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 7 - October 29 2023
Popular annual Oktoberfest celebration in Bavarian-themed Helen, with German-style music, Polka dancing, German beers and food. More details
– (Marietta, GA) North Georgia State Fair, September 21 - October 1 2023
Fall fair at Jim R Miller Park, Marietta, with carnival rides, shows, exhibits, animal demonstrations, art, children’s activities, concerts and more. More details
– (Atlanta, GA) Sweet Auburn Music Fest, September 30 - October 1 2023
Very popular annual music and street festival in Atlanta’s Sweet Auburn neighborhood, with R&B, gospel and other music, car and bike show, international food, art vendors and children’s activities. More details
– (Duluth, GA) Duluth Fall Festival, September 30 - October 1 2023
Popular annual fall festival in downtown Duluth, with 180+ arts and crafts vendors, food, parade, music and more. More details
– (Atlanta, GA) Atlanta Arab Festival, September 30 - October 1 2023
Annual festival of Arabic food and culture at the Alif Institute, with Arabic food court, live performances, vendor market, exhibits, workshops, games and more. More details
– (Hahira, GA) Hahira Honeybee Festival, October 1-7 2023
Community festival in Hahira, with parade, dog show, fish fry and other foods, arts and crafts vendors, and more. More details
– (Cumming, GA) Cumming Country Fair & Festival, October 5-15 2023
Annual fall fair at the Cumming Fairgrounds, with carnival rides, festival food, concerts, animal shows, other performances and more. More details
– (Hiawassee, GA) Georgia Mountain Fall Festival, October 6-14 2023
Annual fall festival in Hiawassee, with traditional artisanal demonstrations, pioneer village, food vendors, arts and crafts, performances, carnival rides and more. More details
– (Hoschton, GA) Hoschton Fall Festival, October 6-8 2023
Annual fall community festival in Hoschton, with parade, arts and crafts, food vendors, music and more. More details
– (Harlem, GA) Oliver Hardy Festival, October 7 2023
Annual community festival in Harlem celebrating the lives and work of Laurel and Hardy, with parade, crafts and food vendors, live entertainment, short film screenings, memorabilia displays and more. More details
– (Helen, GA) Helen Oktoberfest, September 7 - October 29 2023
Popular annual Oktoberfest celebration in Bavarian-themed Helen, with German-style music, Polka dancing, German beers and food. More details
– (Hiawassee, GA) Georgia Mountain Fall Festival, October 6-14 2023
Annual fall festival in Hiawassee, with traditional artisanal demonstrations, pioneer village, food vendors, arts and crafts, performances, carnival rides and more. More details
– (Gainesville, GA) Mule Camp Market, October 13-15 2023
Annual festival in Gainesville, with free concert and other live music, vendors, food court, children’s activities and more. More details
– (Atlanta, GA) Atlanta Pride, October 14-15 2023
Big annual Pride festival in Atlanta’s Piedmont Park, with parade, marches, marketplace, live music and other entertainment, and more. More details
– (Grovetown, GA) Banjo-B-Que, October 14-15 2023
Annual food and music festival at the Columbia County Fairgrounds in Grovetown, with bluegrass, Americana and roots music, barbecue and other foods, craft beers, pig races and more. More details
– (Ellijay, GA) Georgia Apple Festival, October 14-15, 21-22 2023
Annual arts and crafts show at Ellijay Lions Club Fairgrounds, with 300+ vendors of handmade items, crafts demonstrations, car show, parade and more. More details
– (Helen, GA) Helen Oktoberfest, September 7 - October 29 2023
Popular annual Oktoberfest celebration in Bavarian-themed Helen, with German-style music, Polka dancing, German beers and food. More details
– (Savannah, GA) Savannah Pride, October 19-22 2023
Big annual Pride festival in Savannah with festival day, parade, music, drag performances, games, costume contest and other activities and events. More details
– (Elberton, GA) Elberton 12 County Fair, October 19-29 2023
Annual fall fair with carnival rides, live music, shows, arts and crafts, food and more. More details
– (Sylvester, GA) Georgia Peanut Festival, October 20-21 2023
Community festival in celebration of the peanut, with arts and crafts vendors, food, entertainers and children’s activities. More details
– (Stone Mountain, GA) Stone Mountain Highland Games and Scottish Festival, October 20-22 2023
Annual Scottish heritage festival at Stone Mountain Park, with traditional foods, athletic contests, live music and dancing, vendors and more. More details
– (Watkinsville, GA) Oconee Chamber Fall Festival, October 21 2023
Popular arts and crafts festival in downtown Watkinsville. More details
– (Ellijay, GA) Georgia Apple Festival, October 14-15, 21-22 2023
Annual arts and crafts show at Ellijay Lions Club Fairgrounds, with 300+ vendors of handmade items, crafts demonstrations, car show, parade and more. More details
– (Dahlonega, GA) Gold Rush Days, October 21-22 2023
Very popular annual festival in downtown Dahlonega celebrating the fall colors and the town’s gold mining heritage, with 200+ arts, crafts and food vendors, live performances and more. More details
– (Hogansville, GA) Hogansville Hummingbird Festival, October 21-22 2023
Annual fall festival in downtown Hogansville with crafts, antiques, food court, live music, local artists and more. More details
– (Johns Creek, GA) Johns Creek Arts Festival, October 21-22 2023
Popular annual fall art show in Johns Creek, with 100+ artists, live music, food and local beers, children’s activities and more. More details
– (Atlanta, GA) Old Fourth Ward Arts Festival, October 21-22 2023
Big arts festival in Atlanta’s Historic Fourth Ward Park, with fine arts and crafts, live music, food and drink from local vendors, and more. More details
– (Atlanta, GA) Atlanta Kosher BBQ Festival, October 22 2023
Annual festival of kosher barbecue foods at Brook Run Park, in association with the Hebrew Order of David International. All are welcome. More details
– (Helen, GA) Helen Oktoberfest, September 7 - October 29 2023
Popular annual Oktoberfest celebration in Bavarian-themed Helen, with German-style music, Polka dancing, German beers and food. More details
– (Elberton, GA) Elberton 12 County Fair, October 19-29 2023
Annual fall fair with carnival rides, live music, shows, arts and crafts, food and more. More details
– (Savannah, GA) Savannah Film Festival, October 28 - November 4 2023
Big annual film festival hosted by the Savannah College of Art and Design. More details
– (Savannah, GA) Savannah Film Festival, October 28 - November 4 2023
Big annual film festival hosted by the Savannah College of Art and Design. 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