86th Annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival

The 86th Annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival takes place in Piedmont Park Friday through Sunday, April 8-10, 2022. The city’s largest and longest-running fine arts festival and the third oldest in the country, this outdoor springtime tradition is expected to draw thousands of visitors throughout its three fun-filled days.

Since the pandemic began, the festival Board of Directors struggled to strike a balance between safety and financial viability, and after multiple date changes and a cancellation in 2020, the nonprofit is asking for support. This has become necessary to ensure the event may remain financially viable in the future. Donations may be made on the festival website at www.dogwood.org or at the entry gates.

Here are the latest details for this year’s event; photos courtesy of Atlanta Dogwood Festival:

FESTIVAL                  
The Atlanta Dogwood Festival is an outdoor fine arts festival that also features live music, entertainment and children’s activities. The festival began in 1936 to celebrate the blooming of the dogwoods and has remained Atlanta’s favorite springtime tradition.

WHEN & WHERE      
86th Annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival
Piedmont Park – Charles Allen Dr. and 10th Street, Atlanta                                    
Friday, April 8 through Sunday, April 10, 2022                                        
www.dogwood.org

GETTING THERE      
The best way to get to the AtlantaDogwood Festival is on MARTA—the closest stations are Midtown and Arts Center. The rideshare loading/unloading will be located on Piedmont Ave. between 12th and 14th streets. Limited pay parking is available at nearby lots. 

ARTIST MARKET      
Welcoming 250 fine artists selected by a jury of esteemed visual arts professionals, the Atlanta Dogwood Festival Artist Market raises the bar on the city’s outdoor arts events. Featuring works in 12 mediums and even more genres, the Artist Market’s diverse range of art and artists means there is something to suit a variety of tastes, including those of attendees just looking for inspiration.

ENTERTAINMENT   
The Coca-Cola Main Stage is the place to be to enjoy a wide variety of live entertainment throughout the weekend. By day, the home to international performers like dance troupes, folklore theater and signing groups, the stage rocks out in the evening with local bands playing music from Americana to bombastic cosmic rock. Friday night features an all-ages Cabaret from the Atlanta School of Burlesque, while the Saturday headliner is the high-energy Emerald Empire Band, who boasts a wide repertoire of the latest hits and old favorites.  

VIP EVENTS     
There is so much to do at the festival, and for attendees interested in upping their experience, the festival offers two VIP options overlooking the Main Stage.

On Friday and Saturday nights, guests can Party Like VIP with the purchase of a $20 ticket that gains access to a dedicated VIP area with comfortable seating, private bathrooms and a discounted cash bar.

The Party in the Park VIP Experience takes place on Saturday and Sunday afternoons and offers entrance to the dedicated VIP area, sampling of craft beer and wine, seating, private bathrooms and a discounted cash bar. Participating wineries and breweries include Benzinger Family Winery, Chloe Wine Collection, Corona, Corona Seltzerita, Cupcake, Imagery Wine Collection, Ironshield Beer, Mandatory Fun Beer Works, Monday Night Brewing, Orpheus Brewing, Post Meridiem Spirits, Reformation Brewery, Rightside Brewing, Savannah River Brewing Co, The Lost Druid, Tucker Brewing Company, Urban Tree Cidery, Viking Alchemist Meadery and Wild Heaven Beer.

MIMOSA 5K              
On Saturday, April 9, the Atlanta Dogwood Festival Mimosa 5K provides runners, walkers, rollers and strollers the chance to hit the pavement in beautiful, historic Midtown. The race culminates with a refreshing mimosa featuring Cupcake Vineyards bubbly. Younger runners (up to age 7) can compete in the Mini-Mosa .5K. Then all ages can stay to enjoy the festival!

HIGH SCHOOL ART  
Not only does the festival celebrate professional and established artists, it offers young artists the opportunity to participate in a juried art show too. The award-winning Atlanta High School Art Exhibition (AHSAE) received 690 entries from 83 schools this year, and a panel of professional artist judges selected the top 194 works to be on display at this year’s exhibition in the Piedmont Park Community Center.  

And that’s not all! On Sunday, April 10 from 12 to 3:30 p.m., the festival hosts the Art Throwdown, a timed art competition that pits teams of high school artists against each other in a creative tournament in front of a live audience. 

Sponsored and supported by the Atlanta Dogwood Festival, the AHSAE and Art Throwdown provide prizes and scholarships for top submissions and winners.

FOR KIDS                  
Young visitors will find plenty to do in our Kids Village, presented by Visit Tallahassee! Families can head to Oak Hill inside the 12th Street entrance, adjacent to the Atlanta High School Art Exhibition, for creative hands-on arts and crafts projects like paintable murals, glitter masks and paper butterflies.

The little ones won’t want to miss the Teddy Bear Hospital, Topplin’ Tots Mobile Play Lounge, Little Princess Glam Manicures, Puppet Shows with Peter Hard, face painting, inflatables, spider jump, bubble fun and more! 

FASHIONADO