Blue Ridge, GA Events & Festivals: Your Month-by-Month Calendar (2026–2027)
Blue Ridge, GA keeps a full calendar of events and festivals, from a February chili cook-off to Thanksgiving-weekend tree lightings. If you want your cabin trip to line up with something special, this is your planning sheet.
Below you'll find the area's main annual events in month order: what each one is, where it happens, who runs it (when that's published), and when it usually falls. Where organizers have confirmed 2026 or 2027 dates, we've included them. Otherwise we give the usual timing, because dates can shift. Every event links to an official page so you can check the latest before you book.
At a glance | |
|---|---|
Biggest festival months | May, September and October |
Most events held in | Downtown Blue Ridge City Park, West Main Street |
Busiest event weekends | Memorial Day, Fourth of July, October weekends, Thanksgiving |
Quietest stretch | January to early February |
Free events | Parades, tree lightings and Halloween Safe Zones |
Best source for updates |
Blue Ridge events calendar at a glance
Month | Main events | Where |
|---|---|---|
February | Fire & Ice Chili Cook-Off | Downtown Blue Ridge |
March | St. Patrick's Day Parade | Downtown Blue Ridge |
April | Trout & Outdoor Adventures Festival; Ride the Rails | Downtown Blue Ridge; Mineral Bluff |
May | Blue Ridge Adventure Race; Spring Arts in the Park | Area trails; Downtown Blue Ridge |
July | Old Timers' Parade; Lake Blue Ridge Fireworks | Downtown; Lake Blue Ridge |
August | Kiwanis Rodeo | Blue Ridge |
September | Blues & BBQ Festival | Downtown Blue Ridge |
October | Fall Arts in the Park; Georgia Apple Festival; PawsFest; Parade of Homes; Halloween | Blue Ridge; Ellijay |
November | Light Up McCaysville; Light Up Blue Ridge & Christmas Parade; Holiday Market | McCaysville; Downtown Blue Ridge |
December | Holiday Express trains; McCaysville & Copper Basin Christmas Parade | Blue Ridge Scenic Railway; McCaysville |
Winter events (January–March)
Fire & Ice Chili Cook-Off (February)
This is the big winter event in Blue Ridge, held around the downtown city park on Main Street. Local cooks compete for the best chili, and visitors buy a tasting card (about $10 in recent years) to sample and vote for People's Choice. Expect live music, craft beer and ice sculptures carved on site.
When: usually the Saturday of Presidents' Day weekend; the next edition is listed for February 13, 2027, noon to 5 p.m.
Good to know: it goes ahead rain, snow or shine. Tasting cards sell out, so arrive close to the start.
Official info: Fire & Ice Chili Cook-Off
St. Patrick's Day Parade (March)
A short, cheerful parade loops downtown along East and West Main Street. You don't need to register: walk in it, bring a float or just watch from the sidewalk.
When: the Saturday before St. Patrick's Day at 11 a.m.; the next date listed is March 13, 2027.
Official info: St. Patrick's Day Parade
Spring events (April–May)
Blue Ridge Trout & Outdoor Adventures Festival (April)
Blue Ridge calls itself the Trout Capital of Georgia, and this festival celebrates it. The local Blue Ridge Mountain Trout Unlimited chapter hosts it in the downtown city park. Expect a kids' trout pond, fly-casting demos, outfitters and gear vendors, program tents on hiking, biking and paddling, a food court, and a beer and wine garden with live music.
When: usually the last Saturday in April; set for April 24, 2027, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: a small gate fee (listed at $10 for 2027).
Official info: blueridgetroutfest.com
Ride the Rails Festival (April, July, October and November)
At the restored Mineral Bluff Depot in nearby Mineral Bluff, you can ride a small railcar about five miles round trip over the iron bridge across the Toccoa River. Back at the depot there's a detailed model railroad display. It's a low-key outing that train-loving kids enjoy.
When: select weekends in April, July, October and November.
Official info: Blue Ridge annual events listing
Blue Ridge Adventure Race (May)
Solo racers and teams hike, bike and paddle through the surrounding mountains, finding their way with only a map and compass. If you're not racing, it's still a sign that spring adventure season has started.
When: usually the first weekend in May.
Official info: Blue Ridge annual events listing
Spring Arts in the Park (Memorial Day weekend)
This is one of the region's best-known fine art and craft shows. More than 175 juried exhibitors set up in the downtown city park, and the show has been recognized as a Top 20 Event by the Southeastern Tourism Society. The Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association, the nonprofit behind The Art Center on West Main Street, has run its Arts in the Park shows for about 50 years.
When: Saturday and Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (May 23–24 in 2026).
Cost: about $5 for adults; kids under 12 free.
Official info: Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association and Spring Arts in the Park listing
Summer events (June–August)
Summer is more about the river and lake than festivals, but the Fourth of July is a big deal here. For the full summer picture, see our summer in Blue Ridge guide.
Fourth of July in Blue Ridge (July 4)
Independence Day fills the whole day. Recent years have started with a Freedom 5K through downtown, followed by the Old Timers' Parade, a community parade organized by the Blue Ridge Business Association that dates back to the 1950s. After dark, the Lake Blue Ridge Fireworks, put on by the Lake Blue Ridge Civic Association, light up the lake around 9:30 p.m.
Where to watch the fireworks: from a boat, Morganton Point Recreation Area, Lake Blue Ridge Marina or the dam area. Parking fees may apply at some spots.
Nearby: McCaysville and Copperhill hold their own fireworks and parade around the holiday, so check the date for the year you're visiting.
Official info: Lake Blue Ridge Fireworks and Blue Ridge Fourth of July
Kiwanis Rodeo (August)
The Kiwanis Club of Blue Ridge hosts a two-night championship rodeo with bull riding, barrel racing, bronc riding, roping and steer wrestling. It's a classic small-town summer night out.
When: a Friday and Saturday in mid-August (August 14–15 in 2026); gates at 6 p.m., rodeo at 8 p.m.
Official info: Kiwanis Rodeo listing
Fall events (September–November)
Fall is festival season in Blue Ridge. Combine these with our fall foliage guide and you have a full weekend plan.
Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival (September)
This is the town's biggest late-summer party: blues bands, barbecue vendors and a full day of music in the downtown city park. The Blue Ridge Lodging Association runs it, and part of the net proceeds goes to local children's charities. The festival weekend usually includes a Thursday kickoff and a Friday barbecue at Old Toccoa Farm before the main Saturday event.
When: usually the third weekend in September; the 2026 main day was September 19, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Cost: gate admission ($20 in 2026), with young kids free; paid parking with a free shuttle from the Blue Ridge Farmers Market.
Official info: blueridgebluesandbbq.com
Fall Arts in the Park (October)
This is the autumn version of the spring show, also run by the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association, with 170+ artists and vendors in the downtown city park. Combined with the fall color, it makes for one of the most popular weekends of the year.
When: usually the second weekend of October; the 16th annual show was October 10–11, 2026, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: about $5 for adults; kids 12 and under free.
Official info: Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association
Georgia Apple Festival, Ellijay (October)
A short drive south in Ellijay, the long-running apple festival fills the Ellijay Lions Club Fairgrounds with more than 250 arts and crafts vendors, apple treats and festival food. 2026 was its 55th year.
When: two October weekends, typically the second and third (October 10–11 and 17–18, 2026).
Cost: about $10 for ages 12 and up; under 12 free. Pets aren't allowed on the fairgrounds (service animals excepted).
Official info: georgiaapplefestival.org
PawsFest and the Parade of Homes (October)
On the third weekend of October, PawsFest takes over the Blue Ridge Farmers Market with pet parades, costume contests, agility courses, kids' games and food trucks. If you're traveling with your dog, it's a fun stop (see our dog-friendly Blue Ridge guide). The same weekend, the Blue Ridge Mountain Parade of Homes opens about 16 area homes for self-guided tours over three days.
Official info: Blue Ridge annual events listing
Halloween in Blue Ridge and McCaysville (October 31)
Downtown Blue Ridge and McCaysville set up Halloween Safe Zones, with shop-to-shop trick-or-treating and costume contests for all ages, pets included. The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway also runs a Trick or Treat Train on Halloween evening. Kids trick-or-treat with McCaysville and Copperhill merchants during the layover (a train ticket is required).
Official info: Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
Fall foliage train rides (September–early November)
The Blue Ridge Scenic Railway's fall season (September 19 to November 3 in 2026) is the most popular time to ride. The train runs about 26 miles round trip along the Toccoa River, with a layover in McCaysville and Copperhill on the four-hour trip. See our Scenic Railway guide for tips.
Thanksgiving weekend: Light Up McCaysville and Light Up Blue Ridge (late November)
The holiday season starts on Thanksgiving weekend. On Friday evening, Light Up McCaysville brings food, Santa and a sunset tree lighting along the Toccoa River. On Saturday, Light Up Blue Ridge & Christmas Parade fills downtown with daytime festivities, an evening parade and a tree lighting (in 2025 the parade started at 5:30 p.m. and the tree was lit at 7 p.m.).
When: the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving (November 27–28, 2026).
Official info: Light Up Blue Ridge
Holiday events (November–December)
Holiday Market at The Art Center
From about mid-November into mid-December, the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association fills The Art Center on West Main Street with regional art, crafts and handmade gifts. It's a good place for gifts that actually came from the mountains.
Blue Ridge Scenic Railway holiday trains
The railway runs a one-hour Holiday Express on select dates from Thanksgiving weekend until just before Christmas, with holiday music, a story, Santa and treats for the kids. These sell out, so book as soon as you pick your dates.
Official info: brscenic.com
McCaysville & Copper Basin Christmas Parade
McCaysville's hometown Christmas parade is usually held on the first Saturday of December. For more on the season, see our Christmas in Blue Ridge guide.
Local tips for festival weekends
Book early for big weekends. Memorial Day, Fourth of July, October and Thanksgiving weekends fill first.
Arrive early and plan for parking. Most downtown festivals use the small city park on West Main Street, and nearby lots fill by late morning.
Bring cash. Many vendors take cards, but cash speeds up entry gates, tasting cards and parking.
Check pet rules. Some events welcome leashed dogs and others don't. The Georgia Apple Festival fairgrounds, for example, allow only service animals.
Confirm before you go. Organizers sometimes move dates for weather or scheduling, so check the official link a week or so ahead.
Local tip: If you'd rather skip the crowds but still enjoy the atmosphere, visit downtown the Friday before a festival weekend, or stay out of town and drive in early on Saturday morning.
Where to stay for festival weekends
After a long festival day, it's nice to have somewhere quiet to come back to. Sacred Summit is about five minutes from downtown Blue Ridge, which is handy for parades and Arts in the Park. It sleeps 12 and has sweeping mountain views. Sacred Creek Retreat sleeps 14 on 4.7 private acres along Stanley Creek in Cherry Log, about 8 miles south of town. Its creekside firepit, hot tub and cedar sauna are perfect after a long festival day, and it's dog-friendly for PawsFest weekend.
Festival weekends book up first, and booking direct skips third-party platform fees (here's how that works).
Keep exploring
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest festival in Blue Ridge, GA?
Spring and Fall Arts in the Park and the Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival draw the largest crowds downtown. Nearby, the Georgia Apple Festival in Ellijay runs across two October weekends.
When is Arts in the Park in Blue Ridge?
Twice a year: Spring Arts in the Park on Memorial Day weekend and Fall Arts in the Park, usually on the second weekend of October. Both take place in the downtown city park.
When is the Light Up Blue Ridge Christmas parade?
It's held the Saturday after Thanksgiving (November 28, 2026), with a tree lighting after the evening parade. McCaysville lights its tree the night before.
Where can I watch Fourth of July fireworks in Blue Ridge?
The Lake Blue Ridge Fireworks can be seen from boats on the lake, Morganton Point Recreation Area, Lake Blue Ridge Marina and the dam area. The show usually starts around 9:30 p.m.
When is the Blue Ridge Trout Festival?
It's usually held on the last Saturday in April in the downtown city park. The 2027 festival is scheduled for April 24, 2027.
Are Blue Ridge festivals dog-friendly?
Many outdoor events welcome leashed dogs, and PawsFest is built around them. Rules vary by event, though, and the Georgia Apple Festival fairgrounds don't allow pets, so check each event's page first.
Updated October 2026. Details change — confirm hours and conditions before you go.
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