Fall Festivals in the Mountains

We're ready for cooler days, blue skies, brightly colored red and gold leaves, apple pickin', cider drinking and fall festivals in the mountains. Here's a list of some of the best!

hay bales and fall decorations on the Mercier Orchards sign

Apple U-Pick at Mercier Orchards

Fall in Blue Ridge is always kicked off by Apple U-Pick and tractor rides. The largest apple orchard in the southeast, Mercier's, is known as Southern Living Magazine's "favorite roadside apple market," but it is much, much more. For over 80 years, the Mercier family has been welcoming visitors to taste the fruits of the mountains. Saturdays and Sundays; call to confirm 706-632-3411.

Oct 5 - 6 - John C. Campbell Fall Festival

Always the first full weekend in October at the John C. Campbell Folk School. Celebrate Appalachian heritage, featuring a wide variety of craftspeople, continuous live music and dance, craft demonstrations, good food, and much more. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Oct 5 - 6 - Georgia Marble Festival

First weekend in October at the Lee Newton Memorial Park, Jasper, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. This two-day celebration includes a road race, parade, expo, fine arts exhibit, arts & crafts booths, entertainment, children's area, business expo and tours of the marble quarry.

Oct 5 - 6 - Indian Summer Festival

First weekend in October, at the Woody Gap School in, Suches, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. On the grounds of Georgia's Smallest Public School. Activities and family entertainment, pottery, quilts, homemade goodies, stained glass, folk art and more.



Close-up of hand painted chicken figures

Oct 5 - 13 - Cherry Log Fall Festival

First two weekends of October, Downtown Cherry Log, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Homemade breakfast and lunch, arts and crafts, homemade cakes, bluegrass, gospel and country music.

Oct 5 - Blue Ridge Marching Band Festival

Fannin County High football field, 1 to 9:30 p.m. More than 2,000 marching band members from nearly two dozen high school bands are expected to participate. Bands will range in size from approximately 40 members to more than 150 members.

Oct 11 - 13 & 17 - 19 - Georgia Mountain Fall Festival

Two long weekends of arts and craft vendors, exciting music performances, carnival rides, fair food, games and more!

A man paints a landscape at an artist booth. Other paintings are on display behind him


Oct 12 – 13 – Fall Arts in the Park

Second weekend in October in the Downtown Blue Ridge City Park, Blue Ridge, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fine art, great food, fall colors on the trees and on the canvases. Enjoy the small-town charm of Blue Ridge at one of our signature events, Fall Arts in the Park. This fall arts and crafts festival features hundreds of regional artists and craftsmen. Special events for the kids.

Oct 12 - 13, 19 - 20 - Georgia Apple Festival

Ellijay Lions Club Fairgrounds, the second two weekends in October. Over 300 vendors with handmade, hand-crafted items, as well as many on-site demonstrations. There is also a parade and antique car show each year.

Oct 12 - 13, 19 - 20 - Sorghum Festival

Meeks Park, Blairsville, the second two weekends in October. Georgia's official Sorghum Festival, one of the longest running festivals in north Georgia. A parade kicks off the event. Bluegrass music, cloggers plus a variety of artists and craftsmen.

Oct 18 - 20 - Blue Ridge Mountains Parade of Homes

A self-guided tour showcasing exceptional homes throughout the area, highlighting a range of unique and diverse architectural and building styles.

Oct 19 - 20 - Heritage Days Festival

The third full weekend in October, Talking Rock, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The little town of Talking Rock will be filled with booths featuring a wide variety of arts, crafts and antiques. There will be interesting demonstrations for the young and old, Bluegrass and Southern Gospel Music and good food.

Oct 19 - Annual Paws in the Park

The third weekend in October in the Downtown Blue Ridge, City Park. Pet parade, costume contest, blessing of the animals, pet photos, vendors, micro-chipping and more! Be sure to stay for the Ultimate Air Dogs Dock Diving Competition.


People and their dogs explore different vendor booths at Paws in the Park

Oct 19 - 20 - Gold Rush Days Festival

Always the third full weekend in October, in Downtown Dahlonega, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thousands come to see fall colors and celebrate Dahlonega’s 1828 discovery of gold. Over 300 art and craft exhibitors and food vendors gather around the Public Square and Historic District in support of this annual event.

Oct 19 - 27 - Harvest Sale of Blue Ridge

The third and fourth weekend of October at the Fannin County Agricultural Center in Blue Ridge, Saturday. Shop handmade items from local craftsmen and artisans.

Oct 26 - Appalachian Brew, Stew & Que Festival

In Hiawassee at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, Craft brews, delicious food, regional arts & crafts, and lots of Appalachian & Americana music! 11 am to 5 pm.

Oct 25 - 27 - Mountain Moonshine Festival, Georgia Racing Hall of Fame

The Mountain Moonshine Festival features one of the largest car shows in the Eastern US, held at the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame. The festival extends throughout the charming streets of historic downtown Dawsonville, offering that warm, hometown, atmosphere.

Folk paintings of different animals on the back of a truck during a festival

More Fall Fun