Blue Ridge Mountain festivals, dazzling parades, bluegrass beats by the Toccoa River, Appalachian arts and crafts, riveting competitions, poppin’ fireworks, festive train rides, and mouthwatering food make North Georgia events pretty irresistible. There’s something for everyone year-round, and if you miss an event, you can count on most to repeat the following year.
Our top Blue Ridge, GA, events are all family friendly and certainly worth planning a trip to the North Georgia mountains. Get ready to make forever memories with friends and family on your next Blue Ridge vacation at these annual festivals and upcoming events across Fannin County!
1. Fire & Ice Chili Cook-Off & Craft Beer Festival
Event Date: Feb 17, 2024
Ice sculptures and demos highlight this unique Blue Ridge, GA, event! Of course, you can try loads of yummy chili recipes and locally crafted beers from Tipping Point Brewing, Rin Tin’s Barks & Brews Cantina, Grumpy Old Men Brewing, and more. Live music also amps up this annual winter event in North Georgia.
2. St. Patty’s Day Parade
Event Date: Mar 17, 2024
Everything is green in Blue Ridge for St. Patrick’s Day. This neat parade is a fun North Georgia event that features festive costumes and fun floats. Plus, it’s right by a local park, so the kids can stay entertained. Downtown restaurants will also be lively, so be sure to make your way to Main Street to see what’s going on!
3. Blue Ridge Trout & Outdoor Adventures Festival
Event Date: Apr 27, 2024
Also known as the Annual Troutfest in Blue Ridge, this outdoorsman festival boasts live demonstrations, fun activities for all ages, a sound stage, a food court, a beer garden, and fine art depicting the great outdoors!
NEW for 2024: the Toccoa River Tagged-Trout Fishing Derby offers fun prizes when you return a Troutfest event tag from a stocked trout you catch.
4. Spring & Fall Arts in the Park
Event Dates: May & Oct 2023
Participate in art demos, enjoy local food, and add a few fine art pieces to your collection at this double annual Blue Ridge, GA, event this spring or fall at Blue Ridge City Park in downtown Blue Ridge. These family-friendly art events are hosted by the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association and Art Center. Yes, pets are welcome!
- Spring Arts in the Park — May 25-26, 202$ (Memorial Day Weekend)
- Fall Arts in the Park — Oct 12-13, 2024
5. Lake Blue Ridge Fireworks
Event Date: Jul 4, 2024
Pop, sizzle…BAM! Blue Ridge fireworks are always a blast on the Fourth of July. Lake Blue Ridge hosts a fantastic fireworks display every year for Independence Day. Splash at the lake, eat smoky barbecue and hot dogs, and tap to country music while you wait for the show at this North Georgia event.
6. Firecracker Special — Independence Day Train Ride
Event Date: July 5, 2024
All aboard the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway to a brilliant fireworks display in the sister cities on the border of Georgia and Tennessee: McCaysville and Copperhill. Start with a beautiful journey through the lush trees, along the sparkling Toccoa River, and past gorgeous mountain views. And enjoy a 2-hour layover with whiz poppers going off to celebrate America’s birthday!
7. Kiwanis Rodeo
Event Date: Aug 16-17, 2024
Yee-haw! Held since 1995, the annual Blue Ridge rodeo is a rootin’ tootin’ good ole time in the Appalachian Mountains. Events include calf roping, bareback riding, barrel racing, steer dressing, bronc riding, team roping, and more! Plus, all proceeds benefit the Blue Ridge Kiwanis Club.
8. Labor Day BBQ & Gospel Music Show
Event Date: Aug 31 – Sep 2, 2024
Visit downtown Blue Ridge on Labor Day weekend — when gospel and bluegrass beats play and North Georgia barbecue is served early at the annual Labor Day BBQ & Gospel Music Show. Tickets can be purchased at local churches or the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce. And check out the PIC-NIC-NAC in the Park, where Appalachian artists display their one-of-kind creations for purchase.
9. Blue Ridge Mountains Wine & Jazz Festival
Event Date: Sep 7, 2024
Sip vinos from local wineries, dance along to jazzy beats, and enjoy fine art exhibits at this annual wine and jazz festival in nearby Ellijay, GA, at the Blue Ridge Mountains Wine & Jazz Fest. You can also eat tasty food from local restaurants and purchase a wine bottle to bring back to the cabin after a fun-filled day at this fall festival!
10. Blues & BBQ Festival
Event Date: Sep 21, 2024
A great lineup playing Appalachian music plus Southern-style barbecue is a match made in heaven around these parts. Make your way to the Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival this fall and enjoy dancing, singing, eating, and drinking together.
11. Georgia Apple Festival
Event Date: Oct 12-20, 2024
Nearby Ellijay hosts the great Georgia Apple Festival every year, a classic event in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Along with apples, ciders, pies, and other local apple treats, there will be 250+ vendors selling handcrafted items at this fun fest.
12. Annual Sorghum Festival
Event Date: Oct 12-20, 2024
Held minutes from Blue Ridge in Blairsville, GA, is the Annual Sorghum Festival that celebrates the art of making, you guessed it, sorghum syrup. Sample fresh syrups on biscuits, play games, watch live performances, and check out local arts and crafts at this fun Blue Ridge event.
13. Light Up Blue Ridge & Christmas Parade
Event Date: Nov 30, 2024
Always held on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, Light Up Blue Ridge is a fun Christmas festival that kicks off the Christmas season with Santa and Mrs. Claus arriving on the Blue Ridge train, a festive parade, plus the ceremonial lighting of the great Christmas tree!
14. Mountain Country Christmas in Lights
Event Date: Nov 28 – Dec 23, 2024
Holiday arts and crafts, live music, activities for kids, and twinkling light displays make the Mountain Country Christmas in Lights a merry North Georgia event in neighboring Hiawassee at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds.
Stay at a Mountain Cabin Rental
Attending exciting Blue Ridge Mountain events in North Georgia means you’ll need a relaxing place to rest at the end of your fun day. Georgia Cabins for YOU features cabin rentals with mountain views, riverside cabins, romantic cabins, luxury cabins, and cozy family cabins in Blue Ridge, Big Canoe, and Ellijay, GA.
Amenities include hot tubs, game rooms, big screen TVs, crackling fireplaces, outdoor lounges, fully equipped kitchens, spacious decks, home theaters, high speed Wi-Fi, and king suites! Book North Georgia cabins online or call 1.800.580.5524 if you have any questions.
Plan YOUR North Georgia vacation today with Blue Ridge events in mind this year!
