First started in Bilbao, Spain, Fair Saturday is a global cultural movement and celebration. The annual event aims to positively respond to the commercialism and consumerism of Black Friday with a collective arts and culture celebration supporting social causes.
In July 2019, in Bilbao, the Fair Saturday Foundation announced its U.S. expansion with Atlanta being one of the first U.S. cities to participate in Fair Saturday 2019, taking place on Saturday, November 30 – the Saturday after Black Friday.
During this year’s event, artists and cultural organizations from all over the world will come together in a global festival to support a social cause of their choice through art and cultural presentations. Through these collaborations, the Fair Saturday movement will raise awareness of the impact that culture has on society.
Sixteen Atlanta-based arts and cultural organizations will participate in this year’s celebration. Representatives from Actor’s Express, Alliance Theatre, Center for Puppetry Arts, Horizon Theatre, Theatrical Outfit, and Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Company joined Mayor Bottoms’ Chief of Staff, Carmen Chubb, and Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs’ Executive Director, Camille Russell Love, for the City’s kick-off event.
Jordi Albareda, the Director and Founder of Fair Saturday, shared his greetings to Atlanta from Bilbao, Spain welcoming the City to the global movement.
“Since its inception in 2015, Fair Saturday has seen great success, growing year after year. In 2018, the movement delivered 1,200 shows in 180 cities, involving 10,000 artists, attracting 200,000 attendees, and generating €1 million (or more than $1.1 million in U.S. currency) of cultural and social impact.”
Along with Atlanta, multiple cities have decided to join this year’s Fair Saturday celebration, such as Bilbao, Spain; Malaga, Spain; Bristol, England (UK); Lima, Peru; Helsinki, Finland; Leeuwarden, Netherlands; Lisbon, Portugal; Quincy, Massachusetts (USA); Cardiff, Wales (UK) and the entire country of Scotland.
List of Fair Saturday Events
Center for Puppetry Arts Presents: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Saturday, Nov. 30 – 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm
The Center for Puppetry Arts – 1404 Spring Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30309
The Center for Puppetry Arts is partnering with Macy’s to host a Macy’s Believe Mailbox Letters to Santa. In addition, On Fair Saturday, the center will donate a portion of Saturday’s ticket proceeds to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Also, for every letter sent through the Believe Mailbox, Macy’s will donate $1 to Make-A-Wish up to $1 million.
Click here to learn more.
The High Museum of Art Presents: Holiday Artisan Market
Saturday, Nov. 30 – 11 am to 5 pm
The Woodruff Arts Center – 1280 Peachtree St NE Atlanta GA, 3030
Meet local artisans and shop for handmade gifts including jewelry, textiles, home goods, accessories, and more during the High Museum of Art’s Holiday Artisan Market. On Fair Saturday, the High will host a book drive to benefit Sheltering Arms, a nonprofit organization providing early education and childcare to working, mixed-income families.
Click here to learn more.
The Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia: WAP -Cosmo Whyte
Saturday, Nov. 30 – 11 am
The Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia – 75 Bennett St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309
The Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia’s “Beneath Its Tongue, The Fish Rolls The Hook To sharpen Its Cadence” exhibition from Working Artist Project awardee Cosmo Whyte employs drawing and sculpture while exploring the intersections of race, nationalism, and displacement. Guests of the gallery can experience the exhibition while supporting a special cause as a part of MOCA GA’s Fair Saturday support.
Click here to learn more.
Alliance Theatre Presents: A Christmas Carol
Saturday, Nov. 30 – 2:30 pm
The Woodruff Arts Center – 1280 Peachtree St NE Atlanta GA, 30309
For Fair Saturday, Alliance Theatre is partnering with Open Hand, an organization that prepares, packs, and delivers more than 5,000 healthy meals each day throughout metro Atlanta for those who might otherwise go without a meal.
To purchase your tickets and support these organizations, click here.
Theatrical Outfit Presents: The Wickhams – Christmas At Pemberley
Saturday, Nov. 30 – 2:3o pm
Theatrical Outfit at the Balzer Theater – 84 Luckie St. Atlanta, GA 30303
During Theatrical Outfit’s Fair Saturday production of “The Wickhams: Christmas At Pemberley”, they will support Global Village and provide 20 complimentary tickets to their mentors and mentees.
Click here to purchase tickets.
The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Presents: Home Alone in Concert
Saturday, Nov. 30 – 7:30 pm
The Woodruff Arts Center – 1280 Peachtree St NE Atlanta GA, 30309
On Saturday evening, enjoy the holiday classic “Home Alone” in the Woodruff Art Center’s Symphony Hall while the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) performs the movie’s score live! The orchestra will also collect canned foods for the Atlanta Community Food Bank to help those in need this holiday season.
To purchase tickets, click here.
The Horizon Theatre Presents: Waffle Palace Christmas
Saturday, Nov. 30 – 8 pm
1083 Austin Ave., Atlanta, GA 30307
In support of Fair Saturday, Horizon Theatre will partner with Open Hand, an organization that prepares, packs, and delivers thousands of healthy meals each day throughout metro Atlanta for those who might otherwise go without a meal.
To purchase tickets, click here.
Dad’s Garage Presents: Invasion Christmas Carol
Saturday, Nov. 30 – 8 pm
Dad’s Garage – 569 Ezzard Street, Atlanta, GA 30312
On Nov. 30, in support of Fair Saturday, Dad’s Garage will make a donation to support the Midtown Assistance Center, a non-profit whose mission is to provide emergency assistance to low-income working Atlantans to help prevent homelessness and hunger during periods of crisis.
Click here to purchase tickets.
Actor’s Express Presents: Downstairs
Saturday, Nov. 30 – 8 pm
Actor’s Express – 887 West Marietta St. NW, Suite J-107, Atlanta, GA 30318
For Fair Saturday, Actor’s Express will support a special cause with Saturday’s evening production of “Downstairs”, a Hitchcockian-style thriller about casting out your demons and mending the past.
Click here to purchase tickets.
Whole World Theatre Company Presents: The MAX
Saturday, Nov. 30 – 10:3o pm
1216 Spring St. NW, Atlanta, GA 30309
During their Fair Saturday showcase, the Whole World Improv Theatre will support Toys for Tots and give guests free admission to that evening’s production of THE MAX with a new toy donation. Don’t miss their award-winning cast muscle up for one jam-packed hour of the company’s hilarious comedy show.
*Content Advisory: This show will contain adult humor.
Click here to purchase tickets.