Annual Events in the Georgia Mountains
There is no shortage of annual events to celebrate people, places, seasons, and culture! Celebrate the diversity of the area with events for the entire family.
Choose from events including an annual Elvis tribute and competition, Wine Highway Weeks, Chili Cook-Off, BBQ festival, Championship Rodeo, Scenic Railways, and many, many more!
Here is a lineup of North Georgia’s best events. What are your favorites?
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Annual Events by Month in North Georgia
No matter when you visit, there is always something fun to do!
January Events in North Georgia
- Winter Wonderland Tours, North Georgia Zoo & Farm, Cleveland, GA
- Free National Parks Entrance
- Free entrance to US National Parks to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Free National Forests Entrance
- Free entrance to US National Parks to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
February Events in North Georgia
- Fire and Ice Chili Cook-Off, Blue Ridge, GA
- Bringin’ the Blues to Blue Ridge, Blue Ridge, GA
- Free National Forests Entrance
- Free entrance to US National Parks to celebrate Presidents Day
March Events in North Georgia
- Dahlonega Science Festival, Dahlonega, GA
- St Patrick’s Day Parade in Blue Ridge, GA
- Wine Highway Week – moved – now spans the entire month of August!
April Events in North Georgia
Milky Way, Telescope, and Night Sky
- National Parks Week
- Free entrance to US National Park on the first day of National Parks Week (Saturday, April 17, 2021)
- Gazers of the Galaxy – canceled for 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions – check back later for updates to the Friday night astronomy program at Brasstown Bald
- Bear on the Square – canceled for 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions – check back again in April 2022
- Taste of Blue Ridge – moved – now called “Paws for Celebration” and happens in July
- Smithsonian Museum Day – moved – now scheduled in September
May Events in North Georgia
Annual Dahlonega Arts & Wine Festival in May
- Super Museum Sunday, multiple locations
- Free entrance at participating museums across the state of Georgia on May 2, 2021
- Jeeps in the Vines, Dahlonega, GA
- This annual event is held at Kaya Vineyard & Winery and will happen on Saturday, May 8, 2021
- Tickets available for advance purchase online
- Spring Bierfest, Helen, GA
- Sample over 100 beers on Saturday, May 8th from 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Tickets $30 at door (+$10 for VIP passes)
- EggFest, Hiawassee, GA
- purchase tickets online for this May 15, 2021 event at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds
- Dahlonega Arts & Wine Festival, Dahlonega, GA
- Enjoy local and regional art, wine, and jazz at the 6th annual Dahlonega Arts & Wine Festival
- Held annually on the 3rd weekend in May (May 15, 2021 – May 16, 2021)
- Saturday: 10 am to 6 pm
- Sunday: 10 am to 5 pm
- Located at the historic downtown square and adjacent Hancock Park
- Discovery Days at Project Chimps, Morganton, GA
- Get a rare look inside this chimp sanctuary!
- Guided 60-90 minute walking tours of the sanctuary (moderate hiking with rest stops)
- Held annually in the fall and spring (May 15, 2021 – May 16, 2021)
- Hiawassee Pro Rodeo, Hiawassee, GA
- Tickets available online for advance purchase ($15 Adult / $10 Child / Free for kids 5 and under)
- This event happens from Friday, May 28, 2021, through Saturday, May 29, 2021
- Bavarianfest, Helen, GA
- Live German band performs on Saturday, May 29th from 6:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
- Food and drinks for sale
- Tickets $8 at door or free for active and retired military
- Spring Arts in the Park in Blue Ridge, GA
- 45th Annual fine arts and fine crafts festival held in the beautiful Downtown City Park of Blue Ridge
- Rain or shine on May 29, 2021 – May 30, 2021
- Art from 175+ juried fine arts and fine crafts exhibitors, tasty food, and artist demos
- Well-behaved pets on a leash are welcome.
- Adults $5 and children and under 12 free
- Gazers of the Galaxy – canceled for 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions
June Events in North Georgia
- Free Fishing Days, multiple locations
- The 2021 dates for Georgia include June 5th and June 12th
- Helen to the Atlantic Hot Air Balloon Race & Festival, Helen, GA
- The 47th annual event is scheduled for June 3 – 5, 2021
- This is the only long-distance balloon race in the USA and runs from Helen, GA to the Atlantic Coast (*technically race ends at I-95)
- Events are dependent on favorable weather conditions
- The hot-air balloon race starts at 7:00 a.m. on June 3, 2021
- Local hot-air balloon festival events happen in Helen all weekend at 7:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
- Note there are no rides during the middle of the day
- Mountain Top Rodeo, Dahlonega, GA
- The 2021 rodeo will happen on June 11 – 12, 2021
- 2021 will mark the 32nd anniversary of this event at the R-Ranch in the Mountains
- Blue Ridge Wine & Jazz Festival, Blue Ridge, GA
- Saturday, June 26, 2021, from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- $50.00 tickets can be purchased in advance online
- No pets, coolers, or outside food/drink
- Free National Forests Entrance, multiple locations
- Free entrance to US National Parks to celebrate National Get Outdoors Day
- Lavender Harvest at Local Farms, multiple locations
- Harvest details are dependent on weather (check with farms for specific details)
- Scottish Festival & Highland Games – canceled for 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions – check back again in June 2022
- Gazers of the Galaxy – canceled for 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions
July Events in North Georgia
- Independence Day Fireworks
- Watch fireworks over Lake Chatuge at the July 4th fireworks display at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds
- Free parking & admission
- Note that no pets are allowed inside fairgrounds gates
- Independence Day Wooden Boat Parade, Lake Rabun
- Enjoy the nostalgic charm of wooden boats parade on the shorelines of scenic Lake Rabun
- GOGA & GOGA in the Wild, Cleveland, GA
GOGA Goat and Kangaroo Yoga at the Zoo
- Goat & Kangaroo Yoga, along with a few more exciting animals
- Check back all year for more dates
- Butternut Creek Festival, Blairsville, GA
- Held annually on the third weekend in July
- Located at Meeks Park in Blairsville, Georgia on July 17 (10 AM to 5PM) – July 18 (10AM to 4PM)
- Free admission and free parking with shuttle service from the parking lots to the show site
- Paws for Celebration, Blue Ridge, GA
- Formerly known as “Taste of Blue Ridge” this event is sure to sell out in advance
- Tickets available starting June 1, 2021
- Event scheduled for Saturday, July 17, 2021, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Georgia Mountain Moonshine Cruiz-In, Blairsville, GA
- Tickets can be purchased in advance online for this event at Meeks Park
- Camping is available but no pets are allowed
- Events and attractions include a pioneer village, moonshine still, mountain crafts, and of course, hot classic vehicles!
- Weekend-long event is scheduled for July 29 – 31, 2021
August Events in North Georgia
- Georgia Wine Highway, multiple sites across the state of Georgia
- Purchase a “passport” that entitles you to wine tastings at dozens of award-winning local vineyards across the state of Georgia
- The event is scheduled for the entire month of August 2021 to allow plenty of time to explore Georgia wines!
- Big E Festival & Elvis Tribute Artists Competition, Clayton, GA
Annual Big E Festival in Clayton, GA
- Tickets available online for this Elvis festival and Elvis Tribute Artist competition
- Event held in Clayton, Georgia from August 6 – 8, 2021
- Georgia Mountain Fair, Hiawassee, GA
- Enjoy a week of activities at the 70th annual Georgia Mountain Fair
- 2021 event starts on August 13, 2021, and runs through August 21, 2021
- Events and exhibits include a hot glass academy, carnival rides, live music performances, Grizzly Experience, Pioneer Village, and more!
- Note that no pets are allowed
- Admission:
- 1 Day pass $12
- 3 Day pass $33 (any 3 days)
- 9 Day pass $90
- Kiwanis Blue Ridge Rodeo, Blue Ridge, GA
Blue Ridge Rodeo in August 2021
- Professional rodeo cowboys and cowgirls will be competing in a variety of events at the fairgrounds arena.
- Tickets are available at all local banks and at Kevin Panter Insurance(All proceeds go to benefit the Blue Ridge Kiwanis Club)
- Free entry for children 8 and under!
- Annual event is scheduled for August 20-21, 2021
- Free National Parks Entrance, multiple locations
- Free entrance to US National Parks to celebrate the Great American Outdoors Act (August 4) and National Park Service Birthday (August 25)
September Events in North Georgia
- Blue Ridge Blues & Barbeque Festival, Blue Ridge, GA
- Blue Ridge Blues Crawl: Friday night
- Crawl through different restaurants enjoying live music, food, and drinks to celebrate the start of Blues Weekend in the mountains
- Pick up your Official Blues & BBQ Festival Rack Card from your Blue Ridge lodging provider, Fannin County Chamber of Commerce, or participating Crawl restaurant and carry it with you on Friday night as you Crawl
- Get all 8 stars punched and you can get into the Blues & BBQ Festival free the next day!
- Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival: Saturday
- Downtown Blue Ridge City Park
- Blue Ridge Blues Crawl: Friday night
- Free admission to Smithsonian Museums across the country for Museum Day
- Choice of multiple locations nationwide on Saturday, September 18, 2021
- Advance registration and tickets required
- Free admission to US Forest Service Sites and US National Parks to celebrate National Public Lands Day
- Multiple locations nationwide on Saturday, September 25, 2021
- Free Fishing Days, multiple locations
- The 2021 dates for Georgia include National Hunting and Fishing Day on Saturday, September 25, 2021
- Discovery Days at Project Chimps, Blue Ridge, GA
Discovery Days at Project Chimps sanctuary in Blue Ridge, GA
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- Get a rare look inside the chimp sanctuary in Morganton, GA
- Guided 60-90 minute walking tours of the sanctuary (moderate hiking with rest stops)
- Held annually in the fall and spring (September 25, 2021 – September 26, 2021)
- Oktoberfest, Helen, GA (Thursdays – Sundays)
October Events in North Georgia
- Blairsville Sorghum Festival, Blairsville, GA
- Georgia Apple Festival, Ellijay, GA – the area’s biggest festival
- Oktoberfest, Helen, GA (daily, all month)
- Celebrate German culture and heritage through beer, music, and more in Alpine Helen – a small mountain town built to look like a German village
- ArtOberfest, Helen, GA (late October)
- This lively annual event coincides with Helen’s Oktoberfest celebrations and includes art from local vendors, face painting, music, and more
- Georgia Marble Festival, Jasper, GA (first full weekend of October)
- Arts & crafts, food, music and performances, fine art gallery, parade, quarry tours, and a kids zone
- Marble Festival 5K Run/Walk Road Race on Saturday morning
- The 2021 event will be held from October 2 – October 3
- Guided quarry tours include admittance into the festival
- Located at Lee Newton Park, 500 Stegall Drive, Jasper and includes free parking and shuttles
- Georgia Mountain Fall Festival, Hiawassee, GA
- Annual 9-day event held in Hiawassee at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds
- The 2021 event will be held from October 8 – October 16
- Free parking and concerts are free with paid $12 admission
- No pets allowed
- Boo at the Zoo, Cleveland, GA
- Scavenger Hunt with goodies & prizes given away!
- Hold a Tarantula, Dig for Treasures, check out adorable “Dressed” up animals, Learn about the creepy and crawlies
- Cost is Zoo admission plus any add ons you may like
- Fall Foliage rides on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
November Events in North Georgia
- Veteran’s Day, multiple locations offering
- North Georgia Mountains Beer And Cider Fest
- No details yet about a 2021 event
- Hemlock Fest, the first full weekend in November
December Events in North Georgia
- Mountain Country Christmas in Lights in Hiawassee
- $6 admission (kids 12 and under are free)
- Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings from Nov 25, 2021 – Dec 23, 2021
- Blue Ridge Scenic Railway Christmas Express, Blue Ridge, GA (weekends) Ride the holiday train and see Santa, Mrs. Claus, & the elves. Listen to Christmas stories and sing carols.
- New Year’s Wine Train, Blue Ridge, GA – (New Year’s Eve – Adults 21+ only) celebrate New Year’s Eve! Listen to live entertainment, receive party favors, adult beverages, and appetizers on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway train.
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In addition to these exciting annual events, you can find lots of other special events all year round. Visit one of North Georgia’s live music venues to find amazing talent at venues like Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds and The Crimson Moon.
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Tips for Enjoying Festivals and Events
Always double-check the event details before your trip. Know when events have special parking options, extended / shortened hours, and restrictions for age groups. Call or visit the event website directly for the most current information.
Go hands-free. Men and women can carry cross-body bags or use backpacks to carry their belongings and keep their hands free.
Protect your hearing at loud events. Earplugs come in many styles so adults can choose the type that they find to be the most comfortable. Give kids a little extra protection with noise protection headphones.
Let kids be silly. These events are some of the best places to let the kids wear glow sticks, animal headbands, temporary tattoos, and have their faces painted.
Have fun! Enjoy the clean air and stunning mountain views while you spend time celebrating the best of North Georgia’s local culture. Wear a silly themed hat to a food festival or dress your dog in lederhosen for Oktoberfest. Let yourself get caught up in the festive spirit of the event!
Have a great time at whatever North Georgia mountain event(s) you choose!
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What events are you planning to see? Know of any other great events to share? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Thank you so much for this excellently written article. We love nature, and it seems Georgias mountains have everything for a natural heart. The Georgias Mountains is a cool area for kids too. Friday night gazers of the Galaxy at the Brasstown Bald sounds great to me. I have already marked the Goga & Goga section in my calendar. I am loving it. I never heard of this, and I have to check this out. Thank you so much. Monique
Hi Monique, It’s nice that there are so many quirky and fun events to enjoy throughout the year. My favorites are usually in the warmer months and include the fantastic Georgia Wine Highway annual event!
My favorite kind of vacation is to visit the mountain areas and hike all day long. I really loved reading this article because of the important information it contains about the mountains in Georgia and the wide variety events that take place.
After reading this article my next vacation is definitely going to be in North Georgia with my friends because of how awesome the events sound (Oktoberfest would be amazing with a group of friends in a big rental house!).
Great work!
I agree that it’s great to share a vacation experience with friends and family when possible. Being able to rent an entire cabin or house in the mountains can be the perfect way to get to spend extra time together!
Hi, this looks like an amazing experience. I love nature myself, and I also enjoy hiking, star gazing, campfires and all of that.
Looks like there is many great festivities in order that I would enjoy. Who ever is running these things has pretty good taste. This would be a great vacation for me at about any time of year.
I love studying the universe, so the Friday night Spring events at Brasstown Bald looks like they package have it all, thanks.
Hi Jake, the Brasstown Bald peak is probably at least a hundred miles from any major city, so it’s a pretty good spot to stargaze on the East Coast!
Wow, you have so many nice posts about Georgia.
Thank you for putting together this awesome piece on the annual events in the Georgia mountain. It is really interesting to see the many events for each month of the year in Georgia.
I love Friday Nights at Brasstown Bald. Looks quite interesting to me.
Friday Nights at Brasstown Bald is definitely a great way to enjoy during the Spring in the Georgia mountains!
Hello!
You show events every month of the year in the mountains of Georgia and from what I see are all spectacular places. I would also like to find where you can fish. I love it and I often go to different places here in Argentina. Again Thank you for telling me if there is one where I can go fishing.
We are a group of friends that we could travel. Thank you so much!
Hi Claudio, There are lots of great places to fish in the Georgia mountains including lakes, rivers, streams, and stocked ponds.
Great to make an article to summarise all the activities going in in the area! It’s especially helpful to plan a trip this way! I also absolutely love your website, it’s so great to see that you’ve created it with all kinds of colours that you’d encounter in nature, so it’s very fitting with the area you are promoting on your website. Bookmarked your page and hope to be booking a stay at the Georgia Mountains.
Thanks so much for the bookmark! I hope you have a fantastic visit and let me know if you have any questions about the area while you plan your trip!!
I can see that there are alot of events schedule for the month of August and September. These months happened to be during holiday. It will be so amazing to go to mount Georgia with my kids to experience these events as their package for holidays. I have never been there before. I can’t wait to see how there BBQ festivals and other championship festival look like. I just hope we won’t be stranded over there. I will be on the lookout for how the hotels in the area look like.
Hi Stella, The Georgia mountains can be busy during the fall, as the changing colors of the leaves attract many people from all over. I do suggest that you find accomodations for October weekends well in advance.
If you cannot find a place in the mountains, there are always plenty of rooms available in the larger cities of Chattanooga TN, Greenville SC, and Atlanta GA…. all of which are a fairly quick drive from the mountain towns!