Fall Festival season is still in full swing as we move into late October, with some Halloween-themed activities now taking place.
Here is this weekend's list of events around Northeast Georgia:
Weekend Events October 18-20
Event Name: 2024 Chicken Festival, Gainesville
Event Date & Time: Saturday, October 19, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Event Location: Lake Lanier Olympic Park, 3105 Clarks Bridge Rd., Gainesville
Event Details: Known as the Chicken Capital of the World, the City of Gainesville looks forward to bringing back this fan-favorite event, featuring 17,000 pounds of freshly cooked chicen. Sample tried and true recipes, plus some new ones, from professional and amateur pitmasters, who will be preparing wings, legs, tenders and thighs. Cooking teams will be judged and festival-goers will have the final say as to which team wins the People’s Choice Award. Other food and beverage vendors will also be in attendance. For more details, visit exploregainesville.org.
Event Name: Gold Rush Days Festival, Dahlonega
Event Date & Time: Saturday, October 19 - Sunday, October 20
Event Location: Historic Downtown Dahlonega Square
Event Details: Over 300 arts and crafts vendors will line the streets of historic downtown Dahlonega for this favorite fall event. There is live music, a kids’ zone, food truck vendors and more!
Event Name: Auburn Fest, Auburn
Event Date & Time: Saturday, October 19, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Event Location: Downtown Auburn
Event Details: Live music, craft vendors, food, a kids’ zone, historical items and more. A Children’s Costume Parade will begin at 3 p.m. This hometown fall festival includes fun for the whole family. Reminisce on classic festival memories while enjoying some barbecue. Kids can have some fun on the inflatables while you enjoy viewing the arts and crafts, as well. Hosted by the City of Auburn, this is free for the entire community. For details, go to www.eventeny.com/events/2024-auburnfest-12220/.
Event Name: Oktoberfest, Helen
Event Date & Time: Now Through Sunday, October 27
Event Location: Downtown Helen
Event Details: From now through October there will be concerts, music, and all kinds of fun events. For a full calendar go to www.helenchamber.com.
Event Name: Greek Festival, Cumming
Event Date & Time: Friday, October 18 – Sunday, October 20
Event Location: 3074 Bethelview Rd., Cumming
Event Details: The magic of Greece comes to your backyard for the 20th year! Fireworks after dark on Saturday night. Great music from various bands, as well as delicious food, shopping and fun for everyone! As always, the delicious, traditional Greek food that you love will be prepared by some of the best cooks around. There will be drinks, pastries and vendors, as well as Greek dancing! If you can’t stay to dance and eat, we will offer a drive-through service. We will bring your food directly to your car! Parking is on-site and free all weekend! Hours are as follows: Friday, 3 – 9 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. (stay late for the fireworks!), and Sunday, 12 – 5 p.m.
Event Name: 2024 Fall Festival, Sautee
Event Date & Time: Saturday, October 19, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Event Location: Historic Downtown Sautee
Event Details: Live music, food trucks, family fun, arts and craft vendors and even a dog costume contest.
Event Name: Sugar Rush Arts Festival, Sugar Hill
Event Date & Time: Friday, October 18 – Sunday, October 20
Event Location: 5039 W Broad St., Sugar Hill
Event Details: Festivities kick off on Friday with Nightmare on Broad Street Film Festival at the Eagle Theater from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Come back at 7 p.m. to enjoy a free concert at The Bowl where “Mixtape” will bring the 80s and 90s back to Sugar Hill. All weekend long there will be over 100 vendors, food trucks, kids’ activities, like inflatables, an animal show, a pumpkin patch and arts and crafts. For a full schedule, visit www.cityofsugarhill.com/sugar-rush-arts-festival-2024/.
Event Name: Halloween Hike, Helen
Event Date & Time: Friday, October 18, 5 – 7:30 p.m.
Event Location: Smithgall Woods State Park, 39 Tsalaki Trl., Helen
Event Details: It’s time to get your “spooky” on! Take a spooky hayride up to the Martins Mine trail, where you wil hear about the haunted history of North Georgia’s Gold Rush. Martins Mine is a moderate 1.7 miles and this hike will be done during dusk. Flashlights are provided, but please wear appropriate footwear and water. Costumes are encouraged! Reservations are required. Call the visitor’s center at 706-878-3087. Cost is $5 per person and this is a family-friendly event.
Event Name: Campfire Stories, Dawsonville
Event Date & Time: Friday, October 18, 7 p.m.
Event Location: Dawson County Library, 342 Allen St., Dawsonville
Event Details: Join this event for shivers, spine-tingles and s’mores, all while listening to famous guest storytellers. Recommended for ages 8 and up. There will be a campfire while you listen to the stories and s’mores are always a favorite campfire treat!
Event Name: Flashlight Corn Maze at Warbington Farms, Cumming
Event Date & Time: Friday, October 17, 6 – 9 p.m.
Event Location: 5555 Crow Rd., Cumming
Event Details: Bring your own flashlight or dare to navigate the maze in the dark! This won’t be scary, but fun for the whole family! Challenge yourself to find your way through the maze, explore the farm on a moonlit hayride, jump on the jumping pillow or cozy up by the bonfire to roast s’mores. Admission tickets can be purchased at the gate, or online. The last ticket sold at 8 p.m. and the last hayride leaves at 8:30 p.m. For details, visit www.warbingtonfarms.com.
Event Name: Running Scared 5K / 13K, Dawsonville
Event Date & Time: Saturday, October 19, 8 a.m.
Event Location: Rock Creek Park, 277 Bannister Rd., Dawsonville
Event Details: Grab your costume and kids (or leave it all at home!). Come out for the best Halloween-themed event of the season. There will be Halloween goodies, plenty of music and a fun atmosphere at the start and finish lines. The 5K and 13K will start at 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.. There will be shirts for all participants and awards in various categories.
Event Name: Touch-A-Truck, Flowery Branch
Event Date & Time: Saturday, October 19 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Event Location: Train Depot, Flowery Branch
Event Details: Come and meet amazing, local fire fighters and see their trucks! There will also be face painting, live music, food trucks and more! For details, go to www.flowerybranchga.org.
Event Name: Movies Under the Stars, Flowery Branch
Event Date & Time: Friday, October 18, 6:30 p.m.
Event Location: Flowery Branch Amphitheater, 5603 Mitchell St., Flowery Branch
Event Details: Join us in Flowery Branch for a mesmerizing "Movie Under the Stars" experience, where the night sky becomes the backdrop to cinematic magic. Bring your blankets and loved ones for an enchanting evening filled with blockbuster thrills and under-the-stars delight. The movie will be one the whole family will enjoy!
Event Name: Outdoor Movies in the Courtyard, Cumming
Event Date & Time: Friday, October 18, 7 p.m.
Event Location: Vickery Village Forsyth, 5860 Vickery St., Cumming
Event Details: This free outdoor movie will feature Despicable Me 4 and will begin around sunset, 7:15 p.m. The cost is free, just bring your blanket and chairs!
Event Name: Chicago, the Musical, Teen Edition, Cumming
Event Date & Time: October 17 – 19, October 25 - 26
Event Location: North Forsyth High School
Event Details: High school drama club students have worked hard to bring the roaring 20’s to town! The famous musical, Chicago, first opened in New York City in 1975 with the tale of the search for the American dream – fame, fortune and acquittal. Come see it at North Forsyth High School! Tickets cost $12 for adults and $10 for students. For details, go to www.nofostage.org.
