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- Festival raised $71,867 so far from community donors and gifts from Deen Day Sanders and The Rich’s Foundation.
- City of Atlanta approved a nominal entrance fee without requiring fencing or gated Piedmont Park permit.
- 90th annual festival set for April 10–12, 2026 with $5 Friday and $10 Saturday/Sunday tickets; passes and family packages offered.
- Organizers still face a fundraising shortfall, but hope ticket revenue and support will stabilize future finances.
The Atlanta Dogwood Festival will get to celebrate its 90th annual event next April thanks to community, corporate, philanthropic, city support, and a new entrance fee for visitors.
In August, the festival announced it was facing significant financial challenges due to production costs and might have to cancel the 2026 event if it couldn’t raise $250,000 by Nov. 1.
As of Oct. 29, the festival has raised $71,867 from community supporters and generous donations from philanthropist Deen Day Sanders and The Rich’s Foundation.
Additionally, the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office has agreed to allow the festival to charge a nominal entrance fee without the fencing and gating of Piedmont Park, as is required under the ticketed permit type.
For the 90th annual event, taking place April 10 – 12, Atlanta Dogwood Festival will charge $5 for Friday entry and $10 for Saturday or Sunday. Weekend passes and family packages will be offered, and tickets will be available in advance and at the gate, according to the press release.
“We are delighted to announce that the 90th annual Atlanta Dogwood Festival will take place in April 2026,” festival executive director Brian Hill said in a statement. “The ability to charge an entrance fee — something previously not allowed under our permit — will be a tremendous help.”
Hill said the organization still faces a shortfall in its fundraising goal, and producing the 2026 event will be challenging, but he hopes the new support and ticket revenue will return the festival to a stable financial footing in future years.
Launched in 1936 by Walter Rich, founder of Rich’s department store, the Atlanta Dogwood Festival has been a beloved family tradition for generations and a favorite local springtime event.
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