Arts & Entertainment

Freaknik Festival Returns This Weekend To Atlanta

A newly organized Freaknik Festival returns to Atlanta this weekend with a number of big-name rap performers at different venues.

Foxy Brown, who once faced battery charges, will appear at Freaknik this weekend in Atlanta.
Foxy Brown, who once faced battery charges, will appear at Freaknik this weekend in Atlanta. (Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)

ATLANTA -- One of the most dreaded words in Atlanta commuting history returns this weekend: Freaknik is back. But fear not, commuters: Freaknik Festival organizers are planning a series of concerts and events at specific locations throughout the city, and no official street events are planned. That's not to say some won't happen; it's just that organizers don't have any officially planned.

Atlanta-based promoter Carlos Neal, through his company After 9 Partners, said Freaknik is returning to be a safe, yet adults only, experience that "recaptures the fun, nostalgia, and legacy of the iconic 90s event," he said, adding that safe celebration is the priority for the weekend. This year's lineup of performers include Uncle Luke, Bun B, Juvenile, Da Brat, Foxy Brown, Trina, Ying Yang Twins, Pastor Troy, Lil’ Bankhead, and DJ Unk.

Freaknik was held every summer for several years in Atlanta as primarily a black college summer gathering on the streets of Buckhead, Midtown, East Atlanta, Cascade, Virginia Highland and downtown Atlanta. Hundreds of thousands of college summer breakers gathered in the city, and the event quickly turned into a nightmare of snarled traffic, loud music and, in many instances, crime. Eventually, city leaders made it known that partygoers would encounter heavy police presence, and eventually Freaknik fizzled out.

Find out what's happening in Atlantawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

There have been attempts to resurrect the event, but nothing has come close to the turbulence-filled 1990s of Freaknik.

“There will be events referencing Freaknik that aren’t sanctioned by or affiliated with After 9 Partners," Neal said. "We urge everyone to use caution when choosing events to attend over the weekend. After 9 Partners has been in communication with Atlanta PD and will work with them to ensure a safe, adults only weekend of fun for everyone.”

Find out what's happening in Atlantawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Here's an official schedule of events for this weekend:

Thursday, June 20: The weekend kicks off at 10:00pm with “I Love the 90s,” an open bar party at Aurum Lounge, 75 Peachtree Place NW.

Friday, June 21: Freaknik collaborates with TrapNPaint for an adults-only painting experience at Pin N Proper, 1039 Grant Street SE. Happy hour kicks off at 5 pm with food and drink specials, DJ, and games.

The night continues at Suite Lounge, 375 Luckie Street for the official Freaknik kickoff party with V103. Attendees with Freaknik tickets enjoy free admission until 1 am.

Saturday, June 22: Freaknik and Streetz 94.5 are doing “more good in the hood” with a community service cleanup from 9 am to noon including a live DJ, complimentary food (with RSVP), ticket giveaways, and more. Freaknik performances begin at 1 pm at Cellairis Amphitheatre followed by the official after party at Mansion Elan, 3595 Clairmont Road at 1 am.

Sunday, June 23: Brunch gets an elevated experience with the CannaBrunch Freakshow from noon to 5 pm. Guests will enjoy infused treats, hookah, live DJ, and brunch menu at a secret location.

Closing out the weekend is the official Freaknik Day Party at Lava Lounge, 57 13th Street NE, from 5:00pm to Midnight. All Freaknik ticket holders are free until 6:00pm with RSVP.

Tickets are still available for the concert and surrounding events. To purchase tickets and RSVP to events, visit freaknikfest.com/events.



Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here