Shaky Knees Music Festival

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MusicAtlanta
DatesDates TBA · Usually SeptemberCheck locally before booking
Duration3 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLive music, late nightsShaky Knees carved out a specific identity
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryMusicFestival type
The story

Shaky Knees Music Festival in Atlanta

Shaky Knees Music Festival is an annual indie and rock music festival in Atlanta founded in 2013 by booking agent Tim Sweetwood, who named it after the My Morning Jacket song Steam Engine. Built to focus purely on music rather than art or lifestyle attractions, it has moved venues several times across the city and now takes place in Piedmont Park each September, featuring more than 60 bands across multiple stages.

Its genre focus and city-festival scale make it a strong Georgia music event.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Shaky Knees carved out a specific identity by deliberately staying music-only: founder Tim Sweetwood has said he built it in contrast to festivals like Coachella that layer in art installations and lifestyle branding, wanting Atlanta's indie and rock fans to have an event centered entirely on the bands

02

The mystery stays covered

Its opening lineup in 2013, featuring The Lumineers, Jim James, and Band of Horses, sold out at Historic Fourth Ward Park and established a reputation strong enough that USA Today and Rolling Stone both named it among the best festivals in the country within two years of launch

03

The city starts moving

The festival also spawned genre-specific sister events, Shaky Boots for country music and Shaky Beats for electronic dance music, extending the same city-only, single-genre-focused model Sweetwood built the original festival around

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival's defining tradition is staying deliberately music-focused rather than adding the art installations

Water and renewal

Living ritual

wellness activations

The sacred route

Living ritual

or brand experiences common at larger festivals

The local code

Living ritual

a choice founder Tim Sweetwood has described as central to the event since 2013

Tradition 5

Living ritual

It also carries a naming tradition tied to Atlanta's indie rock scene: the festival

Tradition 6

Living ritual

along with its sister events Shaky Boots and Shaky Beats

Tradition 7

Living ritual

take their names from My Morning Jacket's song Steam Engine

Tradition 8

Living ritual

connecting the whole family of festivals back to Sweetwood's roots as an Atlanta club booking agent

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually September

Getting around

Transit/rideshare depends on venue.

What to wear

Shaky Knees now runs in September, when Atlanta afternoons can still be quite hot and humid before cooling off at night, so breathable clothing, comfortable sneakers or boots for standing on...

Safety

Keep phone power, water, and a clear meeting point sorted before the main crowd arrives.

Where to stay

Atlanta

Tickets/cost

Official ticket link is available. Confirm access rules before booking.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map33.75 N, 84.39 WOpen in Google Maps

Atlanta, GA

TransportTransit/rideshare depends on venue.
Stay areaAtlanta

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Atlanta via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Atlanta, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for September.Compare faresFestival gearShaky Knees now runs in September, when Atlanta afternoons can still be quite hot and humid before cooling off at night, so breathable clothing, comfortable sneakers or boots for standing on grass, and a light jacket for evening sets are practical. Sunglasses and a hat help through daytime sun on the open park lawn.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Shaky Knees Music Festival?

Shaky Knees Music Festival is listed for Past edition: 19–21 September 2025. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Shaky Knees Music Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Atlanta, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

3 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Atlanta, GA

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLshakykneesfestival.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually September
Source statusOfficial source linked
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