Annual Events & Festivals

Fire and Ice Chili Cookoff - President's Day Weekend

Downtown Blue Ridge
Combine a chili cookoff with ice sculptures and you have an unlikely combination for the Annual Fire and Ice Cookoff in Downtown Blue Ridge. Sponsored by the Blue Ridge Business Association.

Annual Blue Ridge Writers Conference - Early April

Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association Art Center
A literary tradition and unique cultural asset enjoyed by our many writers and aspiring writers each Spring as they gather in Blue Ridge to learn more about their special craft.
Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association

Annual Blue Ridge Trout and Outdoor Adventures Festival - Last Saturday in April

Great exhibits by outdoor organizations and businesses, education on trout fishing, entertainment, food trucks and more in downtown Blue Ridge City Park. www.blueridgetroutfest.com

Spring Arts in the Park - Memorial Day Weekend

Downtown Blue Ridge City Park
Features over 200 juried art, craft and food booths. The best in mountain crafts and fine art, artists demonstrations, music and dance. Recognized as one of the Top 20 Events by the Southeastern Tourism Society. Call (706) 632-2144 for more information.
Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association

Spring and Fall Craft Fair - last 2 weekends in April and October

Fannin County High School Ag Facility - Blue Ridge, GA
Local craft fair featuring homemade and home grown items.

Fall Plein Aire Event

Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Assn.
Each spring and fall, artists from across the region converge on Blue Ridge to capture the scenic beauty of this mountain community. Each event showcases the change of seasons. Artists from across the southeast get outside and recreate nature's beauty. For more information, call 706-632-2144.
Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association

Lake Blue Ridge Fireworks - Always on July 4th

Fabulous Fireworks will be shot off near the Lake Blue Ridge Dam and can be viewed from there as well as by boat on Lake Blue Ridge, Morganton Point Recreation Area, and Lake Blue Ridge Marina. The marina will be open and food available for purchase throughout the day, parking fee may apply.

Old Fashioned Fourth in McCaysville

Downtown McCaysville-Copperhill
Old fashioned small town Independence Day celebration featuring an impressive fireworks display from Tater Hill in downtown McCaysville-Copperhill.
Ride the train to the fireworks!
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway website.

Blue Ridge Kiwanis Rodeo - August

Kiwanis Fairgrounds in Blue Ridge
Always the third Friday and Saturday in August. Western rodeo with bull riding, saddle bronc riding, calf roping, bareback, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing and special events. Great food and fun for all ages.
https://blueridgekiwanis.org/e...

Labor Day Barbeque

Downtown Blue Ridge
Annual Barbeque starts at 11 a.m. until the food runs out. Downtown Blue Ridge City Park. Good food and entertainment. For more information click here.

Ride the Rails Festival - July, October & November

Mineral Bluff Depot
A five mile round trip ride by railroad motor car traveling through the Iron Bridge over the beautiful Toccoa River, then returning over the bridge to the Historic Mineral Bluff Depot, a restored Railroad Depot housing a museum quality model railroad display. Click here for more information.

Blue Ridge Wine & Jazz Festival - 1st Weekend in September

Bringing live jazz, great wines, fine art and delicious cuisine while sitting in a panoramic mountain view.

Blue Ridge Blues & Barbeque Festival - September

Downtown Blue Ridge
Friday night Kiwanis Blues Train, followed by great blues and barbeque Saturday. More information here.

Fall Plein Aire Event

Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Assn.
Each Fall, artist from across the region converge on the Blue Ridge area to capture the scenic beauty of this mountain community. Each event showcases the change of seasons. Artists from across the southeast get outside and recreate nature's beauty.
Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association

Fall Foliage Train Rides

Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
Enjoy the brilliant colors of fall on a special train ride during October and early November.
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway website.

Fall Arts in the Park - 2nd weekend of October

Downtown Blue Ridge City Park
Features hundreds of regional artists and craftsmen, juried art, craft and food booths. The best in mountain crafts and fine art, artists demonstrations, music and dance. Call (706) 632-2144 for more information.
Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association

Paws in the Park - 3rd weekend of October

Downtown Blue Ridge City Park
Have a fun day with your favorite pet; parade, pet education and demonstrations, costume contest, prizes, photos and more. Sponsored by the Humane Society of Blue Ridge.
Paws in the Park

Halloween Safe Zones

Downtown Blue Ridge and McCaysville
Treats and fun for all. Good, safe Halloween fun in downtown Blue Ridge and McCaysville. Kids of all ages trick or treat from shop to shop, Halloween costume contests for all ages and also for pets! Please check with the link above to get current information about this years events.

Holiday Art Show & Sale - Each November-December

Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Assn.
Shop for regional art and crafts at the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association Thanksgiving through Christmas. For more information, call (706) 632-2144.
Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association

Light up Blue Ridge & Christmas Parade - Saturday after Thanksgiving

Downtown Blue Ridge
Christmas festival in Downtown Blue Ridge. Music, refreshments, caroling and all-day activities. Official lighting of the Christmas tree and Santa arrives!!
Blue Ridge Business Association

McCaysville & Copper Basin Annual Christmas Parade - First Saturday of December

Downtown McCaysville
Kiwanis Christmas Parade, Santa's arrival, food, refreshments and entertainment. Lighting of the bridge.

Blue Ridge Scenic Railway Christmas Express - Beginning Thanksgiving Weekend and Weekends in December

Blue Ridge Depot
Come ride the holiday train and see Santa, Mrs. Santa and the elves. Listen to Christmas stories and sing carols.
For information, see the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway website.