The first foray for Atlanta’s largest greenspace as a full-fledged concert festival venue was a good-vibes success that will benefit regional waterways, according to organizers. 

Following a venue switch from the eastside, longstanding SweetWater 420 fest drew thousands to Shirley Clarke Franklin Park (formerly Westside Park) despite record heat Friday and Saturday, marking the largest event to date since the greenspace opened more than four years ago. 

Festival organizers tell Urbanize Atlanta roughly 8,500 concert goers attended performances by 13 eclectic artists at the 21st incarnation of SweetWater 420 Fest across the weekend. Top draws included headliners Umphrey’s McGee and Thievery Corporation, alongside Chromeo and Cimafunk. 

A portion of every beer sale was donated to local causes the Waterkeeper Alliance and Chattahoochee Riverkeeper. 

Chromeo performs an electric set during sunset at SweetWater 420 Fest on Saturday. Alex Culbreth; courtesy of Courtesy of SweetWater 420 Fest

Bombargo lead singer Nathan Thoen crowd surfs; AfroCubanFunk artist Cimafunk performs. Alex Culbreth; courtesy of Courtesy of SweetWater 420 Fest

Following stints in Candler Park (for free), Centennial Olympic Park, and most recently Pullman Yards in Kirkwood, 420 Fest announced in December it would shift its annual springtime shindig to the Westside. 

The greenspace opened its $44-million first phase in summer 2021, featuring a web of scenic pathways, communal gathering zones and a playground, and an enormous, 2.4-billion gallon backup water reservoir for the city. 

Another facet that’s garnered headlines—a Beltline-led mountain biking park and hiking area with ambitions of being “world-class”—is fully under construction now.  

Light show for headliner Umphrey's McGee on Friday. Alex Culbreth; courtesy of Courtesy of SweetWater 420 Fest

SweetWater Brewing, the Southeast’s largest craft brewer, partnered with Rival Entertainment for the two-day festival. The venue switch aimed to increase capacity for a bigger, greener, and more accessible concert experience, organizers have said. 

Have a look at how 420 Fest went down—or a reminder, in case your memories of being there are cloudy—in the gallery above. 

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