Spring festivals tend to blanket the metro area like pollen. Depending on where you look, you might uncover handmade art, winding parades, jousting knights, rocking bands or copious grub and libations. Use the following guide to find a festival that fits.
Atlanta Dogwood Festival
Like its perennial namesake, this festival blooms annually in Midtown’s sprawling Piedmont Park, and it has for 79 years. A juried competition features 260 fine artists showing off their works, from sculpture to painting to photography and all points in between. Discover it all along the park’s winding trails.
Take a walk as the scent of festival food — think corn dogs, confections and more — drifts into the nostrils with live music as the soundtrack. Additional food and drinks can be had at Backyard Barbecue & Brews, a special VIP ticketed event on the Saturday and Sunday. Guests converge beneath a tent overlooking the main stage for craft beer, wine and edibles from local eateries. Some toss beanbags.
More action takes place throughout the festival grounds, including: kiddie activities such as inflatables and rides; an international stage showcasing performances and traditions from around the world; a 5K run; a green-conscious eco village; and a disc dog competition. Just leave your own pooch at home.
Noon-10 p.m. April 10, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. April 11, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. April 12. Free. Backyard Barbecue & Brews: $25-$35. Piedmont Park, 1320 Monroe Drive N.E., Atlanta. dogwood.org.
Georgia Renaissance Festival
Zip back to a 16th century English village for the fest’s 30th anniversary. Kings, queens, jesters and knights populate the festival’s 32 acres. Throughout the eight-weekend run you’ll find activities such as live jousting, comedy troupes, animal exhibits, arts and crafts, and hands-on archery.
There are also theme weekends. Roman Weekend (April 25-26) includes a toga costume party. Kids Free Weekend (May 2-3) offers free admission for tots ages 6-12 with the purchase of an accompanying adult ticket. Time Warp Weekend (May 16-17) blends history and fantasy as pop culture costumers, from “Star Wars” Stormtroopers to superheroes, get in on the act. Check the website for other theme days.
If all of the old-school activity works up an appetite, go medieval on a 1 ½-pound turkey leg and wash it down with a stein of ale in the food court.
10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and Memorial Day, April 18-June 7. $22, $10 ages 6-12, $20 ages 60 and older, free ages 5 and younger. 6905 Virlyn B. Smith Road, Fairburn. garenfest.com.
Taste of Marietta
Historic Marietta Square plays host to this annual celebration of culinary creations. About 75 restaurants, caterers and food trucks will conjure up choice plates. Expect barbecue, brownies and beyond. Line your pockets with cash, because each of the bites costs between $1 and $5.
Younger guests can burn off calories in the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Kids Alley, with inflatables and other activities. Grown-ups can get kitchen tips as chefs whip up demonstrations on the cooking stage. Live entertainment throughout the day will culminate in a special sunset concert starring Banks & Shane. Sunset concert tables can be reserved by downloading the form from the event website or dropping by the Marietta Visitors Bureau.
11 a.m.-7 p.m. April 26. Free. Historic Marietta Square, 205 Lawrence St. N.E., Marietta. tasteofmarietta.com.
Inman Park Festival
The vibrant spring setting melds well with this classically eclectic ’hood. A snaking artist market lines the streets, live music is performed on multiple stages, and in the Kidzone children can scoot down a towering slide, find their way through an obstacle course, shoot hoops and indulge in other pint-size activities.
The trademark Tour of Homes, a separate ticketed event, will guide guests through some of the area’s more interesting abodes, including ornate turn-of-the-century Victorians.
Yet the annual parade, taking place at 2 p.m. on the Saturday of the festival, encapsulates the Inman Park spirit with its mind-bending floats and enthusiastic groups. Mainstays include the Precision Attache Case Drill Team and the Seed & Feed Marching Abominable, the community marching band known for its zany garb and unpredictable choreography.
Noon-4 p.m. April 24 (Tour of Homes only), 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m. April 25, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. April 26. Free. Euclid Avenue and Elizabeth Street. inmanparkfestival.org.
Taste of Alpharetta
This festival draws more than 50,000 hungry attendees annually. More than 60 area restaurants will fill the streets of downtown Alpharetta, serving nibbles to the masses. Food tickets cost 50 cents each, and most samples range from $1 to $3. Think everything from Mexican to seafood to brick-oven pizza.
Mixologists invite those 21 and older to tip back concoctions. Chefs will fork over tips and tricks with culinary demonstrations onstage. There’ll also be live bands, visual artists and a Kids Korner.
5-10 p.m. May 7. Free. Milton Avenue and Roswell Street, Alpharetta. awesomealpharetta.com.
Sweet Auburn Springfest
This annual event returns to Atlanta’s Sweet Auburn Historic District for its 31st year. Festivalgoers can ring in Mother’s Day weekend with shopping, live music and noshing on a variety of food.
Let mom pick out her own gift among the vendors located along John Wesley Dobbs Avenue from Jesse Hill Jr. Drive to Hilliard Street. Comb through clothing, jewelry, art and a plethora of other goods. Then buy your matriarch a meal at the international food court, featuring a wide range of ethnic eats.
Performers will range from hip-hop and rap to R&B and rock. Thrill seekers can brave the 150-foot-long zip line while kiddos break a sweat in the Fun Zone.
5-9 p.m. May 8, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. May 9, 2-8 p.m. May 10. Free. 230 John Wesley Dobbs Ave., Atlanta. sweetauburn.com.
Mableton Day
South Cobb celebrates its community with this annual outdoor shindig at the Mable House complex. It all starts with the Mableton 5K and the Mableton Jr. Fun Run, which begin and end at the venue
An entire day of activities will follow. Musicians, from rockers to rappers, will serve up sounds, while others specialize in sights. Don’t be surprised to find a local cheerleader squad catching air, cloggers stomping in rhythm or Chinese dragon dancers parading about.
Classic rides will sparkle with waxy sheen in the Car Cruise-in competition. Visitors can scope out an array of arts and crafts vendors and watch as artists bring their creations to life. The Kids Corner will offer high-spirited play, including inflatables, the rock wall and a petting zoo. And there will be food vendors. Those interested in local history can tour Mable House.
8 a.m.-4 p.m. May 16. Free. Mable House complex, 5239 Floyd Road S.W., Mableton. mabletonday.com.
Suwanee Arts in the Park
Artisans display their strokes of creativity at this juried arts festival. Jewelry, pottery, photography, painting and more will pack Suwanee Town Center Park, and you can watch live art demonstrations.
Musicians will provide their own aural art, a DJ will spin sounds throughout the day, and Asheville, N.C.-based Americana act Clyde’s on Fire will take the stage at 4:30 p.m.
Kids can get in the spirit by competing in the Chalk Walk. This chalk art contest features categories for elementary, middle and high school students. Others can opt to slather paint on an old car or truck or make their own tie-dye shirts. If you have an artistic itch to scratch, consider joining the Jackson Pollock-inspired group art project.
The retail shops and restaurants at Suwanee Town Center also will be open. Free parking can be had on-site.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. May 16. Free. Suwanee Town Center Park, 330 Town Center Ave., Suwanee. suwaneeartsinthepark.com.
Decatur Arts Festival
As if downtown Decatur weren’t popular enough already, this yearly arts event draws even more crowds to the square on Memorial Day weekend. More than 160 artists will set up shop for a juried competition and sculptors, painters, photographers and a host of others will display and sell their work. Food and drink vendors, not to mention Decatur Square’s coveted crop of restaurants, also offer fuel for festivalgoers.
But it’s not just about visual arts. Actors, literary artists, dancers and the Decatur Civic Chorus will perform at various venues. Live bands will take the stage at the Community Bandstand adjacent to the square, plus there will be acoustic music, spoken word and comedy performances.
Other events take place throughout the weekend, including the Kids Arts Festival, Lantern Parade and Decatur Fine Arts Exhibition at Agnes Scott College.
10 a.m.-6 p.m. May 23, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. May 24. Free. Decatur Square, 101 E. Court Square, Decatur. decaturartsfestival.com.
Atlanta Food & Wine Festival
Foodies surely will flock to this one. Kevin Gillespie, Anne Quatrano and Ford Fry will join more than 240 chefs and libation masters, most hailing from the South, for the occasion.
The event includes more than 90 classes, three connoisseur breakfasts, seven dinners and three parties. But that’s not the full meal deal. Guests also can attend tasting tent sessions starring dishes from more than 120 eateries. Explore 16 tasting trails and belly up to creations, products and services from more than 150 exhibitors.
The event website offers a planning guide. Make sure and book your classes in advance before they fill or registration closes. Serious epicureans can spring for the connoisseur passes. Classes and connoisseur breakfasts will take place at the Loews Atlanta Hotel. Tasting tents can be found at 12th Street and Peachtree Walk and there will be evening dinners and events throughout town.
Varying hours, May 28-31. Day pass, $185; $700 connoisseur. Three-day pass, $575; 3-day connoissseur, $2,000. Tasting tents: $100. Dinners and events: $45-$300. Loews Atlanta Hotel, 1065 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. 404-474-7330, atlfoodandwinefestival.com.
MORE FESTIVALS IN BRIEF
Festival on Ponce
Artist market, music, food, children’s area. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. April 11, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. April 12. Free. Olmstead Linear Park, 1451 Ponce De Leon Ave. N.E., Atlanta. festivalonponce.com.
Sandy Springs Artsapalooza
150 artists and crafters, interactive arts stations, music, children’s play area. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. April 18, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. April 19. Free. 6100 Lake Forrest Drive N.E., Sandy Springs. 404-873-1222, sandyspringsartsapalooza.com.
East Point Spring Fling
Food, art, music, car show, carnival. 1-9 p.m. April 25. Free. 2757 East Point Drive, East Point. downtowneastpoint.com/springfling.
Smyrna Spring Jonquil Festival
Artists and crafters, music, food, children’s play area. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. April 25, noon-5 p.m. April 26. Free. Smyrna Village Green, 200 Village Green Circle, Smyrna. smyrnacity.com.
Fiesta Atlanta
Music, food, Mexican folk dancing, youth soccer clinics, 5K road race. Noon-7 p.m. May 3. Free. Centennial Olympic Park, 265 Park Ave. W. N.W., Atlanta. fiestaatlanta.com.
Chastain Park Arts Festival
Artist market, music, food, children’s area. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. May 9, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. May 10. Free. Chastain Park, 4469 Stella Drive, Atlanta. chastainparkartsfestival.com.
Dunwoody Art Festival
Artist market, music, food, children’s area. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. May 9, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. May 10. Free. 1449 Dunwoody Village Parkway, Dunwoody. dunwoodyartfestival.splashfestivals.com.
Canton Festival of the Arts
Artist market, gardening area, food, children’s area, music. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. May 16-17. $5 suggested donation ages 18 and older. 94 North St., Canton. cherokeearts.org/festival.
Kirkwood Spring Fling
5K road race ($20-$35), artist market, music, children’s area, barbecue cook-off ($5 per person), tour of homes ($20). 10 a.m.-10 p.m. May 16. Free except where noted. Bessie Branham Park, 2051 Delano Drive N.E., Atlanta. kirkwoodfling.com.
Atlanta Caribbean Carnival
Parade, live music, festival village. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. May 23. $15-$20. Historic Fourth Ward Park, 680 Dallas St. N.E., Atlanta. atlantacarnival.org.
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