Alive in Roswell 2026: dates, road closures, parking

Last checked Oct. 5, 2026. Facts come from the City of Roswell’s Alive in Roswell page on Roswell365, the city’s events site. This page is updated each season at the same address.

Alive in Roswell, the city’s free street festival, takes over Historic Canton Street from 5 to 9 p.m. on the third Thursday of every month from April through October. The last regular night of 2026 is Thursday, Oct. 15. The city has added one more, Thursday, Nov. 19, to make up for the June 18 festival, which was canceled because of forecast severe weather.

Know before you go

• Next dates: Thursday, Oct. 15, and Thursday, Nov. 19, 5 to 9 p.m.
• Where: Historic Canton Street and the Roswell Antique and Interiors Lot, at Canton and Webb streets
• Cost: free; food and drinks for sale
• Road closure: Canton Street from Highway 9/Magnolia Street to Norcross Street, from 5 p.m.
• Alerts: text ROSWELLEvent to 888777 for weather, traffic and safety updates
• Organizer: City of Roswell

What it is

Alive in Roswell started as a way to bring more people to Canton Street on Thursday nights, the city says. It now runs at two venues at once. On Canton Street and Elizabeth Way, vendors set up along the closed road, beverage tents sell beer, wine and water, and the street’s restaurants and shops stay open. At the Roswell Antique and Interiors Lot, at the corner of Canton Street and Webb Street, a large stage hosts a different band each month, with a beverage tent, local artists, merchants and nonprofits. A DJ plays at the Heart of Roswell Park.

The city’s sponsorship packet puts attendance at more than 12,000. Each venue has more than 20 vendors, and the city counts 15 restaurants on Canton Street inside the festival area alone. Food trucks park in the lot next to Rock ‘N’ Taco.

2026 dates and bands

All nights run 5 to 9 p.m., according to the city’s schedule.

Road closures

The city closes these roads on festival day:

• Elizabeth Way, from 2 p.m.
• The Webb Street entrance to the Antique Lot, from 2 p.m.
• The Antique and Interiors Lot, from 3:30 p.m.
• Webb Street, from 3:30 p.m.
• Historic Canton Street, from Highway 9/Magnolia Street to Norcross Street, from 5 p.m.

Parking and getting there

Parking near the festival is very limited, the city warns. Its recommended spots:

• Roswell City Hall and Cultural Arts Center lots: free, with a trolley stop that runs to drop-off points around the festival. The closest walk to Canton Street and the Antique Lot.
• Green Street lot, near Fire Station 21.
• Woodstock Soccer Complex lots, near the north end of Canton Street.
• East Alley lot, between Highway 9 and East Alley.
• Street parking, first come, first served, on Mimosa Boulevard and Hill Street.
• A few private paid lots sit near Canton Street.

Rideshare: have Uber or Lyft drop you at the pickup point on Mimosa Boulevard; the nearest address is 37 Magnolia St. Do not get dropped off on Canton Street or Alpharetta Highway, the city asks, because it backs up traffic. The city has more on downtown parking at roswellgov.com/DowntownParking.

Rules: drinks, dogs and kids

• Alcohol: open containers are allowed in the Historic District for those 21 and older, but only drinks bought at the beverage tents or restaurants, in clear plastic cups. No outside alcohol and no glass.
• Not allowed: glassware, open flames, illegal drugs and fireworks.
• Dogs: welcome on a leash. Clean up after them.
• Kids: face painters and balloon artists are on site, and many vendors run activities.
• Restrooms: portable toilets at each venue, marked on the event map.
• Weather: the city cancels for severe weather, as it did on June 18. Text ROSWELLEvent to 888777 for same-day updates.

Frequently asked questions

When is the next Alive in Roswell? Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026, from 5 to 9 p.m. The city has added a make-up night on Thursday, Nov. 19, 5 to 9 p.m., after the June 18 festival was canceled for weather.

Is Alive in Roswell free? Yes. The city says the festival is free and open to the public. Food and drinks are for sale from restaurants, food trucks and beverage tents.

Can I bring my dog to Alive in Roswell? Yes. Dogs are allowed on a leash, and owners are asked to clean up after them.

Can you drink on Canton Street during Alive in Roswell? Yes, if you are 21 or older. Open containers are allowed in the Historic District, but only drinks bought at the beverage tents or restaurants, in plastic cups. No outside alcohol and no glass.

Where do I park for Alive in Roswell? Free lots at Roswell City Hall and the Cultural Arts Center, which have a trolley stop, plus the Green Street lot, the Woodstock Soccer Complex lots and the East Alley lot. Street parking is first come, first served on Mimosa Boulevard and Hill Street.

What this means for you

• If you live or work near Canton Street, expect road closures from 2 p.m. on festival days.
• Park at City Hall and take the trolley instead of circling Canton Street.
• The 2027 season is expected to start again in April; we will post the dates here when the city announces them.

Related: things to do in Roswell this weekend, Christmas tree lighting and Youth Day parade.