When spring has sprung, it will be time once again to welcome the Atlanta Dogwood Festival – celebrating its 87th year in 2023. The festival is hosted by a nonprofit organization that brings three days of fine art, live music and entertainment, children’s activities and more to Piedmont Park.
A springtime favorite for locals and visitors alike, the Atlanta Dogwood Festival is the city’s largest and longest-running fine arts festival and the third oldest in the country. But the festival has also evolved in its nearly nine-decade history to better serve the city, community and attendees.
FESTIVAL
The Atlanta Dogwood Festival is a fine arts festival that takes full advantage of the Atlanta springtime weather and includes offerings that appeal to all five senses – art, music, fare, ticketed food events, a 5K and hands-on activities for young attendees.
WHEN & WHERE
87th Annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival
Piedmont Park – Charles Allen Dr. and 10th Street, Atlanta
Friday, April 14 through Sunday, April 16, 2023
www.dogwood.org
ARTIST MARKET
Featuring more than 250 of the best artists selected from 1,000+ entries each year, the juried, fine art Artist Market welcomes art lovers to peruse and purchase. With artists working in oils, jewelry, sculpture and several other mediums, the hundreds of booths offer visitors the chance to see the work and talk with the artists themselves about their inspiration.
ENTERTAINMENT
Throughout the weekend, the festival offers a variety of live entertainment, from local bands and dance troupes to international performers and children’s choirs. The Coca-Cola Main Stage doesn’t stop, but adults can take a break and kick back in the Corona Light Beer Garden.
MIMOSA 5K
Festival Saturday starts early with the Atlanta Dogwood Festival Mimosa 5K. With a beautiful route through the streets of historic Midtown, this popular 5K welcomes runners, walkers, strollers and rollers, and, as the name suggests, ends with a bubbly + OJ toast in the park.
HIGH SCHOOL ART
The nonprofit festival has long supported the arts in area high schools by producing the award-winning Atlanta High School Art Exhibition (AHSAE). This stiff competition typically receives 700+ entries from which a panel of professional artist judges selects the top works to be exhibited during the festival in the Community Center near the park’s 12th Street entrance. Sponsored and supported by the Atlanta Dogwood Festival, the AHSAE provides prizes and scholarships for top submissions.
During the festival, attendees can also enjoy the live art competition, the Art Throwdown. This creative battle pits teams of high school students against each other in a friendly but fierce fight for artistic dominance.
FOOD EVENTS
Ticketed culinary events are located under the spacious VIP Tent overlooking the Main Stage, where guests enjoy fare from local restaurants, comfortable seating, private bathrooms, a dedicated bar and a great view of the musical performances. Tickets for the VIP events will be available on the festival website in early 2023.
FOR KIDS
Families with young children will find plenty for the youngsters to enjoy in the Kids Village. With hands-on crafts, games and sometimes even live wildlife, the festival has plenty to keep young attendees entertained.
HOTELS
Locals and visitors can enjoy a full festival weekend with discounted rates with the Atlanta Dogwood Festival hotel partners – W Atlanta Midtown and Atlanta Marriott Suites Midtown. https://dogwood.org/about/hotels/
The 87th Annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival takes place in Piedmont Park in Midtown, Friday through Sunday, April 14-16, 2023. www.dogwood.org