Best time to visit · Atlanta · United States
The best time to visit Atlanta
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Keizers, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
The best times to visit Atlanta are April to May and September to November, when days are warm and dry enough for the BeltLine and parks without the heavy summer humidity. Spring brings dogwood blossom and festivals, though pollen can be intense in late March and April. Summer is hot and stormy but fine for indoor attractions.
Key facts
- Best months
- April–May and October–November
- Shoulder season
- March, September and December
- Warmest month
- July (avg high 32°C (90°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 12°C (54°F))
- Rainiest month
- July (~12 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–February
Seasons
Atlanta has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and frequent afternoon thunderstorms, mild winters with occasional cold snaps, and long, pleasant springs and autumns. Rain falls throughout the year.
March–May
Spring
Dogwoods and azaleas, outdoor festivals and warm days; expect heavy yellow pine pollen in late March and April.
June–August
Summer
Hot and humid with daily thunderstorms; good for the aquarium and museums, less so for long walks.
September–November
Autumn
Dry, sunny and mild, with college football, Pride and the best weather for the BeltLine and day trips.
December–February
Winter
Mild with occasional cold snaps; holiday lights and big games, and lower hotel prices in January and February.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 12°C | 2°C | 11 | 10.1 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| February | 15°C | 4°C | 10 | 10.9 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| March | 19°C | 7°C | 10 | 11.9 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| April | 23°C | 11°C | 9 | 13 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| May | 27°C | 16°C | 9 | 13.9 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| June | 31°C | 20°C | 11 | 14.4 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| July | 32°C | 22°C | 12 | 14.2 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| August | 32°C | 21°C | 10 | 13.4 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| September | 29°C | 18°C | 7 | 12.3 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| October | 23°C | 12°C | 7 | 11.3 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| November | 18°C | 6°C | 8 | 10.4 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| December | 13°C | 3°C | 10 | 9.9 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemorations at Ebenezer Baptist Church and the King Center (third Monday) |
| February | Black History Month programmes at the King sites and museums |
| March | St. Patrick's parade in Midtown (usually mid-March) |
| April | Atlanta Dogwood Festival in Piedmont Park (usually mid-April); Inman Park Festival — street festival and tour of homes (usually late April) |
| May | Atlanta Jazz Festival — free concerts in Piedmont Park (usually Memorial Day weekend) |
| June | Juneteenth celebrations across the city (around 19 June) |
| July | AJC Peachtree Road Race — one of the world's largest 10K races (4 July) |
| September | Dragon Con — huge pop-culture convention filling downtown hotels (Labor Day weekend) |
| October | Atlanta Pride — parade and festival in Midtown and Piedmont Park (usually October); Little Five Points Halloween Festival and Parade (usually October) |
| November | Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at the Atlanta Botanical Garden (usually from mid-November) |
| December | SEC Championship Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (usually early December); Peach Bowl college football game (around New Year) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in January–February, and the sights are quietest in January–February.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Atlanta?
The best times to visit Atlanta are April to May and September to November, when days are warm and dry enough for the BeltLine and parks without the heavy summer humidity. Spring brings dogwood blossom and festivals, though pollen can be intense in late March and April. Summer is hot and stormy but fine for indoor attractions.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Atlanta?
Usually in January–February. Cool and often damp, with occasional frost; rare snow or ice can bring the city to a halt. A quiet month with lower hotel rates outside big games.
+What is the rainiest month in Atlanta?
July, with about 12 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Atlanta get?
The warmest month, July, averages highs of 32°C (90°F) and lows of 22°C (72°F).