Daylight To Nightlife

Image via Exploreasheville.com/30days

Now you can escape to Asheville without leaving Atlanta or spending a dime. Wait, what? No, seriously, every day in March features a different free event dedicated to making you want to take a day trip to Asheville, NC. Today there’s a free lunchtime concert at Lenox Square by Jen and the Juice, tomorrow is a seasonal cooking class with Chef Mark Rosenstein at The Viking School and Sunday is free hot air balloon rides at Atlantic Station. Yes, free hot air balloon rides. First come, first served.

Check out the website to see what else you can do on a weekend getaway to Asheville. And give it a test-drive in Atlanta first. It’s only fair.

– 30 Days of Asheville. Throughout March, across Atlanta.

Image via AtlantaFair.com

Nothing says spring in the South quite like a thick dusting of yellow pollen on your windshield the opening of the fair! And us city folk don’t have to drive to south Georgia to find ferris wheels and cotton candy–it’s coming to Turner Field on March 4 and staying until April 3. You’ll find roller coasters, rides that go upside down, rides that swing back and forth, rides that go round and round and round… for pictures, click here.

Admission is $1 for kids at all times and can go up to $8 for adults, depending on the day and time you want to go. Unlimited ride armbands are $20, or you can get 28 tickets for $25 and divide them amongst yourselves. Bring cash for admission, but no worries, you can charge your ride tickets.

–Atlanta Fair. At Turner Field, March 4 until April 3.

Image via atlfoodandwinefestival.com

The event might not be until the end of May, but you’re going to want to buy your tickets and start carving out some spare room in your tummy now–the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival is coming. Ticket packages range from $75 to $2,500, including an option for “Foodsters”–21- to 29-year-old emerging food and beverage lovers. (You can’t love food before age 21?) The four-day event is dedicated to the best of the best of Southern food from past to present. Expect programs paying homage to moonshine, farming and “Sunday Suppers” as well as the scene’s hottest chefs and mixologists showcasing what they do best. Industry leaders in attendance include sugar-lover Warren Brown, Boston’s Todd English, Miami’s Michelle Bernstein, Cajun connoisseur John Besh, Charlestons’ Lee Brothers, rocking chef Nathan Lippy and Texas’ Tim Love. With so many Southern flavors and cultures on the schedule, you’re going to want to postpone any Memorial Weekend bikini time until well after the 4th of July.

–Atlanta Food & Wine Festival. May 19 to 22. Midtown.

Image via event website

Start lining up your designated drivers: The Atlanta Winter Beer Carnival is scheduled to return for its second year on February 19, and tickets are on sale now. Regular admission is $35 in advance (or $40 at the door, provided the carnival doesn’t sell out prior to the date again this year) or if you want to get in an hour early and extra beer selections and your own restroom, it’s $60 for the VIP treatment. Designated drivers can join in for $20.

Not only does your ticket buy you unlimited access to over 100 beers, but also the ability to play carnival games while drinking beer. Like giant versions of Operation and Swing-the-Hammer-Ring-the-Bell type stuff. We are looking forward to counting the number of times we hear, “Hold my beer and watch this!”

Bonus: Carnival food will be available to buy. Because what beer-drinking, carnival-gaming experience would be complete without fried and sugary concoctions?

Not one we want to be a part of, that’s what.

–Winter Beer Carnival. February 19, 3pm – 7pm. Spring St. and 8th St.