The Most Epic Annual Events in Georgia: Top 10 Must-Experience Festivals (Currently Open)
There’s no denying it — Georgia knows how to throw a celebration. From the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains to the breezy coastal towns along the Atlantic, the Peach State bursts with music, food, art, and tradition all year long. Whether you’re craving the charm of a small-town fair or the energy of a massive cultural festival, Georgia delivers some of the most epic annual events in the South — and they’re all currently open for you to experience.
So, if you’re ready to plan your next getaway or want to discover a side of Georgia that dances, sings, and celebrates, this list of the top 10 must-experience festivals in Georgia is your ticket to unforgettable fun.
Where Georgia Comes Alive: A Year of Celebration
Every season in Georgia brings its own reason to gather. Springtime means azaleas and outdoor music, summer brings fireworks and food trucks, autumn rolls in with harvests and craft fairs, and winter glows with light shows and parades. What makes Georgia’s festivals so special isn’t just their scale — it’s the heart and hospitality behind them. Each one celebrates the heritage, creativity, and culture that make this state truly unforgettable.
Let’s dive into the top annual events that define Georgia’s spirit, each offering something unique, exciting, and worth adding to your calendar.
1. Savannah Music Festival – A Symphony of Southern Soul
Held each spring, the Savannah Music Festival is one of the state’s premier cultural events — and arguably one of the finest music festivals in the country. Spanning over two weeks, this incredible celebration of sound brings together jazz legends, bluegrass icons, classical virtuosos, and global artists for performances in historic venues across Savannah.
Why it’s a must-experience:
Features over 100 live performances in venues like Lucas Theatre and Ships of the Sea Museum
Celebrates multiple genres — from folk and gospel to chamber and world music
The cobblestoned charm of downtown Savannah adds romance to every performance
Whether you’re sitting under the stars listening to a jazz quartet or inside an ornate theater soaking up a symphony, the Savannah Music Festival transforms the city into a living, breathing concert hall.
2. Georgia Peach Festival – The Sweetest Celebration in Fort Valley
No event captures Georgia’s nickname quite like the Georgia Peach Festival. Held every June quite like the Georgia Peach Festival. Held every June in Fort Valley and Byron, this summer tradition is a vibrant salute to the state’s most beloved fruit. Expect plenty of peach-flavored everything — from cobblers and ice cream to the world’s largest peach cobbler baked fresh on-site.
Festival highlights:
Family-friendly parades and craft fairs
Live entertainment and fireworks
Fresh Georgia peaches from local farms
This festival isn’t just about food — it’s a community gathering that feels like pure summer joy. Sweet, sunny, and steeped in tradition, it’s a Georgia experience you’ll remember long after the last slice of cobbler.
3. Atlanta Dogwood Festival – Spring in Full Bloom
Every April, Piedmont Park in Atlanta bursts with color during the Atlanta Dogwood Festival. Celebrating the blooming of the city’s iconic dogwood trees, this long-running event blends art, music, and outdoor fun into a perfect weekend escape.
What makes it unforgettable:
More than 250 fine art vendors showcasing jewelry, sculpture, and paintings
Live music on multiple stages
A 5K run, family zone, and delicious local food vendors
The Dogwood Festival is one of Atlanta’s most beloved traditions, drawing visitors from all over the Southeast. It’s where city life meets springtime serenity — and everyone leaves with a smile.
4. Oktoberfest in Helen – Bavaria Comes to the Blue Ridge
Nestled in the North Georgia mountains, Helen transforms each fall into a full-blown Bavarian village during its legendary Oktoberfest celebration. This festival is the longest-running Oktoberfest in the United States and offers a truly immersive experience.
Festival features:
Authentic German beer, brats, and pretzels
Live polka music and dancing at the Festhalle
Traditional parades and costume contests
Whether you’re clinking steins, dancing in lederhosen, or simply enjoying the mountain views, Helen’s Oktoberfest is the kind of cheerful, communal celebration that defines Southern hospitality with a European twist.
5. Georgia National Fair – Family Fun in Perry
Each October, the Georgia National Fair takes over Perry with ten days of excitement, education, and entertainment. From midway rides to livestock competitions, this event perfectly captures Georgia’s agricultural roots while offering modern thrills.
Why it’s family favorite:
Live concerts, fair food, and carnival rides
Educational exhibits on farming, crafts, and 4-H programs
Fireworks and nightly entertainment
It’s one of those classic fairs where nostalgia and fun collide — cotton candy in hand, Ferris wheel lights above, and laughter filling the air. The Georgia National Fair is a must for families, locals, and anyone craving wholesome Southern fun.
6. Shaky Knees Music Festival – Atlanta’s Rock Revelation
If you love live music, Shaky Knees in Atlanta’s Central Park is the place to be every spring. Since its debut in 2013, the festival has earned national recognition for its powerhouse lineup of alternative, rock, and indie artists.
Festival highlights:
Features 60+ bands across multiple stages
Past performers include The Killers, Foo Fighters, and Mumford & Sons
Incredible food options and local craft brews
With a laid-back yet electric vibe, Shaky Knees is more than a festival — it’s a celebration of sound, style, and creativity. Music lovers from across the country flock to Atlanta for this unforgettable weekend.
7. Georgia Renaissance Festival – A Journey to the Past
Step back in time to the age of knights, jesters, and minstrels at the Georgia Renaissance Festival in Fairburn, held every spring. Spanning eight themed weekends, this immersive event transports visitors to a recreated 16th-century English village.
Expect:
Jousting tournaments, sword fighting, and live performances
Artisan markets with handmade crafts and medieval goods
Giant turkey legs, mead, and Renaissance-themed fare
It’s family-friendly, whimsical, and wildly entertaining — a chance to dress up, laugh, and indulge your imagination. Few festivals in Georgia combine artistry and fun quite like this one.
8. Vidalia Onion Festival – Small Town, Big Flavor
In Vidalia, Georgia’s most famous export isn’t peaches — it’s onions. The Vidalia Onion Festival celebrates the official state vegetable each April with flavor-packed fun and a dose of Southern pride.
Festival attractions:
The famous Vidalia Onion Run and airshow
Arts, crafts, and cooking competitions
Parades and concerts
This small-town festival might sound humble, but it’s recognized as one of the top food festivals in the South. It’s where culinary tradition and community pride come together in the sweetest way possible.
9. Rome River Jam – Georgia’s Music on the Water
Set on the scenic Coosa River in Rome, Georgia, the Rome River Jam brings together top country and rock acts for a weekend of music and waterfront fun. The setting alone — with rolling hills and riverside breezes — makes it one of the most scenic festivals in the state.
What makes it epic:
Major headliners and rising stars perform on outdoor stages
Food trucks, local vendors, and river-view seating
Perfect atmosphere for camping and weekend getaways
Rome River Jam blends music and nature perfectly — the kind of experience where you kick off your boots, grab a drink, and let the rhythm of Georgia take over.
10. Atlanta Film Festival – Where Stories Come to Life
Celebrating over 45 years of cinematic excellence, the Atlanta Film Festival (ATLFF) is one of the largest and longest-running film festivals in the United States. Each spring, filmmakers and movie lovers from around the world gather in Atlanta to celebrate storytelling in all its forms.
Why it’s world-class:
Showcases over 150 independent films and documentaries
Includes panels, workshops, and Q&A sessions with filmmakers
Highlights emerging voices from Georgia’s growing film industry
As the “Hollywood of the South,” Atlanta’s film scene continues to thrive, and this festival is its heartbeat — uniting creativity, culture, and connection in one unforgettable event.
Bonus Picks: More Georgia Festivals You’ll Love
Georgia has so many incredible events that narrowing it down to just ten hardly seems fair. Here are a few more that deserve an honorable mention:
Macon’s Cherry Blossom Festival – Over 350,000 cherry trees in bloom, plus parades and concerts.
Decatur Book Festival – One of the largest independent book festivals in the U.S.
Athen’s Twilight Criterium – A high-speed professional cycling race and community celebration.
Jekyll Island Shrimp & Grits Festival – Coastal cuisine meets live music and artisan markets.
Thomasville Rose Show & Festival – Over a century of floral beauty in a charming Southern town.
Each of these festivals showcases the diversity and spirit of Georgia, offering something for every type of traveler.
Experiencing Georgia Through Its Festivals
What makes Georgia’s annual events so unforgettable isn’t just their scale — it’s their soul. Every festival reflects a different part of Georgia’s identity: its music, food, art, and heritage. Whether you’re sipping sweet tea in Vidalia, dancing in Savannah’s squares, or watching fireworks light up Perry’s fairgrounds, you’re taking part in the story of a state that loves to celebrate.
Insider tips for festivalgoers:
Book accommodations early — Georgia’s top festivals attract big crowds.
Check event websites for updates on tickets and schedules.
Bring sunscreen, comfortable shoes, and an appetite for Southern flavor.
No matter where your travels take you, Georgia’s festival season offers memories that last a lifetime.
Conclusion: Celebrate the Spirit of Georgia, Year-Round
From mountain towns to seaside cities, Georgia knows how to celebrate life — and these top 10 must-experience festivals prove it. They bring together the best of music, food, culture, and community, creating experiences that define the true spirit of the South.
So mark your calendar, pack your bags, and get ready to join the fun. Whether it’s dancing under Savannah’s stars, biting into a fresh Vidalia onion, or raising a stein in Helen, one thing’s for sure — Georgia’s festivals are where unforgettable memories are made.
Come celebrate, connect, and discover the most epic annual events in Georgia — where every season brings a reason to smile.