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Festivals and Events

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The Quiet South

Stories of Southern memory, culture, and the places that shaped us.

Map of Southern Festivals

Across Georgia, festivals reflect the character of the regions where they are held—from coastal shrimping towns to mountain communities shaped by the seasons.


Festivals are listed by month and location

(Please click the links for updates, as events are subject to change.)

Coastal Georgia Festivals

Festivals along the coast often celebrate maritime traditions and coastal culture.

An annual community festival in Brunswick, Georgia, celebrating the city's claim as the birthplace of Brunswick stew. The event features a high-stakes stew-tasting competition where dozens of teams compete for the "People's Choice" and "Judges' Award". Live music. Vendors. Car Show

Savannah’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is one of the largest in America, right behind New York City and Chicago. Comprised of Irish heritage, wonderful marching bands, traditional dancers, and elaborate floats, people come to Savannah from all over the world to participate in our local parade! Locals and visitors look forward to the parade all year as it is Savannah's largest event! So famous, that dedicated attendees will camp out along the parade route to ensure they have the best views.

More than just a festival, the Blessing of the Fleet is a spirited celebration of family, food, and fun that embodies the warmth and hospitality of Darien’s charming community. Welcome to all who wish to share in this delightful fellowship.

The Thunderbolt Blessing of the Fleet is a cherished maritime tradition. Set against the beautiful Wilmington Riverfront, the event celebrates Thunderbolt’s deep-rooted shrimping and fishing heritage while bringing the community together. food from local restaurants and food trucks, explore a vibrant vendor market featuring local artisans and businesses, and take part in free family-friendly activities that make the event fun for all ages.

ENJOY AUTHENTIC GREEK FOOD & PASTRIES. Enjoy our traditional Greek menu items such as Pastisio, Spanakopita, Dolmades and Souvlaki. Pastries like baklava, koulourakia and our famous Greek coffee are sure to appease that sugar tooth.

A coastal favorite, the Jekyll Island Shrimp & Grits Festival combines the classic southern dish with family-friendly entertainment, artists market, live music, food, and more. The island comes alive during this fun-filled festival, so mark your calendars for this award-winning event held in the Historic District of Jekyll Island, Georgia.

Kingsland comes alive each November with a delightful celebration of food, entertainment, and the arts. Local seafood, sample an array of beers and wines, live music, and uncover hidden treasures including original art, crafts, antiques, and collectibles. With more than 200 vendor booths to explore, a dedicated children’s amusement area, and so much more

Celebrates 19th-century Georgia agricultural traditions. The fundraiser features live sugar cane grinding, syrup making, hearth cooking, folk music, crafts, and animal encounters at the Heritage Homesite.


Middle Georgia Festivals

Atlanta and the Midwestern area



Concerts. Parades. Food vendors. Arts and crafts. Amusement rides. Road races. Family events. Black-tie galas. You can spend a quiet afternoon enjoying live music downtown or cheer along the parade route with thousands of your closest new friends.

This free two-day community event celebrates the blooming of dogwood trees with a variety of arts, crafts, and live entertainment. A variety of local food trucks will be available throughout the weekend.

The Americus Hot Glass Craft Beer Festival is an annual event in downtown Americus, Georgia, featuring regional craft breweries, live glass-blowing demonstrations, food trucks, and live music. Typically held in the spring (early April), it highlights the city's local glass-blowing, including work from local artists and Georgia Southwestern State University.

We’re giving 100 friends and families a reason to smile this holiday with Easter Bunny supplies, bouncy house, Activities ,and MORE. Join us for easter Saturday , bring the kids out to experience a easter extravaganza!100 friends and families will receive easter basket, food, supplies and MUCH MORE … while supplies last .

Traditional dance, cultural crafts, storytelling, live music, and food vendors. The celebration is one of the largest gatherings of Southeastern Native American culture in Georgia. It honors the people whose ancestors inhabited the site for over 17,000 years.

The event features lighted floats, dancing elves, and Santa Claus. The town also hosts a Christmas Tree lighting, shop strolling, and the FDR Memorial Candlelight. Held the Saturday before Thanksgiving, Santa rides through town on a firetruck and greets the kids in the welcome center. Enjoy extended hours of shopping in the town lit up with Christmas lights.


South Georgia Festivals

Agricultural traditions shape many festivals in South Georgia.

This long-standing tradition in Evans County has transitioned from a historical "rattlesnake roundup" to a wildlife conservation and educational event. Over 100 arts, crafts, and food vendors on-site, alongside live music and family activities like rock climbing and zip lines.

This four-day event celebrates the harvest of the Vidalia onion, Georgia's official state vegetable, with activities ranging from a professional air show to live country music concerts. Additional events include the Onion Run, the Arts & Crafts Festival with the famous Onion Eating Contest, a rodeo, the Onion Recipe Contest, and public tasting.

The Crawfish Parade is one of the highlights of the festival and is enjoyed by young and old alike. Food concessions offering such mouth watering treats as Crawfish Boil, Crawfish Woodbine (Etoufee), Homemade Desserts, Barbecue, Funnel Cakes, Ice Cream, Boiled Peanuts, and much more are available

This free, family-friendly event celebrates the peanut, a major agricultural crop in Bulloch County. Parade, Vendors, Arts & Crafts, Rides and a Slow Tractor Race.

The annual Brooklet Christmas Tree Lighting is held on the Wednesday following Thanksgiving at 6 PM at the downtown gazebo on Parker Avenue, Brooklet, GA. The event features local choir/dance performances, a reading of The Christmas Story, and a visit from Santa, serving as the town’s premier kick-off to the holiday season.

The annual Brooklet Christmas Tree Lighting is held on the Wednesday following Thanksgiving at 6 PM at the downtown gazebo on Parker Avenue, Brooklet, GA. The event features local choir/dance performances, a reading of The Christmas Story, and a visit from Santa, serving as the town’s premier kick-off to the holiday season.


North Georgia Mountain Festivals

Mountain festivals often celebrate harvests and regional history.

Along with tasty chili samples, a thrilling competition, passionate contestants, and beer tasting, this special event in North Georgia features live entertainment with local talent and features one of the largest ice sculpture displays in the country!

Enjoy a day full of adventure with great family attractions, live entertainment during Summer at the Rock, hike the one-mile trail to the top of Stone Mountain for some amazing views of downtown Atlanta, explore the miles of wooded trails throughout the park and relax in nature, then stay into the evening to experience the Music Across America Light Show* followed by the EXACT SAME patriotic fireworks finale each night of the celebration!

Located on the scenic shores of Lake Chatuge, the event features a daily carnival midway, live concerts at Anderson Music Hall, arts and crafts vendors, and a historic Pioneer Village.

Downtown Blue Ridge, Georgia. Known as North Georgia's largest one-day food and music event, it features award-winning blues musicians and over 15 local and regional BBQ pitmasters.

For 55 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.

Gold Rush Days features live music, gold panning, a parade, children’s activities, and traditional Appalachian demonstrations, all set against the stunning backdrop of the season. Whether you're searching for unique artisan goods, savoring local flavors, or simply enjoying the festive mountain atmosphere, there’s something for everyone.

Festivities begin with a morning parade, continue with a vibrant festival on the Town Green and other delightful activities throughout downtown, culminating in the enchanting Lighting of the Tree and drone show. While you're in town for the holiday fun, come explore our festive market filled with locally made gifts and keepsakes—perfect for bringing a bit of Braselton home.

This is such a fun small-town parade with fire trucks, horses, dirt-buggies, unique floats, and TONS of candy! The best place to be is across the street from the Downtown Gazebo!