Vibrant Community Events of Oakhurst in Decatur, GA

If you are looking for the perfect blend of Southern charm and modern convenience, look no further than Oakhurst in Decatur, Georgia. Oakhurst is a vibrant and historic neighborhood known for its diverse community, welcoming atmosphere, and thriving local events.

A strong community spirit is one of the things that make Oakhurst a great place to live and one of the reasons Oakhurst real estate is constantly in high demand.

The community regularly celebrates together, preserving its cultural heritage and strengthening neighborly bonds. Some of the most fun City of Decatur, GA festivals and events are hosted here, while others are held just minutes away.

Welcome to Oakhurst in the City of Decatur, GA

Nestled in the southwest corner of the City of Decatur, the historic neighborhood of Oakhurst is bounded by College Avenue to the north, Pharr Road to the South, Second Avenue to the west, and Chandler Drive to the east.

The neighborhood is approximately six miles from downtown Atlanta and is a unique combination of historic homes and modern attractions such as art galleries, restaurants, and shops.

It’s home to a diverse group of residents, from young professionals and growing families with kids, to retirees and empty nesters. The neighborhood itself may be on the smaller side, but there’s no shortage of charm, and there is always something happening in the community.

Celebrating Oakhurst then and now

Oakhurst was originally conceptualized as a streetcar suburb of Atlanta, with the East Lake Land Company purchasing the land and spearheading the development of the neighborhood. In the 19th century, a second trolley line was launched to intersect with the existing trolley, and this helped promote businesses in the area.

With its convenient transportation system and proximity to Atlanta, Oakhurst experienced significant growth, which brought in new residents and businesses to the community.

The popularity waned a bit as nearby suburbs were developed in the 1960s and 1970s. However, Oakhurst began a preservation effort in the 1980s to maintain its historic character and charm, and this made the neighborhood stand out through time. Many old homes were restored and the neighborhood embraced its rich architectural and cultural heritage.

Oakhurst quickly became known for its tree-lined streets, smaller brick homes with big front porches, and Craftsman-style bungalows built post-World War II. New residents and visitors are drawn by its diverse, inclusive, and vibrant character that combines historic charm, modern amenities, and close-knit community.

Neighborhood hubs and activity centers

The Oakhurst community actively engages in local events, volunteer opportunities, and the City of Decatur, GA festivals staged in venues with significant importance to the community. The most popular hubs for these events include:

1. Oakhurst Village – Oakhurst Village is a lively and popular commercial district that serves as the cultural and commercial center for the neighborhood. It’s a busy and thriving area full of local shops, restaurants, cafes, boutiques, and businesses.

   The district often hosts a wide range of community events, markets, and festivals that celebrate and support local musicians, artists, performers, and entrepreneurs.

2. Oakhurst Park – Oakhurst was named after this eight-acre park, which hosts several events and activities throughout the year, including fitness events, seasonal festivals, arts and crafts fairs, and music performances.

3. Harmony Park – Similar to Oakhurst Park, Harmony Park is another popular venue for local events and pop-up markets, as well as community picnics, arts and crafts fairs, festivals, and much more.

In addition to these venues, restaurants, activity centers, and local gardens also host their own events throughout the year.

A Year of Celebration: Oakhurst in City of Decatur, GA Festivals and Events

Oakhurst and the rest of Decatur have a bustling festival and events scene, with local schools, business groups, and community associations regularly putting together fun activities for residents and guests to enjoy throughout the year.

Here is a look at some of the fun festivals and events you can enjoy in and around Oakhurst.

Winter Wonderland in Oakhurst

Winter is always a special and festive time in Oakhurst and the rest of Decatur, with the community staging a variety of fun and festive events to celebrate the season.

In the winter, some of the most awaited celebrations are Christmas-themed events, New Year’s events, and a local Mardi Gras celebration.

1. Christmas Tree Lighting and Lantern Parade – This festive occasion signals the kick-off of the holiday season in Oakhurst. The community stages the highly anticipated Lantern Parade and tree lighting in Harmony Park, featuring a special performance by the Oakhurst Community Choir.

   The parade kicks off at dusk, with participants going around the park, followed by a concert by the choir. The event is then capped by the lighting of the community Christmas tree. The event is open to residents and guests and is hosted by the Oakhurst Neighborhood Association.

2. SantaCon on the Square – This annual City of Decatur event hosted by VisitDecaturGA invites adults to come dressed as Santa, an elf, a reindeer, a dreidel, or any other Christmas character for a night of dancing, celebration, prizes, and a pub crawl.

   The hub for the event is the City of Decatur’s Square, where participants can enjoy live DJ music and a variety of games. For the pub crawl, guests can enjoy 10 special SantaCon stops at local pubs and restaurants, including some found in Oakhurst. Shuttle pickups to and from the Square, Oakhurst, and the Old Deport District are available.

3. Decatur Santa Parade and Light Display – City of Decatur hosts a fun Santa parade which sees Santa go around the city on a fire truck. Children can also leave letters for Santa at a special Santa mailbox at Oakhurst Market. In the evening, residents and guests can visit the Oakhurst giant holiday lights display.

4. Mead Road Mardi Gras – One of the most anticipated City of Decatur, GA festivals is the Mead Road Mardi Gras, which was started by local Oakhurst residents David and Emily Berg. The event was a way for residents to celebrate Mardi Gras without having to go to Louisiana. It started as a big house party and grew over the years.

   Held every February, the Mardi Gras is now a non-profit community-wide celebration that raises money to help support arts and music education in Decatur schools. It’s a fun, music and bead-filled purple, green, and gold extravaganza that brings the Mardi Gras right to Oakhurst.

Spring Festivals in Oakhurst

As winter melts away and spring begins, the Oakhurst community celebrates the season with events and activities that celebrate the coming of warmer weather.

Alongside family, fun days in the park, arts and crafts events, garden tours, and Easter activities are some of the most popular events for the season.

1. Oakhurst Wine Crawl – The Oakhurst Wine Crawl brings together over 20 community partners offering participants the chance to sample more than 100 different wines in a souvenir wine glass.

2. Oakhurst Earth Day Celebration – Every day is Earth Day in Oakhurst, as the community is conscientious about the environment. But in April, the neighborhood takes it up a notch and hosts a big annual National Earth Day event. This celebration is held at the Oakhurst Community Garden and includes activities like an Earth Day parade, arts and crafts booths, recycling drives, and a costume and cake decorating contest. The event culminates in a fun concert with live music featuring local musical acts.

3. Oakhurst Jazz Nights in April – One of the most popular and fun musical events in Oakhurst is the Oakhurst Jazz Nights held at the historic Old Scottish Rite Hospital. These concerts bring together exciting jazz acts in a series of performances held every Thursday night in April.

4. Amplify Decatur Music Festival – This three-day music festival shines the spotlight on upcoming local artists as well as nationally acclaimed musicians performing in various venues throughout the city center. Catch world-class performances at free venues like the Decatur Square gazebo or at participating bars and restaurants, and help raise funds for various nonprofits in the city.

Summer Celebrations in Oakhurst

Oakhurst gets into full swing in the summer with a host of outdoor events for the young and old alike. Outdoor concerts, family fun days, outdoor markets, and arts and crafts events take place throughout Decatur, enticing everyone to come out and enjoy the warm, sunny weather.

1. Oakhurst Farmer’s Market – The Farmer’s Market in Oakhurst is held at the Sceptre Brewing Arts, year-round, weather permitting. During the summer, the market hosts fun summer activities and special events for seasonal produce (tomatoes are popular in the summer) and celebrates National Farmer’s Week in August.

2. Summer Saturdays at Harmony Park – Summer Saturdays at Harmony features a series of events that bring the community together to enjoy activities and entertainment every Saturday during the summer. Some activities residents can enjoy include community picnics, food trucks, games, and music.

3. BEEcatur GA – In May, Decatur celebrates World Bee Day. The city is a certified bee city and affirms its support for bees by creating sustainable habitats for bees throughout the city. Oakhurst has its own bee habitats and is an active participant in bee-themed fairs and activities throughout Decatur. The BEEcatur events happen in May and June.

4. Decatur Arts Festival – This multi-day event showcases the works of local and guest artists of various disciplines, including painting, sculpture, jewelry, digital art, and the performing arts. The festival features different events including an Art Walk, where you can admire the work of various artists exhibited in different venues throughout the city. There’s also an Artist Market, a juried market featuring the works of artists from all over the Southeast, and Music + Performances, where the public can enjoy concerts, comedy shows, theater performances, and more.

Fall Fetes in Oakhurst

Fall is when some of the most exciting City of Decatur, GA festivals and events happen, including Oakhurst’s most popular and highly anticipated event, Porchfest.

The season is perfect for outdoor activities, and residents of Oakhurst can enjoy music events, Halloween activities, and the second part of the annual Oakhurst Jazz Festival.

1. BBQ and Bands Festival – Started only in 2021, the Decatur BBQ and Bands Festival is hosted by Ford’s BBQ Oakhurst and is staged for the benefit of the Solarium non-profit organization. During the event, guests can enjoy a delicious Ford’s BBQ and an afternoon of music from top local bands.

2. Oakhurst Jazz Nights in September – The second part of Oakhurst Jazz Nights happens in September. The weather is cool, and once again, jazz acts come together to perform at the historic Old Scottish Rite Hospital every Thursday of the month.

3. Oakhurst Porchfest – The most popular annual event in Oakhurst, Porchfest was started in 2015, turning the porches and stoops of home into a stage where aspiring and established bluegrass bands can perform. Neighbors are welcome to sit on the lawn and watch over drinks and food.

   Residents who offer their porches as concert stages are matched with musical talents who volunteer their time and talents. It’s a fun get-together for the community that has become quite a major event, with over 215 musical acts featured in 2023 alone.

4. Madison Avenue Soapbox Derby – One of the most anticipated events in Oakhurst for kids is the yearly soapbox derby. The derby is a non-motorized racing event that invites racers to design, build, and race their own soapbox cars. Staged annually since 2011, this family-friendly event is open to the public and has raised over $300,000 for local charities.

5. Oakhurst Arts and Music Festival – The annual Oakhurst Arts and Music Festival takes place at Harmony Park and features a variety of activities such as live musical performances, art exhibits featuring local artists, a parade, an art run/walk, activities for kids, and favorites from Oakhurst’s local restaurants.

6. Decatur Wine Festival – This day-long festival gives you the chance to sample over 300 wines from around the world using a commemorative wine glass that comes free with your ticket. You can also sample the offerings of some of the best restaurants in Decatur – all while enjoying live DJ music in the background.

Make Oakhurst in Decatur, GA, your home

Ready to explore making Oakhurst in Decatur your home? If you want to be a part of a vibrant and bustling community that celebrates every season, start searching for the perfect home with the help of the local experts at Carter and Associates Realtors.

Led by Atlanta’s most vibrant real estate duo Chad and Christina Carter, Carter and Associates Realtors is a team of real estate professionals with a deep knowledge of the Decatur area and years of experience in the market. The team combines this unparalleled market knowledge with a fresh and updated approach to real estate to give you a seamless and enjoyable experience.

Learn more about how Carter and Associates Realtors can help you by calling 404.944.6577 or sending an email here.