Helen Live Music Schedule
Which nights, which stages and what it costs, from now into spring
Live music this fall, in short
The regular weekly nights
Hours and admission, as posted
| Where | When | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Helen Festhalle (Oktoberfest) | Mon-Thu 6-10 PM; Fri 6-11 PM; Sat 1-11 PM; Sun 1-7 PM, through Nov 1 | Mon-Thu $10; Fri-Sat $15; Sunday free; kids 6-12 $5-7; under 6 free |
| Bigg Daddy's (Helen) | Thu, Fri, Sat 7 PM; Sun 2 PM | Check with the venue |
| Creekstone Winery, Sautee Nacoochee | Fri and Sat 6-9 PM, through Dec 12 | Free entry |
| Habersham Winery | Sat 2-5 PM; Sun 1-4 PM, through Oct 31 (back May 1, 2027) | Free |
Oktoberfest checks IDs for every adult at the door, is smoke-free and doesn't allow pets (trained service animals are fine). There are no advance tickets except for groups of 25 or more. See the Chamber's Oktoberfest page. Check Bigg Daddy's and Habersham's events page for changes.
Oktoberfest bands, week by week
The last five weeks
| Week | Bands |
|---|---|
| Oct 1-4 | LynnMarie and the Nashville Polka Guys; John Dietz Band |
| Oct 5-11 | Alex Meixner Band; Aaron Dussing Band |
| Oct 12-18 | Terry Cavanagh & Alpine Express; Bavarski |
| Oct 19-25 | AlpenMusikanten; Sonnenschnapps |
| Oct 26-Nov 1 | Europa; Mollie B and Friends |
Subject to change; the Chamber posts the official schedule. Our Oktoberfest guide covers food, parking and what to wear.
Dated events, October to spring
| Date | Event | Time | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 9-11 and 15-17 | Georgia Mountain Fall Festival, Hiawassee | Gates 10 AM-7 PM; concerts 7 PM (Sun gates until 6 PM) | $10; kids 12 and under free; a concert ticket includes admission | Bellamy Brothers & Exile Oct 9; Brad Kaylor & Mineral Bluff Revue Oct 10; Gospel Music Show Oct 11 (2 PM); Malpass Brothers Oct 15; Molly Tuttle Oct 16; Tanya Tucker Oct 17 |
| Sat, Oct 10 | Stein Holding Competition, Festhalle | 6-8 PM | Saturday Oktoberfest admission | Third annual |
| Sat, Oct 24 | Appalachian Brew and Music Festival, Hiawassee | 11 AM-5 PM | $55 advance through Oct 23; $60 at the gate | 70+ breweries, Appalachian and Americana music |
| Sat, Oct 31 | Oktoberfest Halloween costume party, Festhalle | Saturday hours | $15 adults; $7 kids 6-12 | Last Saturday of Oktoberfest |
| Sun, Nov 1 | Oktoberfest closing day, Festhalle | 1-7 PM | Free | Final day of the 56th Oktoberfest |
| Thu, Dec 31 | Dropping of the Edelweiss, Festhalle | 8 PM-midnight | $30; $15 ages 6-16; under 6 free | Live music, dancing, champagne toast; pay at the door |
| Sat, Feb 6, 2027 | Fasching party, Festhalle | 6-11 PM | To be announced | Costume party with live music and dancing |
| Spring 2027 | Alpine Helen Songwriters Festival | Dates to be announced | To be announced | The 2026 festival was April 24-26 |
The Hiawassee festivals are about 45 minutes from Helen. For every event by date, use the events calendar.
Bigger shows within an hour
Anderson Music Hall, Hiawassee (about 45 minutes)
If you want a ticketed concert rather than a tavern set, the hall at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, 1311 Music Hall Road, is the nearest. Tickets go through the fairgrounds (706-896-4191), and prices below are before handling fees.
| Date | Show | Tickets | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Oct 24, 7 PM | Blackberry Smoke with Ben Chapman | $35, $45, $55 plus handling | Free tailgate with food trucks 5-7 PM; follows the Appalachian Brew and Music Festival |
| Sat, Oct 31, 7 PM | Rodney Carrington (stand-up and music) | $54.50 to $200 plus handling | Mature audiences only |
| Sat, Nov 7, 7 PM | The Oak Ridge Boys, American Made Farewell Tour | $50 plus handling | Hits like Elvira |
| Sat, Nov 28, 7 PM | Guardians of the Jukebox (1980s hits) | $25 plus handling | Gates 6 PM; some seating becomes a dance floor |
| Sat, Apr 3, 2027, 7 PM | Three Dog Night with The Sedonas | $45 plus handling | Joy to the World, Shambala |
Free and low-cost series nearby
Smaller rooms, easier on the budget
| Series | When | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Friday Night Concerts, Old Courthouse, Blairsville | Fridays Oct 9, 16, 23, 30 and Dec 4, 11, 18, 2026 | Mountain, bluegrass and gospel in the restored 1899 courtroom; about 50 minutes |
| Community Contra Dance, Sautee Nacoochee Center | Sat, Oct 24 and Nov 28, 2026; Jan 23, 2027 | Beginner lesson 7:30 PM, dance 8-10:30 PM; adults $15, students $10, 12 and under free |
| First Fridays in Hancock Park, Dahlonega | First Fridays, May-October 2027, dates to be announced | Free; bring a picnic supper and chairs |
| Enchanted Music on the Square, Hiawassee | Saturdays, Memorial Day to Labor Day weekend 2027 | Free; 6:30-8 PM; cancelled in rain |
Dates come from each organizer; confirm before driving, especially for weather-dependent outdoor shows.
Where to check for the rest
Taverns change lineups week to week, so the venue's own page is the only dependable schedule. The Heidelberg's Bierhimmel Konzerthalle posts shows on its website, and Cowboys & Angels lists live music on its page. The Sautee Nacoochee Center hosts open mic nights and concerts; check its calendar for the next one.
Our live music venue guide has addresses and what each place sounds like. If you're building a weekend around it, pair a show with a hike at Unicoi State Park (about 10 minutes away) or the twin falls at Anna Ruby Falls (about 20 minutes).
