Atlanta Dogwood Festival: Your Guide to Atlanta’s Classic Spring Celebration 🌸

Few events feel more “Atlanta” than the Atlanta Dogwood Festival. Every spring, Piedmont Park fills with art tents, live music, food vendors, and (if the weather cooperates) blooming dogwood trees. Whether you’re a longtime local or planning a visit, this guide walks you through what to expect, where to go, and how to make the most of this signature Atlanta festival.

What Is the Atlanta Dogwood Festival?

The Atlanta Dogwood Festival is a long-running spring arts and community festival held in Piedmont Park in Midtown Atlanta. It typically takes place over a long weekend in April, celebrating the season when dogwood trees bloom across the city.

At its core, the festival is:

• A fine arts and crafts show with hundreds of artists
• A family-friendly community event with kids’ activities and performances
• A food and music festival featuring local flavors and regional acts

It’s a free, open-to-the-public event, though certain attractions, VIP areas, or rides may require paid admission.

When and Where the Festival Happens

Location

Piedmont Park
400 Park Drive NE
Atlanta, GA 30306

The festival primarily takes place in the meadow and surrounding paths of Piedmont Park, near the 10th Street & Charles Allen Drive entrance. You’ll also find activities spread throughout the park’s central areas.

Typical Timing

While dates vary year to year, you can generally expect:

• Month: April
• Schedule: A full weekend (often Friday–Sunday)
• Hours: Daytime into early evening

Because dates and hours can shift slightly, it’s wise to:

• Check the current year’s festival dates before you plan your visit
• Look up weather forecasts—April in Atlanta can swing from warm and sunny to cool or rainy

What You’ll Find at the Atlanta Dogwood Festival

The Fine Art & Artist Market

The artist market is one of the festival’s biggest draws. You’ll typically see:

• Fine art: Painting, drawing, photography, mixed media
• Crafts: Jewelry, ceramics, glass, woodwork, textiles
• Sculpture and outdoor art: Garden pieces, metal work, large-format art

Most booths are run by the artists themselves, so you can:

• Ask questions about their techniques
• Purchase original works or prints
• Discover local Atlanta and regional Southern artists

If you’re an Atlanta resident decorating a home or office, this is a practical way to find unique, locally-sourced art without having to visit multiple galleries.

Live Music and Performance

You’ll usually find at least one main stage plus smaller performance spaces with:

• Local bands and regional acts
• Dance troupes, cultural groups, and school performers
• Occasional headliner performances or special showcases

Genres often range from rock and pop to jazz, R&B, and Americana, so you can catch a mix of styles in a single afternoon.

Tip:
Bring a light blanket or camp chair if you plan to stay at the stage areas for a while. Space on the grass fills up quickly, especially on Saturday afternoons and evenings.

Food, Drinks, and Festival Treats

Expect the full range of festival food, with an Atlanta twist:

• Classic fair staples: Funnel cakes, lemonade, roasted corn, turkey legs
• Southern influence: Barbecue, fried seafood, peach treats
• Food trucks and local vendors: Tacos, sandwiches, international options, vegetarian choices

You can typically find:

• Beer and wine in designated areas
• Soft drinks and water throughout the park
• Specialty dessert stands (shaved ice, ice cream, pastries)

If you live nearby in Midtown, Virginia-Highland, or Old Fourth Ward, you may choose to walk back home or to a neighborhood restaurant for a break, then return later in the day.

Kids’ Village and Family Activities

The Dogwood Festival aims to be family-friendly, and there is often a dedicated Kids’ Village or children’s activity zone that may feature:

• Inflatables and rides (usually ticketed)
• Arts and crafts projects
• Face painting and interactive games
• Kid-focused performances or demonstrations

Parents in Atlanta often use the festival as an easy spring weekend family outing, especially for elementary and middle school-aged kids who enjoy hands-on activities and outdoor play.

Sports, Games, and Special Attractions

Depending on the year, you might see:

• Disc dog shows or pet-related demos
• 5K runs or fitness events associated with the festival
• Interactive sponsor booths with giveaways or games
• Occasional cultural showcases or special themed areas

Offerings can change, so if you’re set on a particular activity—such as a race, competition, or special demonstration—check that it’s on the schedule for the current year.

Getting There: Parking, MARTA, and Getting Around the Festival

Getting to Piedmont Park

Driving and Parking

Driving into Midtown during the Dogwood Festival can be challenging:

• Street parking near Piedmont Park is very limited and heavily used during the festival.
• Some paid parking decks in Midtown (near 10th & Piedmont, Peachtree Street, and Monroe Drive) are options, but they may fill up or charge event pricing.

If you choose to drive:

• Plan extra time for traffic
• Consider using a parking deck rather than circling residential streets
• Be careful to follow posted signs—towing is enforced in some neighborhoods

MARTA

Using MARTA is often the easiest way to reach the Dogwood Festival:

• Take the Red or Gold rail line to Midtown Station or Arts Center Station.
• From Midtown Station: Walk east along 10th Street to reach the 10th & Charles Allen entrance to Piedmont Park (about a 10–15 minute walk).
• From Arts Center Station: Walk south and east through Midtown toward the park (slightly longer but still walkable).

Many Atlanta residents and visitors rely on MARTA for big events to avoid parking hassles and potential traffic delays on the Downtown Connector or I-85.

Rideshare and Taxis

Rideshare can work well, but streets around the park may be congested or partially closed. Common strategies:

• Get dropped off a few blocks away (such as along Peachtree Street or near 8th/12th Street) and walk in
• Allow extra time for pickup after the festival, especially in the evenings

Navigating Inside the Festival

Once you’re inside Piedmont Park during the festival:

• Main paths guide you through artist booths and food vendors
• Signs and festival maps are usually posted at key entrances
• Strollers and wheelchairs are common, but some grassy or sloped areas may be more difficult after rain

It’s a good idea to:

• Wear comfortable walking shoes
• Bring reusable water bottles (check any posted rules on containers)
• Agree on a meeting spot with your group in case you get separated

Costs: What’s Free and What’s Not

A core feature of the Atlanta Dogwood Festival is that admission is typically free. However, many elements inside the festival have their own costs.

Here’s a simple overview:

For locals, this means you can drop by without a big commitment—it’s possible to enjoy the atmosphere and art on a modest budget, or splurge on food, drinks, and art purchases if you choose.

What to Bring (and What to Leave at Home)

Smart Things to Bring

• Photo ID (especially if you plan to visit beer or wine areas)
• Cash and cards (some vendors may accept only one or the other)
• Sunscreen and a hat—Atlanta’s April sun can be strong
• Light jacket or poncho—spring showers are common
• Portable phone charger if you’ll be out all day
• Blanket or small camp chairs for the music lawn, if allowed
• Comfortable shoes for walking on pavement and grass

Items to Check Rules On

Each year may have specific rules about:

• Outside food and drink
• Coolers
• Pets (Piedmont Park is dog-friendly in general, but tight festival crowds can be tough for some dogs)
• Large bags or backpacks

If you’re coming from elsewhere in the metro area—like Decatur, Sandy Springs, or East Point—it’s wise to confirm current festival policies before packing.

Atlanta Local Tips for Enjoying the Festival

If you live in or near Atlanta, these patterns tend to hold year after year:

• Arrive earlier in the day to avoid the heaviest crowds, especially on Saturday.
• Friday evening can be a nice time for after-work exploring if the weather is good.
• Sunday mornings may start slower and are often more relaxed for families with younger kids.
• Plan for weather swings—mornings may be cool, afternoons warm, and rain can move in quickly.

Residents who live in Midtown, Inman Park, or Virginia-Highland often:

• Walk or bike to the festival via the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail and surrounding neighborhood streets
• Use it as a meeting point for friends, treating the festival as a spring social tradition as much as an arts event

Accessibility and Comfort Considerations

Piedmont Park offers a mix of paved and unpaved surfaces, and festival infrastructure tries to accommodate a wide range of visitors.

Common considerations:

• ADA parking may be available in nearby decks or designated lots (availability can vary).
• Paved paths allow access to most core festival areas.
• Portable restrooms are typically placed around the festival; some units are designed for accessibility.
• If you have mobility challenges, arriving earlier in the day often means less crowding and easier movement through the park.

If you have specific accessibility needs, contacting the festival organizers in advance can help you plan the best way to navigate and enjoy the event.

Staying Nearby: Neighborhoods and Logistics for Visitors

If you’re visiting Atlanta for the Dogwood Festival, the most convenient areas to stay are:

• Midtown: Walking distance to Piedmont Park, with a mix of hotels, restaurants, and nightlife.
• Downtown: A short MARTA ride away; good if you’re also visiting attractions like the Georgia Aquarium or the World of Coca-Cola.
• Virginia-Highland / Old Fourth Ward: More residential and local-feeling, but still close to the park and the BeltLine.

From these areas, you can typically:

• Walk or take a short rideshare trip to Piedmont Park
• Use MARTA rail or bus routes that connect to Midtown

This can be helpful if you want to attend the festival during the day and explore Atlanta’s other neighborhoods and attractions in the evenings.

Who Puts On the Festival and How It Fits Into Atlanta’s Event Calendar

The Atlanta Dogwood Festival is one of the city’s signature annual events, similar in prominence to other major Atlanta festivals and parades.

It’s organized by a local festival organization that:

• Coordinates artists, vendors, and performers
• Works with the City of Atlanta and Piedmont Park Conservancy on logistics and permits
• Often supports arts education initiatives or community programs through festival activities, sponsorships, or fundraising elements

On the Atlanta events calendar, the Dogwood Festival:

• Often signals the unofficial start of Atlanta’s spring outdoor festival season
• Sits alongside other seasonal happenings like neighborhood festivals, food and wine events, and larger citywide celebrations later in the year

For Atlanta residents, it frequently becomes a yearly tradition, and many households plan around it as one of their first big outdoor weekends after winter.

Practical Next Steps for Atlanta Residents and Visitors

If you’re planning to experience the Atlanta Dogwood Festival:

1. Confirm this year’s dates and hours and note the general weather outlook.
2. Decide how you’ll get to Piedmont Park: MARTA, rideshare, walking, biking, or parking in a nearby deck.
3. Set a rough budget for art, food, and any ticketed attractions.
4. Make a short list of your top priorities: art market, kids’ activities, live music, specific vendors, or just exploring.
5. Pack light but smart—sun protection, comfortable shoes, payment methods, and a plan for meeting up with your group.

With a bit of planning, the Atlanta Dogwood Festival can be an easy, enjoyable way to experience Atlanta’s art scene, neighborhood energy, and spring weather all in one place.