For 63 years, the Dogwood Arts Festival has been one of the most celebrated cultural events in Knoxville. Each spring when the dogwoods bloom, visitors and locals alike come together to celebrate art, enjoy live music, and take in the natural beauty of East Tennessee. The 2024 event will take place April 26-28th on the Performance Lawn, in the Tennessee Amphitheatre, and on the greenway surrounding the fountain in World’s Fair Park. The 63rd Annual Dogwood Arts Festival will feature 101 fine art vendors alongside live entertainment, a culinary arts tent, local Maker Market, live art demonstrations, daily maker workshops, plant sales, blooming beer gardens, and free activities for the entire family. Excitement is building for the annual event as the Dogwood Arts Festival was just voted the No. 3 “Best Art Festival” nationwide in the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice 2024 poll.
Event Details:
- Dates: April 26-28, 2024
- Location: World’s Fair Park (Performance Lawn, Amphitheatre, Greenway)
- Festival Hours: Friday, April 26th & Saturday, April 27th: 10AM-7PM / Sunday, April 28th: 10AM-5PM
- Website: https://www.dogwoodarts.com/dogwoodartsfestival
The 2024 event will feature thirty-eight live performances on two stages throughout the weekend. From steel bands and slam poetry to contemporary dance, violin, and award-winning Americana artists — the diverse entertainment lineup has something for everyone.
Expanded Footprint & New Offerings:
- Brand New Maker Experience
- The Maker City and KnoxMakers have partnered with the Dogwood Arts Festival to provide a series of hands-on workshops and live art demonstrations throughout the festival.
- Demonstrations: Dive into a world of craftsmanship and creativity! Maker demonstrations will happen throughout the weekend and showcase techniques and expertise from our local makers. From intricate woodworking to delicate pottery, witness the magic of creation firsthand. Demos are free for all festival attendees.
- Workshops: Learn how to make your own candle, lip gloss, fire cider, salve & balm and more. There are workshops for all ages, so sign-up with your family and friends! Workshops are limited in size and are $10 per participant. Tickets can be purchased online (or at the Maker Experience during the Festival, if space is available).
- Culinary Arts Tent: A Taste of Real Good Kitchen
- Dogwood Arts Festival attendees can experience ‘A Taste of Real Good Kitchen‘ featuring 7 local food entrepreneurs — from North African and Thai cuisine to charcuterie and plant-based brisket — there’s something to inspire every palette! The Real Good Kitchen Tasting Tent will be open from 11AM-6PM on Saturday, April 27th. Options include $20 for tastings from 4 vendors, or tastings from all 7 vendors for $32. Tickets can be purchased online prior to the event or at the culinary tent located at the top of the World’s Fair Park Amphitheatre
- Emerging Maker Tent
- Sunday, April 28th from 10AM-5PM in the World’s Fair Park Amphitheatre
- The Emerging Maker Tent is a new initiative at the Dogwood Arts Festival to support emerging local and regional makers. This opportunity was developed to provide a supportive environment for makers to gain practical experience selling their artwork at a professional craft fair. Twenty vendors were juried into the event.
A daily rotating lineup of mobile food vendors will be available, alongside a beverage area with beer selections provided by Cherokee Distributing Company and specialty cocktails from Sugarlands Distilling Company. The ORNL Federal Credit Union Kid’s Creation Station will feature art activities and entertainment for little ones all weekend long!
The Dogwood Arts Festival is sponsored by ORNL Federal Credit Union, Visit Knoxville, Home Federal Bank, the Tennessee Arts Commission, Cherokee Distributing, Pilot, the Downtown Knoxville Alliance, the City of Knoxville, Knox County, Crowne Plaza, Sugarlands Distilling Company, US Cellular, Graphic Creations, Hamarki Wellness, ExpressFrame, Renewal by Andersen, LeafFilter, Dollywood, The AB Project, Maker Exchange, LazyDays RV, and Pivot Point Gallery.
