More than 1,000 people attended the third annual Create Dunwoody Holi celebration on March 7, a vibrant Indian tradition that marks the arrival of spring and the harvest season.
During the event, attendees enjoyed food, music, and threw gulal (colored powder) and colored water in a colorful display of joy during the afternoon event. Almost 1,500 color packs were sold that day.
“Holi in Dunwoody was a vibrant and joyful celebration, and it was wonderful to see so many people come together from Dunwoody and across the area to take part,” said Create Dunwoody Executive Director Rosemary Watts. “The event was full of energy, color, music, and community. Create Dunwoody events like this show how arts and culture can bring people together through shared cultural experiences.”
Watts gave a report about Holi and other Create Dunwoody events at the March 9 city council meeting. Only 22 percent of the attendees at the festival came from within the city, while 78 percent hailed from outside Dunwoody, she said.
“Other people are looking at what Create Dunwoody is doing,” Watts said.
Watts reported on other initiatives with the council during her annual recap of 2025 events, which included Holi, a Black History Cultural Celebration in February, a comedy festival in February, an art scavenger hunt in April and October, a merchant-led Scarecrow Showdown in October, and several holiday-themed celebrations.
Traffic to the Create Dunwoody website increased 180% from 2024 to 2025, with programming revenue increasing 17%, Watts’ report said.
Council members commended Watts on the progress made by Create Dunwoody in attracting visitors to the city and highlighting cultural events.
“I’m impressed by the diversity and quality of the events you have brought to the city,” Tom Lambert, city council member said.
Others, like John Heneghan, encouraged Watts and her team to bring back popular past events, like a beer festival and Taste of Dunwoody, which was organized as a fundraiser for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.