Your guide to festivals sprouting up across metro Atlanta this spring
Spring, which officially arrives Friday, means pollen, flowers in bloom, the start of baseball season, warmer temperatures and plenty of festivals to bring the fun to Atlanta.
Whether you’re looking to browse and buy some art, would love to watch or march in a quirky parade, are craving some baklava or simply want to get out and enjoy the season, there are likely several festivals you’ll want to put on your to-do list. Here are a dozen promising ones from which to choose:
Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival
Brookhaven’s annual festival includes music, an artists’ market, a Kidz Zone with inflatables, a Classic Car Show, food and more. Scheduled performers include The Head and the Heart, Max McNown, Shawn Mullins & Angie Aparo, Soul Asylum and Natasha Bedingfield.
8 a.m. 5K; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. festival March 28 and 29. Free festival admission, Kidz Zone inflatables admission $10 per child for all-day play. Blackburn Park, 3493 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Brookhaven. 404-637-0500, brookhavenga.gov.
Your spring in Atlanta: Festivals, food and more
WHAT TO DO THIS SPRING:
Spring festivals: 12 events to add to your calendar | Outdoor dining: 14 patios for food, drinks and vibes | Concerts and music: The shows worth planning around | On stage: New premieres and standout performances | Arts & exhibits: The can’t-miss shows and immersive experiences | G-Day guide: What to know for Georgia Bulldogs fans
IN YOUR INBOX:
Access Atlanta: Weekly events, entertainment and exclusive contests | AJC Dining Newsletter: Reviews, rankings and hard-to-get reservations
Atlanta Dogwood Festival
A tradition since 1936, the Atlanta Dogwood Festival features three days of fun with a sprawling artist market, two stages of musicians, dancers and other performers, a 5K and more. Children will want to visit the Kids Village presented by Dollywood for hands-on arts and craft projects, puppet shows, face painting, inflatables and more.
Noon-9 p.m. April 10, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. April 11 and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. April 12. Ages 13 and up $5 April 10, $10 April 11-12 and $15 for all three days. Free admission for kids 12 and younger. Piedmont Park, 1322 Monroe Drive, Atlanta. 404-827-8663, dogwood.org.
Festival on Ponce
Art takes center stage at Festival on Ponce with more than 125 displays of fine arts and crafts, folk and outsider art. A children’s area and food and beverages also will be available.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. April 11 and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. April 12. Free admission. Olmsted Linear Park, 1451 Ponce de Leon Ave., Atlanta. festivalonponce.com.
Big Shanty Festival
Kennesaw celebrates its 50th Big Shanty Festival with 250 arts and crafts vendors, 30 food vendors, entertainment on multiple stages and a Fun-Fare Kids Zone.
10 a.m.-6 p.m. April 18 and noon-5 p.m. April 19. Free admission. Downtown Kennesaw. 770-424-8274, kennesawbigshantyfestival.com.
Dunwoody Preservation Trust Lemonade Days Festival
The Lemonade Days Festival brings five days of fun to Dunwoody with more than 20 midway rides, a food court, beer garden, pony rides, petting zoo, Chalk Art Station and more.
4-10 p.m. April 22-24, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. April 25 and noon-6 p.m. April 26. Free admission, $25 for unlimited ride wristband on Wednesday, April 22, $35 from April 23-26. Ride tickets $1.25 each or $25 for a sheet of 25. Brook Run Park, 4770 N. Peachtree Road, Dunwoody. 770-668-0401, dunwoodypreservationtrust.org.
Inman Park Festival and Tour of Homes
Highlights of the Inman Park Festival include huge artist and street markets, a Tour of Homes, three stages of music and a Dance Festival featuring Ballethnic, Full Radius Dance, The Georgia Ballet, Monica Hogan Danceworks and Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre. The Little Gnome Zone will keep the youngest festivalgoers busy with inflatables and face painting, and plenty of food options will be offered. And don’t miss the festival’s colorful, quirky parade starting at 2 p.m. April 25 from Edgewood Avenue and Spruce Street.
Noon-4 p.m. April 24-26 Tour of Homes. $35 presale, $40 event weekend. 11 a.m. festival April 25 and April 26. Free admission. Inman Park neighborhood, Atlanta. festival.inmanpark.org.
International Festival
Johns Creek celebrates its cultural diversity at an International Festival with traditional food from international restaurants and food trucks, an eclectic lineup of musicians and other performers, a global marketplace and a Kids Corner with fun activities that help them learn about different cultures.
Noon-6 p.m. May 2. Free admission. Fields across from Atlanta Athletic Club, 1930 Bobby Jones Drive, Johns Creek. 678-512-3202, johnscreekga.gov.
May-Retta Daze
May-Retta Daze is held every year on the first weekend in May and features exhibitors and artists showcasing their handmade goods, acoustic music performances, a kids zone and festival food. And since May 2 is also Kentucky Derby day, the fun includes an all-walking parade through festival streets with participants dressed in their Derby finery with elaborate hats.
10 a.m.-7 p.m. May 2 and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. May 3. Free admission. Glover Park at Historic Marietta Square, 50 N. Park Square NE, Marietta. 770-794-5601, mariettaga.gov.
Marietta Greek Festival
The annual festival invites attendees to be Greek for a day (or three) by indulging in authentic Greek foods and enjoying a marketplace, dance and music performances in the outdoor amphitheater and guided church tours.
4-10:30 p.m. May 15, 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m. May 16 and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. May 17. Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church, 3431 Trickum Road, Marietta. 770-924-8080, mariettagreekfestival.com.
Kirkwood Spring Fling & Tour of Homes
Fun at this annual fundraiser for the Kirkwood Neighbors Organization includes a 5K, tour of homes, Wing Fling, kids area, artist market and an entire street lined with food trucks and carts.
Noon-8 p.m. May 16. Free admission. Kids area wristband $20, Wing Fling $40, Tour of Homes $30. Bessie Branham Park, 2051 Delano Drive NE, Atlanta, historickirkwood.org.
Duluth Arts Festival
The work of approximately 85 artists — including painters, photographers, sculptors, glass artists and more — will be available for browsing and buying at the festival, which also offers artist demonstrations, acoustic music, dance performances and gourmet food trucks with healthy alternatives.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. May 16 and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. May 17. Free admission. Duluth Town Center, 3167 Main St., Duluth. duluthartsfestival.com.
Flying Colors Butterfly Festival
Visitors can take a guided experience through a Butterfly Encounter exhibit with hundreds of native butterflies and also enjoy entertainment such as magicians, stilt walkers and an aerialist. Host and nectar plants for butterflies and other pollinators will be available at a plant sale, with gardening experts on-site to offer advice.
9 a.m.-3 p.m. June 6 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. June 7. $25 (includes all activities), free for children 2 and under. Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell. 770-992-2055, chattnaturecenter.org.
