ATLANTA — Atlanta Dogwood Festival, the longest-running festival in the city, is back for the 88th time at Piedmont Park this weekend, starting on Friday.
Festival goers are invited to check out its nationally-renowned juried Fine Artist Market, listen to live performances and buy from local food vendors. There will also be a Kid's Village where children can make crafts, get their faces painted and more.
The Mimosa 5K is also returning for its 9th run. Here's what to know about attending:
When is the Atlanta Dogwood Festival?
The event runs from Friday, April 12, until Sunday, April 14, at Piedmont Park. Here are the hours:
Friday, April 12: Noon – 9 p.m.
Saturday, April 13: 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sunday, April 14: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Party in the Park VIP Experience: Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday & Sunday.
- Saturday Night Main Stage VIP Access from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- The artist market closes at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
Weather for the Atlanta Dogwood Festival
Friday looks breezy but beautiful to start the festival. Temperatures will be in the 60s all afternoon. Gusts could top 30 mph at times. In shaded areas, it could still feel cool at times with the breeze.
The gates open at 10 a.m. on Saturday. It'll be cool to start, with temperatures around 60 degrees. By the afternoon, it'll be sunny and gorgeous! Temps will top out in the mid-70s.
Sunday starts comfortably in the morning, with temperatures in the low 60s. But the afternoon turns warmer, with temperatures in the low 80s. A few clouds stream in for the afternoon, but no rain will be in sight.
Events and art at the Atlanta Dogwood Festival
More than 200 artists from around the United States come to the festival to show off their art. Over the years, the Atlanta Dogwood Festival has become "one of the largest and most diverse juried arts festivals in the country," according to its website. Many of the best painters, photographers, sculptors, leather and metal artisans, glass blowers, and others participate in the Atlanta Dogwood Festival Artist Market.
Aside from fine art for adults, there will be a Kid's Village. There, children can participate in take-home arts and crafts projects like paintable murals, glitter masks and paper butterflies. The area will also have a Teddy Bear Hospital, Topplin’ Tots Mobile Play Lounge, Little Princess Glam Manicures, Puppet Shows with Peter Hart, face painting, inflatables, spider jump, bubble fun and more.
Mimosa 5K
This 5K is a qualifier for the popular AJC Peachtree Road Race and has been around for nine years.
The start time is Saturday, 8 a.m., on the corner of Charles Allen Drive and 10th Street. Racers will make a complete loop around Piedmont Park, then turn right on Charles Allen Drive, finishing about 150 yards inside the gate.
The 5K culminates with a refreshing mimosa (for runners 21+) at the end of the race.
How to get to the Atlanta Dogwood Festival
The festival urges attendees to use their "MARTA Breeze Card" and take public transit to the event, but parking is available if they have to.
MARTA
Luckily, MARTA has done the hard work and created an entire page dedicated to traveling to the festival. There are instructions from the Art Center Station, Midtown Station and Beltline for the event. And don't forget about buses; here are the routes that will head to the festival.
Parking
It's recommended that if you are driving, you book parking ahead of time and check out public lots through Park Place.
Atlanta Dogwood Festival Map
Rules to know for the Atlanta Dogwood Festival
- Leave pets at home.
- No outside food or drinks are allowed.
- No smoking.
- No tents, coolers or small chairs are allowed.
For more information about the festival, visit its website here.