Countdown to Spring and the 82nd Annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival
April 13 – 15, 2018 in Piedmont Park
This spring the Atlanta Dogwood Festival will celebrate its 82nd year of providing Atlantans and visitors with three days of fine art, live entertainment and outdoor enjoyment. The third oldest fine arts festival in the country and the longest-running festival in Atlanta, the Atlanta Dogwood Festival draws 250,000+ attendees to Piedmont Park where they can peruse the Artist Market, catch music from up-and-coming bands, see international entertainment and partake in festival fare and midway rides. It’s no wonder this event is the city’s official kickoff to spring!
AT A GLANCE
The 82nd Annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival takes place in Piedmont Park in Midtown Atlanta Friday through Sunday, April 13 – 15, 2018. www.dogwood.org
HOTELS
Atlanta visitors and local “staycationers” can get special rates at the festival’s partner hotel W Atlanta Midtown. www.dogwood.org/Hotel
ART MARKET
The Atlanta Dogwood Festival features a diverse juried fine art Artist Market with more than 260 artists showing works in media including drawing and painting, jewelry, fiber arts, mixed media, sculpture, glass, metal, wood and photography.
5K RUN
Festival Saturday kicks off with the Atlanta Dogwood Festival Mimosa 5K. The run’s delightful course through historic Midtown culminates in a champagne and OJ celebration in the park. Registration is available in advance only at www.dogwood.org.
INTERNATIONAL
For the ninth year, the Atlanta Dogwood Festival offers global entertainment on the award-winning International Stage, welcoming more than 200 performers throughout the weekend from the many communities that make Atlanta a cosmopolitan city. In addition to the live performances, the festival includes Cultural Exchange Pavilions, edutainment booths broadening cultural understanding with fun activities and offerings.
FOOD EVENT
Food enthusiasts can enjoy Backyard Bites & Brews, a ticketed food and drink experience on festival Saturday and Sunday afternoons. This special tasting event sells out each year as the Atlanta Dogwood Festival brings together restaurants, chefs and local breweries with private seating under a spacious tent near the Main Stage. Tickets go on sale Feb. 1 at www.dogwood.org, and the limited number will sell out fast!
LIVE MUSIC
The Main Stage rocks all weekend at the Atlanta Dogwood Festival with a variety of genres! Friday and Saturday nights also feature special themed parties and bands to be announced soon. This year’s performers include Jason Damico, Stolen Rhodes, Jake Bartley, Dave Fields, Caroline Keller, North of Mason Dixon, Stone Senate, Hillbilly Vegas, Dave Fields Band, Wesley Pruitt, Jeremy Bar-Illan Band and Johnny Boogie Long. More great music will be announced soon.
YOUTH ART
The Atlanta Dogwood Festival hosts the Atlanta High School Art Exhibition (AHSAE), a juried competition and exhibit providing young artists with the opportunity to compete and exhibit their work. The International Festivals and Events Association has awarded this vital community exhibit with a Gold award for Best Children’s Program three years in a row! The AHSAE is funded by the non-profit AtlantaDogwood Festival and each year provides area students with valuable scholarships and supplies in addition to the professional-level experience. The submission deadline for this year’s exhibition is Feb. 22 at 5 p.m.
KIDS & RIDES
The much-visited Kids Zone and Midway include a variety of rides and hands-on activities. Children and adults can spend hours having fun, jumping on the inflatables, riding the merry-go-round or perhaps choosing one of the thrill rides.
FAMILY FRIDAY
Calling all families who like to have fun – the Atlanta Dogwood Festival will offer a special Family Friday package featuring unlimited rides and discounts on food and (non-alcoholic) beverages on festival Friday. Family Friday wristbands can be purchased in advance or onsite.
FIREWORKS
Back by popular demand, the festival features a Friday Night Fireworks display again this year. This spectacular show takes place above the Main Stage and offers the perfect finale for Family Friday.
DISC DOGS
A festival favorite, the Disc Dog Competition in the Meadow draws huge crowds to be amazed by the incredible feats of fur-flying canines.
ABOUT THE ATLANTA DOGWOOD FESTIVAL
The city’s longest-running festival, the Atlanta Dogwood Festival is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to providing the annual springtime celebration of arts and entertainment. The Society of American Travel Writers named the Atlanta Dogwood Festival as one of the Top 10 Spring Festivals in 2012 and Sunshine Artist magazine named the festival the 8th best in the country in 2017. The Art Fair Sourcebook ranked the Atlanta Dogwood Festival in its list of Top 25 Fine Art Festivals in the country for 2013. The festival has also earned significant recognition for the overwhelming success of its Green Festival Initiative, which in 2011, 2012 and 2013 received a Gold Award for Best Festival Environmental Program from the International Festivals & Events Association.
The 82nd Annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival takes place April 13 – 15, 2018 in Piedmont Park.
New website coming soon! www.dogwood.org.
Like the Atlanta Dogwood Festival on Facebook – www.facebook.com/atlantadogw
