Decatur Arts Festival Features Artwalk, Dance, Theater, Music, Parade and More

The 26th annual Decatur Arts Festival will be held on Saturday, May 24, from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Sunday, May 25, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. 

Find a full schedule of events around town on the festival website.

Friday’s Artwalk

The Decatur Minute blog lists 7 reasons to attend Friday night’s Artwalk from 5 to 10 p.m.

The No. 1 reason: 24 Decatur shops and restaurants are staying open late to host the city’s largest single-night art experience. See the full list here.

Sugarland Singer Headlines 

Kristian Bush, of the Grammy Award-winning group Sugarland, will perform with Larkin Poe on Saturday, May 24, at the Decatur Arts Festival. Bush has sold more than 22 million Sugarland albums worldwide with partner Jennifer Nettles. Bush is a graduate of Emory University, an Atlanta resident, a frequent performer at Eddie’s Attic, and an active member of the Decatur community. Read more about Bush and the rest of the entertainment lineup here.

Artists Market

Open Saturday, May 24, 10 am-6 pm and Sunday, May 25, 11 am-5 pm in Downtown Decatur. (map)

The Artists Market features more than 165 artists selected through a competitive jury process. The annual market is known for its high quality of artwork and attracts artists from all over the Southeast and beyond. I

Welcome back your favorite artists and visit the many new artists who have joined us this year. The works of several accomplished area artist guilds are featured as well. Don’t miss the collections from Georgia Goldsmith’s Group, Callanwolde Clay Guild, and Atlanta Glass Guild.

Kids Arts Festival

Saturday, May 24 • 10 am-2 pm at the Decatur Recreation Center, 231 Sycamore St. (map)

The Kids Arts Festival kicks off with a parade. Lineup begins at 9:30 a.m. at the corner of Commerce Drive and Church Street. Marching begins at 9:50. Dress up your kids and decorate your strollers, bikes and trikes.

After the parade, enjoy arts and crafts, music, balloons, juggling, clowns, inflatables and much more. Commemorate the fun by taking a picture in the Wow Photobooth. Most activities are free or for a small donation.

Theater and Literary Arts

Book signings, comedic and musical performances, and storytelling.

Decatur Arts Festival has a plethora of theater and literary arts open to the public free of charge during the Decatur Arts Festival. Join us at the Decatur Library Auditorium for pre-festival author readings and book signings. After the festival kicks off, enjoy Speak…easy!, Acoustic Palette, Decatur LOL! and the Theater and Literary Arts Festival.

New Dance Festival

Saturday, May 24, 10 am-6 pm
Sunday, May 25, 1-5 pm

Decatur Recreation Center • 231 Sycamore St. (map)

Schedule

Saturday
10-11 am • Class 1
11:30-12:30 pm • Class 2
1-2 pm • Class 3
3-4 pm • Performance
5-6 pm • Performance

Sunday
1-2 pm • Class 4
2:30-3:30 pm • Performance
4-5 pm • Performance

Performances

All performances feature the same program, which includes these works:

The Way, by Alex Spitzer (6 minutes)

Love Unspoken, by Aviva and Scott Houston (7 minutes)

The Zulu Dance, by Isaac Xulu (5 minutes)

Restorative Justice: an opus for two in D minor, by Wayne Smith and Jhon R. Stronks (10 minutes)

Glimpse, by Caitlin McCormack

A Life Well Seasoned, by D. Patton White (10 minutes)

This is Love, by Lynn Hesse and Ella Johannaber (10 minutes) 

Street Closings

Organizers encourage residents to walk, bike, or stroll to the Square for the festival. If you are driving, they suggest parking in one of several parking decks around Decatur; the DeKalb County parking deck located at Trinity and Commerce is free on nights and weekends.