The 4th of July fireworks and celebration in downtown Atlanta, at Centennial Olympic Park, is now known as “Look Up Atlanta.”
Photo courtesy of the Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA)
UPDATE: This event is on hiatus for 2024.
Please check our huge list of July 4th fireworks & celebrations, and make an alternative plan.
Info below the line is from 2023 and is NOT current.
We will update if the event returns in 2025.
The Fourth of July celebration at Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta is said to be the biggest fireworks show in the Southeast. The celebration has always been FREE in the past.
Unfortunately, that has changed.
The fireworks and 4th of July celebration, now known as Look Up Atlanta, will cost $10 per person, general admission, this year.
That ticket gives you access to Centennial Park and viewing areas on the lawn, as well as access to food trucks where you can purchase food and beverages.
There is also a VIP ticket — it costs $50 for adults, and $20 for children up to age 12.
This premium experience gives you access to the VIP Village, front-row viewing for fireworks, and FREE parking. Within the VIP Village, the food trucks are said to have been “curated” for a better experience. There is also the promise of a giveaway item, which we predict will be some sort of glo-stick item.
This event takes place on Saturday, July 1, 2023 from 5 to 10 p.m.
You can purchase tickets in advance online.
So how do we feel about this $10 price tag?
Obviously, we’re disappointed here at Atlanta on the Cheap.
The FAQs explain the new costs like this:
Look Up Atlanta is an all-new event that has costs associated with its success. The proceeds are being put back into ongoing beautification of Centennial Olympic Park as well as to help grow the event.
Of course, you could also head downtown and watch the fireworks from outside the park.
With a little bit of luck, Georgia World Congress Center Authority will come to its senses and return to a FREE event next year.
Another option: If you want to watch from the comfort of your air-conditioned home, PeachtreeTV (local channel 17) will be broadcasting the fireworks, which are set to begin around 9:30 p.m.
The entertainment line-up has not yet been announced, but there has traditionally been a deejay, live music, and family-friendly activities before the fireworks display.
We don’t have a list of food trucks yet, either.
Centennial Olympic Park is located at 265 Park Ave in Atlanta.
If you don’t want to pay to view fireworks, remember that you have other options. View our complete listing of July Fourth celebrations around Atlanta
Getting to Centennial Olympic Park on MARTA
Riding a MARTA train to Centennial Olympic Park is the simplest option. No matter where you live, you can get there without transferring trains, because the park is right on both the North-South (red/gold) Line and the East-West (blue/green) Line.
If you’re taking the Red or Gold line downtown, get off at Peachtree Center Station.
If you’re taking the Blue or Green line downtown, get off at Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) Station.
Both of these rail stations are less than a 10-minute walk from Centennial Olympic Park.
The Atlanta Streetcar also stops next to the park.
We recommend the MARTA on the Go app, because you can view timetables for the trains.
Peachtree Center Station directions
- After getting off the train, follow signs to the John Portman exit.
- Exit the fare gates and look for the Peachtree Street West escalator.
- At street level, turn right on Peachtree Street.
- At the first intersection turn right again (west) to walk down Andrew Young International Blvd. to reach the center of the park near the fountains (see map).
GWCC Station directions
- Follow the signs pointing to State Farm Arena to exit the station.
- Go up the tall escalators and turn right at street level for stairs up to Centennial Olympic Park Drive. (Or turn left for a ramp).
- Walk down Centennial Olympic Park Drive to reach the park (about a block away). State Farm Arena will be on your left.
Parking
Parking will be available during the Fourth of July Celebration. The recommended decks are the Red Deck (adjacent to the Georgia World Congress Center) and the Green Deck (connected to the College Football Hall of Fame).
You can pre-purchase parking online.
