After several years in Central Park during the spring, the Shaky Knees Music Festival has shifted both its date and home base. The festival, traditionally held in May, moved this year to Piedmont Park and was rescheduled for Sept. 19-21.  

Key Changes, Big Names

Headliners include Friday night’s Deftones, Saturday’s My Chemical Romance and Sunday’s Blink-182. Other prominent acts across the three days are Lenny Kravitz, Sublime, The Pixies, Public Enemy, Vampire Weekend, Alabama Shakes and “Weird Al” Yankovic.  

Logistics, Access & Weather

With no on-site parking available, organizers are urging visitors to use public transit or rideshares. The Midtown MARTA station is often the most reliable route in Atlanta, with festival entrances off 12th Street NE & Piedmont Avenue and another at 10th Street NE & Charles Allen Drive. An additional entrance is near the Atlanta Beltline at Park Drive NE.  

Weather forecasts predict mostly sunny skies on Friday, partly cloudy on Saturday, with low chances of rain. However, temperatures are expected to climb. Festival organizers remind attendees to stay hydrated.  

First Impressions & Crowd Reaction

Friday’s opening saw thousands flocking to Piedmont Park under sweltering heat. Acts like The Marias, Pixies and Deftones drew large, enthusiastic crowds.

Saturday’s schedule pushed through the heat: My Chemical Romance drew perhaps the largest reaction with a theatrical set that included a full performance of The Black Parade, while Public Enemy delivered a high-energy set that united newer fans and those nostalgic for earlier hip-hop.  

Stakes & Expectations

With three-day passes and Saturday-only tickets sold out, demand is high. The change in scheduling also fills a gap; with the popular Music Midtown festival on hiatus this year, Shaky Knees took its place in Atlanta’s late-summer festival calendar.  

Organizers face tests in managing crowd flow, transit, and the logistics of weather exposure, but feedback so far suggests the changes are resonating with attendees. Piedmont Park’s layout and access points are under scrutiny, especially during high-traffic moments.  

What’s Ahead

The festival resumes Sunday with performances by Blink-182, Franz Ferdinand, Devo, Alabama Shakes, and others. Organizers are hoping the final day strengthens the momentum built over the first two. With food vendors, merch stalls and art activations peppered throughout the grounds, Shaky Knees 2025 is shaping up to make a strong case for its relocated identity.