Craft Shows & Country Fairs in Georgia

Georgia's craft show and fair calendar stretches from the Blue Ridge Mountains in the north to the Golden Isles along the coast.

With 159 counties — more than any state east of the Mississippi — and an agricultural fair heritage dating to the 19th century, Georgia delivers a dense and varied schedule of handmade markets, juried art festivals, and traditional county fairs across every region.

What to Expect at Georgia Craft Shows

The range here covers a wide spectrum. On one end: the Yellow Daisy Festival at Stone Mountain Park, one of the Southeast's most established juried craft shows, running since 1968 with 400+ exhibitors and a Vintage Village component. On the other: intimate community markets like the Indie South Fair in Athens and neighborhood pop-ups tracked by Makers and Markets ATL.

Most Georgia shows mix pottery, jewelry, woodworking, textile arts, and fine art alongside food vendors and live music.

The state's Appalachian heritage runs strong in the north Georgia mountains — traditional woodcarving, gourd art, quilting, and folk pottery show up alongside contemporary handmade goods at events in Blue Ridge, Dahlonega, and Helen.

Indoor and outdoor formats both thrive. Summer heat pushes many events indoors or into shaded park settings. Fall is the dominant season for large outdoor festivals. Spring brings a wave of arts-in-the-park events across metro Atlanta, Macon, and Savannah.

Admission varies widely:

• Many community markets are free (Indie South Holiday Hooray, Gold Rush Days, May-retta Daze)
• Larger juried shows may charge a modest entrance fee (Spring Arts in the Park Blue Ridge: $5 adults, free under 12)
• The Georgia National Fair charges standard gate admission

Country Fairs & County Fairs in Georgia

Georgia has more counties than any other state east of the Mississippi — 159 in total — and many of them host annual county fairs with deep agricultural roots.

The Georgia Fairs Association (GFA) coordinates the state's fair calendar. The Georgia Department of Agriculture supports fair programming as part of its broader agricultural heritage mission.

County fairs throughout Georgia — from Lumpkin County in the mountains to Glynn County on the coast — offer a more local experience, with agricultural exhibits, farm animal competitions, and vendor midways where handmade craft sellers set up alongside commercial booths.

Popular Cities for Craft Events in Georgia

Atlanta

Atlanta and its suburbs host the highest event volume in the state. The Yellow Daisy Festival at Stone Mountain Park draws 400+ exhibitors each September. The Festival on Ponce, Sandy Springs Artsapalooza, and Marietta's May-retta Daze (200+ booths) all run in spring. Browse Atlanta craft shows →

Savannah

Savannah's craft scene draws on the presence of SCAD and a strong tourism economy. Crafts on the River fills Rousakis Riverfront Plaza with up to 70 artisans each October–November. The Gordonston Art Fair runs each February. Browse Savannah craft shows →

Athens

Athens is Georgia's indie handmade capital. The Indie South Holiday Hooray (150+ vendors, December) and biannual Craftstravaganzaa are the anchors. No commercially produced goods — handmade only. Browse Athens craft shows →

Augusta

The Augusta Handmade Fair (spring pop-up series) and Sacred Heart Garden Festival (April) lead Augusta's calendar. The CSRA handmade community has grown steadily in recent years. Browse Augusta craft shows →

Macon

Macon runs one of the most consistent year-round craft calendars in the state — Mulberry Street Arts & Crafts Festival, All Hands Art Festival at The 567 Center, Fired Works, Fire & Ice, and Marché de Noël. Browse Macon craft shows →

Dahlonega

Gold Rush Days — every third October weekend since 1954 — fills the Historic Downtown Square with 300+ art and craft exhibitors and 200,000+ visitors. Free admission. Browse Dahlonega craft shows →

Blue Ridge

One of the top ten craft towns in the country. Spring Arts in the Park (Memorial Day) and Fall Arts in the Parks (October) each draw 200+ vendors to Blue Ridge City Park. Browse Blue Ridge craft shows →

Helen

Helen's Oktoberfest — the longest-running in the United States — runs September 10 through November 1 with artisan vendors present throughout. The Fireside Arts & Craft Show at Unicoi State Park runs each February. Browse Helen craft shows →

St. Simons Island

Glynn Visual Arts anchors the Golden Isles craft scene with the Mistletoe Market (December, 60+ juried artists) and Art in the Park Fine Art Festival (spring). Crafts in the Village runs at Postell Park in October–November. Browse St. Simons Island craft shows →

Seasonal Guide to Georgia Craft Shows

Festival on Ponce (April, Atlanta), Sandy Springs Artsapalooza (April), Blue Ridge Spring Arts in the Park (Memorial Day weekend), Dahlonega Arts & Wine Festival (May), and May-retta Daze (May, Marietta). Augusta's Sacred Heart Garden Festival and Handmade Fair pop-ups run April–May.

The pace slows outdoors due to heat and humidity. Farmers markets in Athens, Savannah, and Atlanta feature local makers. Helen's summer river tourism draws artisan shoppers to downtown shops. Oktoberfest begins in early September.

Peak season statewide. Yellow Daisy Festival (September, Stone Mountain), Sandy Springs Fall Festival (September), Gold Rush Days (third October weekend, Dahlonega), Blue Ridge Fall Arts in the Parks (second October weekend), Crafts on the River (October–November, Savannah), Isle of Hope Art Festival (October 24, Savannah).

Indie South Holiday Hooray (December, Athens), Macon Marché de Noël, Mistletoe Market (December, St. Simons Island), Blue Ridge Art Center Winter Marketplace (Thanksgiving–Christmas). Atlanta's mild winters keep outdoor options viable through mid-December.

Types of Events You'll Find

• Juried art and craft shows — Yellow Daisy Festival, Sandy Springs Artsapalooza, Blue Ridge Arts in the Park; vetted exhibitors, handmade only
• Handmade indie markets — Indie South Fair (Athens), Augusta Handmade Fair, Makers and Markets ATL pop-ups
• Agricultural county fairs — Georgia National Fair (Perry), Columbia County Spring Fair, 100+ county fairs statewide
• Arts-in-the-park festivals — Festival on Ponce, Chastain Park Arts Festival, Blue Ridge City Park events
• Holiday and Christmas markets — Marché de Noël (Macon), Indie South Holiday Hooray (Athens), Mistletoe Market (St. Simons Island)
• Specialty festivals with craft components — Gold Rush Days (Dahlonega), Helen Oktoberfest, Georgia Cherry Blossom Festival (Macon)
• Riverside and waterfront markets — Crafts on the River (Savannah), Riverwalk Augusta events
• Maker pop-ups — Makers and Markets ATL, Eventbrite-listed metro Atlanta events year-round

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to find craft shows in Georgia?

Fall is the strongest season — September through November. The Yellow Daisy Festival (September, Stone Mountain), Gold Rush Days (October, Dahlonega), and Blue Ridge Arts in the Parks (October) all land in this window.

Spring runs a close second, with Atlanta-area festivals in April and May. For holiday shopping, December is well-covered: Indie South Holiday Hooray in Athens, Mistletoe Market in St. Simons Island, and Macon's Marché de Noël.

Are there country fairs with handmade vendors in Georgia?

Yes. The Georgia National Fair in Perry (October) is the state's official annual fair and includes both competitive agricultural exhibits and vendor areas where handmade craft sellers participate. Dozens of county fairs statewide mix traditional fair programming with artisan vendors. Gold Rush Days in Dahlonega blends agricultural heritage and craft in a festival format free to attend.

How do I find craft shows near me in Georgia?

Use CraftShow Events to search by city or region. Filter by date, distance, and event type to find upcoming shows across Georgia's five distinct regions: metro Atlanta, north Georgia mountains, coastal Georgia, central/Middle Georgia, and east Georgia/CSRA.

Are Georgia craft shows free to attend?

Many are. Indie South Fair (Athens), May-retta Daze (Marietta), and Gold Rush Days (Dahlonega) are all free. Larger juried shows may charge a modest fee — Spring Arts in the Park in Blue Ridge is $5 for adults. The Georgia National Fair charges gate admission. Check individual listings for current pricing.

What types of crafts are popular at Georgia fairs?

North Georgia mountain shows lean toward Appalachian traditions: hand-turned pottery, woodcarving, quilts, folk art, and woven textiles.

Coastal Georgia events (Savannah, St. Simons Island) feature ocean-themed art, coastal photography, driftwood décor, and jewelry.

Metro Atlanta shows are broadly juried, covering painting, photography, ceramics, fiber arts, jewelry, and sculpture.

Handmade skincare, candles, and specialty food appear widely across all regions.

Do Georgia craft shows include food vendors?

Almost universally, yes. Gold Rush Days fills an entire Historic Square section with food vendors. The Yellow Daisy Festival at Stone Mountain includes dedicated food areas. Helen's Oktoberfest features a full German food and beer component. Most outdoor shows pair craft vendors with food trucks.

Discover Events in Georgia

CraftShow Events lists craft shows, handmade fairs, artisan markets, and country fairs across every corner of Georgia. Search by city, date, or event type to find what's happening near you — from the mountain towns of the north to the coastal islands of the south.