Many people think of summer as the prime festival season. But fall in Georgia is simply spectacular, and there are lots of festivals taking place this time of year to help you get out and enjoy it. In addition to all your pumpkin patch, corn maze, and apple orchard outings, why not head to a nearby town to celebrate with food, drinks, and plenty of entertainment. Here are some of the best fall festivals worth checking out in Georgia this year.
Tybee Pirate Fest, Tybee Island
Anyone who has visited Tybee Island knows that this place has a very unique personality that’s all its own. The Tybee Pirate Fest exemplifies this perhaps better than anything else! The festival began in 2005 when some local residents were searching for an annual event to establish a new tradition. This festival offers visitors a chance to escape the ordinary. Here, you can attend a pirate parade, watch pirate performers, listen to live music and entertain the kids with lots of family-friendly entertainment. Kids love the costume contest, and it’s a fun way to celebrate the autumn season.
Dates: October 5th – 7th, 2023
Official Website
Georgia National Fair, Perry
The Georgia National Fair is an annual event taking place in Perry, Georgia. You’ll find concerts, livestock competitions, carnival rides, Georgia living competitions, a circus, and lots of delicious food. The vendors open every day of the fair in the morning, and lots of Georgia-grown products are featured here. Make sure to check out the Georgia National Schoolhouse with your kids to see the livestock and educational displays. There is a long list of live concerts, while cattle, hogs, sheep, goats, horses, and lamb exhibitions will all be taking place during the fair.
Dates: October 5th-15th, 2023
Official Website
Annual Seafood Festival, St. Marys
This St. Marys, Georgia, festival features a parade, entertainment, and delicious seafood dinners. Rock shrimp is a local specialty in the Southeast. The festival includes a 5K and 10K race, a parade with floats and fire trucks, arts and craft vendors, entertainment, and food concessionaires. Don’t miss the rock shrimp dinner with boiled shrimp, fried fish, slaw and hushpuppies.
Dates: October 7th, 2023
Official Website
Foxfire Mountaineer Festival, Clayton
Head to Clayton, Georgia, in October to join the Foxfire Mountaineer Festival. This is a celebration of the heritage of the Southern Appalachian Mountains, and it’s a wonderful place to learn about historic skills and trades. Local and regional vendors will be serving food, and you can listen to bluegrass and gospel music on the stage. This festival is all about keeping history and tradition alive, so come ready to learn about things like woodworking, textiles, blacksmithing, and pottery. Wood chopping and archery contests are also fun ways to spend the day.
Dates: October 7th, 2023
Official Website
Georgia Mountain Fall Festival, Hiawassee
Georgia Mountain Fall Festival in Hiawassee takes place in October and celebrates the beautiful season in the North Georgia Mountains. This nine-day event features performances, arts and crafts vendors, a flower show, and educational demonstrations.
Dates: October 6th-14th, 2023
Official Website
Annual Olde Town Fall Festival, Conyers
The Annual Olde Town Fall Festival is another great Georgia festival taking place this fall in Conyers. This one-day festival happens in October and includes children’s activities, food, music, and crafts. What’s great about this festival is that admission and parking are free! There will be a kid and pet costume contest, too.
Dates: October 21st, 2023
Official Website
Gold Rush Days, Dahlonega
This festival always takes place the third weekend in October and offers a wonderful opportunity for visitors to see the fall foliage and celebrate Dahlonega’s gold rush history. Over 200 art, craft, and food vendors will be here, and over 200,000 people are expected to attend! Some of the best events include a 5K race, magic show, fashion show, bluegrass music performance, cross-cut saw competition, wrist wrestling competition, and gold panning championships.
Dates: October 21st & 22nd, 2023
Official Website
