Mid-October is when Sandy Springs settles into its most sociable rhythm. The evenings cool, the lawns around City Springs fill back up, and the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center turns to a fall calendar with real range. Between Monday, October 5 and Tuesday, October 13, 2026, the city center hosts a classic Halloween film under the stars, a symphonic program built around Tchaikovsky and Stravinsky, an evening of comic illusion, and a sommelier-curated wine festival on the City Green. All four sit within a short walk of one another, which makes this a rare week where a single parking spot can anchor an entire weekend.
Movies by Moonlight: Hocus Pocus
What to Expect
The City of Sandy Springs screens Hocus Pocus on the big screen on Friday, October 9, on the Heritage Amphitheatre Lawn at 6110 Blue Stone Road, Sandy Springs, GA 30328. Gates open at 7:00 p.m., and the film begins after sunset. Admission is free. The movie is rated PG and runs 1 hour 36 minutes, so the evening wraps at a comfortable hour. Concession stands sell popcorn, hot dogs, candy, soda, beer, wine and a house Moonlight Mocktail, and they close one hour after the movie begins, so plan to order early.
Best For
Families looking for an easy, festive start to the Halloween season, couples who want a low-key date night outdoors, and newcomers who want a relaxed first look at how the community gathers at Heritage Sandy Springs. The film is a seasonal favorite, and a lawn full of blankets on a cool October night carries a nostalgic, small-town charm that suits it well.
Timing and Planning
Arrive close to the 7:00 p.m. gate opening to claim a good patch of lawn. Bring a blanket and low-backed lawn chairs; umbrellas are allowed, but outside tables and tents are not, and pets are not permitted apart from service animals. Parking is available at the South Parking Lot at 182 Hilderbrand Drive NE and the City Springs Underground Garage at 1 Galambos Way, with ADA parking next to the lawn. The city notes that parking rates may apply at some locations. Weather updates are posted on the City's Facebook page, so check it that afternoon if the forecast looks uncertain.
Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra: Taking Flight
Why It Stands Out
Although the orchestra carries the Johns Creek name, this program comes to Sandy Springs. Taking Flight: Tchaikovsky + Stravinsky plays the Byers Theatre at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs, GA 30328, on Friday, October 9, 2026, at 7:30 p.m., with doors opening one hour prior. Music Director Henry Cheng leads a program that pairs Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto with Stravinsky's Firebird Suite, along with music by Christopher Tin from the video game Civilization IV. The soloist is violinist Simon Zhu, a Premio Paganini winner, and the Michael O'Neal Singers join the orchestra.
What to Expect
The Tchaikovsky concerto is one of the great showpieces of the violin repertoire, lyrical and demanding in equal measure, and hearing it with a Premio Paganini winner as soloist is the heart of the evening. Firebird closes with some of the most vivid orchestral color of the twentieth century. The Tin selection adds a contemporary, choral thread that broadens the appeal well beyond longtime concertgoers.
Insider Tip
Before the concert, the PAC event page offers two short videos, one with Simon Zhu discussing the Tchaikovsky concerto and one with Henry Cheng introducing the program. Watching them beforehand adds real depth to the performance. Parking in the underground deck is $10, and valet is $15. Since Movies by Moonlight runs the same night a short walk away, expect a busier district than usual and give yourself extra time to park.
Michael Carbonaro: Wonderboy
What to Expect
Magician and comedian Michael Carbonaro, known for truTV's The Carbonaro Effect, brings his live show Wonderboy to the Byers Theatre at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs, GA 30328, on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. Doors open one hour before the show. The city describes a performance that blends quick-witted comedy with mind-blowing illusions, with theatrical magic, improvisational moments and plenty of audience participation. It suits friend groups and families who want a lively Saturday night out, and couples looking for something lighter than a concert or a formal dinner. Fans of the television series will recognize his style, and the show is built to land with anyone who enjoys a real surprise.
Timing and Planning
Book ahead through the Sandy Springs PAC box office. Pink seats are the VIP option and include premium seating plus a post-show meet and greet with photos and autographs. The PAC uses all-inclusive pricing, so the listed price includes fees and taxes. Use 5 Galambos Way as the GPS address for the parking deck, where parking is $10, or choose $15 valet. Arriving around the 6:00 p.m. doors leaves time to settle in without rushing.
Neighborhood Angle
This is a full-evening outing. The restaurants around City Springs and along Roswell Road make an early dinner before the show simple, and the walk from table to theater is short. It is the kind of night that shows how much the city center has become a destination in its own right.
4th Annual Sandy Springs Wine Festival
Why It Stands Out
Presented by the Greater Perimeter Chamber, the 4th Annual Sandy Springs Wine Festival takes over the City Green at City Springs, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs, GA 30328, on Sunday, October 11, 2026, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. The chamber describes it as a small, sommelier-curated event, with over 175 wines from distinguished wineries around the world and Georgia-based distributors. A portion of Reserve proceeds benefits Solidarity Sandy Springs, a nonprofit fighting food insecurity.
What to Expect
The General Tasting includes unlimited tastings, light fare from local restaurants, live music and a souvenir Riedel wine glass. The Reserve Tasting adds premium selections drawn from bottles valued at $70 and up, exclusive food pairings and a commemorative gift bag, along with General Tasting admission. Reserve is the right call for anyone who wants to explore cellar-worthy bottles.
Insider Tip
Tickets are sold in advance through the chamber's ticketing partner, and the event runs rain or shine with no refunds. Guests must be 21 or older with valid photo ID, and pets and strollers are not permitted. Parking is available at the City Springs Parking Deck and the South Lot, and the chamber encourages ride-sharing, which is the most comfortable way to enjoy the afternoon.
Best For
Couples planning a polished Sunday afternoon, friend groups who enjoy comparing notes on a new varietal, and newcomers who want an easy way to meet neighbors and local business owners. The chamber bills it as a small event, which keeps the afternoon conversational rather than crowded.
Event Q&A
Can these four events be combined into one weekend?
Yes. All four take place in the City Springs district along Galambos Way and Blue Stone Road. A Friday of either the symphony or the outdoor movie, a Saturday night with Michael Carbonaro and a Sunday afternoon at the Wine Festival make a full weekend without ever leaving the city center.
Is Movies by Moonlight really free?
Admission to Movies by Moonlight: Hocus Pocus is free. Concessions are sold on site, and the city notes that parking rates may apply at some locations.
Where should I park for shows at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center?
For Byers Theatre performances, the PAC lists underground deck parking at $10 and valet at $15, with 5 Galambos Way as the GPS address for the deck.
Do I need to buy Wine Festival tickets in advance?
Plan on it. Tickets for both the General and Reserve Tastings are sold through the Greater Perimeter Chamber event page, and the festival is a deliberately small event. For the Friday film, full details are on the City Springs Movies by Moonlight page.
