Scarecrows in the Garden gives Atlanta families a seasonal outing that can fit around an ordinary daytime garden visit. The 2026 exhibition runs October 1 through November 1 at Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1345 Piedmont Avenue NE. Use the current 2026 exhibition listing rather than an older page with a similar name and different dates.

This guide covers the Atlanta location. The Garden also operates in Gainesville, so confirm the location before purchasing admission or arranging travel. A calendar search can surface programs from both sites; the city name and address are as important as the event title when planning a family day.

Give the displays time

The official exhibition overview describes community-made creations and a supersized category celebrating the Garden’s 50th anniversary. Treat the outing as a chance to look closely rather than race between photo stops. Ask children to choose a favorite character, notice its materials or explain what makes it funny. Those small conversations can make the walk part of the experience.

Check the date before buying

The exhibition listing says closed Mondays, while the current visitor information lists October 12 as a special Monday opening. Confirm that exception directly before planning a Monday visit. Ordinary hours and special openings should not be inferred from a previous year’s schedule or from the display’s overall date range.

Online daytime tickets are date-specific rather than timed-entry tickets, according to the visitor page. Check the conditions and total cost for your chosen date before completing a purchase. Do not confuse participant registration charges on an exhibition page with the price of admission for a family coming to see the displays.

Plan for a walk and a break

Choose footwear that works for the garden setting, and leave enough time for companions who prefer a slower pace. A short visit with a few memorable stops may suit younger children better than an ambitious route across every area. If accessibility or a specific facility is essential to your day, ask the Garden before travelling.

Consult the SAGE parking information before deciding to drive. Parking arrangements and admission are separate planning questions. Keep the current visitor page handy for operational updates, rather than assuming every space shown in an older photograph will be available on your date.

Look at voting and other programs separately

The 2026 event listing places visitor voting from October 1–18 and says the winner will be revealed at the October 22 pumpkin-carving festival. Check the current instructions on arrival if voting interests your family. Seeing the exhibition later in its run does not mean the voting period remains open.

Other October activities may have their own hours, conditions or admission arrangements. Read those listings individually before promising a combined outing. A family can enjoy the scarecrow display without building the day around every seasonal program advertised nearby. Choose one main reason to visit and add another only if it fits comfortably.

For a different Midtown weekend, our Pride parade transit guide explains the October 10–11 festival and station choices. Readers considering a Halloween street event can compare our Little Five Points planning guide. Neither replaces the Garden’s own admission instructions; they offer alternatives when choosing how to spend a free October day.

Make a final check

Facts were verified October 3, 2026. Confirm the Atlanta address, admission date, opening hours and any facility updates before leaving. Keep the distinction between exhibition dates, visitor voting and separately programmed events clear. A comfortable pace and a realistic plan will leave more room to enjoy the creativity on display.