of stealing packages from other homes.

“Don’t go and steal people’s packages,” Andrew Julian told the outlet. “On the other side of that, what right do you have to defend your own home, and then what decision do you make to defend your own home based on somebody taking an item off of your porch? So, it’s certainly a conversation to be had.”

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Want a rental for the World Cup in Atlanta? Demand up as much as 4000%

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Want a rental for the World Cup in Atlanta? Demand up as much as 4000%


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Are you trying to find a short-term rental in Atlanta for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on match day?

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The players on the field won’t be the only ones facing fierce competition.

In the days since the announcement of the group stage match-ups last week, demand for short term rentals in Atlanta has skyrocketed, reaching nearly a 5000% increase in some neighborhoods.

In a report published by AirDNA — a vacation rental analysis group that uses data from companies like Aibnb, VRBO and rental partners — researchers compared searches for short-term rentals in Atlanta in June and July 2025 to searches for the coming year during the same time period.

Here is what they found.

These Atlanta neighborhoods have highest demand

AirDNA found that in the city of Atlanta, the year-over-year change in demand for short term rentals for the dates of the group stage games increased 286% overall, as of Dec. 10.

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For the round of 32 date, demand went up 351% from 2025 to 2026. During the round of 16, the demand was up 284%. The semi-final match led to an increase in demand of 213%.

For specific neighborhoods, the year-over-year increase in nightly demand for rentals was astronomical.

Here are the top 10:

  1. Chosewood Park — 4450%
  2. Buckhead — 2400%
  3. Atlanta University Center/ Vine City — 1911%
  4. Cabbagetown — 1833%
  5. Edgewood — 1638%
  6. Ben Hill — 1200%
  7. Bankhead — 1141%
  8. Grant Park — 1044%
  9. Downtown Atlanta — 1034%
  10. North Druid Hills — 900%

More than 30 other neighborhoods and cities in the greater Atlanta metro area saw increases in nightly demand by more than 200%.

Only six areas — Doraville, Brookhaven/North Buckhead, Douglasville, Powder Springs, Vinnings and Chamblee — saw a decrease in nightly demand for match days compared to 2025.

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Rentals for night before also in high demand

When AirDNA compared demand for the night before a match versus the night after, the demand was similar if not higher in some cases.

The demand for rentals on June 14, the day before the first group stage match, is the same for demand on June 15 when the match is actually played, the data shows.

On June 20, however, demand for a rental in Atlanta overall is higher than on June 21, the day of the third group stage match.

Overall demand in Atlanta stays high once the World Cup begins, with some slower breaks in between the later tournament matches.

Can I still get World Cup tickets for Atlanta matches?

The Random Selection Draw period is on now for specific match tickets. Spectators hoping to see a specific match can request to enter the drawing through the FIFA ticketing website.

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Tickets are also available for some of the more elaborate World Cup experiences, as well as through packages from Qatar Airlines. Tickets will open for resale on Dec. 15.

Irene Wright is the Atlanta Connect reporter with USA Today’s Deep South Connect team. Find her on X @IreneEWright or email her at ismith@usatodayco.com.



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Falcons-Buccaneers on ‘Thursday Night Football’: What We Learned from Atlanta’s 29-28 win

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Falcons-Buccaneers on ‘Thursday Night Football’: What We Learned from Atlanta’s 29-28 win


FULL BOX SCORE

  1. Falcons pull off shocking upset in spite of countless mistakes. The Carolina Panthers might have to add the Falcons to their Christmas card list. Trailing by 14 points with less than 10 minutes remaining, the Falcons engineered two touchdown drives and — after the Bucs failed to shut the door — drove 45 yards to kick the game-winning field goal as time expired. Kirk Cousins overcame a final-drive fumble that was ruled simultaneous possession, keeping the ball with Atlanta. Cousins threw for 134 yards in the fourth quarter alone, keeping his mastery of the Bucs’ defense alive from last season, when he gutted them for 785 yards and eight TDs. Cousins threw for 373 yards and three TD passes on Thursday, all to Kyle Pitts, and showed he still has a little magic left. The way they played for most of the game, the Falcons had absolutely no business winning this contest — only their second victory since Week 6 — but somehow found a way. 
  2. Just a crushing loss for the stumbling Bucs. Leading by two scores early in the fourth quarter, the Bucs appeared to be putting the Falcons away and making them pay for their countless mistakes throughout the game. But Tampa Bay’s defense allowed the Falcons to drive twice for touchdowns, with Baker Mayfield’s interception an absolute killer with just over eight minutes left. Even though the Falcons missed two two-point tries, Atlanta stopped Mayfield and the Bucs’ offense with just under two minutes left and drove 45 yards to set up Zane Gonzalez‘ game-winning kick. This loss (the Bucs’ sixth in seven games since the bye) helped push the Panthers into first place heading into Sunday’s matchup at the Saints, and it suddenly puts the Bucs in real danger of missing the postseason for the first time since the 2019 season. Not even Mike Evans‘ impressive return to the field could spur the Buccaneers enough. The division will still come down to the Bucs’ two matchups with Carolina, but with the way they’re playing, you have to say the Panthers have the edge now.
  3. Pitts made money with career-best game. One of the more intriguing 2026 free agents is helping his cause to get paid in the offseason, and Thursday was his best game yet. Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts registered career highs in receptions (11), receiving yards (166) and touchdowns (three), lifting the Falcons to the stunning win. Pitts had two of his three scores in the first half, helping Atlanta take a 14-13 lead into the break, and his 7-yard TD catch — with his keister barely touching in the end zone before his elbow hit out — with 3:34 left cut the Bucs’ lead to two points. Atlanta faced a third-and-28 on the final drive, but Pitts’ 14-yard catch at least made the fourth down manageable, with David Sills (who dropped a would-be TD earlier) snagging a 21-yarder on fourth-and-14 to put the Falcons in business. But the story on the night was Pitts, who was shredding the Bucs even after they issued extra defensive attention his way. The 25-year-old hasn’t produced as expected — he had one TD coming into the game — but has been on a recent hot streak and could parlay that into a big March payday.
  4. Pass protection let the Bucs down. Baker Mayfield has to take responsibility for his un-pressured interception in the fourth quarter, but he was under fire for most of the night Thursday. Mayfield was sacked five times, and that number would have been higher had it not been for Atlanta penalties wiping other sacks out. The Bucs’ interior OL trio of Mike Jordan, Dan Feeney and Graham Barton really struggled to handle the Falcons’ rush inside all night, creating some muddy pockets on a field that looked pretty chewed up to begin with. All of that disrupted the timing of the Bucs’ offense, even with Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan back in the lineup — the first time all season they had a full complement of wide receivers. Evans, McMillan, Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin all made big plays, but the Bucs failed to stick with the run game and Mayfield’s late pick cut deeply. 
  5. Falcons won in spite of record penalty night. It’s incredible to think how the Falcons won this game in spite of repeatedly shooting themselves in the feet. It would almost be easier to list the plays on which the Falcons were not flagged Thursday night. They finished with 19 accepted penalties — a Falcons record and the most in an NFL game this season — including 13 flags through the first 37-plus minutes. They had two sacks of Baker Mayfield erased on defensive holds by A.J. Terrell. A hold wiped out a 30-yard Bijan Robinson run. Dee Alford’s illegal contact call on a third-and-13 incompletion kept a drive alive, setting up a Bucs TD. Cousins also was flagged for intentional grounding, knocking the Falcons out of field-goal range. Throw in David Sills’ dropped bomb, Robinson’s fumble at the Atlanta 25-yard line (his second in as many games) and two missed two-pointers, and it’s hard to figure out how the Falcons were victorious. Darnell Mooney also fumbled inside the red zone, and yet Atlanta came away with it — in spite of three orange jerseys swarming around the loose ball. The Falcons tempted fate, but somehow the football gods were on their side Thursday. 

Next Gen Stats Insight for Falcons-Buccaneers (via NFL Pro): The Falcons’ win probability was as low as 4.8% with 13:29 left in the fourth quarter (trailing, 28-14) in their 29-28 comeback win over the Buccaneers.

NFL Research: Falcons edge James Pearce Jr. now has the franchise rookie record for most sacks in a season with eight.



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