The Southeast’s official kick-off to spring, the Atlanta Dogwood Festival is the third largest fine arts festival in the country and the longest-running festival in Atlanta. Drawing more than 200,000 attendees to Piedmont Park each spring, the three-day event includes a fine Artist Market, live music, international performances, gourmet and festival fare, midway rides and games, the popular disc dog competition and much more.

AT A GLANCE

The 81st Annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival takes place in Piedmont Park in Midtown Atlanta Friday through Sunday, April 7 – 9, 2017. www.dogwood.org

HOTELS

Atlanta visitors and local “staycationers” can get special rates at the festival’s partner hotel W Atlanta Midtown. More information is available at www.dogwood.org/Hotels.

ART MARKET

The Atlanta Dogwood Festival features a diverse juried fine art Artist Market with more than 260 artists showing works in media including drawing and painting, jewelry, fiber arts, mixed media, sculpture, glass, metal, wood and photography.

5K RUN

Festival Saturday kicks off with the Atlanta Dogwood Festival Mimosa 5K. The run’s delightful course through historic Midtown culminates in a champagne and OJ celebration in the park. Registration will be available beginning December 1, 2016 at www.dogwood.org.

INTERNATIONAL

For the eighth year, the Atlanta Dogwood Festival offers global entertainment on the award-winning International Stage. Welcoming more than 200 performers throughout the weekend from the many communities that make Atlanta a cosmopolitan city, the International Stage is flanked by the Cultural Exchange Pavilions, edutainment booths broadening cultural understanding with fun activities and offerings.

FOOD EVENT

Food enthusiasts can enjoy the ticketed VIP food and drink experience on Saturday afternoon. This special area sells out each year, as the Atlanta Dogwood Festival brings together restaurants, chefs and local breweries with private seating under a tent near the Main Stage! Tickets go on sale in early 2017 on www.dogwood.org, and the limited number will sell out fast.

SUNDAY BRUNCH

For the first time, the Atlanta Dogwood Festival offers a Sunday Brunch held under the spacious VIP tent by the Main Stage. Attendees can enjoy the best mimosa in Midtown while listening to live jazz performances.

LIVE MUSIC

The Main Stage rocks all weekend at the Atlanta Dogwood Festival with a variety of genres! Friday and Saturday nights also feature special themed parties and bands to be announced soon.  

ECO-VILLAGE

The Atlanta Dogwood Festival has brought home top honors for its green event program, and each year the festival strives to improve upon this initiative. The festival recycles all cooking oil, requires vendors to use only compostable serving ware and hosts the Eco-Village where guests can meet “green” companies, learn about taking eco-friendly practices home and find out about the latest green developments.

YOUTH ART

The Atlanta Dogwood Festival hosts the Atlanta High School Art Exhibition, a juried competition and exhibit providing young artists with the opportunity to compete and exhibit their work. The International Festivals and Events Association has awarded this vital community exhibit with a Gold award for Best Children’s Program two years in a row! The AHSAE is funded by the non-profit Atlanta Dogwood Festival and each year provides area students with valuable scholarships and supplies in addition to the professional-level experience.

KIDS & RIDES

The much-visited Kids Zone is situated in the Mayor’s Grove close to the children’s playground and a variety of rides can be found in the Piedmont Park Meadow. Children and adults can spend hours having fun, jumping on the inflatables, riding the merry-go-round or perhaps choosing one of the thrill rides.

FAMILY FRIDAY

Calling all families who like to have fun - the Atlanta Dogwood Festival will offer a special Family Friday package featuring unlimited rides and discounts on food and (non-alcoholic) beverages on festival Friday. Family Friday wristbands can be purchased in advance or onsite.

DISC DOGS

A festival favorite, the Disc Dog competition in the Meadow draws huge crowds to be amazed by the incredible feats of fur-flying canines.