Events & Festivals
Plan a trip around the festival.
Annual events worth the drive — music, food & wine, harvest festivals, and heritage celebrations.
13 events
Festival
Georgia Apple Festival
Ellijay, GA
Two-weekend harvest festival celebrating Ellijay's apple country.
Cultural Festival
Helen Oktoberfest
Helen, GA
The longest-running Oktoberfest in the South.
Music Festival
Moon River Festival
Chattanooga, TN
Drew & Ellie Holcomb's intimate riverfront music festival.
Food and Wine Event
Highlands Food & Wine Festival
Highlands, NC
A four-day celebration of Southern chefs and winemakers.
Festival
Georgia Mountain Fall Festival
Hiawassee, GA
Mountain music, crafts, and a historic Pioneer Village on Lake Chatuge.
Heritage Event
Dahlonega Gold Rush Days
Dahlonega, GA
A weekend that turns Dahlonega's square back to 1828.
Music Festival
LEAF Festival
Black Mountain, NC
Lake Eden Arts Festival — global music on a lakefront campus.
Seasonal Celebration
Woolly Worm Festival
Banner Elk, NC
Caterpillar races that predict the High Country winter.
Music Festival
Riverbend Festival
Chattanooga, TN
Three days of music on the Tennessee Riverfront.
Food Festival
Blue Ridge BBQ & Music Festival
Tryon, NC
Sanctioned BBQ competition with live mountain music.
Outdoor Festival
Appalachian Trail Days
Damascus, NC
The largest annual gathering of AT thru-hikers.
Hot Air Balloon Event
Helen to the Atlantic Balloon Race
Helen, GA
America's only long-distance hot air balloon race.
Craft Festival
John C. Campbell Fall Festival
Brasstown, NC
Folk school crafts, contra dancing, and Appalachian music.
Dates vary by year. Always confirm details with the official event website before planning your trip.