By Kristy Gomez
Historic Oakland Cemetery is more than a neighborhood cemetery and public park. It’s a destination for history lovers, cemetery enthusiasts, music fans, families, creatives, and Atlantans in the know. This fall, Oakland has three big reasons to visit: Sunday in the Park on Sept. 27, the 50th Anniversary Golden Jubilee Picnic on September 24, and Capturing the Spirit of Oakland Halloween Tours on Oct. 15-18 and Oct. 22-25.
Oakland’s 50th Anniversary Golden Jubilee Picnic (September 24): In 1976, a small group of friends founded the Historic Oakland Foundation to ensure Oakland Cemetery would be restored, preserved and available for Atlantans for generations to come. Fifty years later, we’re celebrating what that vision made possible. Join Oakland friends and supporters for an evening picnic celebrating 50 years of the Foundation’s work, in partnership with the City of Atlanta. Guests can choose their own table theme and make the evening their own. Learn more at oaklandcemetery.com/golden-jubilee-picnic.
Sunday in the Park Featuring Tunes from the Tombs (September 27): Oakland’s iconic daytime festival returns with live music, history and family fun in one very Atlanta experience. Come for the music, stay for the Oakland vibes. Learn more at oaklandcemetery.com/sip.
Capturing the Spirit of Oakland Halloween Tours (October 15-18 and October 22-25): Finally, spooky season returns with the 2026 Capturing the Spirit of Oakland Halloween Tours, featuring new residents and new original artwork by Atlanta-based artist Jamaal Barber. Tickets are going fast; secure yours and pre-order merch at oaklandcemetery.com/spirit-2026.
All Oakland events support the preservation, restoration, enhancement and care of the historic cemetery. See the full calendar atoaklandcemetery.com/events.
UPCOMING EVENTS & UPDATES
September/October Special Topic Tours. In addition to Oakland’s daily 10:30 a.m. Oakland Tour, special-topic tours explore the cemetery’s history, art, architecture and residents. See the full schedule at oaklandcemetery.com/tours.
Crime Through Time (Saturday, Sept. 5 at 11 a.m.)
We Shall Overcome: African American Stories from Civil War to Civil Rights (Sunday, Sept. 6 at 11 a.m.)
50 Ways to Die [Monthly] (Saturday, Sept. 12 at 11 a.m.)
Oakland’s Jewish Grounds [Monthly] (Sunday, Sept. 13 at 11 a.m.)
Arts & Architecture (Saturday, Sept. 19 at 11 a.m.)
Women of Oakland [Monthly] (Sunday, Sept. 20 at 11 a.m.)
Boys of the Summer: The Gate City Nine and Atlanta Baseball Club (Saturday, Sept. 26 at 11 a.m.)
No tours will be offered on Sunday, Sept. 27. Instead, join us for Sunday in the Park from 122 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Fall Break Camp: DIY Dreamers. Oct. 12-16 – Young explorers ages 5-12 can spend fall break crafting, building and inventing at Oakland Camp. Activities include sewing, sculpting, imaginative design and hands-on construction. Camp hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with aftercare available until 5:30 p.m. Learn more and register at oaklandcemetery.com/oakland-camps.
Finally, Friday and Pumpkin Patch. Oct. 2-4 – Finally, Friday returns in October as part of our annual Pumpkin Patch celebration at the Visitor Center. The free, family-friendly evening includes pumpkins of all shapes and sizes, seasonal photo ops, food trucks, a bar, local vendors, kids’ activities, live music, giveaways, Oakland Store discounts, and more. Finally, Friday runs from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Stay tuned for updates at oaklandcemetery.com/finally-friday-2026.
