The Atlanta Dogwood Festival returns to Piedmont Park April 9-11, 2027 for its 91st annual run, and — despite its reputation as a free event — general admission now costs $5 to $15 depending on the day. Kids 12 and under still get in free. This is the third-oldest fine arts festival in the country and the oldest recurring event in Atlanta, dating back to 1936.
This guide covers confirmed dates, current ticket prices, parking and MARTA logistics, the dog policy inside Piedmont Park during the event, and what to expect with kids in tow. If you’re building a bigger family day out of the trip, see our guide to free things to do in Atlanta with kids.
Quick answer: buy tickets online in advance for Express Lane access, take MARTA to Arts Center or Midtown station instead of driving, and leave the dog at home — pets are banned inside Piedmont Park for the entire festival weekend.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What does admission cost? | $5 on Friday and $10 on Saturday or Sunday for ages 13 and up, or $15 for a three-day weekend pass. Kids 12 and under are free every day. |
| When is it? | April 9-11, 2027, in Piedmont Park, for its 91st annual run. |
| How long should you budget? | Half a day to a full day. |
| When is the best time to go? | Friday before 3 p.m. for the lightest crowd, or Sunday morning if you are bringing kids. |
| How do you get there, and where do you park? | Take MARTA to Arts Center or Midtown station and walk. There is no dedicated festival lot; the festival recommends booking garage parking in advance through SpotHero. Parking rates are not published. |
| Are dogs allowed? | No. Pets are banned inside Piedmont Park for the entire festival weekend under City of Atlanta Ordinance Section 110-70(d). |
| Is it stroller-friendly? | Partly. Piedmont Park has paved paths throughout, but the paths near the Artist Market and the stages get crowded on festival days. |
What exactly is the Atlanta Dogwood Festival?
The Atlanta Dogwood Festival is a juried fine arts festival held every spring in Piedmont Park, built around the city’s dogwood tree bloom. Walter Rich founded it in 1936 specifically to highlight the dogwoods, and it has grown into a three-day event combining a large artist market, live music on multiple stages, a dedicated kids’ zone, and food and drink vendors.
The festival’s own materials describe it as the third-oldest fine arts festival in the country and the oldest continuously running event in Atlanta. The 2027 edition marks its 91st year. If you are comparing Georgia spring bloom festivals, see our guide to the Macon Cherry Blossom Festival.
When is the festival, and what are the daily hours?
The confirmed 2027 Atlanta Dogwood Festival dates are April 9-11, 2027, per the festival’s official announcement: “Save the date: April 9-11, 2027! We are thrilled to announce that the Atlanta Dogwood Festival will return to Piedmont Park for its 91st annual celebration!” The festival’s recurring pattern is a Friday-through-Sunday weekend in April, typically the second full weekend of the month.
| Day | Typical Hours |
|---|---|
| Friday | Noon-9pm |
| Saturday | 10am-9pm |
| Sunday | 10am-6pm |
These hours come from the festival’s FAQ page and reflect the typical daily schedule; the festival had not posted separate hours specific to the 2027 edition as of this writing, so confirm on the official site closer to your trip.
What do tickets cost, and is it still free?
General admission is not free — expect to pay $5 to $15 depending on the day, per the festival’s ticket page. Kids 12 and under are free every day.
- Friday: $5 for ages 13 and up.
- Saturday: $10 for ages 13 and up.
- Sunday: $10 for ages 13 and up.
- Weekend pass (all three days): $15.
- Kids 12 and under: free every day.
- Advance tickets: include Express Lane access so you skip the pay-on-site line at the gate.
- Mimosa 5K and Party in the Park VIP Experience: separately ticketed add-on events; buying either one includes free general festival entrance that same day.
Confirm current pricing on the official ticket page before you go — festivals adjust prices year to year, and these figures reflect what’s posted as of this writing. Gates accept credit cards, cash, PayPal, Apple Pay, and tap-to-pay.
Should you drive and park, or take MARTA?
MARTA is the festival’s own recommended way in — take the train to Arts Center or Midtown station and walk to Piedmont Park. There’s no dedicated festival parking lot, and driving comes with real friction during festival weekend.
- MARTA: Arts Center or Midtown stations are both walkable to Piedmont Park entrances, per the festival’s directions page.
- Driving and parking: the festival recommends booking a spot in advance through SpotHero rather than circling for street parking. The Atlanta Police Department heavily enforces illegal and residential parking around Piedmont Park all festival weekend, and vehicles in tow zones are impounded.
- Accessible parking: the Sage Parking Garage has designated handicap parking; Piedmont Park itself has paved walking paths throughout.
- Bike valet: free bike valet is available on 10th Street near Charles Allen Drive.
- Gate entrances: Charles Allen, 12th Street, 14th Street, and Park Drive.
Piedmont Park itself doesn’t charge general admission or a park entry fee outside the festival — the only park-related cost during the event is whatever you pay for parking or a ride-share, since street parking is actively enforced.
| Day | Ticket, ages 13+ | Kids 12 and under | Hours | Crowd level | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday | $5 | Free | Noon-9pm | Lightest of the weekend, especially before 3pm | The cheapest ticket and the calmest walk through the Artist Market |
| Saturday | $10 | Free | 10am-9pm | Busiest by a wide margin, all day | Longest hours and the Mimosa 5K |
| Sunday | $10 | Free | 10am-6pm | Calmer than Saturday | Families, especially in the morning |
Which day has the smallest crowds?
Friday afternoon is the lightest crowd of the weekend — it’s the cheapest ticket ($5), the shortest day, and it starts at noon on a workday. Saturday is the busiest by a wide margin, since it combines the longest hours (10am-9pm) with the Mimosa 5K.
- Least crowded: Friday, especially before 3pm.
- Busiest: Saturday, all day.
- Best for families: Sunday morning, which has the shortest hours (10am-6pm) and tends to draw a calmer crowd than Saturday.
How does the festival work with young kids?
Kids 12 and under get into the Atlanta Dogwood Festival free, and the festival’s Kids Village sits at Oak Hill inside the 12th Street entrance, next to the Atlanta High School Art Exhibition. Activities there include paintable murals, glitter masks, paper butterflies, puppet shows, face painting, inflatables, and a bubble zone, plus Atlanta Parent’s play area with a Teddy Bear Hospital and mask-making station.
- Stroller reality: Piedmont Park has paved paths throughout, which helps, but expect festival-day crowding on the main paths near the Artist Market and stages — budget extra time to navigate with a stroller.
- Noise: the Coca-Cola Main Stage and International Stage run live music most of the day; if a toddler is noise-sensitive, Kids Village at Oak Hill is set apart from the main stages.
- Food rules: no outside food or beverages are allowed inside the festival footprint, so plan to buy from vendors once you’re in, or eat before/after at the gate.
- Rainy-day or combo-trip backup: if weather turns or you want an indoor stop nearby, see our Georgia Aquarium tips guide for logistics on that side of downtown.
Can you bring a dog into Piedmont Park during the festival?
Dogs and other pets are not permitted inside Piedmont Park during the Atlanta Dogwood Festival, per the festival’s own FAQ, which cites City of Atlanta Ordinance Section 110-70(d): “dogs / pets WILL NOT BE PERMITTED inside Piedmont Park during the event.” This is a temporary, festival-specific closure — Piedmont Park normally allows leashed dogs park-wide and has dedicated off-leash dog parks near the Park Drive bridge and the Education Garden.
The festival’s FAQ notes the off-leash dog park stays open nearby even during the event, so if you’re local and need to walk a dog that weekend, plan around the festival footprint rather than assuming the whole park is closed to pets. If you’re visiting with a dog and want park time, go on a non-festival day and check Piedmont Park’s dog park rules first — leashes, current vaccinations, and a 3-dogs-per-owner limit apply. For other outdoor options that weekend, see our guides to easy hikes near Atlanta with kids and Stone Mountain Park.
Where to Stay
Midtown hotels within walking distance of the Arts Center and Midtown MARTA stations put you closest to the festival gates and let you skip parking entirely. Book early — festival weekend overlaps with prime spring travel season in Atlanta, and nearby rooms fill up.
If you’re combining the festival with a longer Atlanta stay or a broader Georgia trip, see our weekend getaways from Atlanta itinerary for ideas on where to go next.
What to Skip and Common Mistakes
- Don’t assume it’s still free. The Atlanta Dogwood Festival now charges $5-$10 per day or $15 for a weekend pass for anyone 13 and up.
- Don’t bring your dog. Pets are banned inside Piedmont Park for the entire festival footprint, by city ordinance.
- Don’t bring outside food, drinks, tents, or coolers — all are prohibited at the gate; small chairs are allowed.
- Don’t circle for street parking near the park on festival weekend. APD enforcement is heavy and tow zones are active; use MARTA or a pre-booked garage instead.
- Don’t skip buying tickets in advance if you want to avoid the pay-onsite line — the Express Lane is only for advance ticket holders.
Weather and Rain Policy
The Atlanta Dogwood Festival is a rain-or-shine event, and tickets are non-refundable, per the festival’s official FAQ. Plan for April weather in Atlanta, which can swing from warm and sunny to a passing afternoon shower, and dress accordingly rather than counting on a rain date.
What if you only have a few hours, or a toddler in tow?
| If you… | Do this | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Only have a few hours | Come Friday before 3pm and start with the Artist Market | Friday opens at noon, costs $5 for ages 13 and up, and is the lightest crowd of the weekend – especially before 3pm. |
| Want the cheapest way in | Buy Friday tickets, or the three-day weekend pass if you are coming more than once | Friday is $5 for ages 13 and up versus $10 on Saturday or Sunday, and the weekend pass is $15. Kids 12 and under are free every day. |
| Can only come on the busiest day | Buy tickets in advance for Express Lane entry, then go Saturday | Saturday is the busiest day by a wide margin, runs the longest hours (10am-9pm) and adds the Mimosa 5K. The Express Lane is only for advance ticket holders. |
| Have a toddler and a stroller | Go Sunday morning and base yourself at Kids Village at Oak Hill, inside the 12th Street entrance | Sunday runs 10am-6pm with a calmer crowd than Saturday. The park paths are paved but crowd up near the Artist Market and stages, and Kids Village sits apart from the main stages. |
| Are bringing the dog | Leave the dog at home, or walk it at the off-leash dog park outside the festival footprint | Pets are not permitted inside Piedmont Park for the entire festival weekend under City of Atlanta Ordinance Section 110-70(d). The off-leash dog park stays open nearby during the event. |
| Want to skip the parking mess | Take MARTA to Arts Center or Midtown station and walk to a gate, or ride to the free bike valet on 10th Street near Charles Allen Drive | There is no dedicated festival lot, Atlanta police heavily enforce illegal and residential parking all weekend, and vehicles in tow zones are impounded. |
| Get rained on | Come anyway in a light rain layer | The festival is rain or shine and tickets are non-refundable, so there is no rain date to wait for. |
FAQ
Is the Atlanta Dogwood Festival free?
No. General admission runs $5 on Friday and $10 on Saturday or Sunday for ages 13 and up, or $15 for a full weekend pass. Kids 12 and under are free every day.
When is the 2027 Atlanta Dogwood Festival?
April 9-11, 2027, marking the festival’s 91st annual celebration in Piedmont Park, per the festival’s official site.
Are dogs allowed at the Atlanta Dogwood Festival?
No. Dogs and other pets are banned inside Piedmont Park during the entire festival weekend under a City of Atlanta ordinance. Piedmont Park’s normal dog-friendly rules and off-leash areas resume once the festival ends.
Where should I park for the Atlanta Dogwood Festival?
There’s no dedicated festival lot. The festival recommends MARTA to Arts Center or Midtown station, or booking parking in advance through SpotHero. Street parking near Piedmont Park is heavily enforced during festival weekend.
What is there for kids at the Atlanta Dogwood Festival?
Kids Village at Oak Hill, inside the 12th Street entrance, offers crafts, puppet shows, face painting, and inflatables. Admission is free for kids 12 and under.
What happens if it rains during the festival?
The festival runs rain or shine, and tickets are non-refundable, per the official FAQ. Bring a light rain layer rather than counting on a cancellation.
Should we go on Saturday or Sunday?
Choose Sunday if you have young kids or dislike crowds. Both days cost the same $10 for ages 13 and up, but Sunday runs shorter hours (10am-6pm) and tends to draw a calmer crowd. Saturday is the busiest day of the weekend all day long, runs 10am-9pm, and adds the Mimosa 5K.
Is MARTA worth it versus driving and parking?
Yes, and MARTA is the festival’s own recommended way in: ride to Arts Center or Midtown station and walk to a Piedmont Park gate. There is no dedicated festival lot, Atlanta police heavily enforce illegal and residential parking all festival weekend, and vehicles in tow zones are impounded. If you must drive, book a garage spot in advance through SpotHero.
What should you do if you only have a couple of hours at the festival?
Come Friday before 3pm. Gates open at noon, admission is $5 for ages 13 and up, and it is the lightest crowd of the weekend. Walk the Artist Market first, since it is one of the festival’s largest draws, then cut over to Kids Village at Oak Hill inside the 12th Street entrance if you have kids along.
What should you do differently with a toddler in a stroller?
Go Sunday morning, when the day runs 10am-6pm and the crowd is calmer than Saturday. Piedmont Park’s paths are paved throughout, but the stretches near the Artist Market and the stages crowd up on festival days, so budget extra time. Kids Village at Oak Hill sits apart from the main stages if your toddler is noise-sensitive.
How we checked this guide: Dates, hours, admission and parking prices, and access details were verified against the official sources listed below on . Operators change schedules and raise prices without notice, so confirm anything time-sensitive before you drive. The figures in this guide also feed our Georgia Attraction Transparency Index and Family Day-Out Cost Index.
Sources
- Atlanta Dogwood Festival – official site
- Atlanta Dogwood Festival – About
- Atlanta Dogwood Festival – FAQ
- Atlanta Dogwood Festival – Tickets
- Atlanta Dogwood Festival – Directions & Parking
- Atlanta Dogwood Festival – Kids Village
- Atlanta Dogwood Festival – Artist Market
- Atlanta Dogwood Festival – Attractions
- Piedmont Park Conservancy – Dog Parks
Hank Whitlock is the pen name of the It's Georgia editor. Every guide is built around the questions a busy family actually asks before a trip: how long is the drive, what does parking cost, can the stroller make it, are dogs allowed. Details are checked against official park, city, and venue sources, and each guide shows the date it was last updated.
