Cooler temps, shorter days, and brittle leaves in Atlanta mean it’s time for one cherished weekend tradition after the next. But here’s a budding, urbanist-friendly one to mark on the calendar in ink. 

The third annual Westside Stride block party is returning to a string of neighborhoods due west of Midtown from noon to 6 p.m. Oct. 5. 

This year, the more compact but still free festivities will stretch on Howell Mill Road between 8th and 17th streets. 

Westside Stride, attended by thousands last year, was launched in 2023 as an open-streets, site-specific answer to the magic of Ciclovía-inspired Atlanta Streets Alive.  

Expect a “harvest of the season” theme in 2025 that features a pumpkin patch, pony rides, and petting zoo alongside a local makers market, food trucks, and multiple locations with DJs and live music. (This year’s route will see five music stages with an eclectic slate of genres, in fact. Find details and a map below.) 

Westsidestride.org

Organizers point to the district’s new parking map tool for Westside Stride attendees who’d prefer to—or have no other option but to—drive there. 

Numerous parking decks in the area will be offering discounted, full-day parking rates of $10, according to the Upper Westside Improvement District. 

For Westside Stride, cross streets 8th Street, 10th Street, and 17th Street will remain open for vehicles to cross over the block-party route. Expect Howell Mill Road to be closed to cars Oct. 5 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., allowing for the festival to load in and out, per organizers. 

Evening falls on the inaugural Westside Stride in late October 2023. Urbanize Atlanta

Meanwhile, Atlanta Streets Alive has two more installments set for 2025: This Sunday on the Peachtree Street route through Midtown and downtown; and Sunday, Oct. 26 on the longer southside route between West End and Grant Park. Both events will be held from 2 to 6 p.m.

Below is a breakdown of the Westside Stride music schedule for Oct. 5, according to organizers Upper Westside Improvement District: 
 

17th Street Stage

Sponsored by QTS

Noon — The Dappled Grays

2 p.m. — BOOM! Trio ft. Lavahi

4 p.m. — Sarah Nova Band

…

Huff Road DJ

Sponsored by Mabra Law

Noon — DJ Chops

3 p.m. — DJ Steve

…

Brady Avenue Stage
Sponsored by Northside Tavern

12:30 p.m. — Nathalie Rose Band

3 p.m. — Band X

…

9th Street DJ

Noon -3 p.m. — DJ iLL Withers Turnin' n' Burnin’ with DJ Bottom Shelf

3-6 p.m. — Disc Jockey Bottom Shelf with Raina & Jade

…

Edgehill Ave DJ

Noon - 6 p.m.— DJ Alex Heisey sponsored by Ga Followers

Courtesy of Upper Westside Improvement District

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