The Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival, which usually takes place in March, was oddly scheduled for April 17th and 18th in 2021.
We’ve received reports that the 2021 festival has officially been canceled.
The pandemic will not prevent the cherry trees from blooming in Blackburn park however, so why not head out to safely enjoy them on your own? Peak cherry blossom season is generally in mid to late March.
The Cherry Blossom Festival 5K and the Cherry Blossom Classic Car Show are also canceled this year.
In a press statement, Mayor John Ernst said, “When we cancelled last year’s Cherry Blossom Festival, it was our sincere hope that COVID-19 would be eradicated in time for a successful event this year. As that is clearly not the case, to prevent the obvious threat to the health of the general public, we will not be holding that event this year.”
Read a news report of the cancellation
You may also be interested in:
- The Conyers Cherry Blossom Festival is on for 2021
- Daffodil Days at Oakland Cemetery
- Enjoy 20 million daffodils at Gibbs Gardens
- 2021 Spring Festival Guide for metro Atlanta
Content below the line is from a previous year.
The Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival is now in its sixth year and it’s fast becoming a local favorite! The event includes an incredible music line-up, an art market, food vendors galore, family-friendly activities in the Kidz Zone, a classic car show, Pet World animal shows, and more. Festival admission is FREE.
All the details, the musical line-up, parking/shuttle info, and the event schedule are below — just keep scrolling!
This year’s spring fest takes place next weekend on Saturday, March 28th and Sunday, March 29th. Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.
The venue is Blackburn Park, an expansive green space that stretches along Ashford-Dunwoody Rd., just inside the Perimeter. The city planted 240 Yoshino and Kwanzan cherry trees there in 2014, and peak blossom season is gorgeous.
The info below has not yet been updated for 2020 — so please check back!
Know before you go…
The festival takes place rain or shine! This is a pet-friendly event as long as pets remain on a leash at all times.
You may not bring outside food or beverage into the festival. Alcohol will only be sold to those with a valid 21+ ID. No coolers, umbrellas, or chairs will be allowed.
For more information, see the festival’s website.
The musical performance schedule is below.
Art market
This year’s art market will wind through the park, featuring handmade items that include:
- jewelry
- pottery
- glass
- metal
- paintings
- folk art
- mixed media
- photography
- soaps and lotions
- candles
- wooden items
- yard art
- living plant arrangements
You can view a complete listing of participating art vendors here.
Classic car show
The car show is a one-day event, taking place on Saturday, March 30th between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. It will feature 50+ classic cars, with their owners hanging out nearby to answer questions — and most are happy to let you take you take a selfie with their vehicle.
This is volunteer-driven event that is produced and managed independently of the festival.
Kidz Zone
There are so many activities here! Note that many of these come with an extra charge. You must buy tickets for the rides, and things like face painting have a charge as well.
- 15 rides
- rock-climbing wall
- bungee trampoline jumping
- inflatables
- clowns, stilt walkers, and jugglers
- face painting
- balloon sculptures
The musical performance schedule is below.
Pet World
The Brookhaven Cherry Blossom has special activities centered around animals, in the Pet World area. These include:
Dahlonega Action Dogs
Border collies perform agility and disc demonstrations.
Performances take place during the following times:
- Saturday at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2 p.m.
- Sunday at 10:30 a.m.
Lure chasing
For $10, your high-energy dog can chase a mechanically operated “ferret” lure in a closed course. The second run is only $5. All funds collected at the festival will be donated to Angels Among Us animal rescue. This event is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.
Pet Parade and costume contest
The parade line-up starts at 10:45 a.m. on Sunday, with the parade starting between 11 and 11:15 a.m. Bring your best-dressed pup to participate and compete in the costume contest. Categories include Best Costume, and Cutest Couple (pet and owner together).
Video highlights of last year’s Cherry Blossom Festival:
Musical performances
The Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival is quickly becoming known for the quality musical acts it books each year. The 2019 line-up includes:
Saturday, March 30th
- 12:00 p.m. — HONNA
- 1:30 p.m. — The Romantics
- 3:00 p.m. — Spin Doctors
- 4:30 p.m. — Smash Mouth
Sunday March 31
- 12:00 p.m. — Wesley Cook
- 1:30 p.m. — Josie Dunn
- 3:00 p.m. — The Marias
- 4:30 p.m. — The Wallflowers
See more concert information on the festival website.
Getting there, parking, and shuttle service info
Everyone is encouraged to leave the car at home and use a ride service or MARTA!
The closest MARTA rain station is Brookhaven/Oglethorpe Station on the Gold Line. Just exit the station and look for signs pointing you to the festival shuttle.
PLEASE refrain from using residential and retail parking areas in the Blackburn Park area. The city of Brookhaven will be enforcing parking regulations strictly, to avoid any inconvenience to neighborhood residents.
If you must drive, you can park for free at one of these Brookhaven locations and take the shuttle to the festival:
- MARTA Brookhaven Station, 4047 Peachtree Road NE,
- Marist School, 3790 Ashford Dunwoody Road
- Montgomery Elementary School, 3995 Ashford Dunwoody Road
- Ashford Green (office park), 4170 Ashford Dunwoody Road
- Murphey Candler Park, 1551 West Nancy Creek Drive
More spring festivals and events around Atlanta:
Saturday, May 8, 2021
Sunday, May 9, 2021
Monday, May 10, 2021
Tuesday, May 11, 2021
Wednesday, May 12, 2021
