12 Don't-Miss Georgia Fall Festivals
From barbecue to hot air balloons, local performers to living history, these festivals have everything you need to celebrate fall.
When the temperatures start to cool down, the festival calendar starts to heat up in Georgia, and communities all over the state celebrate the season in their own unique ways. Travel around Georgia in the fall, and you'll notice not only the beautiful colors, but events that bring everyone together with food, games, art, music and activities for the whole family.
Taste the flavors of fall at festivals for apples, peanuts and barbecue, and experience different cultures at festivals that celebrate heritage and history. Fall is the perfect time to get out to enjoy the weather along with music and art.
Use the list below to start filling in your festival calendar for fall!
Labor Day Weekend at Callaway Resort & Gardens
Labor Day Weekend at Callaway Resort & Gardens
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.
Sheriff's Jeepfest in Marble Hill, Georgia
Sheriff's JeepFest, Labor Day weekend
Thousands of Jeeps gather near Jasper each year for JeepFest, three days of exhibition and adventure benefiting Georgia Sheriffs' Youth Homes and the Sheriff’s Foundation of Pickens County. Bring your Jeep to drive over obstacles, through trails and mud, and enjoy concerts, food and more. Advanced registration is recommended.
Yellow Daisy Festival at Stone Mountain Park
Yellow Daisy Festival, September
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.
Music Midtown in Piedmont Park, Atlanta
Music Midtown, September
As one of the state's largest music fests, Music Midtown draws fans to Atlanta every September. The long list of acts in the weekend lineup covers many musical genres and features some of the industry’s biggest names. The fest, held outdoors in Piedmont Park in September, has seen acts by the likes of Ludacris, Jane's Addiction, Pearl Jam, Artic Monkeys, Red Hot Chili Peppers and T.I.
ArtsCity Festival in Augusta, Georgia
ArtsCity Festival, September
The annual Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival is being modified this year because of the pandemic and will be the ArtsCity Festival instead. Browse work at more than 100 juried artist booths, and enjoy live music and entertainment on two stages. Dine on cuisine from around the world at international food booths, as well as take-out from downtown restaurants. The two-and-a-half-day celebration won't be as large as it has been previously, but it will have all the elements that have made it a beloved festival for years.
Oktoberfest in Helen is a fall tradition in Georgia. Photo by @floridadonny
Oktoberfest in Helen, Weekends in September & Daily Sept. 30-Nov. 7
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 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.
Oktoberfest at Georgia Beer Co. in Valdosta, Georgia
Oktoberfest at Georgia Beer Co.
Meanwhile, in south Georgia, you won't want to miss the annual Oktoberfest celebration Sept. 30-Oct. 3, 2021, at Georgia Beer Co. in Valdosta. Enjoy special edition German-style beers, a live polka band, and authentic German food. Try traditional favorites like schnitzel and bratwurst, and even family-sized pretzels with beer cheese and stone-ground mustard. Visit Georgia's southernmost brewery during this four-day event, and be sure to take home a commemorative beer stein!
Shady Days in Gay Arts & Crafts Festival in Gay, Georgia
Shady Days in Gay Arts & Crafts Festival, October
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.
Georgia Mountain Fall Festival in Hiawassee, Georgia
Georgia Mountain Fall Festival, October
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 Pam Tillis, Neal McCoy, Lee Greenwood, Ronnie Milsap and Mark Wills.
St. Marys Seafood Festival
St. Marys Seafood Festival, October
The St. Marys Seafood Festival on Oct. 9, 2021, 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.
A favorite part of the day will be the food! The restaurants will be offering seafood festival specials, and food trucks and vendors will be serving sensational seafood fare. The festival is on the waterfront in St. Marys historic district and offers visitors a relaxing small-town feel.
Historic square in downtown Dahlonega, Georgia
Gold Rush Days, October
Dahlonega’s Town Square is taken over each October by Gold Rush Days festival-goers ready to enjoy a parade, children's activities, a fashion show, gold panning contest, wheelbarrow race, King and Queen coronation, hog calling, buck dancing contest, live musical entertainment, wrist wrestling, and delicious food. Free to attend.
Georgia Apple Festival in Ellijay, Georgia
Georgia Apple Festival, October
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.
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