Fall Festivals 2025, Best of North Georgia
As the crisp autumn air arrives, the North Georgia mountains transform into a vibrant tapestry of color, making it the perfect destination for a fall getaway. The mild, cool weather sets the stage for a spectacular display of foliage, with the leaves turning brilliant shades of yellow, gold, orange, and red, especially from late October into early November. Beyond the breathtaking scenery, the mountains are buzzing with activity. Here's your guide to some of the best fall festivals and events in Blue Ridge, Ellijay, and Blairsville.
Ellijay: The Apple and Mountain Bike Capital
As the self-proclaimed "Apple Capital of Georgia," Ellijay fully embraces the fall season with a variety of apple-themed events and activities. Beyond the festivals, the city is also recognized as the "Mountain Bike Capital of Georgia," with a vast network of trails catering to all skill levels.
2025 Ellijay Bacon Fest: A festival dedicated to all things bacon, this event features food, live music, and fun activities.
Date: Sunday, September 28, 2025
Location: Gilmer County River Park
2025 Georgia Apple Festival: Ellijay’s signature event celebrates its apple heritage with hundreds of vendors, food, music, and demonstrations.
Dates: October 11–12 and October 18–19, 2025
Location: Ellijay Lions Club Fairgrounds, 1729 South Main Street
2025 Apple Arts Festival: A pet-friendly festival in downtown Ellijay featuring arts, crafts, food, and local shops.
Dates: October 11–12 and October 18–19, 2025
Location: Downtown Ellijay
After a day of exploring the festivals, you can hit the trails for some of the best mountain biking in the Southeast. Some local favorites include:
Bear Creek Trail: A popular, out-and-back trail known for its beautiful singletrack, creek crossings, and the famous Gennett Poplar tree. It's a challenging ride but well worth the effort.
Ridgeway Mountain Bike Trails: Located at Carters Lake, this network of trails offers options for all skill levels, from the beginner-friendly Amadahy Trail to the technical "Roots & Chutes" downhill sections.
Once you've finished your ride, be sure to stop by the Cartecay Bike Shop & Brewery in downtown Ellijay. It's a one-of-a-kind establishment that's part full-service bike shop and part craft brewery. It's the perfect spot to grab a handcrafted beer after a hard ride, with selections like their "Local Legend IPA" or "Mountaintown Dark Pilsner."
Blairsville: Celebrating Heritage and Music
Known for its beautiful scenery and welcoming community, Blairsville hosts a series of festivals that celebrate local heritage and provide family fun. The Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, while located in nearby Hiawassee, is a major destination for fall events.
2025 Georgia Mountain Fall Festival: Held at the historic Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, this festival spans two weekends and features music, arts and crafts, and carnival rides.
Dates: October 10–12 & October 16–18, 2025
Description: The festival includes a Pioneer Village, arts and crafts, and music concerts. Carnival rides are only available on the first weekend. Headlining acts include Neal McCoy, Ronnie McDowell, Chase Rice, Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, Josh Turner, and Trace Adkins.
Blairsville Sorghum Festival: This event celebrates the tradition of making sorghum syrup. It's a fun-filled festival with syrup-making demonstrations, arts, crafts, live music, and games like hatchet throwing and log sawing.
Dates: (Based on previous years, it's typically the second and third weekends of October)
Blue Ridge: Arts, Music, and Scenic Views
Blue Ridge offers a blend of arts, live music, and outdoor activities set against the stunning backdrop of the mountains.
2025 Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival: This festival combines the soulful sounds of blues music with the sweet aroma of BBQ.
Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025
Description: Enjoy live blues music from multiple bands and savor award-winning BBQ from local and regional vendors. The event is family-friendly, and kids 12 and under get in free.
PawsFest: A pet-friendly music festival for the whole family, this event features a pet parade, costume contest, pet photos, live music, food trucks, beer and wine, and vendors.
Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025
Location: Blue Ridge Farmers Market from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Mercier Orchards: A must-visit destination for fall fun, Mercier Orchards offers its main event, the Apple U-Pick, which allows visitors to pick their own apples directly from the trees during the season. During the Apple Pickin' Jubilee, held on weekends in September and October, they offer additional activities like live music, wagon rides, playgrounds, and even swimming pigs. Beyond picking, visitors can also enjoy tractor tours, taste farm-fresh food from the market and deli, and sample hard ciders and wines.
Fall Arts in the Park: Held in the Downtown Blue Ridge City Park, this festival features hundreds of regional artists and craftsmen, offering a chance to find unique fine art and handmade goods.
Dates: October 11-12, 2025
Description: A fine art and crafts festival showcasing regional talent, with kids' activities and food.
Vogel's Fall Festival at Vogel State Park: This event offers a fun-filled afternoon of music, food, and craft vendors at one of Georgia's oldest state parks.
Date: October 25, 2025
Description: The festival includes hayrides, a rubber duck race, and trick-or-treating in the campground.
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway: For a different way to experience the fall colors, take a ride on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway. The round-trip journey winds along the Toccoa River, offering a unique perspective of the vibrant autumn foliage. The fall foliage tours typically run from the end of September to the beginning of November.
If you're looking for some great local brews, Blue Ridge has several excellent options. Many of them also feature dog-friendly patios so your four-legged friends can join the fun.
Angry Hops Brewing: This brewery was founded by two locals who met while working at another brewery and decided to create their own. The taproom welcomes outside food and has a dog-friendly patio. It's also known for being a very law enforcement and veteran-friendly establishment.
Tipping Point Brewing Co.: Located on the second floor of Trackside Station, directly across from the Downtown City Park, Tipping Point offers a great view from its patio. They host a variety of rotating craft brews and seltzers, along with weekly trivia and live music.
Grumpy Old Men Brewing: The story behind this brewery's name is a classic: two retired friends were brewing in an outdoor shower when one of their wives told them they sounded like "grumpy old men." The name stuck! With a motto of "If we don't like it, we don't drink it. If we don't drink it, we don't sell it," you know you're in for a quality brew. Dogs are welcome inside the taproom and on the patio, and you can grab food from the adjacent Scrappy's Snackshack.
