The last full week of October brings a lively run of plans to Smyrna, Vinings and the Cumberland district, with most of the action packed into the weekend of October 23 to 25, 2026. Between Monday, October 19 and Tuesday, October 27, families can catch a free outdoor screening of Sing at The Battery Atlanta, shoppers can browse about 150 booths at the Crafts & Drafts Festival on the Smyrna Village Green, the Vinings Historic Preservation Society hosts its Party for Preservation at the Pace House, and Indigo Girls take the stage at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre.
The Movie Series Presented by Xfinity: Sing at The Battery Atlanta
What to Expect
The Battery Atlanta's free outdoor movie series continues on Friday, October 23, 2026, from 7 to 9 p.m. on the Plaza Green at The Battery Atlanta, 800 Battery Avenue SE, Atlanta, GA 30339. This week's film is Sing, the animated story of Buster Moon, a koala who stages a singing competition to save his theater. The screening is free to attend, and the series runs on select nights through November 28.
Timing and Planning
Bring blankets or low chairs and arrive before 7 p.m. to claim a spot on the lawn with a clear view of the screen. Family meals can be purchased ahead of time through Blue Moon Brewery & Grill, which keeps dinner simple on a Friday night. Event day parking rates apply at The Battery, so build that into the plan.
Best For
Families with young children, friend groups looking for an easy start to the weekend, and newcomers to the Cumberland area who want a relaxed way to see how The Battery feels after dark. The song-filled film keeps the energy up from start to finish, and the surrounding restaurants make it easy to stretch the evening into dinner or dessert once the credits roll.
Crafts & Drafts Festival in Downtown Smyrna
What to Expect
Smyrna's fall festival returns to the Smyrna Village Green, 200 Village Green Circle SE, Smyrna, GA 30080, on Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, October 25, from noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free. According to the Crafts & Drafts Festival listing from Cobb Travel and Tourism, the festival spreads across the downtown area around City Hall with about 150 arts and crafts booths, food booths, live music and plenty of activities for kids.
Why It Stands Out
Crafts & Drafts pairs a large artisan market with a relaxed fall weekend in the city's walkable core. Shoppers can work through the booths for handmade gifts and home pieces, then settle in with a draft beverage, a bite from the food vendors and football playing outdoors. It is one of the bigger weekends on the Smyrna calendar, and the two-day format gives everyone a second chance to shop.
Insider Tip
Saturday runs longer, so plan a morning visit for the widest selection, then come back in the afternoon for music. Sunday's shorter noon to 5 p.m. window suits an easy browse after brunch. Bring a sturdy tote for purchases, and consider parking a few blocks out and walking in, since the streets around City Hall fill quickly on a festival weekend.
Neighborhood Angle
Downtown Smyrna centers on the Village Green and Market Village, with shops, restaurants, the public library and City Hall set within a short walk of each other. A festival weekend shows that layout at its best. For anyone getting to know the area, it is a clear look at how the town center works as a shared front yard.
Party for Preservation at the Pace House in Vinings
What to Expect
The Vinings Historic Preservation Society hosts its 2026 Party for Preservation on Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the historic Pace House and Old Pavilion, 3057 Paces Mill Road, Atlanta, GA 30339. The evening is the society's primary annual fundraiser, known around the village as the Party of the Year in Vinings, and it supports the care of the community's historic structures.
Why It Stands Out
The Pace House was built between 1865 and 1874 by Solomon Pace, son of Vinings pioneer Hardy Pace, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Old Pavilion, built around 1874, was moved to the site in 1996, and a wide deck now links it to the house. The society acquired the property in 1994 and has restored it in stages, from a rebuilt chimney in 2009 to foundation work in 2015.
Timing and Planning
Invitations come with a society membership rather than a separate ticket. Membership levels include Pacesetter at $125 with one invitation, Cornerstone at $250 with two, Pavilion at $500 with four and Patron at $1,000 with eight, each covering a year of membership. Guests can also support the night through an auction donation or a sponsorship. Join well ahead of the date so the invitation arrives in time.
Indigo Girls with Linda Perry at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
What to Expect
Indigo Girls perform at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30339, on Sunday, October 25, 2026, with the show starting at 5 p.m. and doors opening 90 minutes earlier. Special guest Linda Perry joins the bill. The Indigo Girls event page at Cobb Energy Centre notes the date was moved from Friday, October 2, and tickets for the original date remain valid. Tickets are sold through Ticketmaster and the venue box office.
Why It Stands Out
Emily Saliers and Amy Ray started out playing clubs and bars around Atlanta before signing with Epic Records in 1988. Their self-titled major label debut sold more than two million copies on the strength of "Closer to Fine" and "Kid Fears." Linda Perry, a Grammy-nominated producer and songwriter who first came to wide attention as lead singer of 4 Non Blondes, adds another strong songwriting voice to the evening.
Insider Tip
The Synovus Box Office at the venue opens at 2 p.m. on performance days and is cashless, so bring a credit or debit card for any day-of purchases. The early Sunday start leaves room for a relaxed dinner nearby afterward, with Galleria area restaurants a short drive from the theater. Arriving when doors open gives time to find seats.
Event Q&A
Which of these events are free to attend?
The Movie Series screening of Sing at The Battery Atlanta on Friday, October 23 is free, and admission to the Crafts & Drafts Festival in downtown Smyrna on October 24 and 25 is also free. Food, drinks and festival purchases are paid separately. The Party for Preservation requires a Vinings Historic Preservation Society membership, and Indigo Girls tickets are sold through Ticketmaster and the venue box office.
Can I combine more than one event on the same weekend?
Yes. Saturday, October 24 lines up well: browse Crafts & Drafts in Smyrna during the day, then head to the Pace House in Vinings for the 6:30 p.m. Party for Preservation. On Sunday, the festival opens at noon, so a midday visit to the Village Green pairs nicely with the 5 p.m. Indigo Girls show if you leave by mid-afternoon.
What should families with young children plan for?
The Friday screening of Sing and the kids' activities at Crafts & Drafts are the strongest family picks this week. For the movie, bring blankets and consider a pre-ordered family meal from Blue Moon Brewery & Grill. At the festival, Saturday's longer 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. hours give more flexibility around naps and meals.
How does Vinings compare with downtown Smyrna for a night out?
Downtown Smyrna is built around the Village Green and Market Village, where restaurants and shops sit within a short walk of each other. Vinings feels like a small village tucked beside the Cumberland district, with historic buildings and dining clustered along Paces Ferry and Paces Mill roads. Both areas reward an evening spent on foot.
