SPRING MEANS FESTIVALS AND ANNUAL EVENTS

ATLANTA ST. PATRICK’S PARADE

For 139 years, the Irish and the not-so-Irish take to Peachtree Street for the Atlanta St. Patrick’s Parade. Presented by The Coca-Cola Company, the parade features more than 2,000 dancers, musicians, animals and Irish and local dignitaries. The parade takes place March 11 at noon at the intersection of Peachtree and 15th streets and travels down to 5th Street — so there’s plenty of room to watch. After the parade, keep the celebration going with lunch at one of the city’s many Irish restaurants including Limerick Junction Pub, Meehan’s Public House, Fadó Irish Pub or the Elder Tree. www.atlantastpats.com

Spring in Atlanta is glorious. Overnight, flowers bloom, birds sing and the city gears up for its beloved traditions of annual festivals and events. Here are a few to add to your list.

BY MARY WELCH

Atlanta Dogwood Festival

While the calendar has a different version of when spring starts, in the ATL, it starts with the Atlanta Dogwood Festival, April 14-16. For more than 80 years, Atlantans and art lovers have gathered in Piedmont Park to enjoy the flowering dogwoods and admire the work of dozens of artists. Just about every kind of art is represented including sculpture, paintings, pottery, jewelry, glassworks, leather and photography. There also is a nationally renowned juried Fine Artist Market for serious collectors. In addition to the art, there is a full schedule of music plus, a Kids’ Village, interactive make-and-take activities and face painting. Who can forget the food — glorious food — funnel cakes, gyros, crab cakes, onion rings, kettle corn and cheesesteaks? www.dogwood.org

Atlanta Jazz Festival

One of the largest free jazz festivals in the country takes place May 27-29 at Piedmont Park. The Atlanta Jazz Festival is a celebration of the music, culture and art of jazz. Come and enjoy a weekend of great artists — everyone from aspiring musicians to internationally known artists. Produced by the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, the festival’s mission is to expose and entertain a diverse audience of jazz aficionados. www.atljazzfest.com

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Piedmont Park Memorial Day Weekend

May 27 - 29, 2023

Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis

Stanley Clarke

Ledisi

Samara Joy

Jose James Chief Adjuah

David Sanchez

Javon Jackson & the Gospel According to Nikki Giovanni Brenda Nicole Moorer

Tony Hightower

Brandee Younger

James Francies

Lakecia Benjamin

Sélène Saint-Aimé

Satya

Shaky Knees Festival

The Shaky Knees Festival celebrates its 10th anniversary May 5-7 at Central Park. The festival features more than 60 local, regional and international artists in the genres of indie rock, indie folk, country music and alternative rock. Shaky Knees often shows up on “Best Music Festivals” lists and for good reason: It’s a weekend of cool vibes and hot music. This year’s festival includes such top acts as The Killers, Greta Van Fleet, Muse, Tenacious D, the Lumineers and Hozier. There will be plenty of food trucks selling everything from BBQ to vegetarianfriendly corn dogs.

www.shakykneesfestival.com

Sweetwater 420 Fest

When a music festival is sponsored by one of the city’s favorite beers, you know it’s going to be awesome. Taking place April 22-23 at SweetWater Brewery, SweetWater 420 Fest is traditionally held on a weekend close to Earth Day and will guarantee great music throughout the weekend. Top headliners will include Shakey Graves and Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, along with bands Ghostland Observatory, Maggie Rose, Rome & Duddy and many more. Plenty of local SweetWater beer will flow as well as food and more as this year’s festival goes back to its roots where this local favorite all began.

www.sweetwater420fest.com

Georgia Renaissance Festival

The Georgia Renaissance Festival takes attendees back to the era of knights, jousting contests and more. Every weekend from April 15 through June 4, the festival has jugglers, musicians, pipe and drum bands, magicians and acrobats to delight the young and old. Enjoy the pub crawl, lots of food (including smoked turkey legs and pork loin on a stake), artisan market and rides.

www.garenfest.com

Atlanta Film Festival

The Atlanta Film Festival attracts a diverse range of independent films with special attention paid to women-directed films, Black films, LGBTQ films, Latin American and regional Southeastern films. The prestigious festival, which takes place April 20-30, is one of only two dozen Academy Award-qualifying festivals in the country. More than 28,000 come to discover new independent, international, animated, documentary and short films from more than 8,000 submissions. The festival’s screens often include in-person dialogue with filmmakers, which gives audience members a meaningful opportunity to network, interact and engage. www.atlantafilmfestival.com