Guide to Visiting Atlanta Spring Festivals and Events with a Group
Between the eclectic beats at Shaky Knees and the Southern-style delights served at the Georgia Food + Wine Festival, your weekends from March through May are bound to be booked. Don’t forget to also book an Atlanta charter bus rental so all of your festival-going friends and family can travel together.
Group Transportation for Festivals in Atlanta
Because parking downtown is limited—and traffic is notoriously challenging—most Atlanta-based festivals will recommend booking a rideshare or hopping on the MARTA to travel to and from the event. But if you’re attending a fest with a group of five or more people, one vehicle (or one train car) just isn’t going to cut it.
Rent a private minibus rental and you and your friends can travel safely, efficiently, and comfortably to any festival in Atlanta this spring. Sprinter vans are perfect for smaller groups while minibus rentals are great for transporting multiple families or a big party. If you want to kick it up a notch, rent a party bus in Atlanta and enjoy the festivities to their fullest. Every charter bus rental in Atlanta includes the services of a professional driver, so if you’re drinking onboard your bus or expect to have alcohol at an event, you’re guaranteed a DD at the end of the day.
Have questions about what type of bus to book or how much a charter bus rental costs? Contact an Atlanta Charter Bus Company reservation representative today at 404-474-7769. It’s never too early to reserve a bus rental for the spring festival season!
Shaky Knees Music Festival
Where: Central Park, Atlanta, GA
When: May 3-5, 2024
Price: $165-$1030
Every year, the Shaky Knees Festival takes over Central Park with performances across four stages from noon ‘til night. This year’s line-up is one any indiehead would die for: Weezer, Metric, Arcade Fire, Foo Fighters, Miike Snow, Matt and Kim, and so many more.
Charter Bus Rental Tip: There is no on-site parking at the festival or any parking lots officially associated with the festival, so a charter bus rental can simplify getting to the event with a group. For the easiest drop-off/pick-up experience, choose a landmark a few walkable blocks from Central Park, like Torched Hop Brewing Company on Ponce de Leon or Renaissance Park.
SweetWater 420 Fest
Where: Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta, GA
When: April, TBD
Price: TBD
Sponsored by one of Atlanta’s best breweries, the SweetWater 420 Fest is an annual event every local looks forward to. While event details aren’t publicized as of writing (Jan 26, 2024), it’s still well worth preparing for. In years past, we’ve come to expect two fun-filled days of headliners and jam bands, stand-up comedy, an artist market, earth-friendly activities, and of course, SweetWater brews.
Charter Bus Rental Tip: Since SweetWater 420 Fest moved from SweetWater Brewery to Centennial Olympic Park, it’s a bit more challenging to navigate to this tourist-heavy destination in downtown Atlanta. A charter bus service can save you time spent on looking for parking and instead drop you and your group off directly at the park.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Where: Midtown Atlanta, GA
When: March 16, 2024
Price: Free
Atlanta’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is the city’s longest-running event and dates back to 1858 as a city-wide celebration of Irish heritage. Nowadays, this family-friendly event attracts participants and spectators from all across Georgia to join in on the fun and be Irish for a day! Find yourself a good spot on Peachtree Street and watch the string of decorated floats, bagpipe groups, and the world’s largest walking Irish flag march along.
Charter Bus Rental Tip: The parade kicks off at noon outside of the Woodruff Arts Center and it’s recommended to be in place to see the event by 11 am for the best view. Arrange a drop-off/pick-up point with your driver at a walkable nearby landmark like the Arts Center MARTA stop or the Fox Theatre.
Wing & Rock Fest
Where: Etowah River Park, Canton, GA
Distance from ATL: ~1 hour north
When: March 23-24, 2024
Price: All vendors sell their wings at the rate of three for $5 cash, each with three different flavors or sauces.
The Wing & Rock Fest is the third-largest festival in the country dedicated to everyone’s favorite bar snack: chicken wings. More than 15,000 folks are expected to attend, chow down, and enjoy the line-up of rock tribute bands performing songs by Depeche Mode, Guns N’ Roses, and Duran Duran. Feeling brave? Sign up for the chicken wing eating contest on Saturday! You can take a nap in your charter bus rental on the way home.
Charter Bus Rental Tip: The Wing & Rock Fest is located about an hour north of downtown Atlanta. Rent a charter bus for a relaxing ride with no need to stress about parking or designating a driver for the trip home.
Georgia Aquarium 5K
Where: Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta, GA
When: March 9, 2024
Price: $30-$45
Get up and run (or walk!) for a good cause at the annual Georgia Aquarium 5K road race! Perfect for athletes who want to qualify for the Peachtree Road Race or running groups interested in beating their personal best, this 3.1-mile run/jog/walk is a great way to enjoy a crisp Atlanta spring morning while supporting Georgia Aquarium’s research and conservation initiatives.
Charter Bus Rental Tip: Arrange for a charter bus rental to pick up you and your running group at the end of the race. You can pre-stock your bus with water and post-race snacks and relax in a comfortable, air-conditioned environment.
Georgia Food + Wine Festival
Where: Jim R. Miller Park, Marietta, GA
Distance from ATL: ~30 min north
When: March 21-24, 2024
Price: $20-$150
The Georgia Food + Wine Festival is all about celebrating the best Southern flavors around the state. From Friday night’s “Fired-Up” barbecue feast to family-friendly “Sunday/Funday” cocktails and kids activities, there’s something tasty everyone of every age can savor each day. Plus, there’s an oyster roast and bloody mary bar on Sunday for anyone who splurges for a VIP Lounge ticket!
Charter Bus Rental Tip: A Marietta charter bus rental can transport you and your group of foodies from anywhere in the Atlanta area to the event grounds.
Atlanta Dogwood Festival
Where: Piedmont Park, Atlanta, GA
When: April 12-14, 2024
Price: Free – but a $5 minimum donation is appreciated
Held at one of the best parks in Atlanta, the Atlanta Dogwood Festival is an annual staple of the community and well-known for its artist market, Atlanta High School Art Exhibition, and Kids Village, where little ones can explore their creativity with arts and crafts, face painting, and more.
While the main event is free, there are a few special ticketed events worth considering for your Atlanta trip: the Coca-Cola Main Stage concert experience ($15 a ticket), the Mimosa 5K fun-run ($25-$45 registration fee that includes a mimosa!), and the Party in the Park VIP Experience that includes a craft beer, wine, and cocktail sampling.
Charter Bus Rental Tip: Parking is extremely limited and strictly enforced around Piedmont Park, so a charter bus rental pick-up/drop-off plan will help ease the stress of traveling in this busy part of Atlanta.
Rent a Bus in Atlanta for Spring Festivals and Events
Already called your friends and made plans to attend one of Atlanta’s best spring events? All that’s left is to reserve private group transportation. Call 404-474-7769 to speak with a reservation representative about the best charter bus rental in Atlanta for you.