Gorgeous Georgia is known for its food, farms, mountains and rivers, and is a welcoming maze of the polar opposites of rural and city life. But when you’re not exploring the landscapes and slick cities, there are plenty of top events and festivals to keep you entertained. These festivals offer things as odd and eclectic as cherry blossoms, boats, roses, arts, jazz, peaches, Christmas and more!
Atlanta Film Festival is one of the biggest and longest-running film festivals in the whole of the USA with over 25,000 silver screen devotees flocking to Georgia each year to feast their eyes on more than 150 of the world’s best new films. Since 1976, the event has been delivering the first sneaky peeks of many feature films, short films, documentaries and award-winning masterpieces. The festival also includes conversations and awards shows, with a special category for LGBT films. Lots of famous films have played here over the years, including Primer, Sympathy for Mr Vengeance and The Cabin in the Woods.
Georgia also hosts a huge Pride event every year, with over 300,000 attendees coming together to celebrate and promote LGBT rights and freedoms. The event offers parades, marches, events, live music, comedy entertainment and a welcoming atmosphere of inclusion, unity and warmth.
If sipping on a beverage is your idea of fun, then Helen’s Oktoberfest is the best place to do it. This is the longest-running Oktoberfest in the whole of the US, and each year offers raucous Bavarian bands, loads of German beer, hearty food and the opportunity to slip into your lederhosen to stomp and sip the night away. The whole event is dedicated to replicating and recreating the true spirit of Bavaria and is a bouncing, beery and brilliant slice of continental fun!
With over 80 years of heritage, Atlanta Dogwood Festival is an excellent outdoor event for the entire family, with lots to see and do for all ages. This long-running country fair offers a traditional jam-packed program of events. There’s an arts market with paintings, sculptures and jewellery, a kids’ village with various attractions to tire out your tykes, music, performances, games, prizes, food and drink. The temperate spring weather and the warm Georgian welcome combine for three great days of wholesome enjoyment.