The Atlanta Dogwood Festival will happen next spring after receiving partial funding and permission from the city to charge admission for the first time in its 90-year history.

What’s Happening: The festival raised about $72,000 of its $250,000 goal by the Nov. 1 deadline. The City of Atlanta agreed to let organizers charge entry fees without requiring fences around Piedmont Park.

Tickets will cost $5 on Friday and $10 on Saturday and Sunday for the April 10 through 12, 2026 event.

Major donations came from philanthropist Deen Day Sanders and The Rich’s Foundation, along with community supporters.

What’s Important: The festival still faces a budget shortfall. Leaders decided to move forward with the 2026 event, banking on ticket sales to cover the gap and stabilize finances in future

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