Events & Festivals in Georgia (USA)
Your complete guide to what's happening throughout the year
Georgia's annual events plug you straight into local life. Think peach harvests and coastal shrimping seasons. Festivals orbit these regional products. Major arts and sports gatherings fill the cities. The schedule stays busy year-round. Indoor cultural events dominate cooler months. Outdoor celebrations exploit the warmer climate. Attending one puts you inside Georgia's seasonal rhythms and community traditions.
- Spring festival season in April, centered on Atlanta and Savannah
- Independence Day week with the Peachtree Road Race and many local celebrations
- Fall fair and food festival weekends from late September through October
- Holiday light displays and markets from late November through December
- 12 October 2026 Columbus Day
- 12 October 2026 Indigenous Peoples' Day
- 11 November 2026 Veterans Day
- 26 November 2026 Thanksgiving Day
- 25 December 2026 Christmas Day
- 1 January 2027 New Year's Day
- 18 January 2027 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- 15 February 2027 Washington's Birthday
- 26 March 2027 Good Friday
- 31 May 2027 Memorial Day
- 18 June 2027 Juneteenth National Independence Day
- 5 July 2027 Independence Day
- 6 September 2027 Labor Day
January
🎭MLK Day Commemorative Service
Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta hosts this annual service honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Speeches, musical performances, and reflections from community leaders fill the program. The mood turns reverent and reflective. A varied audience gathers.
🎭Southeastern Wildlife Exposition
Charleston, SC, draws Georgia residents to this event. Wildlife art, conservation exhibits, and sporting demonstrations fill galleries and tents downtown. Outdoors enthusiasts and art collectors feel at home here.
February
🎭Savannah Book Festival
Savannah hosts this multi-day literary gathering. Well-known authors arrive for lectures, panels, and signings. Historic venues scattered across the city host events. The atmosphere feels intellectual and social. Book lovers thrive here. It works for any genre reader wanting direct writer access.
⚽Georgia National Rodeo
The Georgia National Fairgrounds hosts this rodeo. Professional cowboys and cowgirls compete in bull riding, barrel racing, and roping. The arena pulses with crowd energy and country music. Families get a solid introduction to Western sports.
🎭Atlanta Jewish Film Festival
This ranks among Georgia's largest film festivals. A curated selection of Jewish-themed films from around the world screens here. Directors and scholars lead discussions afterward. The audience knows cinema. They want cultural stories.
March
⚽Georgia Bridgeman's Fishing Rodeo
This family fishing tournament hits the Georgia coast. Prizes go to the largest catches across species categories. The Brunswick area is base, with weigh stations at local marinas. The vibe stays casual. Local angling culture rules the day.
April
🎉Atlanta Dogwood Festival
Atlanta's oldest spring tradition centers on Piedmont Park's dogwood trees. A large fine arts market features hundreds of jury-selected artists. Live music plays across multiple stages. Family activities fill the gaps. The mood stays celebratory and community-driven.
🎵Savannah Music Festival
This multi-week festival programs jazz, classical, folk, and world music. Intimate theaters and historic halls across Savannah host concerts. Acoustics are excellent. Audiences pay attention. Serious music enthusiasts gather here.
⚽Master's Tournament
Augusta National Golf Club hosts this major championship. It stands among sports' most prestigious events. Tradition and quiet decorum matter here. Attendance requires invitation only. Still, it anchors Georgia's sports calendar each spring.
May
🍽️Atlanta Food and Wine Festival
Southern culinary talent and ingredients take center stage here. Tasting tents, cooking demonstrations, and chef-led seminars fill the program. The focus stays on education and flavor. The atmosphere feels sophisticated and indulgent.
🎉Georgia Renaissance Festival
A recreated 16th-century village springs to life. Jousting tournaments, artisan crafts, themed stage shows, and period food fill the grounds. Visitors dress up and interact with cast members. Families and fantasy fans love this playful, immersive escape.
June
🎵AthFest Music and Arts Festival
Athens throws this festival for local music and arts. Dozens of bands play across outdoor stages and indoor clubs. An artist market and kids' zone complete the picture. The crowd cares about the city's influential music scene.
🍽️Georgia Peach Festival
Middle Georgia celebrates its state fruit with this festival. A parade, peach recipe contests, and endless peach-based foods and drinks fill the schedule. The small-town vibe stays friendly and agriculture-focused. Families and farm-to-table enthusiasts feel at home.
July
⚽Peachtree Road Race
This Fourth of July 10k ranks as the world's largest. Tens of thousands of runners course through Atlanta. Spectators and live music electrify the route. Lottery entry required. The experience defines Atlanta.
🎭National Black Arts Festival
Atlanta hosts this festival of visual arts, film, theater, music, and dance by artists of African descent. Museums, galleries, and performance halls serve as venues. The programming feels thoughtful and celebratory. A significant cultural legacy gets its due.
August
🎭Macon Georgia Film Festival
Independent films take the spotlight here, works made in or about Georgia. Screenings include filmmaker Q&As. The mood feels supportive and industry-facing. Cinephiles and aspiring creators find their people.
September
🎉Duluth Fall Festival
This long-running community festival brings parades, arts and crafts markets, live music, and classic car shows. Historic downtown transforms for the occasion. The feel stays nostalgic and family-oriented. Children get plenty to do.
🎉Georgia State Fair
The Atlanta Motor Speedway hosts this fair. Carnival rides, livestock shows, competitive exhibits, and nightly concerts fill the grounds. Classic state fair elements dominate. Local 4-H and FFA participants get the spotlight. All ages attend this tradition.
🍽️Shrimp and Grits Festival
Jekyll Island hosts this festival celebrating the coastal staple. A cook-off, live music, and kids' activities fill the weekend. Dozens of restaurants compete for best shrimp and grits. The atmosphere stays relaxed and seaside. Late summer weekends work well here.
October
🎉Oktoberfest Helen
Helen, an alpine-themed town, hosts this celebration with traditional German music, dancing, food, and beer. Tents rise in the town center with long communal tables. The crowd comes ready to party. They want a festive, themed experience.
🍽️Sorghum Festival
Blairsville hosts this festival for the sorghum harvest. Watch cane grinding and syrup making demonstrations. Pioneer crafts, mountain music, and a car show round out the day. The pace stays relaxed and educational. Appalachian traditions take center stage.
🎵Rome Riverfest
Rome hosts this free music festival along the riverfront. Multiple stages feature local and regional bands playing rock, country, and blues. Arts vendors and food trucks join in. The day feels laid-back and community-focused.
November
🎉Callaway Gardens Fantasy in Lights
This ranks among the Southeast's most acclaimed light displays. Millions of lights fill themed scenes throughout the gardens, both drive-through and walk-through. Holiday shopping and dining add to the evening. Couples and families make this a classic holiday outing.
🛒Savannah Holiday Market
The Savannah Convention Center holds this indoor market. Hundreds of vendors sell handmade crafts, art, and specialty foods. The climate-controlled space suits holiday shopping. Serious shoppers come hunting unique gifts.
December
🎉Peach Drop
Atlanta's signature New Year's Eve bash brings live music, food vendors, and a family-friendly zone before midnight. A massive illuminated peach drops from a tower to ring in the new year. The crowd comes massive and festive. They want to celebrate together.
🎭Christmas at Biltmore
The Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC, sits near the Georgia border. Dozens of Christmas trees and thousands of ornaments decorate the historic mansion. Evening visits include candlelit rooms and live music. The experience feels lavish and traditional.
Tips for Attending Events
Practical advice to help you get the most out of local events and festivals.
Georgia summers bring heat and humidity. Wear breathable clothing and a hat. Carry water. At outdoor festivals, find shade or misting tents.
Atlanta event traffic gets heavy. MARTA rail serves the city center well. Check for park-and-ride options at suburban fairs.
Book popular ticketed events months ahead. Early-bird pricing sells out fast. Secure your spot early.
Spring and fall weather shifts fast. Pack a poncho. Scout covered areas before outdoor events start.
Vendors at free events take cards. Cash moves faster. Bring bills for food stalls and small craft booths.
Event Categories
Browse events by type to find what interests you.
Major community celebrations and themed fairs mark seasons and local traditions.
Events center on arts, film, literature, history, and reflective community observances.
Organized athletic competitions, races, and tournaments welcome participants and spectators alike.
Seasonal shopping events featuring artisans, farmers, and craft vendors.
Observances and festivals tied to specific faith traditions and holidays.
Festivals and concert series showing live performances across genres.
Culinary events celebrating local ingredients, dishes, and harvests.
Rooms near Georgia (USA)'s main venues go first around festival dates - our accommodation guide covers which neighborhoods to book and when.
Where to Stay →Book Tours & Activities in Georgia (USA)
Discover experiences to complement local events and festivals
Didn't see anything interesting yet?
Browse Viator's full catalog of tours, day trips, food experiences, and private guides in Georgia (USA).
See All Georgia (USA) Tours on ViatorReady to plan your trip to Georgia (USA)?
Now that you've got the research covered, here's where to go next.