A September to remember is about to kick off in Dunwoody, Georgia, reflecting the continued growth of our destination’s robust arts and culture scene. With a variety of outing opportunities from family-friendly adventures to curated date night experiences, our city just North of Atlanta invites you to celebrate the season with one-of-a-kind feasts and festivals you’ll still be talking about for months to come. Whip out your calendar and text your friends, because it’s time to discover the best September 2023 events in Dunwoody.
1. Butterfly Experience
On Sept. 9 and 10, 2023, activate core memories for your kiddos by treating them to an up close and personal encounter with majestic butterflies at Dunwoody Nature Center’s Butterfly Experience. . Families are invited to select their time slot for the interactive butterfly tents when they purchase tickets but are also welcome to enjoy the event before and after their tent time by exploring the craft stations, animal shows, music and family activities on the beautiful grounds of the nature center.
Tickets to this annual family favorite are selling fast, so reserve yours today by visiting the event’s website.
"The Butterfly Experience is a wonderful event, fun for the whole family!” exclaims Darcy Johnson, Marketing Manager at Dunwoody Nature Center. “One of my personal favorite things about the festival is seeing kids inside the tents, interacting with the butterflies up close. Often, we just see them fluttering by, so getting the chance to view their details and witness the wonder on each child's face is priceless! I also love that there are so many different activities to participate in throughout the weekend, such as arts & crafts, face painting, and animal interactions. Though I have to say my absolute favorite performer is the Georgia Bubble Man with his giant bubbles!"
2. Butterflies and Brews
On the eve of its wildly popular Butterfly Experience, Dunwoody Nature Center hosts a special evening only for grown-ups. On Sept. 8, 2023, from 6-9pm, whisk your significant other away for a magical date night or schedule a catch-up sesh with your gal pals to experience Butterflies and Brews, a one-of-a-kind invitation to interact with one of nature’s most stunning creatures over a cold one.
The 21+ event offers a unique blend of al fresco dining and connecting with nature, making it one of the best September events in Dunwoody. Butterflies and Brews features a delicious picnic dinner, live music, local beer and artisan vendors. Visit the Butterflies and Brews website for tickets, and plan to flutter through the butterfly tents making memories you’re sure to treasure.
"Butterflies & Brews is the chance for adults to have these same experiences, full of wonder and joy, during an event catered to adults,” says Darcy Johnson, Marketing Manager at Dunwoody Nature Center. “They can have fun at Butterfly Experience too, but there is something special about getting to go into the tents with a cold beer in your hand, friends by your side, and know that you won't be blocking the view of any children. We have games and activities for the adults, too!"
3. Groovin’ on the Green
Pack your cooler and gather your favorite neighbors, picnic blankets and lawn chairs and relish the local love and groovy tunes you’ll find at Groovin’ on the Green, a family-friendly live music series taking place in the amphitheater at Brook Run Park.
The September edition of Groovin’ is happening on Sept. 9, 2023, and this special Singer Songwriter Showcase will feature Kate and Corey, Highbeams and Run Katie Run. Expect an original sound that combines soulful roots and rock at this outdoor concert, which begins at 6pm. Families are encouraged to bring along a picnic or purchase dinner from one of several food trucks serving up delectable dinners all evening. Cool off with a frosty cold local brew from Dunwoody’s own Moondog Growlers and settle in for a perfect late summer evening.
4. Feast of San Gennaro at Grana
The Porchetta Group has a well-earned reputation for hosting events that invite guests to party at the intersection of food and fun, and this is the case with the third annual The Feast of San Gennaro on Sunday, Sept.r 10, 2023, from 11am until 6pm. The event takes place at Grana’s second location at Ashford Lane and the adjacent lawn. Pat Pascarella invites attendees to “come hungry” to experience a thoughtfully crafted menu featuring crowd favorites like fritto misto baskets, pizza, oysters and fried zeppole.
Feast-goers will also enjoy Italian cocktails and wine along with non-stop entertainment including a fresh mozzarella pulling demo, cannoli eating competitions, and musical entertainment from a band and DJ. Visit the Feast of San Gennaro website to purchase tickets and prepare to mangia.
6. Stage Door Theatre’s 50th Season
Stage Door Theatre is celebrating its fiftieth season by bringing powerhouse performers and must-see productions to Dunwoody’s beloved community stage. With a diverse array of formats and themes, Stage Door invites theater lovers to experience this special season that truly offers something for everyone.
The season kicks off on Sept. 8, 2023, with India Tyree’s “An Evening of Song,” showing through Sept. 10, 2023. Stage Door has offered a taste of what’s to come by sharing short snippets of rehearsals on their social media platforms, revealing Tyree’s soulful and moving delivery of celebrated show tunes.
Later in the month, laugh until you cry at “A Night with Dads 2: The Daddening,” a hilarious night of improv comedy on Sept. 16, 2023. The theater will wrap up the month with a production of the drama “Tuesdays with Morrie.” NY Daily News has called the show “a touching, life-affirming, deeply emotional drama with a generous dose of humor.” Catch this production from Sept. 29 – Oct. 1, 2023, and snag tickets to all this season’s performances at Stage Door Theatre’s website.
7. Farm to Table Dinner and Auction
Now in its fifth year, the Farm to Table Dinner will return to Dunwoody’s historic Donaldson-Bannister Farm on Sept. 30, 2023, from 5:30 - 9:30pm, a fundraiser benefiting Dunwoody Preservation Trust (DPT). Guests dine together beneath a starlit sky at a long communal table that seems to stretch on forever, experiencing the farm as never before by savoring a locally sourced late summer meal together.
New this year, a silent auction offers guests opportunities to snag unique items while supporting DPT’s children’s summer camps and educational history programs. Unique among the auction items is a piece sculpted from the same historic oak tree used in the “Dunwoody Diorama,” a wooden sculpture depicting 10,000 years of regional history.
Discover this year’s menu featuring Georgia-grown ingredients, peruse the variety of silent auction items, and purchase tickets on the event’s website.
