Festival season in Georgia, particularly from spring to fall, is a blast because it taps into the state’s unique blend of Southern hospitality, diverse culinary traditions, and vibrant community spirit. Here’s why it’s such a fun time, especially with your interest in Georgia’s culture and Lake Lanier’s proximity:
- Georgia’s festivals, like the Georgia Peach Festival or Pigs & Peaches BBQ Festival, highlight iconic Southern flavors—think juicy peaches, smoky barbecue, and fresh seafood.
- These events are steeped in tradition, with live music (country, bluegrass, or soul), dance, and storytelling that bring people together in a warm, welcoming vibe.
- Near Lake Lanier, festivals like Helen’s Oktoberfest add a quirky Bavarian twist, blending Southern and German influences for a unique party atmosphere.
Georgia has quite a few festivals this time of year — and you should be there.
Here Are The Best Georgia Food Festivals For 2025
Ready to get a preview? Here are the best Georgia food festivals this year: Don’t forget to check out our in-depth Atlanta Festival Guide.
1. Georgia Peach Festival (Fort Valley and Byron, June 6–7 & 14, 2025)
- Location: Fort Valley and Byron (~90 miles from Atlanta, ~100 miles from Lake Lanier).
- Details: A two-weekend festival celebrating Georgia’s iconic peach harvest. Features peach-themed dishes, the world’s largest peach cobbler (11×5 feet), farmers’ markets, parades, arts and crafts, and live entertainment. Over 10,000 visitors attend for the cobbler sampling alone.
- Why It’s Top: Unique for its focus on Georgia’s signature fruit, with a massive cobbler as a crowd-pleaser. Ideal for those exploring beyond Atlanta.
2. Georgia Food + Wine Festival — March 21-23
Location: Jim R. Miller Park, Marietta (~20 miles from downtown Atlanta, ~30 miles from Lake Lanier).
Details: A three-day celebration of Georgia’s culinary stars, farmers, and artisans. Highlights include the “Fired-Up” barbecue event (Friday), the “Savor” main event with unlimited beer, wine, and spirit tastings, 15+ restaurants, and a Georgia Celebrity Chef Stage (Saturday), and a family-friendly “Sunday Funday” with a kids’ zone and oyster roast. Features live music and local crafts.
Why It’s Top: Combines Southern barbecue, craft beverages, and family-friendly vibes, with a strong focus on Georgia-grown ingredients. Learn more.
3. Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival – March 29, 30
The Brookhaven Cherry Blossom Festival occurred on Saturday, March 29 and Sunday, March 30, 2025. The time of the festival runs from 10 a.m to 6 p.m.
4. Atlanta R&B Wine, Food and Music Festival — June 21
Who doesn’t like to enjoy a good meal while they listen to live music outdoors? The Atlanta R&B Wine Food & Music Festival is happening on Saturday, June 21, 2025. Address: 2500 Buford Drive Lawrenceville, GA 30043.
5. Atlanta Creole Food Festival — November (Date TBD)
Do you love jambalaya, etoufee and the other bayou goodies? Don’t miss the Atlanta Creole Food Festival, which takes this June in the city.
6. Pigs & Peaches BBQ Festival (Kennesaw, August 15–16, 2025)
- Location: United Bankshares Amphitheater, Kennesaw (~25 miles from downtown Atlanta, ~35 miles from Lake Lanier).
- Details: A major barbecue festival with a competition featuring top pitmasters, live music, craft beer, arts and crafts, and kids’ activities. Known for its smoky ribs, pulled pork, and Southern sides, drawing large crowds for its festive atmosphere.
- Why It’s Top: Combines competitive barbecue with family-friendly entertainment, making it a hit for Atlanta-area residents and visitors.
7. Atlanta Food & Wine Festival – Sept. 12-17
The Atlanta Food & Wine Festival will be held September 11–14, 2025.
- Location: Various metro Atlanta locations (~3–15 miles from downtown Atlanta, ~40–50 miles from Lake Lanier).
- Details: A premier four-day culinary event showcasing the South’s top chefs, mixologists, and food trends. Features over 200 chefs with tasting tents, curated chef dinners, cocktail demos, and craft beer and spirit tastings. Known for preserving Southern food traditions while introducing innovative dishes. Expect live music, VIP lounges, and a focus on regional ingredients.
- Why It’s Top: Its scale, celebrity chef involvement, and diverse offerings make it a must-visit for foodies. Attracts thousands to Atlanta’s vibrant culinary scene.
8. Taste and Brews Festival (Canton, September 13–14, 2025)
- Location: Etowah River Park, Canton (~40 miles from downtown Atlanta, ~25 miles from Lake Lanier).
- Details: A Southern food and drink festival with 20+ vendors serving regional dishes, craft beers, a farmers’ market, arts and crafts, and kids’ activities. Emphasizes Georgia’s culinary heritage with live music and a relaxed park setting.
- Why It’s Top: Its proximity to Lake Lanier and focus on Southern flavors make it ideal for anglers looking for a nearby foodie event.
9. Helen Oktoberfest (Helen, September 4–October 26, 2025)
- Location: Helen (~85 miles from Atlanta, ~45 miles from Lake Lanier).
- Details: The longest-running Oktoberfest in the U.S., held in Georgia’s Bavarian-style mountain town. Features German food (bratwurst, pretzels, schnitzel), beer, music, and dances like the polka and chicken dance. Runs weekends, with peak crowds in October.
- Why It’s Top: Its cultural immersion and proximity to Lake Lanier make it a standout for those fishing or staying in the area. The festive vibe is unmatched.
10. Georgia Apple Festival (Ellijay, October 11–12 & 18–19, 2025)
- Location: Ellijay (~75 miles from Atlanta, ~35 miles from Lake Lanier).
- Details: A fall favorite celebrating Georgia’s apple harvest with apple-based dishes, cider, cooking demos, a parade, and a classic car show. Features vendors, crafts, and family-friendly activities across two weekends.
- Why It’s Top: Perfect for autumn visitors to North Georgia, especially those near Lake Lanier, with a cozy, family-oriented vibe.
Where to pick apples in Georgia.
11. St. Marys Seafood Festival (St. Marys, October 4, 2025)
- Location: St. Marys (~300 miles from Atlanta, coastal Georgia).
- Details: A coastal celebration of Georgia’s seafood, with shrimp, crab, and fish dishes, plus local beers, wines, a parade, and arts and crafts. Features restaurant specials and food trucks.
- Why It’s Top: Highlights Georgia’s coastal cuisine, perfect for seafood lovers willing to travel beyond Atlanta.
Love fried fish, calamari and more? Check out our Atlanta Seafood Guide.
Explore Atlanta At Your Own Pace
Georgia’s mild weather makes the winter a pretty fun place, but when it warms up just a little bit, that’s when the food festivals take over. The best Georgia food festivals offer awesome food, strong cocktails, craft beer and live music.
So you’re in Atlanta for the weekend or a few more days. What to do? Well, first of all, there are quite a few things to see and do, but first you gotta eat!T
Take a look at the many food spots downtown Atlanta, or even in Buckhead That’s where some of the best restaurants are as well as where the visitors, namely tourists, are. CNN Center often has something cool going on! Check out these events in Atlanta today and this week and this weekend:
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