Ultimate Guide to Spring in Atlanta

By Joleen Pete

Published February 10, 2025
Last Updated February 12, 2025

Artículo disponible en Español.

Spring is a beautiful time to visit Atlanta. Explore the city’s lush green spaces, scenic hiking and biking trails, and vibrant spring blooms. Unwind in nature, take a refreshing fitness class, or discover hidden gems throughout the city. Cheer on your favorite sports team or dine al fresco. Here’s your ultimate guide to spring in Atlanta.  

Getting Outdoors

Atlanta offers endless opportunities for outdoor adventure. Many local parks and gardens feature scenic trails and greenways, perfect for exploring nature while staying active on foot or by bike. Piedmont Park boasts lush green spaces, multi-purpose trails, a splash pad, and a pool for cooling off, all with stunning views of the Midtown skyline. Westside Park, Atlanta’s largest green space, spans 280 acres and offers 2.5 miles of trails for walking, skating, cycling, and more. Whether you’re seeking relaxation or recreation, Atlanta’s outdoor spaces have something for everyone.

Enjoy the vibrant colors of spring with a stroll through the gardens at Fernbank Museum, The Carter Center, Atlanta History Center and, of course, Atlanta Botanical Garden. 

Orchid Daze returns to the Fuqua Orchid Center from February 8 to April 13, showcasing the mesmerizing beauty of orchids through a variety of reflective media. Meanwhile, Atlanta Blooms! brings the Atlanta Botanical Garden to life with vibrant color from March 1 to April 30, celebrating spring with breathtaking displays of hundreds of thousands of tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, crocuses, and other perennial blooms.

Whether you’re exploring by foot, bike, or scooter, the Atlanta Beltline is a dynamic space where locals and visitors can enjoy the city’s culture, green spaces, and connectivity. Spanning approximately 22 miles, the Beltline connects neighborhoods and fosters community through art installations, outdoor events, bustling markets and more. Explore the Eastside Trail for shopping, lively restaurants and stunning skyline views. For a more scenic, nature-filled experience, check out the Westside Trail. 

Farmers Markets & Food Halls

Atlanta’s farmers markets are bursting with locally grown produce and handcrafted goods every week. As a city surrounded by lush greenery and farms, Atlanta embraces sustainable food and local agriculture, making it easier than ever to support regional farmers and artisans. From organic fruits and vegetables to specialty treats and one-of-a-kind gifts, these markets offer a true taste of the community. Here’s where to find the freshest picks and unique treasures year-round. Want to eat like a queen or king but don’t want to deal with the dishes? Check out our ultimate guide to Atlanta’s food halls for where to eat in each neighborhood.

Spring Break in Atlanta

Spending spring break in Atlanta is an exciting mix of adventure, Southern charm, and outdoor fun. Whether you’re exploring the bustling streets of Downtown, visiting iconic attractions like the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca-Cola or strolling through local neighborhoods, there’s something for everyone. The city comes alive in the spring with festivals, rooftop dining and beautiful blooms at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. With its rich culture, diverse food scene, and vibrant nightlife, Atlanta makes for an unforgettable (and fun!) spring break destination.

Start planning your Atlanta spring break trip by purchasing an Atlanta CityPASS, which allows you to save up to 49-percent on admission to five of Atlanta’s top attractions.

Spring Festivals 

As spring blooms across Atlanta, the city comes alive with vibrant festivals celebrating art, music, food, and culture. From colorful flower displays to lively street fairs and outdoor concerts, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re strolling through the Atlanta Dogwood Festival, savoring local flavors at a food and wine event, or dancing to live music under the warm Georgia sun, spring is the perfect time to experience the city’s energy and creativity. Get ready to embrace the season with a lineup of can’t-miss festivals that make Atlanta a top destination for springtime fun.

404 Day 2025 Celebration!

Celebrate Atlanta on April 4 from noon to 9 p.m. with a dance party, music, food and drinks at Piedmont Park for the annual 404 Day celebration.

Panda Fest at Atlantic Station 

One of the largest outdoor Asian food festivals in the U.S. is coming to Atlantic Station. Experience the rich traditions of Asian cultures with captivating performances, indulge in mouthwatering dishes from over 400 vendors and street food stalls, and immerse yourself in a festive atmosphere filled with panda-themed decorations—including a giant panda bounce house. Panda Fest takes place on April 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Spring Festival on Ponce

The 14th Annual Spring Festival on Ponce returns to the historic Olmsted Linear Park on April 5 and 6 with over 125 displays of fine arts, crafts and “outsider art”.

Atlanta Dogwood Festival

Atlanta’s annual celebration of the blooming of its native dogwood trees for 89 years, the Atlanta Dogwood Festival fills Midtown’s Piedmont Park with live music, arts and crafts, food booths and family-friendly activities from April 11 through 13.

Atlanta Film Festival

The 49th annual Atlanta Film Festival takes place April 24 through May 4 and showcases a variety of feature and short films created by Atlanta talent.

Atlanta Jazz Festival 

One of the country’s largest free jazz festivals celebrating the rich heritage and vibrant future of jazz music, the Atlanta Jazz Festival is held annually over Memorial Day Weekend in Piedmont Park. This iconic event features world-renowned musicians, up-and-coming artists and a diverse lineup of performances that showcase the genre’s many styles, as well as food vendors and local artisans.

Spring Sports in Atlanta

Let’s root, root, root for the home team. See the Atlanta Braves play at Truist Park, the Atlanta Hawks play at State Farm and cheer for Atlanta United at Mercedes Benz Stadium this spring. See our Atlanta sports guide for the spring for more information.

Take a Unique Fitness Class

Don’t let those New Year’s resolutions fall by the wayside now. Atlanta offers so many unique and fun fitness classes to choose from. Free Fitness on the Field includes signature fitness events and weekly classes such as yoga, boot camp and HIIT workouts and takes place at The Home Depot Backyard at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Georgia Aquarium hosts Wellness by the Water, a 60-minute class in the Oceans Ballroom with views of manta rays and whale sharks. Pickleball is taking over Atlanta and the Painted Pickle is here to make it even more exciting. This “compeatery” is a great place to play, hang out and grab some food—all in one fun-filled venue. For more unique workout options, check out these out-of-the-box fitness ideas in Atlanta.

Find Your Zen

Take some time for yourself this spring with a relaxing getaway to find your zen. This wellness weekend itinerary will give you options for Atlanta hotels with spas and more to help you reconnect with your mind, body and spirit.

Ready to plan your visit? Here’s how to plan an epic road trip to Atlanta.

Joleen Pete is a storyteller and dream-weaver, inspired by the magic in everyday moments and the untold stories waiting to be shared.