Central Atlanta Progress and the City of Atlanta have set aside Wednesday, Oct. 22, for Downtown Day, a celebration scheduled to run from 9:30 a.m. until 1 a.m. Organizers want to put downtown's momentum and new investment on display, draw attention to the development work under way before next year's FIFA World Cup, and give the neighborhood's businesses a day in the spotlight.
The first item on the schedule is an update on The Stitch. The 17-acre project aims to reconnect downtown by building a platform three-quarters of a mile long over the I-75/85 Connector, running between Ted Turner Drive and Piedmont Avenue. Starting at 9:30 a.m., attendees will be able to view augmented reality visuals of what is planned and join a live walking tour of the future park. Readers who want the backstory can find it in our earlier report, Atlanta advances the Stitch project for park capping Downtown Connector.
Live music is planned at three downtown spots over the course of the day: Hardy Ivy Park, the Broad Street Boardwalk and Woodruff Park.
An evening lineup
The closing stretch begins at 5:30 p.m., when Wild Leap Brewery will serve a Downtown-branded cocktail and a pep rally is set for the Carrie Steele Logan Bridge. The Atlanta Hawks are scheduled to tip off their 2025-26 season at 7:30 p.m. For those still out late, MJQ Concourse plans a Locals Only night beginning at 11 p.m.
Deals for anyone who mentions Downtown Day
Several neighborhood businesses are offering one-day perks to visitors who mention Downtown Day on Wednesday. CratesATL Vinyl Shop, Azalea Fresh Market and Tyde Tate Kitchen will each take 10 percent off, while Stir House ATL will take off 15 percent. Wild Leap Brewery plans drink and lunch specials, and Pepper's Hot Dogs will sell a $10 "Downtown Dog."
Those who want background on the record store can read our earlier piece, Moods Music owner to open used vinyl shop Crates in South Downtown.
New public art
Downtown Day also puts a spotlight on recent public art. The Space Within exhibit is installed at Woodruff Park. In Five Points, artists Vanna Black and Vera Z have a new mural at the corner of Forsyth Street and Alabama Street. Muhammad Yungai has painted a new Braves mural at 160 Ted Turner Avenue.
Details and live updates on Downtown Day are available by following @AtlantaDowntown.
Reported by Rough Draft Atlanta.
