What Events Are Happening at the High Museum's Centennial Celebration?

Updated

The High Museum of Art in Atlanta is marking its 100th anniversary with a Centennial year of special exhibitions, community celebrations, music, family programs, and one-of-a-kind events. The featured Centennial events listed on the museum's site run through late October 2026, and several of them are free and open to the public — including the Centennial Block Party and Access for All day. If you're planning a visit around the Centennial, the events below are the ones with confirmed dates and times.

Featured Centennial Events

Event Date Time Notes
UPS Second Sunday: 100th Birthday Celebration October 11, 2026 12–5 p.m. Includes an I SPY–inspired chalk art activation, a hunt for a hidden UPS truck, and music on the Piazza
Centennial Block Party October 18, 2026 12–5 p.m. Free; the High takes over Peachtree Street with live music, DJs, art-making, food vendors, and surprises
100 Years of Art in Atlanta October 18, 2026 3–4 p.m. A look back at the museum's evolution and forward to its next 100 years
Member Centennial Tour: Architecture October 20, 2026 11 a.m.–12 p.m. Members only; led by a High Museum of Art docent, focused on the building's architecture and how it interacts with the collection
Access for All: Centennial Celebration! October 21, 2026 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Free admission and drop-in programming for adults of all ages
Walking Tour: 100 Years of High Museum History October 29, 2026 1:30–3 p.m. Introduces the architects who designed the buildings that have housed the High
A Haunting at 100 October 30, 2026 6–10 p.m. A Centennial-year party

What to Know Before You Go

  • Free vs. ticketed: The Centennial Block Party and Access for All day are described as free. Other events, including the Member Centennial Tour, have their own access conditions — the architecture tour is explicitly for members.
  • Member-only access: At least one featured event (Member Centennial Tour: Architecture) is restricted to members, so check your membership status before planning around it.
  • Drop-in format: Access for All is designed as drop-in programming — you can explore on your own, join a conversation, or make art, and stay as long as you like.
  • Museum hours: The High is open Tuesday–Sunday. The site listed "Open Today 12–5 p.m." at the time of publication, so confirm current hours for your visit date.

Current Exhibitions During the Centennial

The Centennial year overlaps with several exhibitions:

  • I SPY! Walter Wick's Hidden Wonders — through January 3
  • Martin Puryear: Nexus — through January 17
  • Los Porfiados (The Stubborns) — through November 29
  • Paper Trees — through February 21

Some exhibitions list a "Tickets" link and others a "Learn More" link, so admission requirements may differ by exhibition.

Planning Your Visit

The Centennial programming spans free community events, member-exclusive tours, and ticketed exhibitions. To decide what fits your trip:

  1. Pick your date first, then match it against the event table above.
  2. Check whether your chosen event is free, member-only, or requires a ticket.
  3. Confirm current museum hours and any exhibition-specific ticketing before you go.

For the most current details, dates, and any updates, check the High Museum's website directly, since event schedules and hours can change.