We confirmed 2026 dates for 36 Georgia fall festivals, fairs and seasonal events running between September 19 and November 29, and nine of them charge nothing at the gate. The busiest weekends are October 10–11 and 17–18, when 12 and 10 confirmed events overlap, including the Georgia National Fair in Perry, the Georgia Apple Festival in Ellijay and Gold Rush Days in Dahlonega.
Each table below covers one Saturday–Sunday weekend. Every date and price comes from the festival’s own page, the organizing club or the host city (checked September 19, 2026); the festival name links to that page, and “our guide” links to a longer It’s Georgia guide where we have one. “Not published” means the organizer does not list an admission price, not that the event is free. Events that have not posted 2026 dates are listed separately below, and we have not carried last year’s dates forward. The same events feed our searchable Georgia Festival & Event Calendar.
Which fall festivals are in each part of Georgia?
- North Georgia: Helen Oktoberfest, Maysville Autumn Leaf Festival, Mule Camp Market in Gainesville, Georgia Mountain Fall Festival in Hiawassee, Georgia Apple Festival in Ellijay and Sorghum in the Mountains in Blairsville, Prater’s Mill Country Fair near Dalton and Fall Arts in the Park in Blue Ridge, Gold Rush Days in Dahlonega, Mountain Moonshine Festival in Dawsonville, and Helen’s Christmas Market.
- Metro Atlanta: Stone Mountain Pumpkin Festival, JapanFest in Duluth, Duluth Fall Festival, North Georgia State Fair in Marietta, Candler Park Fall Fest, Cumming Country Fair, Chalktoberfest in Marietta, Atlanta Pride and Lilburn Daze, Stone Mountain Highland Games and Sandy Springs OktoberFEAST, the Native American Festival & Pow Wow at Stone Mountain, the Renaissance Festival’s Fall Fling in Fairburn, and the November holiday light shows.
- Middle and South Georgia: Cotton Pickin’ Fair in Gay, Georgia National Fair in Perry, Georgia Peanut Festival in Sylvester, Andersonville Encampment, Big Pig Jig in Vienna and Swine Time in Climax.
- Coast: Tybee Island Pirate Festival, Jekyll Island Shrimp & Grits Festival and Holly Jolly Jekyll.
Which Georgia festivals run all season?
Three events run across many weekends, so they are listed once here and not repeated in every table.
| Festival | Where | 2026 dates | Admission | Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helen Oktoberfest (our guide) | Helen Festhalle, Helen (North) | Sept. 10 – Nov. 1 | $10 adults Mon–Thu, $15 Fri or Sat; Sundays free; under 6 free | Thu–Sun Sept. 10–13, 17–20 and 24–27, then nightly Oct. 1 – Nov. 1 |
| Stone Mountain Pumpkin Festival (our guide) | Stone Mountain Park (Metro) | Sept. 19 – Nov. 1 | $39.99 adult, $36.99 child; park parking extra | Fridays to Sundays; attractions 2–10 p.m. |
| Georgia Renaissance Festival Fall Fling | Fairburn (Metro) | Oct. 31 – Dec. 5 | $34.88 adult (13+), $17.28 child (6–12), fees included; 5 and under free | Saturdays 1–9 p.m., plus Friday, Nov. 27 |
What’s on in Georgia the weekend of Sept. 19–20?
| Festival | Where | 2026 dates | Admission |
|---|---|---|---|
| JapanFest Atlanta | Gas South Convention Center, Duluth (Metro) | Sept. 19–20 | $25.20 at the door; 6 and under free; parking $10 |
| Stone Mountain Pumpkin Festival opening weekend | Stone Mountain Park (Metro) | Sept. 19 – Nov. 1 | $39.99 adult, $36.99 child |
| Helen Oktoberfest (third Thu–Sun block) | Helen (North) | Sept. 17–20 | $10 adults Mon–Thu, $15 Fri or Sat; Sundays free; under 6 free |
What’s on the weekend of Sept. 26–27?
| Festival | Where | 2026 dates | Admission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth Fall Festival | Downtown Duluth (Metro) | Sept. 26–27 | Free |
| North Georgia State Fair | Jim R. Miller Park, Marietta (Metro) | Sept. 24 – Oct. 4 | $15 at the gate, $10 seniors 55+; 10 and under free; free parking |
What’s on the weekend of Oct. 3–4?
| Festival | Where | 2026 dates | Admission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton Pickin’ Fair (our guide) | Gay, Meriwether County (Middle) | Oct. 3–4, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. | $15 at the gate (ages 11–64), $10 seniors 65+ and military; 10 and under free; free parking |
| Maysville Autumn Leaf Festival | Maysville, Banks County (North) | Oct. 2–5* | Not published |
| Candler Park Fall Fest | Candler Park, Atlanta (Metro) | Oct. 3–4, 11 a.m.–7 p.m. | Free |
| North Georgia State Fair (final weekend) | Marietta (Metro) | to Oct. 4 | $15 at the gate; 10 and under free |
*Maysville’s 60th Autumn Leaf Festival dates are printed as “October 2nd–5th, 2026” on the city’s vendor application; October 5 is a Monday, so check the city page before planning a Monday visit.
What’s on the weekend of Oct. 10–11?
The busiest weekend of the season: 12 confirmed events, including both big fairs.
| Festival | Where | 2026 dates | Admission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia National Fair (our guide) | Georgia National Fairgrounds, Perry (Middle) | Oct. 8–18 | $15 adult (11–59) and $5 child (3–10) online in advance; 2 and under free; ride Mega Pass $41 extra |
| Cumming Country Fair & Festival | Cumming Fairgrounds (Metro) | Oct. 8–18 | $10 at the gate, $7 in advance until Oct. 7; 10 and under free |
| Georgia Apple Festival (our guide) | Ellijay (North) | Oct. 10–11 and 17–18 | Not published |
| Sorghum in the Mountains | Meeks Park, Blairsville (North) | Oct. 10–11 and 17–18, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. | Not published |
| Georgia Mountain Fall Festival | Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, Hiawassee (North) | Oct. 9–11 and 15–17 | $10; 12 and under free; free parking |
| Prater’s Mill Country Fair | Prater’s Mill, near Dalton (North) | Oct. 10–11 | $10 cash; 12 and under and military free; free parking |
| Mule Camp Market | Midtown Greenway, Gainesville (North) | Oct. 9–11 | Not published |
| Fall Arts in the Park | Downtown Blue Ridge (North) | Oct. 10–11 | Not published |
| Chalktoberfest | Marietta Square (Metro) | Oct. 10–11 | Free (the Saturday beer festival is ticketed) |
| Atlanta Pride Festival | Piedmont Park, Atlanta (Metro) | Oct. 10–11 | Free |
| Lilburn Daze | City Park, Lilburn (Metro) | Oct. 10, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. | Free; free parking and shuttles |
| Tybee Island Pirate Festival | Tybee Island (Coast) | Oct. 8–11 | Free |
What’s on the weekend of Oct. 17–18?
| Festival | Where | 2026 dates | Admission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Rush Days (our guide) | Public Square, Dahlonega (North) | Oct. 17–18 | Not published by the organizer (street festival on the square; our guide covers parking) |
| Stone Mountain Highland Games (our guide) | Stone Mountain Park (Metro) | Oct. 16–18 (games Sat–Sun) | $25 at the gate, $22.50 in advance; 12 and under free; park parking extra |
| Georgia Apple Festival (second weekend) | Ellijay (North) | Oct. 17–18 | Not published |
| Sorghum in the Mountains (second weekend) | Blairsville (North) | Oct. 17–18 | Not published |
| Georgia Mountain Fall Festival (second run) | Hiawassee (North) | Oct. 15–17 | $10; 12 and under free; free parking |
| Andersonville Encampment | Andersonville (South) | Oct. 17–18, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. | Not published |
| Georgia Peanut Festival | T.C. Jeffords Park, Sylvester (South) | Oct. 16–17 | Free |
| OktoberFEAST | City Springs, Sandy Springs (Metro) | Oct. 17–18 | Free |
| Georgia National Fair (final weekend) | Perry (Middle) | to Oct. 18 | $15 adult (11–59) and $5 child (3–10) online in advance; 2 and under free; ride Mega Pass $41 extra |
| Cumming Country Fair & Festival (final weekend) | Cumming (Metro) | to Oct. 18 | $10 at the gate; 10 and under free |
What’s on the weekend of Oct. 24–25?
| Festival | Where | 2026 dates | Admission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jekyll Island Shrimp & Grits Festival (our guide) | Historic District, Jekyll Island (Coast) | Oct. 23 (4–9 p.m.) and Oct. 24 (10 a.m.–9 p.m.) | Free; $5 surcharge on daily and weekly island parking passes |
| Mountain Moonshine Festival | Downtown Dawsonville (North) | Oct. 23–25 | Not published |
What’s on the weekend of Oct. 31 – Nov. 1?
It is the last weekend for Helen Oktoberfest and the Pumpkin Festival, which both close Nov. 1.
| Festival | Where | 2026 dates | Admission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Native American Festival & Pow Wow | Historic Square, Stone Mountain Park (Metro) | Oct. 29 – Nov. 1; weekend 10 a.m.–5 p.m. | Included with an Attractions Ticket, or $15.99 plus tax for a festival-only ticket at the park |
| Georgia Renaissance Festival Fall Fling opening day | Fairburn (Metro) | Oct. 31 | $34.88 adult (13+), $17.28 child (6–12), fees included; 5 and under free |
What’s on the weekend of Nov. 7–8?
| Festival | Where | 2026 dates | Admission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Pig Jig | Vienna, Dooly County (South) | Nov. 6–7 | Not published |
| Stone Mountain Christmas (our guide) | Stone Mountain Park (Metro) | Opens Nov. 7 (select dates to Jan. 3) | $39.99 adult, $36.99 child |
| Georgia Renaissance Festival Fall Fling | Fairburn (Metro) | Nov. 7 | $34.88 adult (13+), $17.28 child (6–12), fees included; 5 and under free |
What’s on the weekends of Nov. 14–15 and Nov. 21–22?
By mid-November the harvest festivals are over and the holiday light shows take over.
| Festival | Where | 2026 dates | Admission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Garden Lights, Holiday Nights (our guide) | Atlanta Botanical Garden, Midtown (Metro) | Opens Nov. 14 (nightly to Jan. 10) | Not published for non-members; non-member sales start Oct. 1 |
| Magical Nights of Lights | Lanier Islands, Buford (Metro) | Opens Nov. 20 (to Jan. 3) | Priced per vehicle; standard-car price not published |
| Georgia Renaissance Festival Fall Fling | Fairburn (Metro) | Nov. 14 and Nov. 21 | $34.88 adult (13+), $17.28 child (6–12), fees included; 5 and under free |
What’s on Thanksgiving weekend, Nov. 28–29?
| Festival | Where | 2026 dates | Admission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swine Time | 100 E. Broad St., Climax (South) | Sat., Nov. 28 | Not published |
| Helen’s Christmas Market (our guide) | Helen (North) | Nov. 28 – Dec. 6 | Not published on the chamber page |
| Holly Jolly Jekyll | Jekyll Island (Coast) | Nov. 27 – Jan. 3 | Varies by event |
| Georgia Renaissance Festival Fall Fling Royal Market Days | Fairburn (Metro) | Nov. 27–28 | $34.88 adult (13+), $17.28 child (6–12), fees included; 5 and under free |
Which festivals haven’t confirmed 2026 dates?
- Hogansville Hummingbird Festival: the city says only “the third weekend of October”. 2026 dates are not posted on the city or festival site as of Sept. 19, 2026.
- SCAD Savannah Film Festival: news reports give October 24–31, but SCAD’s own site blocked our check, so the dates are not confirmed here.
- South Georgia State Fair (Savannah): the fair’s website does not show 2026 dates.
- Atlanta Greek Festival: paused until September 2027 because of construction at the cathedral. A Greek Feast drive-through runs September 25–27, 2026 instead.
- Folk Pottery Festival (Sautee Nacoochee): the Sautee Nacoochee Center holds it on Labor Day weekend, so it has already happened this year.
- Blairsville Sorghum Festival: that festival’s own site still shows 2024 information. The October festival at Meeks Park is now listed as Sorghum in the Mountains (above).
Which festival fits your situation?
- On a budget: Go on October 10–11, when Chalktoberfest, Atlanta Pride, Lilburn Daze and the Tybee Pirate Festival are all free. Helen Oktoberfest is free on any Sunday.
- With kids under 11: The Cotton Pickin’ Fair and the Cumming and North Georgia State Fairs let children 10 and under in free, and the Highland Games do the same for 12 and under.
- With a dog: Leave it at home for Helen Oktoberfest (service animals only) and the Cotton Pickin’ Fair (no animals except service animals). For a dog-friendly fall day, see our apple-picking guide, which lists each orchard’s dog rules.
- For the leaves: Pair a mid-October mountain festival with our North Georgia fall foliage guide, which explains when color usually peaks at each elevation.
- For one big day out: The Georgia National Fair costs $15 per adult in advance, and the $41 Mega Pass for rides can’t be used on Saturdays or on Sunday, Oct. 11.
- For a pumpkin patch instead of a festival: see our pumpkin patches near Atlanta guide, or fall in Georgia, month by month.
FAQ
What festivals are on in Georgia this weekend (Sept. 19–20, 2026)?
JapanFest Atlanta runs Sept. 19–20 at the Gas South Convention Center in Duluth ($25.20 at the door). The Stone Mountain Pumpkin Festival opens Sept. 19, and Helen Oktoberfest runs Thursday to Sunday, Sept. 17–20, at the Helen Festhalle.
What are the biggest fall festivals in North Georgia in 2026?
The Georgia Apple Festival in Ellijay (Oct. 10–11 and 17–18), Gold Rush Days in Dahlonega (Oct. 17–18), the Georgia Mountain Fall Festival in Hiawassee (Oct. 9–11 and 15–17) and Helen Oktoberfest (Sept. 10 – Nov. 1), according to their organizers’ pages.
When is the Maysville Autumn Leaf Festival in 2026?
The City of Maysville’s 2026 vendor application gives the dates of the 60th Maysville Autumn Leaf Festival as October 2–5, 2026. The city does not publish an admission price.
Which Georgia fall festivals are free in 2026?
Free festivals this season include the Duluth Fall Festival (Sept. 26–27), Candler Park Fall Fest (Oct. 3–4), Chalktoberfest, Atlanta Pride, Lilburn Daze and the Tybee Island Pirate Festival (all on Oct. 10–11), the Georgia Peanut Festival and Sandy Springs OktoberFEAST (all around Oct. 17–18), and the Jekyll Island Shrimp & Grits Festival (Oct. 23–24).
When is the Georgia National Fair in 2026 and what does it cost?
The Georgia National Fair runs October 8–18, 2026 in Perry. Advance online admission is $15 for ages 11–59 and $5 for ages 3–10, and children 2 and under get in free. The $41 Mega Pass for rides is sold separately.
Which weekend has the most Georgia fall festivals?
October 10–11, 2026, with 12 confirmed events, including both state-size fairs (Perry and Cumming), the Georgia Apple Festival, Atlanta Pride and the Tybee Island Pirate Festival. October 17–18 is next with 10.
Is the Atlanta Greek Festival happening in 2026?
No. The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral has paused the festival until September 2027 because of construction on its campus, and is running a Greek Feast drive-through on September 25–27, 2026 instead.
How we checked this guide: Dates, hours, admission and parking prices, and access details were verified against the official sources listed below on . Operators change schedules and raise prices without notice, so confirm anything time-sensitive before you drive. The figures in this guide also feed our Georgia Attraction Transparency Index and Family Day-Out Cost Index.
Sources
- Helen Chamber — Oktoberfest 2026 (dates, hours, admission)
- Helen Chamber — Upcoming events (Christmas Market)
- Stone Mountain Park — Pumpkin Festival
- Stone Mountain Park — Tickets
- Stone Mountain Park — Native American Festival and Pow Wow
- Stone Mountain Park — Stone Mountain Christmas
- Georgia Renaissance Festival — Fall Fling
- JapanFest Atlanta — Tickets
- Duluth Fall Festival — 2026 event page (Eventeny, hosted by the festival)
- Duluth Fall Festival — FAQs (admission)
- North Georgia State Fair — official site
- North Georgia State Fair — tickets and gate prices (BigTickets)
- Cobb County — North Georgia State Fair 2026 details
- Cotton Pickin’ Fair — Fair info (dates, tickets, parking, pets)
- City of Maysville — Maysville Autumn Leaf Festival
- City of Maysville — 2026 Autumn Leaf Festival vendor application
- Candler Park Fall Fest 2026
- Georgia National Fair — Tickets
- Cumming Country Fair & Festival — Tickets (City of Cumming, BigTickets)
- Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds — Fall Fest hours and admission
- Georgia Apple Festival — FAQs
- Sorghum in the Mountains — 2026 schedule
- Prater’s Mill — Country Fair visit page
- Gainesville Jaycees — Mule Camp Market
- Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association — Fall Arts in the Park
- Chalktoberfest — Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art
- Atlanta Pride — FAQs
- Lilburn Daze
- Tybee Island Pirate Festival — 2026 press release
- Gold Rush Days Festival
- Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Visitors Bureau — Gold Rush Days
- Stone Mountain Highland Games — Ticketing
- Historic Andersonville — Events
- Georgia Peanut Festival
- City of Sandy Springs — OktoberFEAST
- Jekyll Island Authority — Shrimp & Grits Festival
- KARE for Kids — Mountain Moonshine Festival
- Big Pig Jig — Upcoming dates
- Atlanta Botanical Garden — Garden Lights, Holiday Nights
- Lanier Islands — Magical Nights of Lights
- City of Climax — Swine Time 2026
- Jekyll Island Authority — Holly Jolly Jekyll
- City of Hogansville — Hummingbird Festival
- South Georgia State Fair
- Atlanta Greek Festival
- Sautee Nacoochee Center — Annual events
- Blairsville Sorghum Festival
Hank Whitlock is the pen name of the It's Georgia editor. Every guide is built around the questions a busy family actually asks before a trip: how long is the drive, what does parking cost, can the stroller make it, are dogs allowed. Details are checked against official park, city, and venue sources, and each guide shows the date it was last updated.
