Community Events

The 35th Annual Cherokee County Mother’s Day Powwow & Indian Festival at Boling Park in Canton features activities for all audiences, including CreeAtive: Native American dancers; hoop dancer, Aztec dancers; tipis, Indian village; Creek Encampment; primitive skills; wildlife displays; Native American artisans; Save the Horses rescue; trampoline jump and activities for children. Mother’s Day Honor Dance and more. Grand entry takes place at 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Food will be served throughout the day and will include Native American cuisine such as buffalo burgers, roasted corn, frybread, Indian tacos and other dishes.

The festival will take place rain or shine. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are on sale at the gate. Children under age 5: free; children ages 6 to 12: $5; adults (13 and up): $15. For more information go to the website below or call (770) 735-6275.

Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum—an acclaimed museum in Savannah dedicated to celebrating and preserving America’s maritime legacy—is delighted to present Drawn to the Sea: Maritime Stories From Savannah, an exciting new sequential art exhibition and comic book featuring nautical-inspired, mixed-media art by four contemporary artists. Featured Drawn to the Sea artists include Lucy Bellwood, Avery Hick, Rich King and Sharon Norwood. The exhibition showcases original art designed to interpret the historic voyages of the iconic Savannah ships Anne, SS Savannah, Pulaski and Wanderer.

The exhibit will remain on display through Jan. 31, 2027. Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum is open daily from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Lanier Islands Resort invites families to gather around a table in the Grand Ballroom at Legacy Lodge for a decadent Mother’s Day Brunch.

On the menu for the Mother’s Day Brunch at Lanier Islands Resort – which will feature numerous seatings between noon and 6 p.m. – are:

• A Breakfast Station with made-to-order omelets and traditional breakfast fare
• A Seafood Station featuring cocktail shrimp, oysters on the half shell, and smoked salmon
• A Salad Station with a variety of offerings – including a spring-inspired Strawberry Chicken Salad
• Artisanal cheese display and vegetable crudité
• Carving Stations showcasing garlic-studded prime rib of beef, cornbread-stuffed turkey roulade, and maple-bourbon glazed ham
• Action Stations featuring pan-seared beef medallions, shrimp and grits, pastas, and more
• A Kids Corner with an array of favorites to please even the pickiest eaters
• A Grand Dessert Display

Moms attending the brunch will receive a 20% off gift certificate for a future treatment at Tranquility Spa. For the first 50 reservations with two or more paid adults, a bottle of red or white wine will be provided for the table. Brunch and Afternoon Tea reservations can be made by calling (678) 318-2048.

To make room reservations and speak with a member of Lanier Islands Resort’s concierge team, prospective overnight guests can call (770) 945-8787.

To book a massage and view the services menu, visit https://www.lanierislands.com/things_to_do_lake_lanier/spa-and-wellness/.

Ike’s Café & Grill is offering a special Mother’s Day buffet, “Mama’s Choice,” featuring a range of West African dishes.

Guests can enjoy an all-you-can-eat spread with favorites like jollof rice, egusi and okra soups, grilled suya, fresh seafood, and classic sides such as plantains and fufu. It’s a thoughtful way to treat the mom in your life to a meal she’ll truly enjoy.

The buffet is $50 per person, kids 11 and under eat for $25. This is a first come, first served experience!

Ike’s Café & Grill is offering a special Mother’s Day buffet, “Mama’s Choice,” featuring a range of West African dishes.

Guests can enjoy an all-you-can-eat spread with favorites like jollof rice, egusi and okra soups, grilled suya, fresh seafood, and classic sides such as plantains and fufu. It’s a thoughtful way to treat the mom in your life to a meal she’ll truly enjoy.

The buffet is $50 per person, kids 11 and under eat for $25. This is a first come, first served experience!

Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum—an acclaimed museum in Savannah dedicated to celebrating and preserving America’s maritime legacy—is delighted to present Drawn to the Sea: Maritime Stories From Savannah, an exciting new sequential art exhibition and comic book featuring nautical-inspired, mixed-media art by four contemporary artists. Featured Drawn to the Sea artists include Lucy Bellwood, Avery Hick, Rich King and Sharon Norwood. The exhibition showcases original art designed to interpret the historic voyages of the iconic Savannah ships Anne, SS Savannah, Pulaski and Wanderer.

The exhibit will remain on display through Jan. 31, 2027. Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum is open daily from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Quilts Japan: The 17th Quilt Nihon features stunning traditional and modern quilts from the biennial competition.

SQTM is honored to be one of only four venues in the United States where the works will be on view.

Georgia Tech Baseball is your reigning 2025 ACC Regular Champs heading into 2026! Get your tickets today to watch the Yellow Jackets swarm Mac Nease Baseball Park at Russ Chandler Stadium all season long.

Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum—an acclaimed museum in Savannah dedicated to celebrating and preserving America’s maritime legacy—is delighted to present Drawn to the Sea: Maritime Stories From Savannah, an exciting new sequential art exhibition and comic book featuring nautical-inspired, mixed-media art by four contemporary artists. Featured Drawn to the Sea artists include Lucy Bellwood, Avery Hick, Rich King and Sharon Norwood. The exhibition showcases original art designed to interpret the historic voyages of the iconic Savannah ships Anne, SS Savannah, Pulaski and Wanderer.

The exhibit will remain on display through Jan. 31, 2027. Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum is open daily from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Quilts Japan: The 17th Quilt Nihon features stunning traditional and modern quilts from the biennial competition.

SQTM is honored to be one of only four venues in the United States where the works will be on view.

Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum—an acclaimed museum in Savannah dedicated to celebrating and preserving America’s maritime legacy—is delighted to present Drawn to the Sea: Maritime Stories From Savannah, an exciting new sequential art exhibition and comic book featuring nautical-inspired, mixed-media art by four contemporary artists. Featured Drawn to the Sea artists include Lucy Bellwood, Avery Hick, Rich King and Sharon Norwood. The exhibition showcases original art designed to interpret the historic voyages of the iconic Savannah ships Anne, SS Savannah, Pulaski and Wanderer.

The exhibit will remain on display through Jan. 31, 2027. Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum is open daily from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

MLT After Dark presents the modern cult musical Heathers.

*MLT After Dark productions include adult content that may not be appropriate for all audiences.  Viewer discretion is advised.*

Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays @ 8 p.m.

Sundays @ 2:30 p.m.

Quilts Japan: The 17th Quilt Nihon features stunning traditional and modern quilts from the biennial competition.

SQTM is honored to be one of only four venues in the United States where the works will be on view.

Beats on the Streets brings the rhythm to 12 Thursdays of live DJ sets, inviting the community to shop and dine throughout downtown Lawrenceville.

For more information, see the website below.

Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum—an acclaimed museum in Savannah dedicated to celebrating and preserving America’s maritime legacy—is delighted to present Drawn to the Sea: Maritime Stories From Savannah, an exciting new sequential art exhibition and comic book featuring nautical-inspired, mixed-media art by four contemporary artists. Featured Drawn to the Sea artists include Lucy Bellwood, Avery Hick, Rich King and Sharon Norwood. The exhibition showcases original art designed to interpret the historic voyages of the iconic Savannah ships Anne, SS Savannah, Pulaski and Wanderer.

The exhibit will remain on display through Jan. 31, 2027. Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum is open daily from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Spend the night at Zoo Atlanta with your school or group at a NightCrawler Overnight.

REMAINING 2026 DATES:

·   May 8
·   May 9
·   May 15
·   September 26
·   October 2
·   October 9
·   October 10
·   November 6

Times: 6 p.m. until 9:30 a.m. the next morning

Cost: $110

CAPACITY: Minimum of 20 – Maximum of 120

Embark on a nocturnal adventure you won’t soon forget! 

When the last guest leaves for the day, we invite you to stay! Come find out what really happens when the sun goes down. Which animals stay up late and how do others settle down for the night? And in the morning, how do animals greet the day? Join us as we explore these questions and more on an overnight adventure designed for schools, Scouts, and other groups.

Participants will spend the majority of the evening outdoors walking around the Zoo with an Educator as their guide, stopping along the way to observe the nocturnal behaviors of the animals who call the Zoo home*. During the evening, participants will have the opportunity to use night vision technology and will visit Scaly Slimy Spectacular to discover the nocturnal world of frogs, lizards, snakes, and turtles.

Participants will also enjoy a guided tour behind the scenes to discover how we care for animals every day. Learn about our new state-of-the-art veterinary complex, The Rollins Animal Health Center, and tour the Animal Nutrition Kitchen to find out what it takes to feed the Zoo!**  After an evening of exploration, participants will sleep in indoor, climate-controlled rooms with sleeping bags brought from home. And then rise and shine for more fun! Enjoy a catered continental breakfast from Proof of the Pudding followed by morning visits to animal habitats to see how our Animal Care Specialists help the animals start their day. 

If you are looking for additional opportunities to connect with wildlife up-close, you can register your group for a 9 a.m. Animal Encounter for an additional fee. This encounter includes an exclusive 30-minute talk with a Zoo Educator and a visit with two to three small animal ambassadors before the conclusion of your NightCrawlers program. Note: We cannot accommodate specific animal requests for the encounter.

Participating groups are invited to stay and enjoy the Zoo at completion of your program!

*Some of our diurnal animals sleep indoors at night. While we cannot promise specific animal observations during the program, we encourage you to stay and enjoy the Zoo at the completion of your program for no additional cost! 

**The behind-the-scenes portion of the tour is not fully ADA accessible.  

WHAT SHOULD YOU EXPECT DURING A NIGHTCRAWLER?

Rain or shine. This program happens rain or shine, and much of the program is outside. Please plan for the weather and dress accordingly.

The Zoo is made for walking! Most of this experience is spent walking around the Zoo, and there are multiple irregular surfaces and steep inclines. Plan to spend up to 5 hours on your feet touring the Zoo.

Come with a full belly. While we will take a break for a snack in the middle of the evening, please eat dinner before you arrive. And remember to bring your water bottle with you.

Embrace the dark. It’s called a NightCrawler for a reason. Explore the Zoo by the light of the moon and our Educators’ red-light flashlights. Guests may only use flashlights at bedtime.

Rustic camping meets the Zoo. All sleeping locations are in climate-controlled buildings with a restroom either in the building or nearby.

Stay awhile. At the completion of your program the following morning, you are welcome to stay and enjoy the Zoo at your leisure.

Have FUN! This unique experience is unlike anything that you can do in Atlanta. We look forward to hosting you for an upcoming program!

Age Range: 6+

This program is designed for groups with children. A paid adult must accompany child(ren), and a paid child must accompany adult(s). 

IF YOU’VE YEARNED TO GET CLOSER TO THE ANIMALS, NOW YOU CAN WITH A WILD ENCOUNTER!

No creature looms larger over the savanna than the African elephant, and you’ll agree when you come face-to-trunk with one at Zoo Atlanta! Meet Tara or Kelly while learning why they are such important ambassadors for their species.

During this Wild Encounter experience, you will learn about elephants with a Zoo Educator before heading behind the scenes to meet up with members of the Elephant Care Team and find out more about elephant care at the Zoo. Of course, no Elephant Wild Encounter would be complete without the opportunity to hand-feed one of the “girls” an afternoon snack.

• Meet at the Zambezi Elephant Center 15 minutes before the Wild Encounter.
• Availability is limited for all Wild Encounters. Advance registration is recommended.
• Encounter spots may be available on the day of the program. Please meet the Wild Encounter Guide at the check-in location 15 minutes before the program begins to inquire about availability and to purchase tickets.

Days Available:
Sunday, Monday, Friday, and Saturday at 2 p.m.
Select Thursdays at 2 p.m. between May 26 and September 7

Member Cost: $117 | Non-Member Cost: $130 + Zoo admission

Age Range: 4 and up

IF YOU’VE YEARNED TO GET CLOSER TO THE ANIMALS, NOW YOU CAN WITH A WILD ENCOUNTER! 

We can’t plan a trip to Madagascar for you, but we can help you meet one of its most iconic native species. Experience our Lemur Wild Encounter!

Meet and feed some of the amazing primates that make the island of Madagascar one of Earth’s richest and most dynamic natural ecosystems, and learn what you can do to help one of the most endangered groups of mammals on the planet.

• Meet outside the Ben & Jerry’s food stand 15 minutes before the Wild Encounter.
• Availability is limited for all Wild Encounters. Advance registration is recommended.
• Encounter spots may be available on the day of the program. Please meet the Wild Encounter Guide at the check-in location 15 minutes before the program begins to inquire about availability and to purchase tickets.

Lemur Wild Encounters will run through October 18, 2026.

Days available:
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 11 – 11:50 a.m.

Member Cost: $41 | Non-Member Cost: $45 + Zoo admission

Age Range: 4 and up

Warthog Wild Encounter

IF YOU’VE YEARNED TO GET CLOSER TO THE ANIMALS, NOW YOU CAN WITH A WILD ENCOUNTER! 

We welcome you to the wild world of warthogs! Come explore what it takes to care for these charismatic creatures and their neighbors in the African Savanna.

Do warthogs really have warts? Get an up-close look and see! Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at Zoo Atlanta’s African Savanna and give the warthogs a favorite treat. You’ll also meet members of the Zoo’s Animal Care Team and find out what goes into the care of warthogs and other savanna animals.

• Meet outside the warthog habitat near the SweetWater Beer Garden 15 minutes (at 12:45) before the Wild Encounter to check in.
• Availability is limited for all Wild Encounters. Advance registration is recommended.
• Encounter spots may be available on the day of the program. Please meet the Wild Encounter Guide at the check-in location 15 minutes before the program begins to inquire about availability and to purchase tickets.
• This encounter is not ADA accessible.
• All guests must wear closed-toed shoes on this encounter.

Warthog Wild Encounters will run through November 16, 2026.

Days available:
Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday at 1 p.m.

Member Cost: $41 | Non-Member Cost: $45 + Zoo admission

Age Range: 4 and up

MLT After Dark presents the modern cult musical Heathers.

*MLT After Dark productions include adult content that may not be appropriate for all audiences.  Viewer discretion is advised.*

Thursday, Fridays and Saturdays @ 8 p.m.

Sundays @ 2:30 p.m.