Fall Festivals in the Mountains

We're ready for cooler days, blue skies, brightly colored red and gold leaves, apple pickin', cider drinking and fall festivals in the mountains. Here's a list of some of the best!

Sept – Apple U-Pick at Mercier Orchards, . Fall in Blue Ridge is always kicked off by Apple U-Pick and tractor rides. The largest apple orchard in the southeast, is known as Southern Living Magazine's "favorite roadside apple market," but it is much, much more. For over 80 years, the Mercier family has been welcoming visitors to taste the fruits of the mountains. Saturdays and Sundays; call to confirm 706-632-3411.

Oct 6 - Oct 14 - Georgia Mountain Fall Festival, Begins the first Friday in October and lasts for 9 days, arts and craft vendors, exciting music performances, carnival rides, fair food, games and more!

Oct 7- 15 – Cherry Log Fall Festival, First two weekends of October, Downtown Cherry Log, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Homemade breakfast and lunch, arts and crafts, homemade cakes, bluegrass, gospel and country music

Oct 7 - 8 - John C. Campbell Fall Festival - Always the first full weekend in October at the John C. Campbell Folk School. Celebrate Appalachian heritage, featuring a wide variety of craftspeople, continuous live music and dance, craft demonstrations, good food, and much more. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Oct 7- 8 – Georgia Marble Festival, First weekend in October at the Lee Newton Memorial Park, Jasper, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. This two-day celebration includes a road race, parade, expo, fine arts exhibit, arts & crafts booths, entertainment, children's area, business expo and tours of the marble quarry.

Oct 7- 8 - Indian Summer Festival, First weekend in October, at the Woody Gap School in, Suches, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. On the grounds of Georgia's Smallest Public School. Activities and family entertainment, pottery, quilts, homemade goodies, stained glass, folk art and more.

Oct 14 – Blue Ridge Marching Band Festival, Fannin County High football field, 1 to 9:30 p.m. More than 2,000 marching band members from nearly two dozen high school bands are expected to participate. Bands will range in size from approximately 40 members to more than 150 members.

Oct 14 – 15 – Fall Arts in the Park, Second weekend in October in the Downtown Blue Ridge City Park, Blue Ridge, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fine art, great food, fall colors on the trees and on the canvases. Enjoy the small-town charm of Blue Ridge at one of our signature events, Fall Arts in the Park. This fall arts and crafts festival features hundreds of regional artists and craftsmen. Special events for the kids.

Oct 14 – 22 – Georgia Apple Festival, Ellijay Lions Club Fairgrounds, the second two weekends in October. Over 300 vendors with handmade, hand-crafted items, as well as many on-site demonstrations. There is also a parade and antique car show each year.

Oct 14 – 22 – Sorghum Festival, Meeks Park, Blairsville, the second two weekends in October. Georgia's official Sorghum Festival, one of the longest running festivals in north Georgia. A parade kicks off the event. Bluegrass music, cloggers plus a variety of artists and craftsmen.

Oct 21 – 22 – Heritage Days Festival, The third full weekend in October, Talking Rock, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The little town of Talking Rock will be filled with booths featuring a wide variety of arts, crafts and antiques. Ride the rail with hobbyists. There will be interesting demonstrations for the young and old, Bluegrass and Southern Gospel Music and good food.

Oct 20 - 22 - Blue Ridge Mountains Parade of Homes, Self-guided tour that features amazing homes throughout the area featuring unique and diverse architectural and building styles.

Oct 21 - Annual Paws in the Park, The third weekend in October in the Downtown Blue Ridge, City Park. Pet parade, costume contest, blessing of the animals, pet photos, vendors, micro-chipping and more! Be sure to stay for the Ultimate Air Dogs Dock Diving Competition.

Oct 21 - Appalachian Brew, Stew & Que Festival, Hiawassee at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, Crat brews, delicious food, regional arts & crafts, and lots of Appalachian & Americana music! 11 am to 5 pm.

Oct 21 – 22 – Gold Rush Days Festival, Always the third full weekend in October, in Downtown Dahlonega, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thousands come to see fall colors and celebrate Dahlonega’s 1828 discovery of gold. Over 300 art and craft exhibitors and food vendors gather around the Public Square and Historic District in support of this annual event.

Oct 21 - 29 - Harvest Sale of Blue Ridge, the third and fourth weekend of October at the Fannin County Agricultural Center in Blue Ridge, Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm and Sunday 10 am to 5 pm. Shop handmade items from local craftsmen and artisans.

Oct 27 – 29 – Mountain Moonshine Festival, Georgia Racing Hall of Fame. The Moonshine Festival has as part of its festivities one of the largest auto shows in the Eastern US. The car show is located at the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame, and the festival spreads throughout historic downtown Dawsonville’s welcoming hometown streets.