12 Don't-Miss Georgia Fall Festivals

Labor Day Weekend at Callaway Resort & Gardens features a number of hot air balloons that light up for a spectacular balloon glow at night followed by fireworks over Robin Lake Beach. Enjoy a weekend full of swimming at the beach, seeing butterflies and birds of prey take flight, and all the resort amenities along with three nights of balloon glows.

Visit Callaway Resort & Gardens

The Yellow Daisy Festival at Stone Mountain Park hosts hundreds of artisans from all over the country in early September. Named for the yellow flowers that bloom in September on the mountain's hiking trails, the festival welcomes families and friends to spend time browsing the artists' booths, enjoying great festival food and spending the day at one of Georgia's most popular attractions. Shop for handmade pottery, paintings, jewelry and more. You'll also enjoy mouth-watering festival foods and live entertainment.

Attend the Yellow Daisy Festival

As one of the state's largest food fests, Atlanta Food & Wine Festival draws fans to Atlanta every September. The four-day event showcases more than 250 chefs, sommeliers, mixologists and industry insiders from 13 Southern states – each with a unique story to tell and a tradition to share. The fest, held in various locations throughout the city, including Historic Fourth Ward Park near Ponce City Market, is an adults-only event.

Attend Atlanta Food & Wine Festival

The annual Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival showcases fine arts and crafts, music and international cuisine. Browse work at more than 100 juried artist booths, and enjoy live music and entertainment on five stages. Dine on cuisine from around the world at international food booths, as well as take-out from downtown restaurants. The three-day celebration also features family-friendly performances on the Family Stage and interactive arts and crafts activities for children, ensuring guests of all ages enjoy the festivities.

Attend Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival

Get out your lederhosen and dirndls and get ready to dance to the polka in Helen this fall. Alpine Helen's Oktoberfest celebrations have been going on for more than 50 years, involving multiple weeks of traditional dancing, food, and of course, beer from September to November.

Learn more in this Guide to Helen Oktoberfest.

Experience Oktoberfest in Helen

The St. Marys Seafood Festival on Oct. 1, 2022, brings a full day of family fun in St. Marys, including a 5K and 10K run, a parade, and seafood concessionaires. You’ll also find entertainment, demonstrations, arts and crafts vendors, and more. This year, the festival also kicks off a yearlong series of events commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Cumberland Island National Seashore. 

A favorite part of the day will be the food! The restaurants will offer seafood festival specials, and food trucks and vendors will serve sensational seafood fare. The festival is on the waterfront in St. Marys historic district and offers visitors a relaxing small-town feel.

Attend St. Marys Seafood Festival

All the hallmarks of a great country fair and festival come together during the annual Shady Days in Gay Arts & Crafts Festival in Georgia’s Meriwether County. Exhibitors continue the spirit of craftsmanship, skill, talent and vision that many area farmers, homemakers, craftsmen and students began in town. Enjoy food and entertainment throughout the fairgrounds. Admission is free.

Attend Shady Days in Gay

Get in touch with Rock City’s German heritage during the 15th annual Rocktoberfest on Saturdays and Sundays in October. Rock City Square will be transformed for a celebration of harvests and fall foliage. Enjoy German music with live performances by the Wurstbrats and Musik Miesters, as well as Rock City Raptors birds of prey shows. Honor the park's founder Frieda Utermoehlen Carter’s heritage, with German food and fun for the whole family.

Attend Rocktoberfest

If you're looking for a food festival that's geared toward family fun, then the Georgia Apple Festival in Ellijay in October is the perfect fit. Families from all over the country flock to this North Georgia town for two exciting fall weekends. Vendors offering food, art and crafts, and all things apples are ready to serve you. Stick around for the craft and apple cooking demonstrations, parade and the annual classic car show.

Attend the Georgia Apple Festival

The nine-day Georgia Mountain Fall Festival in Hiawassee features exciting musical performances, arts and crafts vendors, educational demonstrations, a flower show and more! Don't miss the daring performances by the Nerveless Nocks Daredevil Circus, a cooking contest, and music performances by Oak Ridge Boys, Malpass Brothers, Aaron Tippin and Mark Wills.

Visit Georgia Mountain Fall Festival

Bring friends, family and even your pet to Blue Ridge for the Fall Arts in the Park, which showcases more than 150 juried fine arts and crafts exhibitors. Enjoy tasty food, watch artist demonstrations and let kids experience the children's activity booth. Admission is just $5 for adults, and children under 12 are free. 

While you're in Blue Ridge, don't miss the chance to ride the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway and gather fresh apples from area orchards. Find more things to do in the Guide to Blue Ridge.

Attend Fall Arts in the Park

The savory Southern delicacy is especially delicious when prepared with locally caught Georgia shrimp. At this award-winning festival on Jekyll Island in November celebrating the beloved dish, you can sample myriad variations from renowned chefs. Live music and numerous art vendors make this an especially entertaining affair in one of Georgia’s most naturally beautiful locations.

Attend Jekyll Island Shrimp & Grits Festival

Check the Explore Georgia event calendar for many more things to do this fall, and sign up for the Explore Georgia email newsletter to receive updates about these and more events directly in your inbox.