Things to do in Atlanta this weekend: June 28-30

If you’re looking for something fun to do this weekend in Atlanta, several communities are starting their Independence Day celebrations early, with fireworks, music, children’s activities and more . Music & Monarchs is also on the program, so head to Smith-Gilbert Gardens to listen to music and interact with the butterflies.

Check out the following 15 things to do this weekend in metro Atlanta:

Downtown Atlanta

Southside Medical Center 5K Run for Health

8 a.m. Sunday, June 30. Adults $30, children 12 and under $15 in advance. Prices increase on race day. Across the street from Southside Medical Center, 1046 Ridge Ave., Atlanta.

Participate in the annual Southside Medical Center 5K to help provide health care services to uninsured and underinsured patients throughout metro Atlanta.

Southern Fried Queer Pride Festival

Continuing from Friday June 28 to Sunday June 30. $5 to $20. Multiple locations throughout Little Five Points.

Celebrate Pride with workshops, dance parties, an artists’ market, outdoor entertainment and much more.

Free Yoga on Broad Street Promenade

10 a.m.-11 a.m. Saturday June 29, plus additional dates. Free with online RSVP. Broad Street Promenade, Broad Street NW, Atlanta.

Bring your mat and water to take part in a free vinyasa flow yoga class that will leave you both peaceful and invigorated.

Cobb

Strand Ole Opry: the king of the road

3 p.m. Sunday June 30. $25. Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theater, 117 North Park Square, Marietta. 770-293-0080.

Enjoy an afternoon of folk entertainment featuring banjo, upright bass, fiddle and guitar musicians, plus guest singers and good old Southern tales.

Summer cruise in classic cars in the city center

3 p.m.-7 p.m. Saturday June 29. Free to the public, $5 entrance fee for vehicles participating in the cruise. Logan Farm Park, 4405 Cherokee St., Acworth. 770-917-1234.

Check out some classic cars on this cruise, with all proceeds going to Horizon Field, an all-inclusive special needs sports facility in Acworth.

Music and monarchs

5-7:30 p.m., doors open at 5 p.m., group starts at 5:30 p.m. on Friday June 28. Non-members $35, members $25, VIP $75, children under 2 are free. Smith-Gilbert Gardens, 2382 Pine Mountain Road, Kennesaw. 770-919-0248.

Discover the magic of the butterfly exhibit, then listen to the music of the Dappled Grays, a bluegrass and Americana band. Food, drinks, and alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase, and if you purchase general admission tickets, bring a chair or blanket to sit on.

DeKalb

Fernbank…but later

6 p.m.-9 p.m. Friday June 28. non-members $22.95, members $15.95. Fernbank, 767 Clifton Road, Atlanta. 404-929-6300.

Prepare for a night at the museum with all the regular exhibits and outdoor nature explorations, plus exclusive activities. The theme of the evening is Naturally aMAZEing, which explores the wonders, patterns and mathematics of nature. Non-alcoholic drinks and snacks will be available for purchase, and those 21 or older can purchase adult beverages.

Summer Movie Series/4th of July Celebration/Chuck Singleton Memorial 5K

6:30 p.m. registration and opening of the event, 7:30 p.m. 5K, 8:30 p.m. Fun Run, 9 p.m. cinema. 5K $32, $35 day of event, $95 family discount, $18 Fun Run. The Atlanta Assembly, 2582 Assembly Blvd., Doraville. 770-451-8745.

Run in a 5K, watch the movie “Blue Beetle” and go outside for games, music, food and a little fireworks show.

Taiwanese Heritage Showcase

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday June 30. $5 and up. Brook Run Park, 4770 Peachtree Road, Dunwoody.

Celebrate Taiwanese heritage with food and drink, workshops, games, storytelling, exhibits and more.

North Fulton

Celebrate America

6:30 p.m., fireworks start at sunset. Saturday June 29. Free admission. World Harvest Church, 325 Hardscrabble Road, Roswell. 770-643-9223.

Start the Fourth of July festivities early with live music, food trucks, children’s activities, and fireworks that begin at sunset. Register online for a chance to win prizes at the event.

Guided forest bathing

9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Friday June 28 and Saturday June 29. General public $45 per person, CNC members $35 per person. Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell. 770-992-2055.

Connect with nature on a 2.5-hour hike balanced between rest, facilitated group meetings, and solo time.

Art in the park

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday June 29 and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday June 30. Free admission. Brooke Street Park, 2 Park Plaza, Alpharetta.

Shop for handmade creations and original artwork, and stock up on food and drinks.

Gwinnett

Independence Celebration

6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday June 29. West Walton Park, 925 Twin Lakes Road, Loganville. 770-466-1165.

Start your Independence Day celebrations early with activities for kids, food vendors, music from a live band, and fireworks.

Southeast Plant Exhibition

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 29 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 30. $15 Saturday or Sunday, two-day admission $25, VIP $25 (includes perks, but not admission), all plus tax. Gwinnett County Fairgrounds, 2405 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville. 678-769-5550.

Shop for plants and all things plant-related, attend workshops and enter giveaways.

RR Model Days

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday June 29 and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday June 30. Included with regular admission: adults $18, seniors 65 and over and students 13 to 21 with student ID: $15, children 2 to 12: $12. Southeastern Railroad Museum, 3595 Buford Highway, Duluth. 770-476-2013.

Discover model train models, buy model trains, ride the train and much more.