Events
Discover the beauty, art, and history of Oakland Cemetery by attending one of our special events. Our award-winning arts exhibitions, music festivals, wildly popular Capturing the Spirit Halloween Tours, and other events draw thousands of attendees each year and are designed to inspire and educate the public about the history of Atlanta and of the cemetery.
Historic Oakland Foundation’s special events are often visitors’ first introduction to Oakland Cemetery’s beautiful and historic 48 acres. It might seem strange, at first, to hang out in a cemetery, but recreation in cemeteries is nothing new. In fact, picturesque cemeteries like Oakland were designed as public spaces, and in the second half of the 19th century, city dwellers visited them when they needed to get away from the hustle and bustle. They were popular spots for picnics, walks, and more. Our events reflect the notion of a cemetery as a public park and support our mission to maintain Oakland Cemetery as a sanctuary for history, education, inspiration, and recreation.
Upcoming and Current Events
See our full calendar here.
Camellia Sale
Camellias' showy winter blooms cheer even the dreariest of days. We're sharing these special plants…
Daffodil Day
Each year the blooms of thousands of daffodils brighten the dreary days of late winter…
Illumine 2022
Oakland Cemetery comes alive again this spring with Illumine, its annual after-dark arts spring event. Wander…
Save the Date For
Illumine 2022
Oakland Cemetery comes alive again this spring with Illumine, its annual after-dark arts spring event. Wander through all-new displays set against the inspiring backdrop of Atlanta’s skyline. Returning after cancellation due to COVID-19 in 2020, this year's expanded event will focus on the cemetery’s newly restored…
Event Sponsorship
Historic Oakland Foundation’s special events and programs attract a wide range of visitors, from Atlanta natives to newcomers to those only in town for a weekend. As a centerpiece of the Grant Park neighborhood, it’s no wonder that Oakland Cemetery draws attendees from primarily intown neighborhoods, with the majority of visitors hailing from Grant Park, Cabbagetown, Old Fourth Ward, Mechanicsville, Summerhill, Boulevard Heights, and East Atlanta.
Your support as a sponsor is invaluable to Historic Oakland Foundation. Whether with a financial contribution or an in-kind donation of product or services, you help sustain Oakland Cemetery while aligning your brand with a treasured Atlanta landmark.
For further inquiries on sponsorship, please contact Emily Yerke at eyerke@oaklandcemetery.com.
Vendor and Musician Information
Arts and crafts vendors interested in participating in an Oakland Cemetery special event should contact Timothy Wright at twright@oaklandcemetery.com. Musician booking and food vendors should contact Mary Fernandez at mfernandez@oaklandcemetery.com.