Fall in North Georgia is hard to beat. Nice weather, beautiful colors and a plethora of places to go and things to do.
North Georgia boasts activities for just about everyone; from corn mazes and pumpkin patches, to apple picking, to fairs and festivals to leisurely drives through the mountains to the see the leaves change color.
Along the way don’t forget to stop by some of the local places to eat the food, buy the goods and to see what each community has to offer.
I am sure that you won’t be disappointed.
Enjoy Fall!
Stephanie Woody Group Publisher
Description and highlights of the event.
Time: Hours of operation
Where: Location, City
Contact information and website
Fall
in Hall County
AUGUST 31
Folk Pottery & Arts Festival
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Sautee Nacoochee Center 283 Highway 255, Sautee, GA (706) 878-3300, www.snca.org
The annual Helen Oktoberfest is loaded with beer, brats, Lederhosen and tons of fun. The Helen Oktoberfest is the longest running Oktoberfest in the United States. Helen Festhalle, Helen 1074 Edelweiss Strasse, Helen www.helenchamber.com/oktoberfest
exploregainesvillega Explore Gainesville GA now
42,801 likes View all 23,752 comments
exploregainesvillega Picture Yourself Here!
Lake4Life Paddling the water trails on Lake Lanier in the FALL is FUN!
outdoorfamily The fall leaves are AMAZING on Wilshire Trails
WINGman is totally STUFFED from eating all the wings at the Gainesville Chicken Festival!! IYKYK
IloveGVL keep up with all the FALL FUN at ExploreGainesville.org!!
SEPTEMBER 7
Atlanta Dragon Boat Festival
6 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Lake Lanier Olympic Park 3105 Clarks Bridge Road, Gainesville www.dragonboatatlanta.com
SEPTEMBER 8
Butterfly Release Art Contest
1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Quinlan Visual Arts Center 514 Green St. NE, Gainesville 770-536-2575. www.quinlanartscenter.org
SEPTEMBER 14
19th Annual Flowery Branch Car Show & Chili Cook-off
Lake Lanier Olympic Park 3105 Clarks Bridge Road, Gainesville 855-536-1996, www.exploregainesville.org/ event/swim-across-america-llop/
SEPTEMBER 21 & 22
Pooches in the Park
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Braselton Park
126 Harrison Street, Braselton www.explorebraselton.com/post/pooches-inthe-park
SEPTEMBER 27 & 28
Hall County Master Gardeners’ Fall Garden Expo
Chicopee Woods Agricultural Center 1855 Calvary Church Road, Gainesville 770-535-8293 www.hallmastergardeners.com/fall-expo
OCTOBER 5 & 6
42nd Annual Georgia Marble Festival
Enjoy arts, crafts, music and performances at the 42nd annual Georgia Marble Festival. Savor an array of festival foods. Take a quarry tour, watch live demonstrations of marble sculpting, chainsaw carving, caricature artist and more. Fun for all ages in the free Kids Zone.
Located at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, the Arts in the Park festival series draws more than 20,000 attendees annually and a wide array of artists and food vendors. With over 170+ artists, exhibitors and vendors booths, visitors can enjoy a variety of fine arts and fine crafts, demonstrations, food and much more during the Fall Arts in the Park festival. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The Arts Center 420 West Main Street, Blue Ridge 706-632-2144 www.blueridgearts.net
OCTOBER 12-13, 19-20
Georgia Apple Festival
Looking for a big show with a small-town feel? For 53 fun-filled years, the Georgia Apple Festival has brought two exciting weekends in October to Gilmer County. Ellijay and East Ellijay hosts hundreds of vendors with handmade, hand-crafted items, on-site demonstrations, live music and delicious fair food.
Ellijay Lions Club Fairgrounds 1729 South Main Street, Ellijay www.georgiaapplefestival.org
Forsyth County is still home to farms that offer family fun! For fall festivities, head to Warbington Farms to pick pumpkins, go through a corn maze or pet some cute animals. Never cut down your own Christmas tree? You can do that at Bottoms Tree Farm or Kinsey Family Farm! You can also enjoy a hayride and see a variety of animals. These farms offer fun throughout the year, so make sure to check them out in the spring, too!
www.warbingtonfarms.com
OCTOBER 19 & 20
Gold Rush Days
Gold Rush Days are held the third full weekend in October. It is a time for thousands to come and see fall colors peaking and celebrate Dahlonega’s 1828 discovery of gold. Over 200 art and craft exhibitors and food vendors gather around the Public Square and Historic District in support of this annual event. It is estimated that a crowd of over 200,000 visits over the weekend to join in the fun and excitement. The Gold Rush Days Festival has been voted one of the Top 20 Events in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society.
Dahlonega, Ga www.goldrushfestival.com
OCTOBER 19
Gainesville Chicken Festival
11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Lake Lanier Olympic Park 3105 Clarks Bridge Road, Gainesville www.exploregainesville.org/gainesvillechicken-festival/
OCTOBER 19 & 20
Oberfest Arts & Fine Crafts Festival
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Helen Arts & Heritage Center 25 Chattahoochee Strasse, Helen www.helenarts.org
OCTOBER 28 & 29
BOO at the Zoo
The perfect Halloween alternative event for those wanting to bring their kids to a fun and safe place to celebrate the Halloween season and have loads of fun. Come dressed up and receive a treat. Interactive games, pumpkin judging contest, scavenger hunts, animal fun and treats all weekend.
North Georgia Wildlife & Safari Park 2912 Paradise Valley Road, Cleveland 706-348-7279, www.northgeorgiazoo. com/boo-at-the-zoo
Faussett Farms’ 2024 sunflower season will open in September. After opening day, the farm is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week. For 60 years the farm’s main business was poultry farming which ended in 2011. Now the farm offers 900,000+ flowers or 30+ acres of beautiful sunflowers for everyone to come out and experience. 11336 Highway 136 West, Dawsonville www.fausettfarmssunflowers.com
SEPTEMBER
Burt’s Pumpkin Farm
Discover the magic of autumn at Burt’s Farm, nestled in the secluded North Georgia Mountains. Beyond the breathtaking fall foliage, you’ll be captivated by the sea of orange formed by countless Burt’s pumpkins. Check out the pumpkin patch, take a hayride, enjoy fresh baked goodies and the fall décor.
Burt’s Pumpkin Farm will open its 2024 season in September. Hours vary by month; full hours are listed on the website. 5 Burts Pumpkin Farm Road, Dawsonville 706-265-3701, www.burtspumpkinfarmgeorgia.com
SEPTEMBER 16NOVEMBER 12
Uncle Shuck’s Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch
Explore the corn maze, pick up your pumpkin, enjoy the goat walk and shoot the corn cannon. Uncle Shuck’s 2024 season will run from Sept. 16 through Nov. 12 and “The Dark Rows” haunted corn trail will be open Friday and Saturday nights in October.
Hours of operation vary by month; full hours are listed on the website. 125 Bannister Road, Dawsonville 770-772-6223, www.uncleshucks.com
OCTOBER 25-27
57th Annual Mountain Moonshine Festival and Car Show
See the parade of moonshine and revenuer cars to kick off festivities departing from Bearden’s at 10 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 25.
Live entertainment, car show, legendary race car drivers, vintage race cars and more authentic moonshine hauling cars than you’ll ever see gathered in one place anywhere in the United States. Cruise-In and Swap Meet held at the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame. A portion of the proceeds benefit K.A.R.E. for Kids, Inc.
Come out to Rock Creek on Halloween trunk-or-treat with your family! The purpose of this event is to provide the children in the community with a safe place to trick-or-treat. Come out for an afternoon of fun for the whole family. Candy, treats, toys. Promotional items, carnival games, bounce house, hayrides and more. Admission is free and so are most of the activities. Event is rain or shine. Event is subject to cancellation if inclement weather is significant.
4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Rock Creek Park
445 Martin Road, Dawsonville www.dawsoncountyga.gov/parksrec/ page/trunk-or-treat
Fall in forsyth County
AUGUST 30-SEPTEMBER 1
IPRA
World Championship Rodeo at the Cumming Fairgrounds
The IPRA Rodeo is an annual event held during Labor Day weekend. The show lasts approximately 2.5 hours and features bull riding, bare back riding, barrel racing, cowgirl breakaway roping, calf roping, steer wrestling, team roping & saddle bronc riding each night.
Friday, Aug. 30 – 8-10:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 31 – 8-10:30 p.m.
Sunday, Sep. 1 – 7-9:30 p.m.
Cumming Fairgrounds
235 Castleberry Road
Cumming, GA 30040
SEPTEMBER 21-22
Cumming Art Fest
The City Center is partnering with Splash Festivals to bring a new, family-friendly arts festival to the City Center! Cumming Art Fest will offer some 100 different artisan exhibitors and a creative Kidz Zone for families to explore. Splash Festivals produces several popular arts festivals in north metro Atlanta in cites including Cumming, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, and Brookhaven.
Visit cummingcitycenter.com/events for more information.
OCTOBER 3-13
Cumming Country Fair & Festival
The largest event held at the Cumming Fairgrounds, the fair comes to town each October, bringing fun rides, food, games, live concerts, entertainment and more! The fair is celebrating its 30th year this year! No pets, coolers or alcohol are permitted. Thursday, Oct. 3-Sunday, Oct. 13 (MondayThursday: 4-10 p.m.; Friday: 4 p.m.midnight; Saturday: 10 a.m.-midnight; Sunday: 12:30-9 p.m. All concerts begin at 8 p.m.
Cumming Fairgrounds
235 Castleberry Road
Cumming, GA 30040
Get more information at cummingfair.net, call 770-781-3491, or follow the City of Cumming on Facebook.
OCTOBER 3-13, 18-19, & 26
House of Four Scythes Haunted Attraction
Located at the Cumming Fairgrounds and featuring the thrilling Manor House and frightening Carnival of Screams clown maze, this top-rated haunted house opens during the Cumming Country Fair & Festival and continues for the last two weekends in October. Open rain or shine, tickets start at $20. Not recommended for children under 12. Thursday, Oct. 3- Sunday, Oct.13 (Sunday 6-9 p.m.; Monday-Thursday 7-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 7-11 p.m.)
Friday, Oct. 18- Saturday, Oct.19 - 7-11 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 25- Saturday, Oct. 26 – 7-11 p.m.
Cumming Fairgrounds
235 Castleberry Road
Cumming, GA 30040
Get more information at fourscytheshaunt.com
OCTOBER 18-20 Cumming Greek Festival
Bringing the magic of Greece to west Forsyth County, the Cumming Greek Festival features all aspects of Greek culture: traditional foods and pastries, live music and dancing! Enjoy the magic spread out across the 16-acre property and take some of it home from the many vendors on site. Also offering a drive-thru service if you can’t stay and eat!
Friday, Oct. 18, 3–10:00 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 19, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 20, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Saints Raphael, Nicholas & Irene Greek Orthodox Church
3074 Bethelview Road
Cumming, GA 30040
Get more information at https://www.cumminggreekfestival.com
NOVEMBER 11
Veterans Day Ceremony
The annual ceremony to honor our nation’s veterans will be held at the Lou Sobh Amphitheater at Cumming City Center. The event is free, but attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs. Monday, Nov. 11 – 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Cumming City Center
423 Canton Road
Cumming, GA 30040
More information at https://cummingcitycenter.com/events/ or cityofcumming.net
NOVEMBER 23
Cumming City Center Tree Lighting
Start your holiday season with lots of familyfriendly fun at the Cumming City Center on Saturday, November 23. Following the Winter Market, our Christmas Tree Lighting Event will begin at 6 p.m. with live music from Will & The Exclamation, family activities, warm beverages and desserts from local vendors!
Will & The Exclamation founder and lead vocalist Will Preyer embodies the natural enthusiasm of an exclamation point; his authentic performance prowess, dynamic vocal range, and warm, magnetic personality emphasize how visually and musically inspiring this band is onstage. A renowned Atlanta-based artist and producer with years of experience in the events industry, Will is so committed to providing an extraordinary experience with his band that he put the exclamation point (!) right in the band name itself. When Will and his band take the stage, they proudly deliver a night full of soulful performances that includes a fun variety of popular music from so many styles and generations. Saturday, Nov. 23 - 6-7:30 p.m.
Cumming City Center
423 Canton Road
Cumming, GA 30040
Visit cummingcitycenter.com/events for more information.
Scan Me TO SIGN UP Scan Me TO SIGN UP
DECEMBER 14
City of Cumming Christmas Parade
The annual Christmas Parade features musical performances, floats, decorated vehicles and of course, Santa Claus! The parade begins at Forsyth Central High School and makes its way down Tribble Gap Road across the Cumming Square onto Castleberry Road, ending at the Cumming Fairgrounds.
Saturday, Dec. 14 – 5-7 p.m.
Forsyth Central High School Corner of Tribble Gap Road and Almon C. Hill Drive
Cumming, GA 30040
AndLou Sobh Amphiteater
ThisSeason’s Events
• UGA Game Day Watch Parties - Aug. 31st, Sept. 28th, Oct. 5th, Nov. 2nd, All beginning at 11 a.m.
• Tin Cup Grill Cruise-In Car Show - Sept. 5th, Oct. 24th, Nov. 7th, 6-8 p.m.
• Cumming Police Department Summer in the City Concert Featuring Jason Gardner (Benefiting Creative Enterprises) - Sept.6th, 7-10 p.m.
• Bogey and the Viceroy Band - Sept. 13th, 7-9 p.m.
• Purple Madness: Prince Tribute - Sept. 14th, 7-9 p.m.
• Jason Gardner Band - Sept. 20th, 7-9 p.m.
• Cumming Art Fest - Sept. 21st & 22nd, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Brotherhood: A Doobie Brothers Tribute Band - Sept. 27th, 7-9 p.m.
• Movies Alfresco “Top Gun” - Oct. 11th, at 8 p.m.
• Interstellar Echoes: A Tribute to Pink Floyd - Oct. 25th, 7-9 p.m.
• 2nd Annual Howl-Oween Pet & People Event - Oct. 26th, 4-8 p.m.
• Movies Alfresco “Hocus Pocus” - Oct. 26th, at 8 p.m.
• Slippery When Wet: Tribute to Bon Jovi - Nov. 8th, 8-10 p.m.
• Moby Dick Party Band - Nov. 9th, 7-9 p.m.
• Veterans Day Ceremony - Nov. 11th, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Sunset Strip Band - Nov. 15th, 7-9 p.m.
• Dog Dayz of Fall Dog Event - Nov. 16th, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Back N Black: AC/DC Tribute - Nov. 16th, 7-9 p.m.
• Cumming City Center Winter Market - Nov. 23rd, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration - Nov. 23rd, 6-7 p.m.
Thank you to our event partners: Lou Sobh Automotive, Four Carsons Entertainment, SPLASH Festivals, Pieces & Peaches Boutique, Tin Cup Grill, Los Rios Cantina, The Well, Foresite Group, Cumming PD & Local Church Forsyth
AUG 30-31, SEP 1 IPRA (International Professional Rodeo Association) World Championship Rodeo
Friday & Saturday 8 PM • Sunday 7 PM
Admission (Advance Tickets Available): 11 & up - $20.00 10 & under - FREE
