SweetWater 420 Fest is back in Atlanta this Friday and Saturday for its 21st edition, trading its previous digs for the newly renamed Shirley Clarke Franklin Park on the Westside. The two-day throwdown blends jam-band, electronic and funk acts with SweetWater’s craft beer footprint and local programming. Organizers say they are zeroing in on affordability this year, with lower general admission tiers and VIP upgrades that come with re-entry and private facilities.
Lineup and ticket tiers
In a press release via GlobeNewswire, Tilray Brands, SweetWater’s parent company, announced headliners Umphrey's McGee, Thievery Corporation and Chromeo, with supporting sets from Cimafunk, Watchhouse and lespecial. The announcement and festival listings show general admission tickets starting at about $40 for a single day and $70 for both days, while VIP tiers begin near $105 for one day and $200 for the weekend. Organizers say set times will go live on the festival site as the weekend approaches.
Local acts and the Battle of the Bands
Atlanta band Kaya's Embrace took top honors in the festival’s Battle of the Bands and is locked in for a Friday set, according to local coverage. Atlanta News First highlighted an ATL Live segment where event director Mike Boudreaux previewed the festival and explained how the Battle of the Bands helps lift local artists onto the main bill. The competition finale doubled as an early showcase, giving fans a preview of Kaya's Embrace onstage before the park weekend.
Getting there and festival logistics
The event is set at the park’s main entrance at 1660 Johnson Rd. NW, and organizers are blunt about one key detail: there is no on-site parking. Rideshare, bicycles or the paved trail from MARTA’s Bankhead station, which is about a mile away, are the recommended options. According to the festival FAQ, gates open at 2 p.m. on Friday and at noon on Saturday, the festival is cashless, and same-day re-entry is available only for VIP ticket holders. The box office will sit at the entry gates. Attendees are urged to review bag and camera rules in advance and plan for reduced vehicle access near the park.
Why the move matters for Atlanta
Shirley Clarke Franklin Park covers roughly 280 acres and connects to the Atlanta Beltline, giving 420 Fest the open space and greenery organizers wanted for an outdoor edition. The city formally renamed the park in 2025 to honor former mayor Shirley Clarke Franklin, according to a City of Atlanta release. Local reporting has flagged questions about how the city will handle crowds and transit for a major music event, but organizers and local outlets have also pointed to the park's scale and trail access as potential advantages that could make this year’s festival more walkable and environmentally friendly than some past locations.
Plan ahead
Organizers say tickets and the latest festival updates are available on the official festival site and at the box office at the gates. Expect a strict bag policy, water refill stations and volunteer green-team operations on site. The practical packing list is simple: sunscreen, a refillable water bottle and enough time to get there early and avoid long lines at the entrance.
