Your Guide to the Piedmont Park Arts Festival in Atlanta

The Piedmont Park Arts Festival is one of Atlanta’s signature summer art events, turning Midtown’s most famous green space into a massive open-air gallery. If you live in Atlanta, are visiting, or are planning a weekend around it, this guide walks you through what to expect, how to get there, and how to make the most of the festival.

What Is the Piedmont Park Arts Festival?

The Piedmont Park Arts Festival is a free, outdoor fine arts and crafts festival held in Piedmont Park in Midtown Atlanta. It usually takes place over a summer weekend and features:

• Hundreds of local and regional artists
• Fine art, photography, sculpture, jewelry, mixed media, and crafts
• Live music and entertainment
• Food trucks and festival snacks
• Kid-friendly activities and demos

The event is designed for all ages, and many Atlantans treat it as a yearly tradition—part art show, part neighborhood hangout, part excuse to enjoy Piedmont Park at its liveliest.

Where It Happens in Piedmont Park

Piedmont Park is large, so it helps to know where festival activity tends to be centered.

Main festival footprint typically includes:

• Meadow areas near the 14th Street Gate and Park Tavern side
• Paths and walkways lined with artist booths
• Nearby lawns used for seating, eating, and relaxing

Park address for navigation:

• Piedmont Park
• 1320 Monroe Dr NE
  Atlanta, GA 30306

If you’re using a rideshare or GPS, many people route to:

• 14th Street Gate / Piedmont Avenue NE & 14th Street NE, or
• Charles Allen Gate near 10th Street NE

These entries put you near typical festival activity zones.

When the Piedmont Park Arts Festival Happens

The festival is usually held on a summer weekend (often August), but dates and times can change from year to year. Typical timing patterns include:

• Two days: Saturday and Sunday
• Daytime hours (roughly mid-morning to early evening)

Because the exact schedule can vary, it’s wise to:

• Check the latest year’s festival dates and hours
• Verify if there are any weather-related changes or park advisories

What You’ll See at the Festival

The Piedmont Park Arts Festival focuses on a wide range of visual and functional art forms, with booths lining the park paths.

Types of Art and Vendors

You can expect to see:

• Paintings and drawings – abstract, realism, landscapes, cityscapes
• Photography – Atlanta scenes, nature, travel, black-and-white work
• Ceramics and pottery – mugs, bowls, decorative pieces
• Jewelry and accessories – handmade metalwork, beading, leather
• Woodwork – furniture, cutting boards, home décor
• Glass art and sculpture
• Mixed media and fiber arts – collage, textiles, clothing, bags

Many artists are from the Atlanta metro area or the Southeast, making it a strong place to discover local talent and pick up unique gifts or décor with a regional flavor.

Family-Friendly Activities

The festival is generally family-friendly and often includes:

• Kids’ art zones or craft tents where children can create simple projects
• Face painting or temporary tattoos
• Live demonstrations of painting, glasswork (where feasible), or craft techniques

If you’re bringing kids, consider:

• Arriving earlier in the day before it gets hottest and most crowded
• Bringing a small backpack with water, snacks, hats, and sunscreen
• Planning breaks at the playgrounds near the 12th Street Gate or the Active Oval areas outside the heaviest festival crowds

Food, Drinks, and Picnic Options

You won’t go hungry at the Piedmont Park Arts Festival. Food options typically include:

• Food trucks with tacos, sandwiches, burgers, and global street foods
• Festival-style snacks like kettle corn, funnel cakes, or lemonade
• Ice cream and frozen treats during hot stretches

Because this is still Piedmont Park, you also have the option to:

• Pack a picnic and enjoy it on the lawns (check current park rules for coolers and glass containers)
• Visit nearby Midtown restaurants along 10th Street NE, Monroe Drive NE, and Piedmont Avenue NE before or after your festival visit

Alcohol policies can change based on event permitting and park rules. If alcoholic beverages are served, they’re usually restricted to specific vendor areas and cannot be taken outside designated zones. Always follow posted signs and instructions from event staff.

Getting to the Piedmont Park Arts Festival

By MARTA (Recommended for Many Visitors)

Using MARTA can be easier than dealing with Midtown parking during a big event.

• Take the Red or Gold line to Midtown Station or Arts Center Station.
• From Midtown Station, walk east on 10th Street NE about 10–15 minutes to reach the park at 10th & Charles Allen.
• From Arts Center Station, you can walk south and east, or take a short rideshare.

🚆 MARTA Info (for planning)
MARTA Headquarters:
2424 Piedmont Rd NE
Atlanta, GA 30324
Customer Service: 404-848-5000

Always check current routes and schedules before you go.

By Car

If you plan to drive:

• On-street parking around 10th Street NE, Monroe Dr NE, and Piedmont Ave NE can be limited during the festival.
• Paid garages and lots in Midtown may be available within walking distance.
• Allow extra time to navigate traffic, especially midday.

Be aware of:

• Residential parking restrictions
• Temporary event signs (no-parking zones, towing zones)
• Ride-hail pickup/drop-off areas, which can affect traffic patterns

By Rideshare, Bike, or Scooter

• Rideshare (Uber/Lyft): Set your destination to a nearby intersection like 10th St NE & Charles Allen Dr NE or 14th St NE & Piedmont Ave NE.
• Bike: Piedmont Park has bike racks near entrances. Midtown’s bike lanes and the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail can make cycling a convenient option.
• Scooters: Dockless scooters are often available in Midtown, but must be parked responsibly and used according to City of Atlanta rules.

Basic Visitor Tips for the Festival

Here’s a quick reference to help you plan:

Parking and Accessibility in and Around Piedmont Park

Parking Considerations

Parking around Piedmont Park can be tight, especially during the festival:

• Nearby residential streets may have permit-only or time-limited zones.
• Commercial parking decks in Midtown (near 10th Street, 14th Street, and Peachtree Street) are often used by visitors who don’t mind a short walk.
• Watch for temporary event parking signs, which can change normal rules.

To avoid ticketing or towing:

• Read street signs carefully.
• Don’t block driveways, crosswalks, or fire hydrants.
• Plan for the possibility that you may need to park several blocks away.

Accessibility

Piedmont Park offers a mix of paved and grassy areas:

• Many festival booths line paved walkways, which are more accessible for wheelchairs and strollers.
• Some vendor or seating areas may be on grass, which can be uneven or soft after rain.
• Accessible restrooms are generally present in and around the park, but locations can vary by event layout.

If accessibility is important for your visit, consider:

• Entering via 14th Street Gate or 10th Street/Charles Allen Gate, where paths are typically wider and well-maintained.
• Arriving earlier in the day to navigate more comfortably before crowds build.

Buying Art: How the Festival Typically Works

The Piedmont Park Arts Festival is as much a shopping event as it is a viewing one.

How to Browse and Buy

• Walk through the rows of booths and talk directly with artists about their work.
• Most vendors display clear pricing and can answer questions about sizing, materials, and care.
• Many artists accept credit/debit cards, mobile payments, and sometimes cash.

Tips for Local Buyers

If you’re an Atlanta resident:

• Ask about local delivery or pickup for large pieces.
• If you’re decorating a home or office, bring rough measurements and photos of your space to help choose appropriate sizes.
• Some artists may offer custom commissions; if interested, ask about timelines and pricing.

If you’re visiting from out of town:

• Ask about shipping options for fragile or large purchases.
• For smaller pieces, ensure you have a sturdy bag or protective wrapping—many vendors will help with packaging.

Staying Comfortable in Atlanta’s Summer Heat

The Piedmont Park Arts Festival is usually held in hot weather, so planning for comfort makes a big difference.

Key steps:

• Hydrate: Bring water or buy drinks at the festival; consider a refillable bottle.
• Dress light: Breathable clothing, comfortable walking shoes, and a hat.
• Sun protection: Sunscreen, sunglasses, and breaks under trees or tents.
• Pace yourself: Alternate booth browsing with short rests on shaded lawns or benches.

If storms are in the forecast, be prepared for:

• Sudden downpours
• Temporary pauses in outdoor activities
• Wet or muddy grass in some areas

Other Things to Do Around Piedmont Park During Festival Weekend

If you want to make a full Midtown day out of it, the area around Piedmont Park offers plenty to pair with the festival:

• Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail – Connects to the park near Monroe Drive NE; great for a stroll or bike ride.
• Atlanta Botanical Garden – Located on the northern side of Piedmont Park at 1345 Piedmont Ave NE.
• Midtown’s restaurants and cafés – Along Peachtree Street NE, 10th Street NE, and Monroe Drive NE.
• Local bars and coffee shops – Ideal for cooling off before or after your festival visit.

Who Manages Piedmont Park?

The festival takes place at Piedmont Park, which is a major Atlanta public park.

For general park questions or non-event information:

• Piedmont Park Conservancy
  (Office location commonly near the park; contact details can be found through city and conservancy channels.)

For broader park and city-related inquiries:

• City of Atlanta – Parks and Recreation (Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation)
  233 Peachtree St NE, Suite 1700
  Atlanta, GA 30303
  Main line (via City of Atlanta switchboard, often routed through Atlanta City Hall or 311): Dial 311 inside city limits or 404-546-0311 from outside some areas for general city information and routing.

They can help point you to official park policies, accessibility information, and current rules that may apply during large events.

By understanding how the Piedmont Park Arts Festival fits into Atlanta’s park and arts scene—where it happens, how to get there, and what to expect—you can plan a visit that’s relaxed, enjoyable, and tailored to your interests, whether you’re an art buyer, a casual browser, or just looking for a lively day in Midtown’s biggest park.