It's Time for Spring and Summer Festivals in Decatur, Avondale-Estates and Nearby

It's time for spring festivals (especially the annual Atlanta Jazz Festival), which means flip flops, sunshine, live music, incredible food, handmade arts and crafts markets and the best of summer.

Here are just some of the fun festivals happening this summer in and around Decatur and Avondale Estates:

Decatur Earth Day Festival: April 21, 12:30-4 p.m., Oakhurst Community Garden of the Wylde Center 435 Oakview Road, Decatur. Free.

S.T.E.A.M.Fest 2013: May 4 and 5 at the Academy Theatre in Avondale Estates. One-day pass $25.

Art-B-Que: May 11-12, Rail Arts District Avondale Estates. Free.

Decatur Green Fest: May 11, downtown Decatur Court Square. Features performance by Ed Roland and the Sweet Tea Project. Free.

Decatur Arts Festival: May 25, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., May 26, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Downtown Decatur. Free.

Decatur Beach Party. June 14.

Decatur Barbecue, Blues & Bluegrass Festival: Aug. 17, 4-10 p.m., Harmony Park in Oakhurst, south of downtown Decatur. Tickets: 10 and under are free, ages 11-20: $5, 21 and older: $10.

Decatur Book Festival. Aug. 30 through Sept. 1. Free.

Atlanta Dogwood Festival: April 19, noon to 10 p.m., April 20, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., April 21, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Piedmont Park. Free to the public.

Summerfest: June 1, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and June 2, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free; donations greatly appreciated. Summerfest is located on scenic and historic Virginia Avenue between North Highland Avenue and Park Drive.

36th Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival: May 25-27, starting at 3 p.m. at Piedmont Park. Free.

Atlanta Street Food Festival: July 13, noon to 8 p.m. at Piedmont Park. $7.50 for adults. Free for children. NO pets.

Atlanta Food & Wine Festival: May 30-June 2. Check the website for the schedule of events and classes and ticket prices.

Georgia Renaissance Festival: Saturdays and Sundays (and Memorial Day), April through June 2, 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets: Free to $19.95, depending on age.

Atlanta Summer Beer Fest: June 22, 4-9 p.m. at Masquerade Music Park. Tickets are $35 in advance and will increase as it gets closer to the date of the event. The first 500 tickets are $25.

Know of a spring or summer festival near Decatur that we missed? Tell us in the comments below!