Shaky Knees Festival

Planning your next RV trip? Head to the Shaky Knees Festival in downtown Atlanta enjoy live music and experience the city at it's best.

Event information

Shaky Knees Music Festival is a music event that's held in Atlanta, Georgia every year. Central Park in Downtown Atlanta serves as the venue for the event. Atlanta is also home to several other music festivals like Music Midtown and SweetWater 420 Fest.

The first Shaky Knees Music Festival took place in 2013 and was the brainchild of Tim Sweetwood. He wanted to bring a musical event that showcases indie music to the city of Atlanta. It started as a two-day festival but thanks to its popularity, a third-day was included.

In addition to well-known international artists, the festival also features smaller local and regional acts. Many different genres are represented like indie folk, indie rock, alternative rock, and country music. The organizers make a conscious attempt to keep the festival smaller than other music festivals so that the sole focus can be the quality of the live music.

Artists who have performed at Shaky Knees Festival in the past include The Gaslight Anthem, The Avett Brothers, The Lumineers, Neutral Milk Hotel, My Morning Jacket, Cold War Kids, Alabama Shakes, The National, and Explosions in the Sky.

Tickets

There are three types of tickets available for the Shaky Knees Music Festival: General Admission, VIP and Platinum. If you opt for the General Admission tickets, you can choose between three-day and single-day passes. They range in price from $100 for one-day General Admission tickets to $1600 for the three-day Platinum tickets.

Once you purchase your tickets, wristbands will be mailed to you. You also have the option of picking them up at the box office. Your wristband will be scanned upon entry or exit, and you will need to keep it on for the entire duration of the event. You can find more information on tickets on pricing on the festival website.

Explore Shaky Knees Festival RV Rentals


Transportation

Driving

The venue for the festival is Central Park in Downtown Atlanta. The area can be difficult to navigate because of all the similarly named streets. To manage the traffic and the crowds, there will be a number of road closures on the day of the event. It may be a good idea to park your rig at your campsite and take an alternate mode of transport to the festival.

Parking areas

There is no onsite parking available at the venue. However, there are several parking garages and surface lots in the downtown area. These are paid parking options, and the rates are generally affordable. If you plan on driving to the event, make sure you get to the area early to nab a spot close to the venue.

Public Transportation

Festivals attendees are encouraged to cut down their carbon footprint by using public transportation to reach the venue. The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) manages trains and buses in the area. Another option is to use a rideshare service and get off at one of the designated drop-off points.

Where to stay

Onsite

Shaky Knees Festival does not offer onsite camping options. You'll need to book a spot at a park or campsite nearby.

Nearby

Guests can look for several RV parks and campgrounds just a short distance away from the metropolitan area, often within a 20 to 40-minute drive of Downtown Atlanta. Many of these are surrounded by nature, so you have plenty of trails, streams, and forests to explore. They come with facilities like full-hookups, pool access, WiFi, and activity areas for kids.

Getting around

Scooters, bicycles, skateboards, ATVs, carts, wagons and other personal motorized vehicles will not be allowed in the venue. Special lanes will be allocated at the entrances for patrons with disabilities. While a majority of the festival grounds are wheelchair accessible, it is a large area with a few grassy areas and significant distances between stages.

What to pack

Clothing

You're likely to see plenty of denim, cute sundresses, and high-waisted shorts. It's a good idea to dress in light layers so that you can stay comfortable through the day and night. Wear comfortable footwear, preferably flats or sneakers. The venue is large, and you will need to walk quite a bit to get from one stage to the next.

Gear

Only small bags, purses, or backpacks will be allowed into the event. Carry sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, a lightweight blanket, and an empty reusable water bottle. You'll need to carry a valid photo ID to pick up your wristband or to purchase alcohol. As another option, festival patrons are encouraged to leave their bags at home to take advantage of the no bag express lane.

Health & Safety

Free water refill stations will be scattered all over the venue. So drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and take frequent breaks to get out of the sun. Make sure you dispose of any waste in the proper receptacle to keep the grounds clean. It's likely to get quite crowded, so keep an eye on your belongings at all times. Lockers are available for rent if necessary.

Where to eat

Cooking

Cooking or lighting fires of any kind on the festival grounds is prohibited. Most campsites and RV parks in the area allow cooking. Some of them even come with gas grills that you can rent. If you’re particular about preparing your own meals, carry everything you need with you. There are a few small stores close to the campgrounds, but they may not be as well stocked as the ones in the city center.

Restaurants

There are plenty of eateries at every price point a short walk away from the grounds. Since the festival takes place in Downtown Atlanta, you have the opportunity to experience the best that the city has to offer in terms of food. Try some of the famous southern fare, or opt for one of the upcoming modern restaurants in the vicinity.

Vendors

There will be no shortage of delicious food options at Shaky Knees Festival. Whether you're in the mood for Southern comfort food or something a bit more exotic, you'll find it here. Don't miss out on the burritos or the fresh smoothies. Guests are likely to find a number of vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options on offer as well.

Safety

Security

Police officers and security personnel will be present at the entrances, inside the venue and will be patrolling the streets near Central Park. Bags will be searched before entry, and you may be subjected to a TSA-style search as well. If you need to exit and re-enter the venue, you can do so for up to three times.

Weather

The festival typically takes place in the spring, so you can expect warm, pleasant weather. Carry a rain poncho to be prepared if the skies become a little wet. In the case of sudden inclement weather, the event may be postponed or canceled. Updates and information will be given out on the event's social media pages.

Medical

Emergency medical staff will be present at the medical tent. Head there if you or someone you know needs assistance. Alternatively, you can look for a staff member and flag them down. There will also be an access center located close to one of the entrances where patrons with disabilities can get assistance as needed.