Sandy Springs residents can catch two nationally touring headliners for free when the Blue Stone Arts & Music Festival takes over the City Springs district on Friday, September 25, and Saturday, September 26, 2026.
The fourth annual festival will feature New York City-based alternative rock band Nicotine Dolls on Friday night and soul-funk vocalist Allen Stone on Saturday, according to the City of Sandy Springs. For Nicotine Dolls, led by singer Sam Cieri, the Sandy Springs show is scheduled as the band's final U.S. performance before a European tour that hits Glasgow, London, Paris, and Berlin. Stone, who has been touring alongside Chris Stapleton on the All-American Road Show, brings his blend of soul, R&B, and funk to the Saturday stage.
Both nights will also feature the Georgia premiere of Squonk's Joy Machine, an immersive outdoor spectacle created by Pittsburgh-based artistic directors Jackie Dempsey and Steve O'Hearn. The show, which world-premiered at Pittsburgh's Three Rivers Arts Festival in June 2026, invites audience members to help assemble a monumental street puppet, play a giant drum wall, and heave ropes to send acrobatic puppets overhead. Multiple half-hour performances and backstage workshops are planned each day.
Beyond the main stages, the festival includes an Artist Market with more than 60 artists and makers, an Emerging Artist Exhibit, and a Kids and Sports Zone. Admission is free.
Upcoming community dates
- Friday, July 31, 2026 — Deadline for festival poster submissions (spr.gs/bsfcallforentries)
- Friday, September 18, 2026 — Vendor application deadline (spr.gs/bluestone-vendor-application)
- Friday, September 25 – Saturday, September 26, 2026 — Blue Stone Arts & Music Festival, City Springs district, Sandy Springs. Free admission.
Poster contest open through July 31
The city is accepting proposals for the official 2026 festival poster through Friday, July 31, at spr.gs/bsfcallforentries. Last year's poster winner was Sandy Springs resident Gregg Bauer, whose design was displayed at the Sandy Springs City Hall Gallery. Vendor applications are also open through Friday, September 18, at spr.gs/bluestone-vendor-application. The city said selections are made through a competitive review process, and early submission is encouraged.
Run with your dog
The Blue Stone 5K-9 fun run welcomes participants with or without dogs on a flat, out-and-back course that doubles as an official Northside Hospital Peachtree Road Race qualifying event. In partnership with Catalyst Sports, Sandy Springs Recreation & Parks will offer adaptive handcycles for participants with disabilities; those interested can email [email protected] to reserve one.
Registration is open at runsignup.com/Race/GA/Atlanta/BlueStone5k9. Sponsorship information is available at givebutter.com/BlueStoneArts.
