When Is the Atlanta Dogwood Festival? Dates, Details, and What to Expect in Piedmont Park

The Atlanta Dogwood Festival is one of the city’s oldest and most beloved spring traditions. It’s typically held each April in Piedmont Park in Midtown Atlanta, timed to coincide with the blooming of the city’s dogwood trees.

Because exact dates change every year, it’s helpful to understand the typical schedule, where it happens, and how to plan your visit if you live in Atlanta or are traveling into the city.

Typical Dates for the Atlanta Dogwood Festival

The festival is usually held over one spring weekend in April, often running Friday through Sunday.

While the specific days vary year to year, most Atlantans can expect:

• Month: April
• Length: 3 days (weekend)
• Location: Piedmont Park, 1320 Monroe Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30306

The festival is planned around the peak dogwood bloom, so organizers aim for mid- to late April, though it can occasionally fall a bit earlier depending on the calendar.

Because dates can shift, the safest approach is to:

• Check the current year’s dates in advance
• Confirm any special event times (parades, concerts, 5K races, etc.) as they may differ from general festival hours

Quick Reference: Atlanta Dogwood Festival at a Glance

Use this as a general guide, then confirm specifics for the year you plan to attend.

Where the Festival Takes Place in Atlanta

The Atlanta Dogwood Festival is held in Piedmont Park, the large urban park in the heart of Midtown:

Piedmont Park
1320 Monroe Dr NE
Atlanta, GA 30306

Key access points Atlantans commonly use:

• 10th Street & Charles Allen Drive (near the Midtown skyline views)
• Park Drive Bridge / Monroe Drive entrance
• Piedmont Avenue entrances (closer to Midtown MARTA Station)

If you’re familiar with Midtown Atlanta, much of the festival activity typically stretches from the Meadow and Oak Hill areas up through sections of the park around Lake Clara Meer.

How the Dates Affect What You’ll Experience

Because the festival is anchored in springtime, the timing shapes the experience:

• Spring weather: Expect mild to warm temperatures, but be prepared for Atlanta’s changeable spring—sun, pollen, and sometimes showers.
• Dogwood blooms: The goal is for visitors to enjoy flowering dogwood trees around the park at or near peak bloom.
• Outdoor focus: Most attractions—art booths, food vendors, stages—are outdoors, making the April schedule a good fit before summer heat sets in.

If you’re sensitive to pollen, keep in mind that April is prime pollen season in Atlanta, which lines up with the festival dates.

What Happens During the Festival Weekend

While your main question is about when the Atlanta Dogwood Festival is, it helps to know what you’re planning around.

Most years, you can expect:

Fine Art & Crafts Market

A centerpiece of the festival is a juried artists’ market, typically featuring:

• Paintings, photography, sculpture, and mixed media
• Jewelry, ceramics, glass, and woodwork
• Regional and national artists setting up booths throughout the park

This makes the April weekend a key time for Atlantans to browse or buy local and regional art.

Live Music & Performances

Across the festival weekend, stages in the park usually host:

• Live bands covering a range of genres
• Dance and cultural performances
• Occasional local school groups or community performers

Performance schedules vary each year, so checking the current lineup close to the festival dates is helpful if there’s a particular act you want to catch.

Food, Drinks, and Local Flavor

Plan on:

• Festival-style food vendors (classic fair foods, regional options, and sweets)
• Beverage tents that may include soft drinks and alcoholic options in designated areas
• A casual, picnic-friendly atmosphere across much of the park

Because the event is in Midtown, many visitors also combine the festival with nearby restaurants along Piedmont Avenue, 10th Street, and Monroe Drive.

Family and Kids’ Activities

Many years feature a children’s area or family-focused activities, such as:

• Games or inflatables
• Arts and crafts stations
• Kid-friendly performances or demonstrations

Families in Atlanta often block out one day of the festival weekend specifically for bringing children.

Getting to the Atlanta Dogwood Festival in April

The festival’s Midtown location and spring timing both affect transportation and parking.

MARTA and Transit Options

For many Atlanta residents, using MARTA is the most reliable choice during the festival weekend:

• MARTA Rail Stations near Piedmont Park:
  • Midtown Station (Northeast exit toward 10th Street & Peachtree, then walk east to the park)
  • Arts Center Station (a slightly longer walk, or connect to a bus or shuttle if available)

MARTA Customer Service (general info and trip planning):

• Phone: 404-848-5000

Confirm any MARTA service updates for the specific April weekend you plan to attend.

Driving and Parking

Driving is possible but usually more challenging during the Dogwood Festival:

• Streets around Piedmont Park may have heavy traffic and limited parking.
• Some visitors use paid parking decks in Midtown (near 10th Street, Peachtree Street, and surrounding blocks) and walk into the park.

If you must drive:

• Arrive earlier in the day to increase your chances of finding parking.
• Be prepared for extended walking and potential street closures.

Rideshare and Taxis

Rideshare services and taxis are common in Midtown, which can be convenient on busy festival days:

• Many attendees arrange drop-off and pick-up on streets bordering the park (such as 10th Street NE, Monroe Drive NE, or Piedmont Avenue NE) depending on traffic patterns that year.
• Expect slower traffic near the entrances, especially in the afternoons and evenings.

How to Plan Around the Festival Dates

Since the Atlanta Dogwood Festival usually falls on a specific April weekend, locals and visitors often plan in these ways:

• Atlanta residents:

  • Mark the weekend once dates are announced.
  • Plan transportation ahead (MARTA vs. driving).
  • Consider attending earlier in the day for smaller crowds.

• Visitors to Atlanta:

  • If you enjoy festivals, consider timing your trip so you’re in the city during the Dogwood Festival weekend.
  • Book Midtown or nearby hotel accommodations early if you want to walk to the park.
  • Allow extra time for traffic and crowds, especially on Saturday.

• People near Piedmont Park:

  • Expect increased foot traffic and noise throughout the weekend.
  • If you normally drive through Midtown, consider alternate routes during festival hours.

Checking the Exact Dates for a Specific Year

Because the Atlanta Dogwood Festival is a recurring annual event and exact dates change, the most important step is to verify the current year’s schedule.

Practical ways to confirm:

• Look up the official Atlanta Dogwood Festival information as the year’s festival approaches.
• Check local Atlanta news outlets and community calendars, which usually announce the festival dates well in advance.
• Consult Midtown Atlanta neighborhood or city event listings, which often highlight major events in Piedmont Park.

For planning, it helps to start checking early in the year (January–March) so you can block off the correct weekend in April.

In summary, the Atlanta Dogwood Festival is held once a year in April, typically over a Friday–Sunday weekend in Piedmont Park in Midtown Atlanta. Dates change each year, so once spring approaches, it’s worth taking a moment to look up the exact weekend and any special event times you don’t want to miss.