Blairsville Festivals & Events
Sorghum syrup cooked over a fire, juried mountain crafts and small-town parades, about 50 minutes from Helen.
The short answer
Festival calendar
What's coming and what comes back each year
Blairsville's events are small enough that you can park and talk to the people making the crafts. Dates marked "to be announced" haven't been published for 2027 yet; confirm with the organizer.
| Event | Date | Time | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sorghum in the Mountains | Oct 10-11 and 17-18, 2026 | 9 AM-5 PM; parade Sat Oct 10, 10 AM | Meeks Park |
| Blairsville Boo Bash (free trick-or-treat) | Oct 30, 2026 | 4-7 PM | Meeks Park |
| Christmas parade and tree lighting (free) | Dec 5, 2026 | Tree lighting 6 PM, parade after | Old Courthouse, Blairsville square |
| Tour of Trees and Gingerbread Village (free) | Dec 1-31, 2026 | Tue-Sat 7:30 AM-8 PM; Sun-Mon 7:30 AM-5 PM | Union County Community Center |
| Georgia Mountain Scottish Festival and Highland Games | Early June 2027, dates to be announced | See fairgrounds site | Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, Hiawassee |
| Butternut Creek Festival (free) | July 17-18, 2027 | Sat 10 AM-5 PM; Sun 10 AM-4 PM | Meeks Park |
| Green Bean Festival | Late July 2027, dates to be announced | See Chamber | Blairsville square |
| Mountain Heritage Festival | Labor Day weekend 2027, dates to be announced | 10 AM-5 PM Sat, 10 AM-4 PM Sun in 2026 | Mountain Life Museum |
More dates on our events calendar. The Chamber's festival page lists the rest.
Sorghum in the Mountains
Syrup, clogging and a biscuit-eating contest
This is the town's signature event, and it's been running since 1969. Sorghum syrup is made on site, so you can watch the cane get pressed and cooked down in a shallow pan. Around that you'll find arts and crafts vendors, live music and clogging, and old mountain games: pole climbing, log sawing, rock throwing and a biscuit-eating contest. The parade this year has the theme Sweet Sorghum Goodness. A kickoff concert, the Sorghum Stomp, is at Grandaddy Mimm's Distilling Co. on Saturday, October 10 at 7 PM.
Meeks Park is the home base. Get there early, since the vendors and food stalls do their best business before lunch. A jar of fresh syrup is the souvenir everyone takes home. It lands during leaf season, so the drive is a bonus; see our fall color guide. Union County doesn't allow pets in Meeks Park.
Other events worth the drive
Butternut Creek Festival
A free juried arts and crafts show run by High Country Artisans, with about 90 to 100 artists, demonstrations and live music. Free admission and parking.
Cruise-In on the Square
Free monthly classic car show hosted by the Blairsville Cruisers, April through October. Some months meet at the Union County Farmers Market instead of the square, so check the club first.
Union County Farmers Market
290 Farmers Market Way, Tuesdays and Saturdays 8 AM-1 PM through October 2026; the season runs June through October. Market site.
Scottish Festival and Highland Games
Caber toss, hammer throw, pipe bands and clan tents at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds in Hiawassee. 2027 dates haven't been announced.
Concerts at the Old Courthouse
Mountain, bluegrass and gospel in the restored 1899 courtroom, presented by the Union County Historical Society. Remaining 2026 Fridays include Oct 9, 16, 23 and 30; see the Historical Society.
Kris Kringle Mountain Market
A one-day Christmas market at the farmers market with 100+ local vendors and a visit with Santa. The date is still to be announced for 2026.
Planning the trip
Blairsville is about 50 minutes from Helen. Pair a festival day with Vogel State Park (the lake is drained and the lake loop is closed for dam repairs right now, but the Bear Hair Gap loop and cabins are open) or Brasstown Bald. Lodging is limited in Union County and fills quickly on festival weekends, so book early or stay in Helen. Call the Chamber at 706-745-5789 for current details. Our main Blairsville guide covers restaurants and things to do the rest of the year.
Keep planning
Related Imagery from Around Helen
