Post Summary: The best fall festivals in Georgia to add to your calendar, including North Georgia mountain festivals, Atlanta events, apple festivals, arts and crafts shows, fairs, and more.
Fall in Georgia is easily one of the best times of year to explore the state. The temperatures finally start cooling down, the North Georgia mountains begin changing colors, and almost every weekend brings another festival, fair, or excuse to get outside.
We’ve got apple festivals in the mountains, huge state fairs, arts festivals, Oktoberfest celebrations, small-town events, and plenty happening right here around Atlanta too.
And personally, if I’m already driving an hour or two into North Georgia, I’m not going all that way just for the festival. I want to find a waterfall, stop at a cute downtown, go apple picking, squeeze in a short hike, or find somewhere good to eat while I’m there.
So I’ve come up with 15 fall festivals in Georgia worth adding to your 2026 calendar, plus what each one is best for and a few ideas for turning the festival into an actual fall day trip.
Best Fall Festivals in Georgia for 2026 at a Glance
| Festival | Location | 2026 Dates | Approx. Drive from Atlanta | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow Daisy Festival | Stone Mountain | Sept. 10–13 | 30 min | Arts + easy day trip |
| Sandy Springs Fall Arts & Crafts Festival | Sandy Springs | Sept. 12–13 | 20–30 min | Art + staying close to Atlanta |
| Helen Oktoberfest | Helen | Sept. 10–Nov. 1* | 1 hr 45 min | Food + mountain getaway |
| North Georgia State Fair | Marietta | Sept. 24–Oct. 4 | 30 min | Rides + fair food |
| Duluth Fall Festival | Duluth | Sept. 26–27 | 30–40 min | Classic community festival |
| Candler Park Fall Fest | Atlanta | Oct. 3–4 | In Atlanta | Music + food |
| Georgia Marble Festival | Jasper | Oct. 3–4 | 1 hr | Something different |
| Georgia National Fair | Perry | Oct. 8–18 | 1 hr 45 min | Full fair experience |
| Georgia Mountain Fall Festival | Hiawassee | Oct. 9–11 & 15–17 | 2 hrs | Mountains + live music |
| Fall Arts in the Park | Blue Ridge | Oct. 10–11 | 1 hr 30 min | Art + mountain weekend |
| Georgia Apple Festival | Ellijay | Oct. 10–11 & 17–18 | 1 hr 30 min | Classic Georgia fall |
| Sorghum in the Mountains | Blairsville | Oct. 10–11 & 17–18 | 2 hrs | Appalachian culture |
| Prater’s Mill Country Fair | Dalton | Oct. 10–11 | 1 hr 30 min | History + handmade goods |
| Gold Rush Days | Dahlonega | Oct. 17–18 | 1 hr 15 min | Mountain town weekend |
| Chastain Park Fall Arts Festival | Atlanta | Nov. 7–8 | In Atlanta | Art + late fall outing |
Helen Oktoberfest runs on select weekends during September and then nightly from October 1 through November 1.
Drive times are estimates from Atlanta and, as we all know, Atlanta traffic can turn those estimates into something completely different.
One of the reasons I like fall festivals in Georgia so much is that a lot of them are already in places I’d want to visit anyway.
You’re not just driving to Ellijay for a festival, but you’re in apple country. You’re not just heading to Hiawassee for a few vendors, but you’ve got Lake Chatuge and mountain views right there. And if you’re going all the way to Blue Ridge, you might as well spend some time downtown or get outside while you’re there.
That’s how I’d plan these.
1. Yellow Daisy Festival — Stone Mountain
2026 Dates: September 10–13
Where: Stone Mountain Park
Best for: Art, handmade goods, and an easy outing near Atlanta
Admission: Festival admission is free; parking at Stone Mountain Park is required.
If you’re ready to start doing fall things but the North Georgia road trips can wait a little longer, Yellow Daisy is an easy one.
More than 400 artists and crafters fill Stone Mountain Park for the four-day festival, and there’s also live music, food, demonstrations, children’s activities, and plenty to walk around and see.
I like this one because you can easily make it more than just shopping.
While you’re there: Hike the Stone Mountain Walk-Up Trail, walk around the lake, or spend a little more time exploring the park.
My tip: If you want to hike too, I’d do that first before the day heats up and then walk around the festival afterward.
2. Sandy Springs Fall Arts & Crafts Festival — Sandy Springs
2026 Dates: September 12–13
Where: Sandy Springs
Best for: A laid-back festival without going far
Admission: Free
This is for the weekends when you want to do something, but a two-hour drive into the mountains is absolutely not happening.
The Sandy Springs Fall Arts & Crafts Festival brings together artists and craftspeople for two days of art, handmade goods, entertainment, and family-friendly activities.
It’s simple, close to Atlanta, and easy to turn into a few hours out of the house instead of an entire production.
While you’re there: Head to the Chattahoochee or walk around Island Ford before or after the festival.
3. Helen Oktoberfest — Helen
2026 Dates: September 10–13, September 17–20, September 24–27 and nightly October 1–November 1
Where: Helen Festhalle
Best for: Food, music, and a full North Georgia weekend
Helen is one of the most popular places to visit in Georgia during the fall, and Oktoberfest is a big reason why.
Oktoberfest takes over for most of September and October with German food, live music, dancing, and plenty happening inside the Festhalle.
And if I’m making the drive up to Helen, I’m definitely not going to Oktoberfest and turning around to come right back home. There’s way too much to do in and around Helen to not make a full day out of it.
While you’re there: Visit Anna Ruby Falls, walk around downtown, find another nearby waterfall, or squeeze in a hike.
Read next: 21 Adventurous Things to Do in Helen, Georgia
4. North Georgia State Fair — Marietta
2026 Dates: September 24–October 4
Where: Jim R. Miller Park, Marietta
Best for: Carnival rides, games, and fair food
Sometimes you don’t need a scenic mountain weekend. Sometimes you want rides, games, and something fried.
That’s where the North Georgia State Fair comes in.
It’s one of the bigger fairs close to Atlanta, so you can get the whole fair experience without making it a full road trip.
And because it runs for more than a week, you have a lot more flexibility than you do with some of the one-weekend festivals.
My tip: If your schedule allows it, consider going during the week. Weekend crowds can be a lot.
5. Duluth Fall Festival — Duluth
2026 Dates: September 26–27
Where: Historic Downtown Duluth
Best for: A classic community fall festival
If you want a traditional fall festival without driving into the mountains, Duluth is a good one.
You’ll find vendors, food, entertainment, a parade, and the annual Donut Dash 5K throughout the weekend.
Plus, Downtown Duluth itself has plenty of places to eat and walk around, so you’re not stuck wondering what to do once you’re done at the festival.
6. Candler Park Fall Fest — Atlanta
2026 Dates: October 3–4
Where: Candler Park
Best for: Music, food, art, and staying in Atlanta
Admission: Free
This one is for anybody whose weekend plans need to stay inside the perimeter.
Candler Park Fall Fest brings music, artists, food vendors, games, rides, and other activities into the neighborhood for two days. And it’s free.
Just know, parking around the area can be annoying, so this may be one of those times where MARTA or rideshare saves you the headache.
7. Georgia Marble Festival — Jasper
2026 Dates: October 3–4
Where: Jasper
Best for: Something you probably haven’t done before
Okay, this one caught my attention because how many festivals have you been to where one of the activities is touring a working marble quarry?
The Georgia Marble Festival celebrates the marble industry that has shaped so much of Pickens County’s history. Along with the quarry tours, there are vendors, food, performances, demonstrations, and other activities.
If you’ve done your fair share of apple festivals and arts festivals and want something different, I’d put this one on the list.
While you’re there: Spend some time around Jasper or keep driving north and turn the day into a scenic mountain trip.
Best North Georgia Fall Festivals
Now, if your idea of fall automatically includes mountains, waterfalls, changing leaves, and a road trip out of Atlanta, this section is probably what you came for.
Some of the best fall festivals in Georgia happen in North Georgia in October, which makes it really easy to combine them with all the other things we actually want to do this time of year.
If I were choosing based on the destination itself:
Ellijay for apples.
Hiawassee for mountain and lake views.
Blue Ridge for a cute downtown + art.
Dahlonega for a full weekend.
Helen if you want the most going on.
8. Georgia National Fair — Perry
2026 Dates: October 8–18
Where: Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter
Best for: Going all-in on the fair experience
If you want a real fair feel, this is the one.
There’s rides, food, agricultural exhibits, competitions, livestock, entertainment, shows… all of it.
It also runs for 11 days, so there are plenty of opportunities to go without having to rearrange your entire life around one Saturday.
Perry is a little farther from Atlanta, though, so I’d plan for this one to take up most of the day.
9. Georgia Mountain Fall Festival — Hiawassee
2026 Dates: October 9–11 and October 15–17
Where: Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds
Best for: Mountain views, live music, and being outside
This is probably one of my favorite locations on the entire list because the festival is right along Lake Chatuge.
The Georgia Mountain Fall Festival includes arts and crafts, live entertainment, food, attractions, and carnival rides during part of the festival.
But what really sells this one for me is everything around it. Hiawassee is already beautiful, and now you add cooler weather and fall color? You’ve got the perfect excuse to spend the entire day in the area.
While you’re there: Drive up Bell Mountain, hang out around Lake Chatuge, or find a nearby trail.
Read next: 15 Best Things to Do in Hiawassee, GA
10. Fall Arts in the Park — Blue Ridge
2026 Dates: October 10–11
Where: Downtown Blue Ridge
Best for: Art, shopping, and a mountain getaway
Blue Ridge in October is already a good idea.
Add a festival with more than 100 artists and vendors and now you’ve really got a reason to go.
Fall Arts in the Park takes place right in Downtown Blue Ridge, so it’s easy to walk the festival, grab food, browse the shops, and then keep exploring.
While you’re there: Walk around downtown, ride the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, or head to one of the nearby trails.
Read next: 14 Best Hikes Near Blue Ridge, GA
11. Georgia Apple Festival — Ellijay
2026 Dates: October 10–11 and October 17–18
Where: Ellijay
Best for: The full Georgia fall experience
Admission: $10 for adults; children 12 and under are free
If somebody told me they wanted one very stereotypical — in the best way — Georgia fall day, I’d probably send them toward Ellijay.
You’ve got apples, mountain scenery, orchards, festival food, and hundreds of vendors.
The Georgia Apple Festival happens over two weekends, which helps a little with flexibility, but do not mistake that for meaning Ellijay won’t be packed.
Because it will.
While you’re there: Go apple picking early, head to the festival, walk around Downtown Ellijay, and obviously get something apple-related before you leave.
My tip: Start early. Like actually early. Trying to leave Atlanta at noon on an October Saturday and casually drive into Ellijay is setting yourself up.
12. Sorghum in the Mountains — Blairsville
2026 Dates: October 10–11 and October 17–18
Where: Meeks Park, Blairsville
Best for: Appalachian traditions and a more local feel
If you want something that feels very North Georgia, Sorghum in the Mountains is worth looking at.
The festival celebrates Appalachian traditions and sorghum syrup-making with demonstrations, crafts, food, dancing, and family activities.
And Blairsville puts you right near some really good outdoor spots.
While you’re there: Visit Vogel State Park or hike to Helton Creek Falls.
Read next: Helton Creek Falls: The Best Short Waterfall Hike in North Georgia
13. Prater’s Mill Country Fair — Dalton
2026 Dates: October 10–11
Where: Prater’s Mill, Dalton
Best for: History, handmade goods, and something more traditional
Prater’s Mill Country Fair takes place around a restored grist mill from the 1800s, and the whole festival leans heavily into handmade goods and Appalachian traditions.
Nearly 200 artists and craftspeople participate, and there’s a real focus on products that are actually made by hand rather than the same things you see at every festival.
So if you’re looking for something a little less carnival and a little more history and craftsmanship, this is the one I’d look at.
14. Gold Rush Days — Dahlonega
2026 Dates: October 17–18
Where: Historic Downtown Dahlonega
Best for: Turning a festival into a weekend trip
Dahlonega in October? Say less.
Gold Rush Days fills Downtown Dahlonega with hundreds of vendors, food, live music, demonstrations, children’s activities, and events tied to the town’s gold-mining history.
But this is another one where I think the destination is just as important as the festival.
While you’re there: Explore downtown, find a nearby waterfall, take a scenic drive, or stay the night and make a whole weekend out of it.
Read next: 24 Things to Do in Dahlonega, GA for the Perfect Weekend
15. Chastain Park Fall Arts Festival — Atlanta
2026 Dates: November 7–8
Where: Chastain Park
Best for: One last fall festival before the season wraps up
Admission: Free
If October got away from you, you still have time.
Chastain Park Fall Arts Festival happens in November and brings artists, food vendors, demonstrations, children’s activities, and live music to the park.
It’s also free, which we love.
This is a good easy weekend option when you want to get outside and walk around without turning it into a whole day trip.
Best Fall Festivals Near Atlanta
And no, you do not have to drive two hours north every weekend to enjoy fall.
There are plenty of fall festivals near Atlanta that still give you something fun to do without spending half the day in the car.
My picks would be:
Yellow Daisy Festival if you want to combine the festival with something outdoors.
North Georgia State Fair if you want rides and food.
Duluth Fall Festival if you want that classic community-festival vibe.
Candler Park Fall Fest if you want to stay in the city.
Chastain Park Fall Arts Festival if you want something later in the season.
Sometimes an easy Saturday plan 30 minutes away is exactly what you need.
Georgia Festivals in October Worth Planning Around
October is really when things start to pop off.
A lot of the biggest Georgia festivals in October land on the same couple of weekends, including the Georgia Apple Festival, Georgia Mountain Fall Festival, Fall Arts in the Park, Sorghum in the Mountains, Prater’s Mill, and Gold Rush Days.
And yes, those are also the weekends when everybody else decides they want to go to North Georgia, so plan accordingly.
Choose one main destination, start early, and resist the urge to pack three mountain towns into one day. I love a packed itinerary as much as anybody, but sitting in mountain traffic for three hours is not the fall adventure we’re going for.
Tips for Visiting Fall Festivals in Georgia
A little planning goes a LONG way during fall in Georgia, especially once October hits.
Here are a few things I’d keep in mind:
- Start early. Especially if you’re going to Ellijay, Helen, Blue Ridge, or Dahlonega.
- Look up parking before you leave. Do not wait until you’re five minutes away to figure that out.
- Bring some cash. Most vendors take cards now, but I still wouldn’t depend on it.
- Wear comfortable shoes. You’re probably going to walk more than you think.
- Bring a layer. North Georgia mornings can be chilly and then somehow you’re hot by lunchtime.
- Book your stay early. If you’re planning an October mountain weekend, don’t wait until the last minute.
- Check the festival website before you leave. Weather, schedules, parking, and activities can change.
- Add something else to the day. You already drove all that way. Go see something!
And if you’re still deciding where to go, check out my guide to 10 of the Best Day Trips from Atlanta You’ll Actually Want to Take.
