Say goodbye to winter with a slew of can’t-miss, outdoor activities this spring.
From film events to art celebrations, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the budding flowers and warmer days. Take a look at our annual list of spring festivals, which includes fun activities for all ages.
Atlanta Dogwood Festival
For more than 80 years, this festival has been a staple for many Atlantans. The three-day bash offers a kids village, live music, tons of food trucks and an artist market, where you can purchase sculptures, paintings, pottery, jewelry, photography and other art.
Noon-11 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. April 12-14. Free admission. Piedmont Park, along 10th Street and Piedmont Avenue, Atlanta. 404-817-6642, dogwood.org.
Atlanta Film Festival
If you’re a fan of movies, the Atlanta Film Festival might be the event for you. The 10-day showcase, which draws nearly 25,000 people annually, will include a plethora of screenings, panels and demos, which will include dialogue with filmmakers, artists and other industry professionals.
April 4-14. $10-$12 for individual screenings, $50 for opening and closing screenings, $125-$725 for badges. Various locations including Plaza Theatre, 1049 Ponce de Leon Ave., Atlanta and The Highland Inn, 644 N Highland Ave. NE, Atlanta. 404-352-4225, atlantafilmfestival.com.
> Browse the AJC calendar for more festivals this weekend and this month
Big Shanty Festival
Make your way to Kennesaw to attend one of the town’s largest and most popular events of the year. It draws about 70,000 attendees, who walk the streets noshing on bites and purchasing goodies from local vendors.
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday. April 13-14. Free admission. Downtown Kennesaw, 2829 Cherokee St., Kennesaw. 770-423-1330, kennesaw-ga.gov.
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Decatur Arts Festival
Each year, thousands flock to the Decatur Arts Festival to hear live musical performances, watch improvisational and stand-up comedy, and attend literary events. The artist market is also a popular area. It features more than 150 creatives ready to show off their latest masterpieces.
5-10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. May 24-26. Free admission. Downtown Decatur, 101 E. Court Square, Decatur. 404-371-9583, decaturartsfestival.com.
Georgia Renaissance Festival
Transport back to 16th century England at this two-month long affair. With more than 150 artisan craft shops, 10 stages for live entertainment and food galore, you’ll be treated like royalty at every turn.
10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and Memorial Day. April 13-June 2. $20-$24 for adults, $10-$12 for children 6-12, free for children 5 and under. 6905 Virlyn B. Smith Road, Fairburn. 770-964-8575. garenfest.com.
Inman Park Festival
Visit one of Atlanta’s oldest and most scenic neighborhoods during the Inman Park Festival. Tour the historic homes throughout the area, participate in the parade, dance to live music or stroll through the artist market during your visit.
Tour of homes preview: noon-4 p.m. Friday. Tour of Homes: noon-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. $20-$25. Festival: 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Saturday. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday. Apr. 26-28. Free admission. Various locations. 770-635-3711, inmanparkfestival.org.
Sandy Springs Artsapalooza
The weekend-long gathering features up to 150 painters, photographers, sculptors, glass blowers and jewelers, who are prepared to talk all things art. You can even stick around for demonstrations and participate in hands-on activities available for both kids and adults.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. April 20-21. Free admission. 6100 Lake Forrest Drive, Sandy Springs. 770-730-5600, sandyspringsartsapalooza.com.
Jonathan Phillips
Jonathan Phillips
Smyrna Spring Jonquil Festival
Artisans from all over the southeast will be on deck to present their paintings, clothing, furniture and more. There will also be lots of snacks, like cotton candy, corn dogs and snow cones, as well as a variety of children’s activities.
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday. April 27-28. Free admission. Village Green, 2800 King St., Smyrna. 770-423-1330, smyrnaga.gov.
Snellville Days Festival
The Snellville Days Festival is back for the 46th year, and the city is inviting the community to the two-day jamboree, which will provide tons of crafts, treats and entertainment for all. There will also be shuttles available to help you travel to and from the celebration.
10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, noon-5 p.m. Sunday. May 4-5. Free admission. Briscoe Park, 2500 Sawyer Parkway, Snellville. 770-985-3535, snellvilledays.org.
Sweet Auburn Springfest
Celebrate Mother’s Day weekend at the Sweet Auburn Spring Fest. You’ll hear music from acts, including Soul For Real, GABE and more. There will also be a fun zone for kids, a health pavilion and a pop-up library.
11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, 1-8 p.m. Sunday. May 11-12. Free admission. Historic Auburn Avenue District, 230 John Wesley Dobbs Ave., Atlanta. 678-667-1375, sweetauburn.com.
MORE SPRING FESTIVALS
Atlanta Science Festival. March 9-23. Various locations, including venues at Georgia Tech, Georgia State University and Emory University. Atlantasciencefestival.org.
Woodruff Arts Center Free Family Fun Festival. 1-4 p.m. March 10 Woodruff Arts Center, 1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta. woodruffcenter.org.
Rescue Dog Games. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. March 10. Piedmont Park. rescuedoggames.com.
Suwanee Beer Festival. March 16. Town Center Park, 330 Town Center Ave, Suwanee. suwaneebeerfest.com.
Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival. March 30-31. Blackburn Park, 3493 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Atlanta. brookcherryfest.org.
Dad's Garage Big Stupid Parking Lot Carnival. 1-6 p.m. April 6. Dad's Garage, 569 Ezzard St. SE, Atlanta. dadsgarage.com.
Festival on Ponce. April 6-7. Olmsted Linear Park, 1451 Ponce de Leon Ave., Atlanta. festivalonponce.com.
Atlanta Streets Alive. 2-6 p.m. April 7. Parade begins at the intersection of Peachtree Street and 16th Street at 1:30 p.m. atlantastreetsalive.com.
Bear on the Square Mountain Festival. April 27-28. On the square in downtown Dahlonega. www.bearonthesquare.org.
Canton Festival of the Arts. May 4-5. Brown Park, 270 E. Marietta St., Canton. cantonartfestival.com.
Chastain Spring Arts and Craft Festival. May 11-12. Chastain Park, 4469 Stella Drive, Atlanta. chastainparkartsfestival.com.
Dunwoody Arts Festival. May 11-12. 1449 Dunwoody Village Parkway, Dunwoody. dunwoodyartfestival.com.
Kirkwood Spring Fling. May 18. Bessie Branham Park, 2051 Delano Drive, Atlanta. kirkwoodfling.com.
Atlanta Food and Wine. May 30-June 2. Host hotel is Loews Atlanta Hotel at 1065 Peachtree St., and the tasting tents will be at Historic Old Fourth Ward Park. atlfoodandwinefestival.com.
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