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Atlanta Dogwood Festival 2023

Atlanta Dogwood Festival - Piedmont Park in the Spring

Photo Credit: Explore Georgia. Photo by Kimie Yates, @kimieyates

Atlanta Dogwood Festival - Piedmont Park in the Spring



The Atlanta Dogwood Festival 2023

Every spring, the Atlanta Dogwood Festival in Piedmont Park honors the warmer weather with performances, art booths, kiddie rides, snacks from local restaurants, and thousands upon thousands upon thousands of cabin-fevered Atlantans.


About the Dogwood Festival


The first Dogwood Festival took place April 19, 1936. The founder of Rich’s department store, Walter Rich, was the visionary behind the week-long event.

Atlanta Dogwood Festival Postcard From 1936 (400)

Largely due to the popularity of the festival, the Dogwood Tree is connected to the City of Atlanta in a similar way that the Cherry Blossom is identified with Washington DC. The Dogwood grows mainly in the Southeast US, the Atlantic Seaboard and the MidWest.

Is the Dogwood Worthy of Its Own Festival?

Creative Loafing’s Jeff Slate asks residents:

Street Talk 2009
Street Talk 2009

Ric: “Definitely. When something can bring attention to nature, it’s a good thing. And they are beautiful, they’re beautiful trees. They’re kind of like the cherry blossoms in Japan. They only come a certain time of year, so you might as well enjoy them. The white blossom is different and really stands out in the midst of everyday green, pink and yellow. I’m not a botanist, but a beautiful flower is a beautiful flower. I’m new to Georgia and I’ve never seen a dogwood until I came here. It is a gorgeous tree and flower.”

Street Talk 2009
Street Talk 2009

Gina: If there was an impressive display of them at Piedmont Park, then yes. But I’m from D.C, and the cherry blossoms are always so breathtaking and beautiful. The park here is lacking dogwood trees. It’s kind of silly to name it the Dogwood Festival when you only have five dogwood trees. In D.C. people go to see the cherry blossoms. It’s impressive. There are cherry blossoms! But here, call it a spring festival or something, so you don’t have any expectations of seeing beautiful dogwoods. Or plant some more dogwood trees.

Street Talk 2009
Street Talk 2009

Rosalyn: Yes. It’s a initial sign of spring. It’s symbolic of Christianity. It was the tree that was used for Jesus to be nailed to the cross, and the flower heavily resembles the cross. My parents and grandparents would always show them to us and explained to us what they meant. It’s the first tree I learned about. There’s a lot of sentimental value, especially for this area because it’s the Bible Belt. The white is a symbol of purity. Most people, if they know their history, know what the dogwood symbolizes. And when you see them, they are just so beautiful.


Atlanta Dogwood Festival 2018 Video

News About the Dogwood Festival


🎈Dive into a world of fun at the Atlanta Dogwood Festival’s Kids Village presented by Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee! Let your creativity soar with arts and crafts, indulge in face painting or a glam manicure,...
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☀️ Ready to be part of the magic at one of the Southeast’s top arts festivals? Whether your heart beats for art, music, community, or simply lending a hand, we’re looking for you! Join our family of 400+ volunteers...
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🎉 Elevate your festival weekend with our Party in the Park VIP Experience at Atlanta Dogwood Festival! Tickets on sale NOW! 🎟 Several levels of tickets are available including reserved tables, upgraded and platinum...
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⭐ Meet Chris Cumbie, one of the visionary artists whose work you’ll see in the Dogwood Festival juried artist market this Spring. 🗝 Cumbie, based in Mobile, AL, possesses the creative prowess to transform discarded...
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🌸 Lace up your sneakers and toast to spring at the Atlanta Dogwood Festival Mimosa 5K! Take in the beauty of historic Midtown on our scenic course, capped off with a refreshing mimosa. Plus, earn your stripes as an...
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🎸 We’re excited to announce this year’s Coca-Cola Main Stage Line Up! ⭐️ Friday: zachperson bluetalkband ⭐️ Saturday: jeffpikeanda1a birdcityrevolutionaries themuckers parkersmithmusic guitarshedatl ⭐️ Sunday:...
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🎸 We’re excited to announce this year’s Coca-Cola Main Stage Line Up! ⭐️ Friday: zachperson bluetalkband ⭐️ Saturday: a1a birdcityrevolutionaries themuckers parkersmithmusic guitarshedatl ⭐️ Sunday:...
@dogwoodfestival
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🌸 Happy first day of spring! Can you believe we’re just three weeks away from the festival? Start making your plans now because this is one you won’t want to miss! ☀ More festival info at the link in bio #atlanta...
@dogwoodfestival
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⭐ Meet Amanda Bennett, one of the incredible artists whose work you’ll see in the Dogwood Festival juried artist market this Spring. ☀ Bennett, a native of Huntsville, Alabama, traces her artistic roots back to...
@dogwoodfestival
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☘️ Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
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🥂 Start festival experience off on the right foot – register now for the Atlanta Dogwood Festival Mimosa 5K! Join us to kick off the Dogwood Festival fun as we run through historic Midtown then pop some champagne for...
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🌴 We can’t wait to groove to the tropical beats of A1A: The Official Jimmy Buffett Tribute Show with a margarita in hand! 🍹 Join us for the Saturday Night Main Stage VIP Experience at the Atlanta Dogwood Festival on...
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Past Coverage

Atlanta Dogwood Festival 2022

04/08/2022 12:00 PM
The Dogwood Festival will take place Friday, April 8 – Sunday, April 10th, 2022.

Atlanta Dogwood Festival 2021

08/06/2021 12:00 PM
The Dogwood Festival will take place Friday, August 6 – Sunday, August 8.

Atlanta Dogwood Festival 2019

04/12/2019 12:10 PM
Atlanta Dogwood Festival Annual Event

SEE & DO: Atlanta Dogwood Festival - Issue Date April 04 2017

04/04/2017 3:09 PM
The popular festival is back for its 81st year

Photo Galleries - Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park

04/21/2009 2:15 PM
Photos from this year’s Festival

It’s official: Lenox will host Dogwood Festival

02/01/2008 10:39 PM
CL’s 2008 Atlanta Dogwood Festival Coverage

Dogwood Fest to Lenox?

01/31/2008 11:00 PM
Atlanta Dogwood Festival Coverage from the January, 2008 issue of Creative Loafing.

Dogwood Fest still scrambling

01/29/2008 4:36 PM
CL’s 2008 Atlanta Dogwood Festival Coverage

Atlanta Dogwood Fest looks for a new home

01/11/2008 11:08 PM
Atlanta Dogwood Festival Coverage from the January, 2008 issue of Creative Loafing.

Are you looking forward to the Atlanta Dogwood Festival?

04/11/2007 12:04 AM
Everyday answers to oddball questions

Reasons to go to the Dogwood Festival

04/05/2006 12:04 AM
Five acts worth checking out

Atlanta Dogwood Festival Music Schedule 2004

04/01/2004 12:04 AM
Atlanta Dogwood Festival Coverage from the April, 2004 issue of Creative Loafing.

Local Music Feature: Atlanta Dogwood Festival Music Schedule

04/01/2004 12:04 AM
Atlanta Dogwood Festival 2004

Dogs banned from the Atlanta Dogwood Festival

03/25/2004 12:04 AM
Atlanta Dogwood Festival Coverage from the March, 2004 issue of Creative Loafing.

Atlanta Dogwood Festival music schedule

04/09/2003 12:04 AM
Atlanta Dogwood Festival Coverage from the April, 2003 issue of Creative Loafing.

Dogwood Festival sprouts a new leaf

04/10/2002 12:04 AM
Our Coverage of the 2002 Atlanta Dogwood Festival

Did your friend enjoy the Dogwood Festival?

04/11/2001 12:04 AM
Talk of the Town Profiles: Dogwood Festival 2001



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