Harvest Festivals in Scenic North Georgia
Celebrate North Georgia’s agricultural history, local craftsmanship, rich customs, and the seasonal harvest at annual fall festivals North GA. Festive options like the Georgia Apple Festival and Blairsville Sorghum Festival are located across North Georgia to allow you multiple places and ways to celebrate the harvest!
Fall harvest festivals in North Georgia
Quick Article Navigation:
Autumn Harvest Festivals in North Georgia
In addition to the iconic apple picking in Georgia, there are also local events and festivals that celebrate the agricultural history of these mountains. Make plans to attend one of these family-friendly events and enjoy the local flavors and fun!
Autumn Harvest Festivals in Ellijay GA
Ellijay is known for its apple orchards and u-pick farms, so it’s no surprise that the biggest Ellijay GA events each year are the Georgia Apple Festival and Apple Arts on the Square.
shiny red apples
These two festivals happen on the same weekends in October each year and attract thousands of visitors to the area for the occasions!
Georgia Apple Festival
Georgia Apple Festival 2023
When people talk about the Ellijay GA Applefest, they are talking about the annual Georgia Apple Festival. The Ellijay apple festival features handmade arts and crafts, live entertainment, a classic auto show, delicious treats from hundreds of vendors, and kicks off with a parade through town! Make plans to attend this apple festival in Ellijay, GA, to get more first-hand knowledge about the qualities and varieties of apples in Ellijay.
The Georgia Apple Festival happens every year during October’s second and third full weekends. This event is the area’s biggest festival and draws many people to celebrate, so expect higher-than-average traffic these weekends.
Georgia Apple Festival 2023 Schedule
The 2023 Georgia Apple Festival kicks off with a parade on River Street with the theme, “Fall Harvest!”
- Saturday, October 14th – 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Apple Festival 5k Road Race at 8:00 am (5K) / 8:45 am (1 mile)
- Parade with the theme “Fall Harvest” at 10:00 am
- Sunday, October 15th – 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Saturday, October 21st – 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Sunday, October 22nd – 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Georgia Apple Festival Reviews and Contact Info
Make plans to attend the 2023 Georgia Apple Festival on October 14 -15 and October 21 – 22. The cost is $10 per person (FREE for ages 12 and under), and parking is $5 per car.
- Phone: +1 (706) 636-4500
- Location: Ellijay Lions Club Fairgrounds, 1729 South Main Street, Ellijay, GA
- Email: info@gilmerchamber.com
- Website: georgiaapplefestival.org
- Facebook: Georgia Apple Festival is rated 4.4 with 400+ reviews and 38,000+ likes
No pets are allowed at the Georgia Apple Festival, but the Apple Arts on the Square Festival in downtown Ellijay is pet-friendly (read more below).
Apple Arts on the Square
Apple Arts on the Square in Ellijay
Apple Arts on the Square is a North Georgia apple festival on the same weekends as the bigger Georgia Apple Festival. Plan to enjoy both festivals on the 2nd and 3rd weekends in October each year. The Apple Arts event takes place on Ellijay Square, about 2 miles from the Georgia Apple Festival at Ellijay Lions Club Fairgrounds.
Enjoy the local shops and restaurants at this free, pet-friendly event. Vendors set up on Broad Street next to the Gilmer County Courthouse. Make plans for the 2023 Apple Arts on the Square from October 14 -15 and October 21 – 22.
- 2023 dates: October 14 -15 and October 21 – 22
- Location: downtown Ellijay square
- Website: gilmerchamber.com/event/apple-arts/2023-10-14/
Lodging Near Ellijay Apple Festivals
Choose your lodging near the Ellijay apple festivals for extra convenience as you explore the area! Enter your travel dates into the interactive map to see current pricing and availability on lodging near the Georgia Apple Festival.
Autumn Harvest Festivals in Blairsville GA
Blairsville Sorghum Festival
Ripe sorghum in a field
This local festival is in its 54th year of grinding and cooking sorghum syrup to celebrate the town’s sorghum history. Watch demonstrators cook sorghum over a wood fire on a copper pan and enjoy arts, crafts, exhibits, food, music, and fun activities for all ages!
The event hosts unique contests that include pole climbing, log sawing, horseshoe pitching, and rock-throwing. Make sure to attend the kickoff parade that goes through town on the first Saturday of the event (rain or shine).
The cost is $5 per person (free for ages 12 and under). Free parking.
Blairsville Sorghum Festival 2023 Schedule
The Blairsville Sorghum Festival happens each year on the 2nd and 3rd weekends in October at the top-rated Meeks Park.
Make plans for the 2023 North Georgia Sorghum Festival on October 14 – 15 and October 21 – 22. Be sure to catch the unique Biscuit Eating Contests at 9:30 am each day!
Enjoy live entertainment throughout the day! The previous lineup is posted below – check back for the 2023 lineup which is expected to be announced soon.
- Saturday, October th: Brasstown Cloggers, Paradise 56, Blairsville School of Dance, Jay Grimsley, Jenu Six
- Sunday, October th: By His Grace, Jack Stowers, Midnight Express, Jacey & Josie
- Saturday, October th: Pressley Sisters, New Collins Boys, Action Dogs, Southern Vantage, Colton James
- Sunday, October th: By His Grace, Cindy Whitmore, Action Dogs, Neely Webster, Mountain Breeze Band
Blairsville Sorghum Festival Reviews and Contact Info
Plan to attend the 2023 Blairsville Sorghum Festival on October 14 – 15 and October 21 – 22. Open from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm each day.
- Phone: +1 (706) 897-4784
- Address: Meeks Park, 90 Meeks Park Rd, Blairsville, GA
- Email: blairsvillesorghumfestival@gmail.com
- Website: blairsvillesorghumfestival.com
- Facebook: Blairsville Sorghum Festival has 2,500+ likes
- TripAdvisor: Meeks Park is rated 5.0 with 150+ reviews
- Meeks Park is ranked #1 for Things to Do in Blairsville!
Autumn Harvest Festivals in Toccoa GA
Toccoa Harvest Festival
Enjoy the 46th annual Toccoa Harvest Festival on the last weekend of October. Purchase local foods and crafts from over 150 vendors and watch entertainment on two stages.
The festival features hundreds of artisans, performing dancers, jazz music, rock and roll, country music, and an antique and classic car show. Several activities will be available for children including rides, face painting, rock climbing, a moonwalk, a petting zoo, and more. A shuttle takes visitors to nearby Toccoa Falls.
Toccoa Harvest Festival 2023 Schedule
- Saturday, October 28th: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Sunday, October 29th: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Toccoa Harvest Festival Contact Info
- Address: downtown Toccoa
- Website: mainstreettoccoa.com
***
To learn more about other great events in North Georgia, visit additional articles about fun and unique North Georgia events.
These festivals are not just about celebrating the harvest; they’re also about preserving traditions and promoting local businesses. They provide an opportunity for farmers to showcase their hard work and for artisans to display their creativity. What do you think about these aspects of harvest festivals? Do you believe they play a significant role in supporting local communities?
In my opinion, these festivals are a testament to North Georgia’s rich agricultural heritage and community spirit. They offer a unique blend of fun, food, and culture that makes them worth visiting. But what do you think? Are harvest festivals an essential part of North Georgia’s identity? Do they contribute to its charm and appeal as a tourist destination?
Gene
Hello, Gene! The North GA harvest festivals are well-loved events by both the locals and tourists. It’s also nice to have these unique events to bring people together during such a pleasant time of year! Enjoy!!
This is a great site. I happen to love Georgia, my wife and I just went on our first trip to savannah GA this year. However I had no idea about these festivals and it sounds like it would be a really exciting trip. Thanks for sharing this information and I will continue to look into the lodging to book a trip.
Hi Marty, Savannah is a beautiful coastal city — I love that the state of Georgia has so many different places including cities, coasts, plains, and mountains!
I love harvest festivals. I am in the military and was in Georgia for a while and actually went to some harvest festivals. They are so fun, great for kids, and very interesting with all of the local foods and products that you can get. Are any of these festivals being restricted or (mask mandates) or canceled due to Covid?
Hi Al, Thanks for sharing! Most festivals are located outside and it’s unlikely that they will require masks. However, I’d encourage you to check with the festival organizers as the festivals approach as things can always change. Enjoy!
Wow, I’d like to go to the Ga apple festival. Thank you for inviting me to Ellijay, Georgia for the occasion. I believe that learning more about the quality and variety of apples available in Ellijay is an excellent opportunity.
Another thing I like is that $5 is not a lot of money, so I’ll probably come with my friends and have a wonderful time from October 8 to 10.
I’m hoping for some memorable moments at the forthcoming Georgia Apple Festival.
I see that the event has received a lot of positive feedback, and I can’t afford to miss it in 2021.
Also, I’m hoping that Lodges are still available.
Hi Lio, That should be a wonderful weekend to visit and see the festival(s)! It’s the busiest time of the year in Ellijay though, so for the best lodging options, you should go ahead and make your Ellijay lodging reservations soon!
Wow! what a great article!! Fall is my favorite season and I have gone to lots of fall festivals near where I live in Ontario, but you have done an excellent job sharing all that North Georgia has to offer in the fall season. I must say there is a lot more to be intrigues about and anxious to visit compared to the festivals here. Thank you for sharing this article.
Hi Page, Autumn is already the perfect time to visit the mountains, but the North Ga fall festivals make it even more exciting! Enjoy!
Alyce, what a cool site with cool articles. Who doesn’t love a fall festival, with the aroma of apples ad pumpin spice wafting through the air. I particularly like the section on Georgia wines. I had no idea that there was such a robust wine industry in Georgia. I’m definitely going to have to check this out on my next trip down there.Thanks for adding a little happiness to the internet. Well done!
Aww, thanks so much Warren! It’s wonderful that North Georgia’s agriculture industry also provides all these great destinations to enjoy!!
I like the Fall harvest Festivals, and this one in Georgia looks like a good reason to visit and enjoy the time there. It is fabulous to have these opportunities spending a good time during the October weekends. I’m sure that will be good music, concerts, and everyone can enjoy some delicious food. And the price for participation is good. I’m going to share this article with a friend of mine who lives in Georgia. I wish to be there, too.
Best
Alketa
Hi Alketa, Thanks so much for sharing – I hope that your friend is able to enjoy these local North Georgia fall festivals!
I have never been to an Ellijay apple festival before. But this year, we’re all planning to go as a family. Thank you for giving us details about pricing and the amount of traffic we should expect to this event. I am planning where we’re going to stay. We will be there October 8th and 9th.
HI Abel, I know you and your family will have a wonderful time at the Georgia Apple Festival in Ellijay. There are lots of great vacation rentals in the Ellijay area that will give you a great place to start your adventures each day.