I can’t wait to share my experience at the Soul of the South Music Festival, where rhythm and soul merge to create an unforgettable celebration of Southern musical heritage. This vibrant three-day event brings together the finest blues, jazz, gospel and R&B artists from across the region, drawing thousands of music lovers to its multiple stages. As someone who’s attended countless music festivals, I’ll tell you that Soul of the South stands out for its authentic Southern hospitality and electric atmosphere. From mouth-watering food vendors serving up classic Southern cuisine to local artisans displaying their crafts, this festival offers more than just amazing music – it’s a complete cultural immersion that captures the essence of Southern entertainment.
- The Soul of the South Music Festival is a vibrant 3-day celebration in Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic Park, attracting over 50,000 attendees annually to experience authentic Southern musical heritage
- The festival features 4 distinct stages (Main Stage, Gospel Grove, Jazz Junction, and R&B Boulevard) showcasing 65+ artists performing blues, jazz, gospel, and R&B music across 30+ hours
- Beyond music, the event offers extensive cultural experiences including 75+ Southern food vendors, 100+ artisan market stalls, and interactive workshops celebrating Southern traditions
- Ticket options range from Early Bird General Admission ($89/day) to premium VIP packages like the Southern Hospitality Package ($899/3-days), with special discounts available for military, students, and seniors
- The festival provides comprehensive amenities including multiple accommodation options, convenient transportation access, and extensive safety protocols to ensure a comfortable experience for all attendees
Soul of the South Music Festival
Soul of the South Music Festival is a 3-day celebration of Southern musical heritage in Atlanta, Georgia. I join over 50,000 attendees each year at Centennial Olympic Park to experience authentic Southern culture through live performances.
The festival features 4 distinct music stages:
- Main Stage showcasing headlining blues artists like Buddy Guy
- Gospel Grove highlighting traditional Southern gospel choirs
- Jazz Junction presenting contemporary jazz ensembles
- R&B Boulevard featuring soul music performers
Beyond the music, the festival includes:
- 75+ Southern food vendors serving regional specialties
- 100+ artisan market stalls displaying handmade crafts
- Interactive music workshops for all skill levels
- Children’s activity zone with family entertainment
| Festival Elements | Statistics |
|---|---|
| Duration | 3 days |
| Annual Attendance | 50,000+ |
| Music Stages | 4 |
| Food Vendors | 75+ |
| Artisan Vendors | 100+ |
| Performance Hours | 30+ |
The event spans from 11 AM to 11 PM daily, offering continuous entertainment across all stages. I experience authentic Southern hospitality through meet-and-greet sessions with performers, cooking demonstrations by local chefs, and cultural exhibitions showcasing the region’s artistic heritage.
Festival Location and Venue Details
Centennial Olympic Park spans 22 acres in downtown Atlanta, providing a spacious setting for the Soul of the South Music Festival at 265 Park Avenue West NW. The venue’s central location offers easy access to major highways, public transportation, and downtown amenities.
Camping and Accommodation Options
The festival partners with 15 hotels within a 1-mile radius of Centennial Olympic Park, offering special rates for festival attendees. Premium accommodation options include:
- The Omni Atlanta Hotel at CNN Center connects directly to the park through a pedestrian walkway
- The Westin Peachtree Plaza features 360-degree city views from rooms on floors 10-73
- The Hyatt Regency Atlanta provides luxury amenities including a rooftop pool
- The Glenn Hotel offers boutique-style rooms with modern Southern decor
- MARTA rail service stops at three nearby stations: Five Points, CNN Center, and Peachtree Center
- Dedicated festival shuttle buses run every 15 minutes from designated parking areas
- 5,000 parking spaces available in the Georgia World Congress Center deck
- 2,500 spots in the CNN Center parking structure
- Ride-share pickup/drop-off zones at four designated festival entrances
- Bike valet service with secure storage for 500 bicycles
- ADA-accessible parking spots in the Red Deck closest to the main entrance
Musical Lineup and Performance Schedule
The Soul of the South Music Festival presents 65 musical acts across four stages, delivering 30+ performances daily from 11 AM to 11 PM. I’ve organized the essential performance details and schedules to help navigate this musical celebration.
Main Stage Headliners
The Main Stage features 8 headline performances across three evenings:
Friday, June 15
- 8:00 PM – Buddy Guy (2-hour blues set)
- 6:00 PM – Mavis Staples (90-minute soul performance)
Saturday, June 16
- 9:00 PM – B.B. King’s Blues Band (2-hour tribute show)
- 7:00 PM – Robert Cray (90-minute electric blues set)
- 5:00 PM – Keb’ Mo’ (75-minute acoustic performance)
Sunday, June 17
- 8:30 PM – Taj Mahal (closing performance)
- 6:30 PM – Charlie Musselwhite (harmonica blues showcase)
- 4:30 PM – North Mississippi Allstars (Southern rock fusion)
Supporting Acts and Local Artists
The festival spotlights 45 regional performers across three specialized stages:
Gospel Grove
- Morning Glory Gospel Choir (11:00 AM daily)
- Atlanta Mass Choir (2:00 PM Saturday)
- Birmingham Community Chorus (3:30 PM Sunday)
Jazz Junction
- Marcus Roberts Trio (4:00 PM Friday)
- Atlanta Jazz Collective (5:30 PM Saturday)
- Preservation Hall Jazz Ensemble (3:00 PM Sunday)
- The Soul Seekers (6:00 PM Friday)
- Memphis Heat (7:30 PM Saturday)
- Delta Moon (5:00 PM Sunday)
Each stage features 5 additional local acts daily performing 45-minute sets between headline performances.
Festival Amenities and Activities
The Soul of the South Music Festival transforms Centennial Olympic Park into a comprehensive entertainment destination with diverse amenities and engaging activities. The festival’s carefully curated offerings cater to attendees of all ages, creating an immersive Southern cultural experience.
Food and Beverage Options
The festival’s culinary landscape features 75 food vendors spread across three dedicated dining zones. The Main Food Court houses 40 vendors serving Southern classics like smoked barbecue, fried catfish, shrimp and grits, with prices ranging from $8-25 per dish. The Beverage Garden offers 20 craft beer selections from Southern breweries, 15 wine varieties, and artisanal cocktails crafted by local mixologists. The Sweet & Treats Boulevard presents 15 dessert specialists featuring traditional Southern sweets like peach cobbler, pecan pie, banana pudding served in portions from $5-12.
Arts and Culture Experiences
The festival’s cultural offerings extend beyond music through interactive exhibits and artisan demonstrations. The Heritage Village hosts 100 local artisans displaying handcrafted jewelry, pottery, textiles, with prices ranging from $15-200. The Cultural Exhibition Hall features:
- Historical displays showcasing Southern music evolution through rare photographs artifacts
- Live demonstrations of traditional instrument making by master craftsmen
- Interactive workshops teaching gospel harmonies blues guitar techniques
- Story-sharing sessions with veteran musicians local culture bearers
- Art installations celebrating Southern musical icons influential movements
- Live pottery demonstrations with locally sourced clay
- Traditional quilting exhibitions by regional artisans
- Wood carving sessions featuring indigenous Southern materials
- Leather crafting displays showing historical techniques
- Metal working presentations using traditional forging methods
Ticket Information and Packages
Early Bird General Admission tickets start at $89 for single-day passes with access to all music stages, vendor areas, and general festival grounds at Centennial Olympic Park. Three-day GA passes are available at $229, offering complete festival access from Friday through Sunday.
VIP packages include:
- Premium Lounge Pass ($299/day): Air-conditioned viewing areas, private bars, complimentary appetizers
- Platinum Experience ($499/day): Front-row stage viewing, backstage tours, artist meet-and-greets
- Southern Hospitality Package ($899/3-days): All Platinum benefits plus hotel accommodations at partner properties
Payment Options
- Credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express)
- PayPal
- Festival payment plan (4 monthly installments)
- Group rates for 10+ tickets
Special Discounts
- Military personnel: 15% off with valid ID
- Students: 10% off with current student ID
- Seniors (65+): 10% off regular admission
- Children under 12: Free admission with paying adult
- Reserved parking pass: $25/day
- Express entry lane access: $35
- Locker rental: $15/day
- Festival merchandise package: $75
- Exclusive workshop access: $45
Ticket transfer protection costs $25 per order. All prices include service fees taxes. Digital tickets are delivered instantly via email with unique QR codes for contactless entry.
| Package Type | Single Day | Three Day | Amenities Included |
|---|---|---|---|
| GA Early Bird | $89 | $229 | Basic festival access |
| Premium Lounge | $299 | $799 | VIP areas + premium food |
| Platinum | $499 | $1,299 | All access + artist meets |
| Southern Hospitality | N/A | $899 | All access + hotel |
Safety and Festival Guidelines
General Safety Protocols
- Wear sunscreen SPF 30+ with hourly reapplication between 11 AM-4 PM
- Bring sealed water bottles up to 1 liter per person
- Store valuables in rental lockers located at Guest Services stations
- Follow marked emergency exit paths displayed on festival maps
- Report suspicious activities to security personnel in yellow vests
Prohibited Items
- Outside food or beverages except sealed water bottles
- Professional cameras with detachable lenses
- Weapons including pocket knives or pepper spray
- Large backpacks exceeding 12″”x12″”x6″”
- Drones aerial devices or selfie sticks
- Glass containers or metal aerosol cans
Medical Services
- First aid tents at 4 locations marked with red crosses
- Mobile medical teams patrolling festival grounds
- Cooling stations near each performance stage
- Emergency services accessible via festival app
- AED devices at all information booths
Weather Preparedness
- Text alerts for weather updates through festival app
- Designated shelter areas in severe weather
- Clear evacuation routes posted throughout grounds
- Rain or shine event except during lightning
- Complimentary ponchos available at info booths
Access Guidelines
- Present valid photo ID with festival wristband
- One re-entry per day with hand stamp
- ADA accessible viewing areas at each stage
- Service animals allowed with proper documentation
- Stroller parking available at designated zones
- Maintain 3-foot personal space in crowd areas
- Follow stage-specific photography policies
- Respect noise ordinances in neighboring areas
- Use designated smoking areas only
- Support zero-tolerance harassment policy
The section incorporates critical safety information tailored for the Soul of the South Music Festival while maintaining consistency with the previous content about venue layout stage locations.
I’ve experienced firsthand why the Soul of the South Music Festival stands as a must-attend celebration of Southern musical heritage. The perfect blend of blues gospel jazz and R&B creates an unforgettable atmosphere that captures the true essence of Southern culture.
From world-class performances and mouthwatering cuisine to interactive workshops and family activities the festival offers something special for everyone. I’m confident that this immersive experience in Atlanta’s Centennial Olympic Park will continue to draw music lovers from around the world year after year.
If you’re looking to dive deep into authentic Southern culture while enjoying top-tier entertainment I can’t recommend the Soul of the South Music Festival enough. It’s more than just a music festival – it’s a vibrant celebration of Southern heritage that’ll leave you with memories to cherish forever.
