Annual Events in North GA You Wont Want to Miss (2026)
North Georgia knows how to throw a celebration. From lively mountain festivals and small-town traditions to food-forward weekends and music-filled gatherings, this scenic corner of the state offers far more than breathtaking views. Tucked into the rolling foothills and the peaks of the Northeast Georgia mountains, you’ll find charming towns, deep-rooted history, and a calendar packed with events worth planning a trip around.
If you’re dreaming of hiking or biking through the Blue Ridge and Appalachian Mountains, sampling slow-smoked barbecue, or soaking up local culture just outside the Atlanta metro area, timing your visit around North Georgia’s annual events makes all the difference. Knowing festival dates ahead of time helps you build the perfect itinerary—and ensures you don’t miss the experiences everyone talks about long after the weekend ends.
Below, we’ve rounded up some of the top annual events and can’t-miss festivals happening across North Georgia in 2026. Mark your calendar, plan your getaway, and start exploring our luxurious North Georgia cabin rentals for a stay that’s just as memorable as the events themselves.
1. The Georgia Mountain Fall Festival in Hiawassee
Photo Credit: Bob Pool
- October 9-11 & 15-17, 2026
- Hiawassee, GA
- georgiamountainfairgrounds.com/localevents/fallfest
This is one of the most popular and longest-running fall festivals, so be sure to swing by Hiawassee to see why this festival draws a crowd. Spanning two weekends, you'll have plenty of time to catch the entertainment. Some of the biggest events include the annual flower show, arts and crafts celebrations, and even the Georgia State Fiddlers Convention! This is perfect for people who love live music.
In addition, one of the biggest parts of the festival is learning about skills that have been lost. If you want to learn more about this, swing by the “Old Ways Demonstrations” segment of the festival! There, you can learn more about skills of the past, such as cider milling, quilting, and blacksmithing. You may even want to sign up for a few lessons to learn the basics of these skills.
2. The Georgia Marble Festival in Jasper
- October 3-4, 2026
- Jasper, GA
- visitpickensga.com/event/44th-annual-georgia-marble-festival
Another fall festival is the Georgia Marble Festival in Jasper. Did you know that the North Georgia area is home to a massive marble industry due to the large concentration of quarries? This explains why there is a celebration entirely dedicated to the marble industry.
You can sign up for a guided tour of one of the quarries in the area, you can learn more about the history of marble sculpting, and you have the opportunity to participate in a few road races.
You can even sign up for lessons that will teach you how to sculpt your own marbles. Of course, you should stroll down the streets in Jasper and take a look at some of the most beautiful marbles you have ever seen. Even if you aren't a fan of marbles, you will want to keep them as a souvenir.
3. The Blairsville Sorghum Festival
Photo Credit: Alex Cimbal
- Typically the 2nd + 3rd Weekends in October
- Blairsville, GA
- blairsvillesorghumfestival.com
Appalachia has thrived thanks to its legendary sugar source: sorghum. If you want to truly experience what it means to the area, then you need to check out the annual Sorghum Festival in Blairsville.
During the event, you will learn more about how sorghum is used to make syrup, and you can even try your hand at it yourself. Then, if you want to soak up the results of your hard work, you should participate in a biscuit-eating contest.
There are plenty of other events at this annual fall festival in Appalachia. Some of the other attractions you may want to check out include live music, rock-throwing, pole climbing, and even horseshoe throwing. This annual event truly has everything that people expect at a rural festival.
Finally, you can finish it off with a square dance that takes place at the local middle school. With so much happening, it is easy to see why this festival is one of the most anticipated events of the year in the local area.
4. The Georgia Apple Festival in Ellijay
Photo Credit: Mirko Kuzmanovic
- Oct. 10th-11th and 17th-18th, 2026
- Ellijay, GA
- georgiaapplefestival.org
If you’ve ever heard someone say fall feels different in North Georgia, they’re probably talking about the Georgia Apple Festival in Ellijay - another annual October event. Locals know this isn’t just a tourist festival—it’s a full-on hometown celebration of harvest season. The scent of fresh apple fritters and fried pies hangs in the air, tractors rumble past with parade floats, and family-run orchards proudly show off what they’ve grown all year.
You’ll see generations of Ellijay families volunteering at booths, local artisans selling hand-thrown pottery and mountain crafts, and live bluegrass music echoing through downtown. Insider tip: arrive early, bring cash for the best baked goods, and save time to drive out to a nearby orchard after the festival. It's great, but apple picking in the surrounding hills is where the real magic happens.
Check out some of the Ellijay apple orchards when you visit!
5. Georgia Wine Highway Weekend
Photo Credit: Vershinin89
- Late-March to April
- Dahlonega, Cleveland, Helen, Hiawassee, and Sautee Nacoochee, GA
- opengeorgiawine.com
If you ask North Georgia locals which weekend feels the most relaxed—but still quietly buzzing—they’ll point you to Georgia Wine Highway Weekend. This is when the region’s rolling vineyards come alive, especially around Dahlonega, Cleveland, and Helen.
Instead of rushing through tastings, you linger—chatting with winemakers, learning which vintages thrive in the foothills, and discovering just how good Georgia-grown wine has become. Locals treat this weekend like a scenic road trip: tasting at a few wineries, grabbing lunch in town, then ending the day with sunset views over the vines. Insider move: book transportation or designate a driver, pace yourself, and don’t skip the smaller wineries—those often deliver the most memorable pours and conversations.
It typically takes place in Spring, and for a small fee, you can receive a collectors' glass and a ticket for admission to several local vineyards and wineries in the area. You do not have to travel all the way across the country to try some delicious wine!
If this sounds right up your alley, you're in luck; you can also pop into the Hiawassee Highlands Wine Festival in late April for more tastings.
6. Helen Oktoberfest
Photo Credit: r.classen
- September through the beginning of November
- Helen, Georgia
- helenchamber.com/oktoberfest
Helen Oktoberfest is a lively festival in the Alpine village of Helen, Georgia, from September through the end of October. Celebrating traditional German culture, the event features authentic Bavarian music, delicious German food like bratwurst and pretzels, and plenty of locally brewed beers.
Visitors can enjoy festive dancing, including polka, and participate in fun activities such as stein hoisting contests. The vibrant atmosphere, complete with traditional German attire and decorations, continues into the night with live music and dancing, creating a lively evening scene. This makes Helen Oktoberfest a must-visit event for those seeking a true taste of Bavaria in North Georgia.
7. Blue Ridge Trout Festival
Photo Credit: Maclane Parker
- April 25th, 2026
- Blue Ridge, GA
- blueridgetroutfest.com
The Blue Ridge Trout Festival is a vibrant celebration of the region's rich fishing heritage held annually in Blue Ridge, Georgia. This family-friendly event features a variety of activities, including fishing contests, live music, arts and crafts vendors, and delicious local food.
Attendees can enjoy educational exhibits about trout and conservation efforts, making it both fun and informative. The festival offers a lively atmosphere perfect for visitors of all ages to explore and enjoy the great outdoors in North Georgia.
8. Dahlonega Gold Rush Days
- October 17th + 18th, 2026
- Dahlonega, GA
- goldrushdaysfestival.com
Dahlonega Gold Rush Days is an annual festival held in October that celebrates the rich history of the Georgia Gold Rush. The event features a lively parade, gold panning demonstrations, and a variety of arts and crafts vendors showcasing local talent. Visitors can also enjoy live music, delicious food, and family-friendly activities throughout the two-day celebration.
9. Georgia Mountain Fire & Smoke Cooking Festival
Photo Credit: siamionau pavel
- Mid May
- Hiawassee, GA
- georgiamountainfairgrounds.com/localevents/id/446
The Georgia Mountain Fire & Smoke Cooking Festival is a popular culinary event held in the North Georgia Mountains, showcasing the best in barbecue and smoked foods. Attendees can enjoy delicious food from top pitmasters, live cooking demonstrations, and a variety of local vendors offering unique flavors and products.
The festival also features live music and family-friendly activities, making it a fun and flavorful experience for all ages. If you're interested in unique food festivals like this, we have many! Another example would be the North Georgia Highlands Seafood Festival.
Stay in North Georgia With Us!
If you plan on visiting the North Georgia Mountains, be sure to mark down these amazing festivals and upcoming events for family fun! Whether you've planned a visit to Helen for hiking, Marietta for the winter season lights, or Atlanta for the nightlife, Georgia is filled with possibilities.
To make the most of Georgia Wine Highway Weekend, where you stay matters just as much as where you sip. Blue Sky Cabin Rentals offers luxury mountain accommodations designed for indulgent getaways—think expansive lodges with breathtaking views, private indoor pools, home theaters, wine bars, spa-style bathrooms, and outdoor living spaces made for slow mornings and sunset toasts.
These high-end cabins are ideal for couples’ escapes, group trips, or milestone weekends when you want the stay to feel just as elevated as the experience. Book now to stay close to your favorite North Georgia event.