Dunwoody Art Festival: Your Guide to This Spring Favorite Near Atlanta

The Dunwoody Art Festival is one of the most popular spring festivals near Atlanta, drawing families, art lovers, and casual weekend explorers to downtown Dunwoody each Mother’s Day weekend. If you live in Atlanta or you’re visiting in spring, this is an easy, low-stress day trip with a strong neighborhood feel, plenty of shopping, and lots of kid-friendly activities.

Below is a practical guide to help you understand what it is, how to get there, where to park, and how to make the most of your visit.

What Is the Dunwoody Art Festival?

The Dunwoody Art Festival is an outdoor, juried art festival that typically takes place in downtown Dunwoody, just north of Atlanta. It usually happens over Mother’s Day weekend in May and features:

• Dozens of artists from metro Atlanta and beyond
• Handmade art and crafts, from paintings and pottery to jewelry and woodwork
• A kids’ activity area
• Food trucks and festival food
• Live entertainment or background music, depending on the year

It’s designed to be walkable, family-friendly, and free to attend, making it a popular spring outing for people from all over the Atlanta area.

When and Where It Happens

Dates and times can shift slightly year to year, but the general pattern is consistent.

Typical Schedule

• Weekend: Often Mother’s Day weekend in May
• Days:Saturday and Sunday
• Hours: Commonly mid-morning to late afternoon (for example, around 10 a.m.–6 p.m. on Saturday and slightly shorter on Sunday)

Because schedules can change, it’s smart to check the current year’s dates and hours before you go.

Location

The festival is typically set up along streets in downtown Dunwoody, near:

• Dunwoody Village Parkway
• Chamblee Dunwoody Road
• Adjacent shopping and dining areas in Dunwoody Village

Dunwoody is part of north metro Atlanta, in DeKalb County, roughly:

• 15–25 minutes by car from Buckhead (in light traffic)
• 25–35 minutes from Midtown or Downtown Atlanta

Because the festival closes some streets to traffic, be ready for detours and limited through-traffic around the immediate area.

Getting There from Around Atlanta

By Car

Most Atlantans reach the Dunwoody Art Festival by car.

Common routes include:

• From I-285:
  • Take Exit 29 (Ashford Dunwoody Road) and head north toward Dunwoody.
  • Follow signs or police directions into the festival area and parking locations.
• From GA-400:
  • Exit at Abernathy Road (Exit 5), drive east, then connect to Mount Vernon Road or Chamblee Dunwoody Road toward downtown Dunwoody.

Be prepared for:

• Heavier traffic mid-morning to early afternoon
• Slowdowns near Dunwoody Village and festival entrances
• Temporary “road closed” and “event parking” signage

By MARTA

If you prefer not to drive:

• Take MARTA’s Red Line to Dunwoody Station or Sandy Springs Station.
• From the station, options may include:
  • Rideshare (about a 5–10 minute drive to downtown Dunwoody)
  • Local bus routes, depending on current MARTA service and schedules
  • A longer walk or bike ride if you’re comfortable and know the area

Because bus routes and schedules can change, it’s a good idea to check MARTA’s current maps and timetables for buses connecting to the Dunwoody Village area.

Parking and Shuttle Options

The festival usually provides clearly marked parking areas away from the main streets that are closed for booths and pedestrians. Each year’s setup can be a little different, but common patterns include:

• Free or low-cost parking in nearby lots or office parks
• Possible shuttle service between remote parking and the festival entrance
• Limited handicap-accessible parking closer to the main festival streets

🔎 Useful tip:
Arrive earlier in the day (especially on Saturday) to find easier parking, shorter shuttle waits, and less crowded walkways.

If you need specific accessibility information, contacting the City of Dunwoody or the festival organizers in advance can help:

• City of Dunwoody
  4800 Ashford Dunwoody Road
  Dunwoody, GA 30338
  Main phone: (678) 382-6700

Ask about accessible parking, drop-off spots, and recommended arrival routes during major events downtown.

What You’ll Find at the Festival

Art and Vendors

The Dunwoody Art Festival typically features a wide variety of art and craft booths, such as:

• Paintings and prints
• Photography
• Pottery and ceramics
• Handmade jewelry
• Woodwork and metal art
• Glass art, textiles, candles, and other handmade goods

Artists come from Atlanta, across Georgia, and other states, so you often see a mix of local styles and more regional or national work.

This makes it a good place to:

• Pick up unique gifts for Mother’s Day, birthdays, or housewarmings
• Find Atlanta- and Georgia-themed art for your home
• Talk directly with artists about their process and custom work

Food and Drinks

You can expect a lineup of food trucks and festival-style vendors, which may include:

• Classic festival snacks like kettle corn, funnel cakes, shaved ice
• Burgers, tacos, barbecue, or sandwiches
• Lemonade, iced tea, and soft drinks

If you prefer a sit-down meal, restaurants in Dunwoody Village and nearby shopping centers are easy to walk to from the festival area. You’ll find:

• Casual spots for tacos, burgers, pizzas, and salads
• Coffee shops and dessert places

Weekend brunch near Dunwoody can be popular, so if you’re combining brunch with the festival, plan for wait times at peak hours.

Family-Friendly Features

The Dunwoody Art Festival is known for being very kid-friendly. Families from across metro Atlanta often treat it as a low-pressure, stroller-friendly day out.

Common family features include:

• A designated kids’ zone with activities, crafts, or inflatables
• Face painting, balloon art, or simple games, depending on the year
• Wide pedestrian areas that are relatively easy to navigate with strollers

👨‍👩‍👧 Tip for parents:
Bring water, sunscreen, hats, and snacks, especially for younger children. The festival is outdoors, and sunny spring days in Atlanta can get warm quickly.

Is There an Admission Fee?

The festival itself is generally:

• Free to attend for all ages
• Open to the public, with no tickets required to walk through the booths

You’ll want to budget for:

• Art and gifts you might purchase
• Food and drinks from vendors
• Possible kids’ zone activities or rides, if those are set up as pay-per-activity

What to Bring (and What to Leave at Home)

Here’s a quick overview to help you pack smartly:

If you’re planning to shop, consider bringing a sturdy tote to carry art, ornaments, and other small purchases.

Crowds and Best Times to Go

Attendance can vary depending on weather, but patterns are fairly predictable:

• Busiest times:
  • Late Saturday morning through mid-afternoon
  • Midday Sunday if the weather is especially nice
• Quieter times:
  • Early on Saturday when booths first open
  • Later in the day Sunday, when some early shoppers have gone

If you:

• Want the best selection of artwork, early Saturday is usually ideal.
• Prefer lighter crowds, you might aim for the first hour of either day or late afternoon.

Accessibility and Mobility Considerations

The festival streets are typically paved and mostly level, which can help if you use a wheelchair, walker, or stroller. Still, it’s important to be ready for:

• Crowded walkways, especially in the middle of the day
• Occasional cable covers, curbs, and uneven pavement
• Periodic waits at shuttle stops if shuttle service is offered that year

If you have specific mobility needs, asking ahead about:

• Accessible parking locations
• Drop-off zones close to the festival entrance
• Restroom locations and accessibility

can make your day smoother. The City of Dunwoody can typically point you to the right event contacts at (678) 382-6700.

Tips for Making the Most of Your Visit

Here are a few Atlanta-specific strategies for enjoying the Dunwoody Art Festival:

1. Check the weather first.
   Spring in Atlanta can mean sun, sudden showers, or pollen-heavy days. Dress in layers and bring a light rain jacket or umbrella if rain is possible.

2. Combine with nearby plans.
   Many people pair the festival with:

   • A Mother’s Day brunch in Dunwoody or nearby Sandy Springs
   • A quick stop at Perimeter Mall or other northside shopping

3. Plan your budget.
   It’s easy to find art at different price points—from small, affordable prints and jewelry to more expensive original pieces. Knowing your budget ahead of time helps you choose without feeling rushed.

4. Consider leaving early or late to avoid traffic.
   Traffic on I-285, GA-400, and Ashford Dunwoody Road can be heavy around lunchtime. Arriving by mid-morning and leaving before peak dinner hours can make your drive easier.

5. Take photos of artist cards.
   If you see an artist you like but aren’t ready to buy, most have business cards or signs. Taking a photo of their card or booth banner helps you find them later.

How the Dunwoody Art Festival Fits into Atlanta’s Spring Festival Scene

If you enjoy spring festivals and flower shows in Atlanta, the Dunwoody Art Festival is a good complement to:

• In-town events around Piedmont Park, Midtown, and Downtown
• Neighborhood festivals in Brookhaven, Sandy Springs, and Roswell
• Garden-focused outings at places like the Atlanta Botanical Garden

The Dunwoody festival stands out because it combines:

• A suburban, village-style setting
• Art-focused booths without feeling overly formal
• Easy access for people coming from inside the Perimeter and north metro

For many Atlanta families, it becomes a yearly Mother’s Day tradition—a mix of browsing, snacking, and enjoying the first real warmth of late spring.

If you’re in Atlanta in May and want a relaxed, art-centered outdoor event that’s easy to reach from most parts of the city, the Dunwoody Art Festival is one of the most approachable options on the north side. Planning your route, parking, and timing ahead of time will help you enjoy it without stress.