The 88th Annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival takes place Friday, April 12 through Sunday, April 14 in Piedmont Park. With so much to see and do during the three-day outdoor event, here are some of this year’s not-to-miss features, along with tips for getting to the festival, what to bring and how to make the most of the city’s annual springtime celebration.
Free Festival Entrance
As it has been for more than eight decades, attendance at the Atlanta Dogwood Festival is free! To support the historic festival, which is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, a donation of $5 at the door is requested. Visitors can also support the festival by making an online donation: https://dogwood.org/product/donate-friends-of-the-dogwood/
Main Stage and A1A: The Official and Original Jimmy Buffett Tribute Show
The Atlanta Dogwood Festival is thrilled to announce A1A: The Official and Original Jimmy Buffett Tribute Show as the festival headliner on the Coca-Cola Main Stage Saturday, April 13 at 7:30 p.m. Bringing Buffett’s tropical tunes to audiences nationwide since 1991, A1A offers an energetic performance and holds the title of the longest-running Jimmy Buffett Tribute Show in history.
In addition to A1A, the festival Main Stage welcomes live music performances in a variety of genres from Friday afternoon until the festival closes Sunday evening. Throughout the weekend, adults can kick back in the nearby Corona Beer Garden while enjoying the performances. The full stage schedule is available here: https://dogwood.org/music/.
And while all Main Stage performances are free to everyone, attendees can upgrade their festival latitude by sipping a margarita or other frozen concoction at an “Atlantaville” experience with the purchase of a Saturday Night VIP Ticket. This tiki bar-themed area is the perfect spot to toast the musician who invented tropical rock and celebrated the art of relaxing. Tickets are available at https://dogwood.org/main-stage-vip-experience-2024/.
Fireworks
Following the headliner performance from A1A: The Official and Original Jimmy Buffett Tribute Show on the Coca-Cola Main Stage, attendees will be wowed by a fantastic fireworks display above Piedmont Park (at approximately 9:30 p.m.).
Mimosa 5K
The Atlanta Dogwood Festival Mimosa 5K welcomes participants on festival Saturday morning to enjoy a scenic course through Midtown’s historic streets. The finish line brings runners back to Piedmont Park to toast their success with a chilled mimosa courtesy of Cupcake Vineyards (for participants 21+ only) in the VIP Pavilion, where the awards ceremony takes place. The 5K begins at 8 a.m. Saturday, April 13, and registration is available here: https://dogwood.org/events/mimosa-5k/.
Party in the Park VIP Experience
In addition to the Saturday night VIP, attendees can level up their festival afternoon at the Party in the Park VIP Experience. Ticket holders for this area will enjoy seating, private bathrooms, a private bar, lunch from the Loaded Burger/Loaded Taco food truck and more, all with a perfect view of the Coca-Cola Main Stage. Saturday, April 13 and Sunday, April 14, noon – 4 p.m. Tickets are available at https://dogwood.org/vip-experience/.
Artist Market
At its core, the Atlanta Dogwood Festival is an arts festival, and the juried Artist Market welcomes 250+ fine artists from throughout the country. Selected from more than 1,000 entries each year, participating artists working in metal, oil, mixed media, photography, sculpture and more bring their best new work to the Atlanta Dogwood Festival, nationally, one of the first in the annual art festival season. Visitors can browse, talk with the artists, admire their creativity and purchase one-of-a-kind works of art. The full list of participating artists is available here: https://dogwood.org/artists/.
Atlanta High School Art Exhibition
The Atlanta High School Art Exhibition (AHSAE), a competition for area high school students, culminates in an on-site show during the festival, as well as prizes and scholarships for top submissions. At the festival, visitors to the exhibition, which is held in the Community Center near the 12th Street park entrance, can get a look at more than 100 pieces selected for inclusion by the jury of arts professionals. Visitors can also cast their vote for the People’s Choice Award during the exhibition. The list of 2024 AHSAE winners is available here:
https://dogwood.org/attractions/atlanta-high-school-art-exhibition/.
Art Throwdown
Festival Saturday at 1:15 p.m., high school students go head-to-head at the Art Throwdown, a live art competition. Held on the lawn outside the Community Center (and Atlanta High School Art Exhibition), this creative battle pits teams of budding artists against each other in a friendly but fierce fight for artistic dominance.
International Stage
For 2024, the International Stage is back on the Lake Clara Meer dock, offering performances honoring the many global communities that call Atlanta home. This dedicated stage has been a festival favorite for more than a decade and provides a virtual world tour, including music from China to the Caribbean, dance from Ireland to India, and much more.
Kids Village & Amusement Park Rides
There is plenty for young festival attendees to celebrate in the Kids Village presented by Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Here, families will find hands-on arts and crafts projects, puppet shows, inflatables and special play areas to entertain the most youthful and energetic festivalgoers.
Kids, families and anyone who is young at heart won’t want to miss the amusement park rides. With options from tame to breathtaking, rides are offered in a range of ticket packages.
Getting to the Festival & Parking
The best way to get to the Atlanta Dogwood Festival is by taking MARTA! Attendees can exit at the Arts Center or Midtown station and walk a few blocks to Piedmont Park.
Rules & City Ordinances
Piedmont Park and City of Atlanta ordinances require a few reminders for attendees:
- No Smoking
The City of Atlanta ban on smoking at outdoor facilities includes Piedmont Park. No tobacco products of any type are permitted anywhere in the park during the festival.
- No Dogs/Pets
As per a City ordinance, no dogs (or other pets) are permitted in Piedmont Park during the festival. The Off Leash Dog Park will be open during the event with access via the Park Drive entrance only.
- No Outside Food/Beverages/Tents/Coolers
No outside food or beverages may be brought into Piedmont Park during the festival. Small chairs are allowed. No tents or coolers are allowed.
The 88th Annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival takes place in Piedmont Park in Midtown.
Friday, April 12, noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, April 13, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, April 14, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
