Arts Agenda: Spring festivals

Each week, ArtsATL delivers a critic’s short list of the shows, exhibitions, concerts and events we recommend for the coming weeks within one discipline in the kaleidoscope of Atlanta arts and culture. Every week, we’ll present a different art form.

::

March 8-22

Atlanta Science Festival. Yes, there’s science aplenty, but this annual fest also explores the nexus of art and science. Learn how to create botanical illustrations and experience new and innovative inventions at the Guthman Musical Instrument Competition.

March 22

Grant Park Porchfest. One of the newer additions to Atlanta’s spring festival scene, this grassroots music event was born during the second year of the pandemic.

March 29-30

Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival. O.A.R., Boyz II Men and Switchfoot are among the headliners at this free annual arts and music gathering in Brookhaven’s Blackburn Park.

April 4

404 day. Salute Atlanta’s creative spirit with this yearly celebration of music and art. This year’s edition benefits Women in Film and Television Atlanta.

April 11-13

Atlanta Dogwood Festival. The city’s signature festival is in its 89th year of filling Piedmont Park with art, music and more amid the blooming dogwood trees.

April 12-13

Suwanee Arts Festival. Live artists’ demonstrations, music, book signings and more are on the agenda at Suwanee Town Center.

April 18-20

Sweetwater420 Fest. Experience three days of music at Pullman Yards from a packed lineup that includes the Revivalists, Marcus King, Greensky Bluegrass, Cypress Hill and Drive-By Truckers.

April 19

ARTucker. Support Georgia artists and local arts organizations at Tucker’s Church Street Green Space.

April 19-20

Sandy Springs Artsapalooza. Expect nearly 125 artists to showcase their work in the heart of Sandy Springs on Easter weekend.

April 26-27

Inman Park Festival. In addition to the usual festival fare, this event puts a spotlight on dance. This year, the lineup includes Ballethnic, Full Radius Dance, The Georgia Ballet, Monica Hogan Danceworks and Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre. And don’t miss the parade.

May 3-4

May-retta Daze. Stroll through Marietta’s Glover Park while enjoying two days of arts, crafts, music and more at this 47th annual festival.

May 10-11

Sweet Auburn Springfest. Celebrate community, history and heritage with two days of fellowship and music in the heart of the Sweet Auburn district.

Chastain Park Arts Festival. Fine art and crafts and live music will fill one of Atlanta’s largest parks for this 17th annual event. You’ll also find a children’s area, along with local food concessions and food trucks.

May 17

Virginia Highland Porchfest. Local musicians take to the porches of the Virginia Highland district throughout the day, culminating in a finale at John Howell Park.

Pairs well with…

Other events you might enjoy.

Sachi Rome creates portals to a utopia through abstract paintings, textiles, sculptures and installations in Sachi Rome: Bridge Through Troubled Waters at Chastain Arts Center (through March 22) … Atlanta favorite Robert Spano returns to Atlanta Symphony Hall to conduct Copland’s Appalachian Spring, as well as Jennifer Higdon’s Grammy-winning Harp Concerto (March 20 and 22) … If you’re looking forward to the Inman Park Festival’s dance performances, check out two evenings of live performances from Dance Canvas, featuring choreographers from this season’s Choreographer Career Development Initiative at the Rialto Center for the Arts at GSU (March 21-22) … Celebrate Holi, India’s festival of color, with food and a mix of Bollywood beats, American pop and Afrobeats music outside at the Believe Music Hall (March 15).