11 Georgia Fall Festivals Where Food Is The Main Attraction
Fall in Georgia brings crisp air, changing leaves, and some seriously delicious festivals. I’ve spent countless weekends chasing the best food festivals across the state, and trust me, your taste buds are in for a treat.
These aren’t your average county fairs with soggy funnel cakes. Georgia’s autumn food festivals showcase everything from championship barbecue to authentic Greek pastries, fresh coastal seafood to mountain-made sorghum syrup.
Let’s have some festival fun and enjoy some seriously delicious bites!
1. Atlanta Food & Wine Festival – Atlanta
Picture this: unlimited tastings from the South’s most celebrated chefs all in one place. Running September 11-14, 2025, this multi-day culinary extravaganza transforms Atlanta into a foodie paradise.
The Signature Tasting Tents at The Home Depot Backyard offer endless bites from restaurants across the region.
Professional chefs showcase their signature dishes while you sample everything from modern Southern cuisine to innovative fusion creations.
This ticketed event attracts serious food lovers who appreciate quality over quantity. Plan to spend the entire day exploring different vendors and discovering your new favorite restaurant.
2. Jekyll Island Shrimp & Grits Festival – Jekyll Island
Coastal Georgia knows how to do shrimp and grits right, and this festival proves it. October 24-25, 2025, brings together the best coastal cooks in Jekyll Island’s Historic District.
I remember my first bowl here – creamy stone-ground grits topped with plump local shrimp in a sauce that made me question every other version I’d ever tried.
Multiple vendors serve their unique takes on this Southern classic alongside other coastal favorites.
Free admission makes this festival accessible to everyone, though you’ll pay for individual dishes. Live music keeps the atmosphere lively while you feast on authentic Lowcountry cuisine.
3. Big Pig Jig (Georgia’s State Barbecue Championship) – Vienna
When Georgia crowns its barbecue champion, serious pitmasters gather in Vienna for the ultimate showdown. November 7-8, 2025, marks another year of this legendary competition.
This isn’t casual backyard grilling – we’re talking MBN-sanctioned judging and state-level competition. The smoky aroma hits you blocks away as teams compete for the official state pork barbecue championship title.
Spectators get to taste championship-quality barbecue while watching the pros work their magic. The competition is fierce, but everyone wins when you’re surrounded by this much perfectly smoked pork.
4. Chomp & Stomp Chili Cook-Off – Cabbagetown (Atlanta)
Cabbagetown’s biggest party happens November 8, 2025, when chili teams battle for bragging rights. This neighborhood tradition combines serious chili competition with all-day bluegrass music.
Individual teams and local restaurants bring their secret recipes, creating a diverse tasting experience. Some go traditional with beans and beef, while others push boundaries with unique ingredients and creative presentations.
Arrive early because the best chili disappears fast. The combination of competitive cooking and live bluegrass creates an authentic Atlanta experience you won’t find anywhere else in the city.
5. Atlanta Greek Festival – Atlanta
Celebrating its 50th anniversary, this festival at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral runs October 2-5, 2025. Authentic Greek families have been perfecting these recipes for generations.
Last year, I watched a grandmother carefully layer phyllo dough for baklava while sharing stories about her village in Greece. The menu includes gyros, pastitsio, moussaka, and those heavenly honey-soaked loukoumades.
Everything is prepared using traditional methods and family recipes passed down through generations. The authenticity shows in every bite, making this festival a genuine cultural experience rather than just another food event.
6. St. Marys Seafood Festival – St. Marys
Camden County’s waterfront comes alive on October 4, 2025, with fresh coastal seafood and small-town charm. The Kiwanis Club and local vendors serve up the day’s catch right on the water.
Free admission and family-friendly activities make this festival perfect for everyone. A parade kicks off the festivities, followed by live music and plenty of fresh seafood plates.
The waterfront setting adds magic to every meal – there’s something special about eating fresh shrimp while watching boats in the harbor.
Local vendors know their seafood, ensuring everything tastes like it just came off the boat.
7. Georgia Peanut Festival – Sylvester
Sylvester celebrates Georgia’s famous peanut crop October 17-18, 2025, with creative peanut-themed treats and classic Southern festival fare. This agricultural celebration showcases the crop that made Georgia famous.
Peanut-forward snacks range from traditional boiled peanuts to innovative desserts and savory dishes. Local vendors get creative with Georgia’s signature crop, creating unique flavors you won’t find anywhere else.
Beyond peanuts, the festival features parades, concerts, and traditional festival foods. The small-town atmosphere makes everyone feel welcome while celebrating one of Georgia’s most important agricultural products.
8. Sorghum in the Mountains – Blairsville
Mountain tradition continues with this new festival, replacing the discontinued Blairsville Sorghum Festival. October 11-12 and 18-19, 2025, celebrate the ancient art of sorghum syrup making.
Fresh sorghum syrup paired with warm biscuits creates pure mountain magic. Watching the traditional syrup-making process connects visitors to Appalachian heritage while vendors serve authentic mountain foods.
The parade on October 11 kicks off festivities that blend craft vendors with food traditions. This continuation of mountain culture ensures future generations can experience authentic Appalachian flavors and traditions.
9. Georgia Sweet Potato Festival – Ocilla
October 25, 2025, transforms Ocilla into a sweet potato paradise. This small-town celebration features creative sweet potato dishes and a cooking contest that brings out local culinary talent.
Sweet potatoes appear in everything from traditional casseroles to innovative desserts and savory preparations. The cooking contest encourages creativity while honoring this nutritious Southern staple.
Classic fair foods complement the sweet potato specialties, creating variety for every taste. The parade and community events maintain that authentic small-town festival atmosphere where everyone feels like family.
10. Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival – Blue Ridge
September 20, 2025, brings serious barbecue and authentic blues to Downtown City Park. Fifteen BBQ vendors compete for attention while live blues music creates the perfect soundtrack.
The combination of championship-quality barbecue and professional blues musicians creates an atmosphere that feels both competitive and celebratory. Multiple pitmasters showcase different regional styles and techniques.
Running from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., this festival gives you plenty of time to sample different vendors and enjoy the music. The mountain setting adds natural beauty to an already perfect day of food and music.
11. Helen Oktoberfest – Helen
America’s longest-running Oktoberfests celebrates its 55th anniversary with extended dates: September 4-November 2, 2025. The authentic German atmosphere in Helen’s Festhalle creates an immersive cultural experience.
Traditional bratwurst, schnitzel, and soft pretzels showcase authentic German cooking techniques. The Festhalle provides an atmospheric setting that transports visitors straight to Bavaria without leaving Georgia.
Running Thursday through Sunday in early September, then daily from September 25 through November 2, this festival offers multiple chances to experience authentic German cuisine and culture in the Georgia mountains.