Free things to do in Sandy Springs

Last checked Oct. 5, 2026. Everything here was free on the organizer’s own page when we checked. Events change; follow the links for current details.

A lot of Sandy Springs costs nothing to enjoy: river views, a sculpture playground, a downtown splash pad and a calendar of free city festivals.

Who to call

• City parks and events: City of Sandy Springs, 770-730-5600 (24 hours)
• Sandy Springs Branch Library: 404-612-7000
• Emergency: 911

Parks and trails

• Morgan Falls Overlook Park, 400 Morgan Falls Road: porch swings over the river, a fire pit, a playground and a 2/3-mile woodland trail, open until 10 p.m. (city page).
• Springway Trail: a paved 1.88-mile trail from Morgan Falls Overlook Park to Roswell Road, dawn to dusk (city page).
• Abernathy Greenway North, 70 Abernathy Road: the Playable Art sculpture playground (city page).
• Crooked Creek Park, 3100 River Exchange Drive: a 1-mile loop through wetlands to a river view, walkers only (city page).
• Big Trees Forest Preserve, 7645 Roswell Road: 31 acres of nature trails (city page).
• Morgan Falls Dog Park, 100 Morgan Falls Road: off-leash, fenced areas for small and large dogs; see dog-friendly Sandy Springs.

All of these are in our walking and biking trails and parks guides.

The river trails at East Palisades, Island Ford and Powers Island are free to walk, but parking needs a $5 standard pass. On the National Park Service’s fee-free days, the remaining 2026 dates are Tuesday, Oct. 27, and Wednesday, Nov. 11 (Veterans Day), according to its fees page.

Downtown at City Springs

• City Green splash pad, 1 Galambos Way: in summer the city has said it runs 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily (city notice).
• City Springs Art Walk: sculptures around City Green and in the Byers Theatre lobby, including the colorful Town Turtles and works from the ArtSS in the Open sculpture contest (art walk page).
• The Gallery at City Springs, Sandy Springs City Hall: rotating exhibitions; the current show, Caminos Compartidos, features Latin American artists (event page).
• Veterans Park, 6205 Roswell Road: fountains and a memorial to local veterans (city page).
• Heritage Sandy Springs: the historic spring that named the city, beside the Heritage Amphitheatre (Heritage Sandy Springs).

More in our City Springs guide.

Free city events

Movies by Moonlight shows free films on the Heritage Amphitheatre lawn, 6110 Blue Stone Road, with concessions from 7 p.m. and the film after sunset; 2026 showings were Aug. 7, Sept. 4 and Oct. 9 (city page). The summer City Green Live and Concerts by the Springs series are free too; see live music and nightlife.

Event details are on our Halloween, holiday lights, Christmas parade and summer pages.

At the library

The Sandy Springs Branch Library, 395 Mount Vernon Highway, runs free programs, from Japanese and bilingual story times and a LEGO club to talks such as a ghost-hunting session on Oct. 17 (library events); see our kids’ activities guide.

Frequently asked questions

What is free to do in Sandy Springs? City parks and trails, the City Green splash pad, the City Springs Art Walk, library programs and the city’s free events, including Movies by Moonlight, summer concerts, Spooky Springs, Sparkle and the Lantern Parade.

Is the Chattahoochee River park free? Walking in is free, but parking in the national recreation area lots needs a $5 standard pass or a $40 annual pass. The National Park Service waives entrance fees on set days; the remaining 2026 dates are Oct. 27 and Nov. 11.

Are there free outdoor movies in Sandy Springs? Yes. Movies by Moonlight shows free films on the Heritage Amphitheatre lawn, 6110 Blue Stone Road. The next is Hocus Pocus on Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, starting after sunset.

Are Sandy Springs parks free? Yes. The city’s parks pages list no entry fee. Most are open from 7 a.m. to dusk; Abernathy Greenway North and Morgan Falls Overlook Park stay open until 10 p.m.

What this means for you

• Save the $5 parking pass for Oct. 27 or Nov. 11, the last 2026 fee-free days.
• Bring a blanket to Movies by Moonlight on Oct. 9.
• Sparkle Village lights are free to walk from Thanksgiving Day.

Related: kids’ activities, dog-friendly Sandy Springs and date night.