I hate to be one of those people who complain all winter about how I wish it were summer, and then complains all summer about how I wish it were winter, but I am. How many days of 90+ degree heat have we had so far this year? I don’t even want to know. So let’s think about something cooler– fall (and some late summer) festivals in Georgia in 2016.
Kennesaw’s Pigs & Peaches BBQ Festival – August 26-27
Okay, August might not be cool in Georgia, but it’s still worth checking out. The incredible sand sculpture above is from last year’s festival.
Grant Park Summer Shade Festival – August 27-28
“For more than a decade, Atlanta art and music lovers have flocked to Grant Park each August to bid adieu to summer at the Summer Shade Festival.”
Savannah Bacon Fest – September 2
Decatur Book Festival – September 2-4
“The AJC Decatur Book Festival is the largest independent book festival in the country and one of the five largest overall. Since its launch, more than 1,000 world-class authors and hundreds of thousands of festival-goers have crowded the historic downtown Decatur square to enjoy book signings, author readings, panel discussions, an interactive children’s area, live music, parades, cooking demonstrations, poetry slams, writing workshops, and more.”
Dragon Con – September 2-5, Downtown Atlanta
“Ask any Atlantan about Dragon Con and their first response is likely to be about the parade. The spectacle of thousands of cosplayers, young and old, dressed as their favorite pop culture characters marching down Peachtree Street is simply too much to resist. With an estimated attendance of some 75,000 people, the annual Dragon Con parade is the city’s best attended parade.”
Marietta Art in the Park – September 3-5
Old Fourth Ward Fall Festival – September 9-10
Yellow Daisy Festival – September 8-11, Stone Mountain
Art in the Heart of Augusta Festival – September 16-18
Jekyll Island Shrimp & Grits Festival – September 16-18
Rock’n Ribville – September 17, Lawrenceville
Roswell Arts Festival – September 17-18
Music Midtown – September 17-18
North Georgia State Fair – September 22- October 2
Alpharetta Brew Moon Octoberfest – October 1
Historic Oakland Cemetery Sunday in the Park – October 2
Georgia Mountain Fall Festival – October 7-15, Hiawassee
Brookhaven Chili Cookoff – October 8
First Annual Atlanta Mac and Cheese Festival – October 8
I often feel a little nervous about first-time events, but I hope everything goes super smoothly…because mac and cheese. Duh.
Atlanta Pride – October 8-9
Marietta Chalktoberfest – October 8
Madison Chili Fest and Fall Festival – October 8
Dahlonega Gold Rush Days – October 15-16
Chiaha Harvest Fair – October 22-23, Rome
“A rich tradition of bringing together many talented artisans and craftsmen from the Rome/Floyd County region, and beyond, for a wonderful Fall weekend festival with the goal of raising money to support local art efforts throughout the year.”
Green Tomato Festival – October 22-23, Juliette
“This festival celebrates Juliette’s Hollywood fame and the Whistle Stop Café. Festival goers can peruse a variety of booths selling everything from sterling silver and handmade-beaded jewelry to glass wind chimes and vintage art, and of course, fried green tomatoes!”
Atlanta Streets Alive – October 23
“Our open streets initiative turns car-clogged streets into car-free streets for people to enjoy for the afternoon.”
Walker Stalker Con – October 28-30, Atlanta
Cabbagetown Chomp & Stomp Chili Cookoff and Bluegrass Festival – November 5 (website not yet updated as of publishing this post)
Keep an eye out for an upcoming post of Halloween-themed Georgia activities. Know of any great festivals coming up that aren’t included above? Please comment and tell me about it!
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