Your Guide to the Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival in Atlanta

The Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival is one of metro Atlanta’s signature spring events, combining blooming trees, free live music, local art, food, and family activities in the heart of Brookhaven. If you live in Atlanta or are planning a spring visit, this is one of the easiest, most accessible ways to celebrate the season without leaving the city.

What Is the Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival?

The Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival is a free annual spring festival held in Brookhaven, Georgia, just northeast of Atlanta. It typically takes place over a weekend in late March when cherry trees and other spring blooms are at or near their peak.

You can expect:

• National and local music acts on a main stage
• A large artist market with regional makers
• Food trucks and festival food
• A kids’ zone with rides and activities
• A dog park / pet-friendly areas
• Plenty of space to walk, picnic, and enjoy the spring weather

It’s designed to be family-friendly, pet-friendly, and welcoming whether you’re coming from intown Atlanta, the suburbs, or visiting from out of town.

Where the Festival Takes Place in Atlanta

Location:
Blackburn Park
3493 Ashford Dunwoody Road NE
Brookhaven, GA 30319

Blackburn Park is a large park in Brookhaven along Ashford Dunwoody Road, just north of the Perimeter (I-285). It has open fields, walking paths, trees, and room for stages and vendors, which makes it a natural fit for a large festival.

Getting Oriented from Around Atlanta

• From Buckhead / Midtown:
  Head north on Peachtree Road, then east on Johnson Ferry Road or Dresden Drive to Ashford Dunwoody Road.
• From I-285:
  Use the Ashford Dunwoody Road exit and head south into Brookhaven.
• From Downtown Atlanta:
  Take I-85 north, exit near North Druid Hills or Clairmont and cut over to Ashford Dunwoody Road; or use Peachtree to Brookhaven and head east.

Knowing that it’s in Brookhaven, not downtown, helps you plan your drive, rideshare, or MARTA route.

Typical Dates, Hours, and Schedule

Exact dates shift slightly each year, but the festival is usually held:

• Time of year: Late March
• Duration: 2 days (Saturday and Sunday)
• General hours: Typically around 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. each day
• Admission:Free to enter the festival grounds

What a Festival Day Usually Looks Like

While schedules vary, a typical day might include:

• Late morning: Vendor booths open, kids’ activities start, food trucks serve lunch
• Afternoon: Music performances, heavier crowds, dog park and kids’ zone at their busiest
• Late afternoon: Headline or larger-name performers, festival begins winding down before evening

Because it’s a daytime festival, there’s no late-night element to plan around, which is helpful for families and anyone taking MARTA or rideshare.

Quick-Glance Festival Overview

Getting to the Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival

Driving and Parking

For most Atlantans, driving is still the most common way to get there, but parking near Blackburn Park can fill up quickly during the festival.

Common patterns each year:

• No or limited on-site parking at Blackburn Park itself
• Nearby lots or off-site parking areas, sometimes with shuttle buses
• Temporary road closures or lane restrictions on Ashford Dunwoody Road

To make driving easier:

• 🕐 Go early if you want a closer spot or shorter shuttle lines.
• 📍 Use a navigation app set to Blackburn Park but expect to follow festival detour signs or directions from officers.
• 👥 Carpool if you’re coming from other parts of Atlanta like Decatur, Sandy Springs, or Midtown.

Taking MARTA

For many intown residents, MARTA + rideshare/walk is a less stressful option.

Your closest station:

• Brookhaven / Oglethorpe MARTA Station
  4047 Peachtree Road NE
  Brookhaven, GA 30319

From there you can:

• Take a short rideshare (usually 5–10 minutes, depending on traffic), or
• Use any festival shuttles that might operate from nearby areas (these change by year), or
• Drive from a Park & Ride further out, then shuttle in, if that’s offered that year.

Tip: If you’re coming from Downtown, Midtown, or the Airport, you can ride the Gold Line directly to Brookhaven / Oglethorpe, then connect by car or shuttle.

What You’ll Find at the Festival

Live Music and Entertainment

One of the biggest draws for Atlanta-area residents is the live music lineup. The festival often features:

• National touring acts as headliners
• Regional and local bands playing throughout the day
• A mix of genres – rock, pop, Americana, and more

If music is your main focus:

• Check the daily schedule ahead of time to time your arrival.
• Bring a blanket or low chair so you can settle into the lawn near the stage.
• Expect crowds to be heaviest closer to headliner sets.

Artist and Vendor Market

The artist market is a major attraction for people across Atlanta who like to shop local. You’ll typically find:

• Handmade jewelry, pottery, art, clothing, and home goods
• Local food products like sauces, baked goods, or snacks
• Seasonal and cherry blossom–themed items

If you’re coming from neighborhoods like Inman Park, Grant Park, or Virginia-Highland, this market has a similar vibe to local art festivals, just set in Brookhaven.

Food and Drinks

The festival usually includes:

• Food trucks with a variety of cuisines
• Classic festival foods (burgers, fries, funnel cakes, lemonade)
• Beverage stations (often including beer and wine for adults in designated areas)

Plan for:

• Payment: Many vendors accept cards and mobile pay, but having some cash can help in case of connectivity issues.
• Lines: Expect longer lines during peak mid-day hours, especially if the weather is nice.

Family-Friendly Activities

The Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival is designed with kids and families in mind, which makes it popular with residents from Brookhaven, Chamblee, Dunwoody, and across Atlanta.

You can typically expect:

• A kids’ zone with rides, inflatables, or games
• Face painting or craft activities
• Plenty of open grassy areas for strollers and blankets
• Daytime-only schedule, making it easier for younger children

Helpful tips for families:

• Bring strollers if you have little ones; paths are generally stroller-friendly.
• Pack sunscreen, hats, and water, especially for midday.
• Decide on a meeting spot in case anyone gets separated, since it can get crowded.

Pet-Friendly Details

The festival is one of Atlanta’s more dog-friendly spring events.

Typically:

• Leashed dogs are welcome throughout the festival grounds.
• There is often an off-leash or designated dog area or dog park connected to Blackburn Park.
• Pet-related vendors sometimes appear with treats, accessories, or services.

If you’re bringing your dog:

• Use a sturdy leash (not an extended retractable one in crowded areas).
• Bring waste bags, portable water bowl, and plan for shade.
• Keep in mind that loud music and crowds may not suit every pet.

What to Bring (and What to Leave Home)

Smart Things to Bring

• Photo ID (for adult beverage areas)
• Blanket or low chair for the lawn
• Reusable water bottle (check current rules; some events allow empty bottles to refill)
• Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen – Atlanta’s March sun can be strong
• Light layers – mornings can be cool, afternoons warm
• Portable phone charger if you rely on your phone for rideshare and photos

What to Avoid Bringing

Rules can change, but typically you should assume:

• No large tents or high-back chairs that block others’ views
• No outside alcohol
• No drones or anything that interferes with crowd safety or performances

Always verify current restrictions before you go, especially if you’re planning a full-day setup.

Navigating Crowds and Timing Your Visit

Because the Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival is a major Atlanta-area event, it can get busy.

To have a smoother experience:

• Arrive early if you want easier parking or a good spot near the stage.
• Consider coming earlier on Saturday or earlier in the day Sunday if you prefer lighter crowds.
• If you’re mainly interested in shopping the artist market, mornings often feel more relaxed.
• If you’re there for music headliners, expect the later afternoon to be the most congested.

For many locals, it works best to:

• Spend a few hours browsing vendors and eating,
• Set up a blanket near the stage,
• Then leave before closing to avoid the heaviest departure traffic.

Accessibility Considerations

Blackburn Park and the festival grounds generally offer:

• Paved walkways suitable for wheelchairs and strollers
• Accessible parking spaces in nearby lots (though they can fill quickly)
• Restrooms or portable restrooms, often including accessible units

If you or someone in your group has mobility needs:

• Plan to arrive earlier to secure closer parking if driving.
• Consider using MARTA + rideshare to shorten the walk.
• Look for information on accessibility services or viewing areas near the main stage when schedules and maps are released.

Contact and Local Information

For official, up-to-date information about the Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival, including this year’s dates, schedule, and any changes:

• City of Brookhaven – City Hall
  4362 Peachtree Road NE
  Brookhaven, GA 30319
  Main phone: (404) 637-0500

• Brookhaven Parks & Recreation (Blackburn Park)
  Main Parks & Recreation line (through City of Brookhaven): (404) 637-0542

You can also check with Brookhaven City Hall if you’re already in the area and want printed materials, or watch for signs posted along Ashford Dunwoody Road and nearby neighborhoods as the festival approaches.

How the Festival Fits into Atlanta’s Spring Season

If you’re planning your spring in Atlanta, the Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival often lines up with:

• Peak flowering trees and early azaleas across the city
• Other spring festivals around parks in Midtown, Inman Park, and Decatur
• Pleasant daytime temperatures that make outdoor events comfortable

For many Atlanta residents, it serves as:

• A kickoff to festival season
• An easy way to enjoy live music without driving far
• A chance to explore Brookhaven if you live elsewhere in the metro area

If you like neighborhood art festivals, outdoor concerts in Piedmont Park, or strolling along the BeltLine, this festival offers a similar energy—just focused around Blackburn Park and the Brookhaven community.

If you’re in or around Atlanta in late March, the Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival is one of the simplest, most local-friendly ways to enjoy spring blooms, good food, and live music all in one place.