Mark your calendars: Metro Atlanta’s can’t-miss spring festivals

Spring festivals abound across Atlanta, the metro and into the surrounding areas. From storytelling to dinosaurs to great music, you’ll find something for everyone in your family. Plot your course with our recommendations below!

Dino Fest at Stone Mountain Park

Experience dinosaurs in Stone Mountain Park! High-flying, 4-D, lighted and in a themed parade, in a drone and light show - dinos show up in a big way during this spring festival.

Location: Stone Mountain Park; Website: stonemountainpark.com; Dates: March 8-April 20; Times: Hours vary - check website; Admission: $36.99-$39.99

Sweet Tooth Festival

It’s worth an hour’s jaunt down to Madison from the city to experience the smorgasbord of sweets this festival offers. There will be a cake bakeoff with samples, music, games, food and yet more sweets. If you have a sweet tooth, this is the place to satisfy it!

Location: Madison Lions Club; Website: facebook.com; Date: March 22; Time: noon to 5 p.m.; Admission: $10

Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival

O.A.R., Boyz II Men, Switchfoot, Gavin DeGraw: The Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival promises an epic musical lineup! Also, partake in great food and a classic car show. Enjoy a little exercise alongside the entertainment with the Cherry Blossom Festival 5K at 8 a.m. Saturday.

Location: Blackburn Park; Website: brookhavenga.gov; Dates: March 29-30; Time: Saturday - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Admission: Free

Wing & Rock Fest

Is there a better combo than great wings and great music? Probably not. Take it all outside, and you’ve got an unbeatable festival. This event takes place in an 80-acre park in Canton and includes chicken wings from more than 25 food trucks and restaurants alongside rock tribute bands and DJs.

Location: Etowah River Park; Website: wingandrockfest.com; Date: March 22-23; Time: Saturday - 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday - 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Admission: Free

Georgia Mountain Storytelling Festival

Hear the voices that make Appalachian storytelling so magnetic. This gathering in Hiawassee celebrates the hearing of stories and the development of skills through workshops. Featured storytellers include Bil Lepp, Ray Christian and Mo Reynolds.

Location: Ridges Resort; Website: gamountainstoryfest.org; Date: April 4-5; Admission: $10-$35

Spring to Life Family Festival at Oakland Cemetery

Atlanta’s most famous resting place will host an event centered on living life to the fullest on April 5. Bring the family out for wildlife demos and a plant sale, along with food trucks, yoga for the whole family, garden tours and interactive activities for kids. Stay on and participate in the Run Like Hell 5K directly after the festival.

Location: Oakland Cemetery; Website: oaklandcemetery.com; Date: April 5; Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Admission: Free

The Georgia Renaissance Festival

Take a trip back in time with a classic experience: The Georgia Renaissance Festival! Take in all the classic experiences like jousting and turkey legs, and catch themed weekends like pet-friendly weekend and viking and barbarian weekend.

Location: Fairburn; Website: garenfest.com; Date: April 12-June 1; Time: 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Admission: $12.95-$175

Dogwood Festival

The 89th annual Dogwood Festival promises a plethora of inviting offerings that cater to a variety of preferences. Look for an artist market, kids village, party in the park and a high school art exhibition. Live performers will take the Coca-Cola main stage all three days, and performers will present globally themed entertainment on the international stage. The Mimosa 5K takes place Saturday at 8 a.m. in Piedmont Park.

Location: Piedmont Park; Website: dogwood.org; Dates: April 11-13; Times: Friday - noon to 9 p.m., Saturday - 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Admission: $5 (suggested minimum donation)

Sweetwater 420 Fest

Sweetwater 420 Fest promises a great time this year. Musical lineup includes Marcus King, The Revivalists, Greensky Bluegrass, Drive-By Truckers, Cypress Hill and many more! This event helps support clean waterways, so each festival ticket means a $10 donation to Waterkeeper Alliance.

Location: Pullman Yards; Website: sweetwater420fest.com; Dates: April 18-20; Times: noon to 11 p.m.; Admission: $80-$270

Atlanta Film Festival

One of the oldest and largest film festivals in the country, this event showcases new international, independent, documentary, animated and short films. Screenings often include panels with filmmakers, and festival guests have included some of the best-known actors in the business. Check website for film offerings.

Location: Plaza Theatre, Tara Theater; Website: atlantafilmfestival.com; Dates: April 24-May 24; Time: Times vary - see website; Admission: $175-$425

Georgia Mountain Needle Arts Festival

This celebration of needle arts will include a collection of vendors offering patterns, yarns, tools and inspiration. Also, find knitting classes on site. Getting away to the mountains for this event is worth the just-over-an-hour trip north of the city.

Location: Gilmer County Civic Center; Website: georgiamountainneedleartsfestival.com; Date: April 25-27; Time: Friday - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Admission: $5

Inman Park Festival

This festival has it all: live music, a colorful parade, a dance event a juried arts and crafts market and a street market replete with antiques. See some of Inman Park’s most unique homes during the Tour of Homes on Saturday, and let the kids play Saturday and Sunday in the Little Gnome Zone.

Location: Inman Park; Website: inmanparkfestival.org; Dates: April 25-27; Time: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Admission: Free

Blue Ridge Trout and Outdoor Adventures Festival

Head north again for live music, great food, craft beer and over 100 vendors. Blue Ridge hosts its annual Trout Fest, which also includes fly casting demos and a tagged trout fishing derby with prizes!

Location: Blue Ridge Downtown City Park; Website: blueridgetroutfest.com; Date: April 26; Time: 10 a.m.; Admission: Free to $10

Decatur Arts Festival

An art walk around the city marks the kickoff of this weekend-long festival — stroll and experience free art receptions from community businesses. On Saturday and Sunday, see the work of over 120 artists at the juried outdoor market. See live music and performances all weekend on the music stage.

Location: Downtown Decatur; Website: decaturartsfestival.com; Date: May 2-4; Times: Friday - 6-10 p.m., Saturday - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday - 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Admission: Free

Mother’s Day Powwow and Indian Festival

What better way to celebrate Mother’s Day than an outdoor gathering full of culture and tradition? This annual powwow and festival brings art, great food, education, traditional music and more!

Location: Boling Park; Website: rthunder.com; Dates: May 10-11; Time: Saturday - 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday - 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Admission: $5-$20

Sweet Auburn Springfest

Strolling around historic Sweet Auburn is another great way to celebrate Mother’s Day. This event bills itself as “the largest family reunion in the world.” Enjoy free entertainment all day on the music stage, and browse the vendors set up along Auburn Avenue.

Location: Sweet Auburn; Website: sweetauburn.com; Date: May 10-11; Time: Saturday - 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday - 1-8 p.m.; Admission: Free

Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival

Walk your way through the arts and crafts vendors, and eat your way through the food offerings. Live music, cultural performances and a children’s area round out the day at this festival, which celebrates 44 years in 2025.

Location: Georgia International Horse Park; Website: georgiahorsepark.com; Dates: May 22-23; Times: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Admission: Free (Parking is $10 - no cash)

Atlanta Carnival

This event is designed to up awareness of Caribbean art forms and to promote art education and diversity throughout the community. It includes a parade and lots of live music. Musical acts include Lady Lava, Trilla-G, Motto, Skinny Fabulous and Kiprich.

Location: Rodney Cook Sr. Park; Website: atlantacarnival.org; Date: May 24; Time: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Admission: $45-$160

Helen to the Atlantic Balloon Race & Festival

The sky in Helen fills with balloons bright and early on the morning of June 5. For 52 years, hot air balloon pilots have been battling it out to see who can cross the finish line of this race first. The crafts make their way toward the Atlantic Ocean, and whoever crosses Interstate 95 soonest wins. See the beautiful balloons as they start the race.

Location: Downtown Helen; Website: helenballoon.com; Date: June 5; Time: 7 a.m.; Admission: Free

Summerfest Virginia-Highland

Summerfest is a fundraiser for the Virginia-Highland Civic Association and includes a makers market and juried artist market. Live music includes national and local talent, and there’s a weekend-long KidFest area for young attendees. The entire event kicks off with a party Friday night, and the Virginia-Highland Summerfest 5K begins at 7:30 a.m. Saturday.

Location: Virginia-Highland; Website: vahi.org; Date: June 6-8; Time: Friday- 6-9 p.m., Saturday - 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday - 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Admission: Free