October is one of the best months to visit Georgia for festivals, with events celebrating the best of the state’s food, music, local and international culture, arts and crafts, beer, history and more held throughout the month. The weather is generally excellent too, with warm temperatures and sunny skies (although hurricanes are a risk on the coast through November).
October in Georgia is also fair month, with the Georgia National Fair at Perry attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors, plus several other fairs across the state. Georgia’s Pride and Oktoberfest events, and Dahlonega’s Gold Rush Days, also attract huge numbers of visitors this month.
Big Georgia food festivals in October include the annual Taste of Atlanta. Other local community festivals this month celebrate Georgia crops: peanuts, apples, sweet potatoes, and more.
Other things to do in Georgia in October include an early viewing of the beautiful fall colors of the North Georgia mountains; hiking, biking, or paddling before the cooler temperatures of late fall and winter; or visiting some of the state’s historic cities and towns.
See also:
– October events in Savannah
– Things to do in Savannah
– Transport options between Savannah and Atlanta
– Lowcountry seafood festivals
!Event dates, venue and other details may change at short notice. Please check all information at the official website before planning your travel.
→ See Georgia festivals in September
– (Helen, GA) Helen Oktoberfest, September 10 - November 1 2026
Annual Oktoberfest celebration at Helen Festhalle. More details
– (Helen, GA) Helen Oktoberfest, September 10 - November 1 2026
Annual Oktoberfest celebration at Helen Festhalle. More details
– (Perry, GA) Georgia National Fair, October 8-18 2026
Annual fair at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter, with livestock shows and and competitions, fine art and other art shows, educational exhibits, fair food, vendors and more. More details
– (Marietta, GA) Chalktoberfest, October 10-11 2026
Annual art and beer festival at Marietta Square, featuring works by professional chalk artists, craft beers from 40+ breweries, live music, food and more. More details
– (Helen, GA) Helen Oktoberfest, September 10 - November 1 2026
Annual Oktoberfest celebration at Helen Festhalle. More details
– (Perry, GA) Georgia National Fair, October 8-18 2026
Annual fair at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter, with livestock shows and and competitions, fine art and other art shows, educational exhibits, fair food, vendors and more. More details
– (Watkinsville, GA) Oconee Chamber Fall Festival, October 17 2026
Annual fall arts and crafts festival in downtown Watkinsville. More details
– (Dahlonega, GA) Gold Rush Days Festival, October 17-18 2026
Popular annual community festival in downtown Dahlonega, with 200+ arts and crafts and vendors, parade, regional music, pie contests and other activities in celebration of the area’s gold mining heritage. More details
– (Atlanta, GA) Little 5 Points Halloween Festival & Parade, October 17-18 2026
Big annual festival in Little Five Points, with Halloween parade, 100+ art vendors, live music, skate ramps, ghost tours, wrestling, street performers and more. More details
– (Helen, GA) Helen Oktoberfest, September 10 - November 1 2026
Annual Oktoberfest celebration at Helen Festhalle. More details
– (Elberton, GA) Elberton 12 County Fair, October 22 - November 1 2026
Annual fair at the Elberton County Fairgrounds, with carnival rides, festival food, contests, shows and more. More details
– (Jekyll Island, GA) Jekyll Island Shrimp & Grits Festival, October 23-24 2026
Popular annual food festival in the Jekyll Island Historic District, with shrimp and grits and other foods, live music, artist market, fireworks and more. More details
– (Savannah, GA) SCAD Savannah Film Festival, October 24-31 2026
Big annual festival of international film at SCAD venues across the city. More details
– (Helen, GA) Helen Oktoberfest, September 10 - November 1 2026
Annual Oktoberfest celebration at Helen Festhalle. More details
– (Elberton, GA) Elberton 12 County Fair, October 22 - November 1 2026
Annual fair at the Elberton County Fairgrounds, with carnival rides, festival food, contests, shows and more. More details
– (Savannah, GA) SCAD Savannah Film Festival, October 24-31 2026
Big annual festival of international film at SCAD venues across the city. More details
– (Stone Mountain, GA) Native American Festival and Pow Wow, October 29 - November 1 2026
Annual festival at Stone Mountain Park in celebration of Native American cultures, with dance and music performances, craft and traditional skills demonstrations, storytelling, wildlife presentations and more. More details
More Things To Do In Coastal Georgia
– Savannah in October
– Boat charters near Darien, GA
– Kayaking in St Simons Island
– Wassaw Island tours
– Georgia beaches
– Blackbeard Island
– Things to do in St Simons Island
– Things to do in Tybee Island
– Things to do in St Marys, GA
– Things to do in Brunswick, GA