Summer Festivals in Georgia & Alabama
Fun things your family can do in the summer
Southern summers can be scorching hot, but we still love to get outside, cook some food, and just have fun. The South is home to dozens of family-friendly festivals each summer. Here are 10 of our favorites in Georgia and Alabama.
Alabaster CityFest
Credit: alabastercityfest.com/
June 4, 2016
Alabaster, AL
Alabaster CityFest is one of Alabama’s state’s largest music and arts festivals, The event features fun for everyone, including live music concerts and a huge area for the kids with inflatables, kiddie rides, Lowes Build & Grow Workshop, kids music stage, K9 dog show, arts & crafts and more! Free admission and free parking.
Georgia Peach Festival
Credit: gapeachfestival.com/
June 11, 2016
Byron and Fort Valley, GA
This week-long festival attracts more than 10,000 visitors a year. Events are split between the two host cities – Byron and Fort Valley. The Georgia Peach Festival offers a wealth of events focused on peaches, including live music concerts, a parade, peach-focused arts and crafts, as well as a flea market, a Miss Georgia Peach contest – and the highlight of the event – the fireworks display.
Blairsville-Scottish Festival and Highland Games
Credit: tripsmarter.com/
June 10-12, 2016
Blairsville, GA
Celebrate everything Scottish at the Blairsville-Scottish Festival and Highland Games. Each year the festival kicks off with a Kilted Golf Classic, a Kilted 5k run and a Ceilidh-On-The-Square that is fun for the whole family. All weekend long you can enjoy: visiting Scottish clans, Societies, hear pipe & drum bands, see the Parade of Tartans, a Mini Cooper car parade, dancers, musicians, Highland animals, vendors, Scottish food, kid’s games and heritage searches. The Kirkin’ of the Tartans highlights Sunday’s entertainment, along with clan contests and more.
Alabama Blueberry Festival
Credit: cityofbrewton.org/
June 18, 2016
Brewton, AL
This festival has arts and crafts, marketplace vendors, antique car show, live entertainment, blueberries, blueberry bushes, cookbooks, 5K run, cardboard boat race, and more. There is also a free children’s section. Home of the “original” blueberry ice cream (made especially for the festival). Live entertainment featuring Brewton Born Country/Gospel Recording Artist Chris Golden! Free admission and parking. Shuttles will be running!
Fort Benning’s Independence Celebration
Credit: BenningMWR.com
Last weekend in June
Fort Benning, GA
Don’t miss the annual Fort Benning Independence Celebration June 24 and 25. Celebrate our nation’s independence and show support your for our military, Soldiers, Families, retirees and the civilians who make it all possible. Enjoy a variety of traditional fair foods, more than 30 free inflatables for the kids, air shows and military exhibitions. The grande finale features the Soldier Marathon Fireworks Show — the largest fireworks display in the Chattahoochee Valley. Free and open to the public.
Callaway Gardens’ Star Spangled Beach Party
Credit: CallawayGardens.com
July 4, 2016
Pine Mountain, GA
Callaway Gardens’ annual Star Spangled Beach Party is begins early and lasts well into the night. Highlights include beach activities around Robin Lake, Live music, the FSU Flying High Circus and a Fireworks Extravaganza. Be sure to pack plenty of red, white and blue for this All-American Weekend!
Georgia Mountain Fair
Hiawassee, GA
July 15, 2016
Thousands of visitors from across the region flock to the historic Georgia Mountain Fairground for the Georgia Mountain Fair. With first class musical performances, fun carnival rides, unique attractions and a glimpse into North Georgia’s rich history and culture, the Fair provides something for every member of the family. Admission is $12. Children 12 & Under Free
Free Parking.
17th Annual Butternut Creek Festival
Credit: ButternutCreekFestival.com
July 18 – 19, 2016
Blairsville, GA
One of the finest juried arts and crafts shows in the southeast, this annual, two day festival showcases the work of 65-70 artists and craftsmen. You’ll find basketry, fine art, fabric art, decorative painting, glass, jewelry, metal working, photography, pottery, scrimshaw, and woodturning. Free admission and free parking with shuttle service from the parking lots to the show site.
Piedmont Park Arts Festival
Credit: piedmontparkartsfestival.com
August 15-16, 2016
The Piedmont Park Summer Arts & Crafts Festival is a 2-day outdoor event with an emphasis on the visual arts and family fun. This event features up to 250 painters, photographers, sculptors, leather and metalwork, glass blowers, jewelers, and crafters! The Festival will also offer artist demonstrations, live acoustic music, an Emerging Artists Pavilion, a children’s play area, plus festival foods and beverages with healthy alternatives. Ranked one of the Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 events.
30th Annual Fort Mims Reenactment
Credit: fortmims.org
August 27-28, 2016
Stockton, AL
August 30th marks the anniversary of the Battle of Fort Mims. Join us for a weekend of living history, re-enactments, crafts, and more as we remember the American and Creek Indian lives lost on this site so many years ago. The event features living history demonstrations, reenactments and more. Displays of arrowheads and artifacts, early 1800’s crafts (basket weaving, blacksmith work, pottery making, flint napping), period music, Native American crafts and culture, and more. Concessions available. Bring a lawn chair. Burnt Corn re-enactment 11 a.m. and Fort Mims re-enactment at 2 p.m.
