You know what they say; April showers bring May flowers! And what a beautiful & floral filled spring it will be in the mountains! Catch the rhododendrons in bloom at the Rhododendron Festival in the Hamilton Gardens, enjoy live music at one of our local wineries or breweries, get your blood pumping at Run for the Rhodos 5K or the Blue Ridge Adventure Race, and finish your spring Memorial Day weekend at Spring Arts in the Park and the Hiawassee Pro Rodeo! There’s so much fun to be had in North Georgia this May!
The Rhododendron Festival
May 1st-May 12th
Location: Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds
Head over to Hiawassee for a month filled with spring fun at The Rhododendron Festival at their beautiful Hamilton Gardens. Not only will you have the chance to tour the lovely gardens at full bloom but you will also have the chance to enjoy live music, delicious food, art demonstrations, a plant sale, daily seminars, and much more! Admission to the gardens is $6 and the event takes place daily from April 12th-May 12th.
Artisan Pottery Expo
May 1st-May 18th
Location: The Art Center
Come on out to the Art Center April 5th-May 18th and admire the beautiful designs of two- and three-dimensional clay artists. The pottery works will be on display in the Richard Low Evans Gallery with an opening reception Friday April 5th from 5pm-7pm.
Guided Hikes with the Benton McKaye Trail Association
May 1st-May 31st
Location: Cherry Log, GA
Explore the beauty of North Georgia on a guided hiking tour with the Benton McKaye Trail Association. They offer 2-4 hikes a month varying in difficulty from easy, leisurely hikes to moderately difficult hikes.
May 1st: Lady Slippers! Mulky Gap near Blairsville.
May 8th: Lady Slipper Hike. BMT at Weaver Creek in Blue Ridge.
May 17th: Amadahy Trail. DOG-FRIENDLY HIKE.
May 21st: Turtletown Creek Falls.
May 29th: Pickens Nose overlook on the AT.
May 31st: Wilscot Gap to Brawley Tower, Payne Gap and return.
May 31st: Fightingtown Creek Nature Park. The Creekside Trail.
Pickin’ In The Park
May 2nd-May 30th
Location: Horseshoe Bend Park
Every Thursday night at 6:00pm, May-September visit Horseshoe Bend Park in McCaysville, GA for live music and picnicking by the Toccoa River. Picnic tables are available but feel free to bring a picnic blanket and lawn chair as well. Admission is free so bring the whole family to enjoy!
Live Music & Events at Grapes & Ladders Vineyard
May 2nd-May 23rd
Location: Grapes & Ladders Vineyard
Have a glass of wine at one of North Georgia’s newest wineries- Grapes and Ladders Vineyard! This charming family owned and operated vineyard is nestled in the rolling hills of Ellijay and open on weekends to families and visitors. On weekends you can enjoy live music from great local artists while you sip on delicious North Georgia wine.
May 2nd: Open Mic Night with Brad Tolson
May 4th: Cox Johnson
May 5th: Gabe Meyers
May 9th: Open Mic Night with Brad Tolson
May 10th: Brad Tolson’s Friday Jam
May 11th: Alyce & Marco
May 12th: Brad Tolson
May 16th: Open Mic Night with Brad Tolson
May 18th: Jordan Denton
May 19th: Brett Cantrell
May 23rd: Friday Night Trivia with Tom George
Concerts at Eller Holler
May 2nd-May 23rd
Location: Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds
Head to the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds in Hiawassee, GA Thursday nights for the Concerts at Eller Holler Series. The event takes place every Thursday night April 25th through May 23rd from 6pm-9pm and will include food trucks, crafters and live music. Bring your lawn chairs or picnic blankets and come on out for an evening of fun!
May 2nd: Run Katie Run with Special Guest: Jack McKeon
May 9th: Jukebox Country with Special Guest: Austin Coleman
May 16th: Charlesy Etheridge with Special Guest: Anna Shinholster
May 23rd: Dead Bread
Live Music at Grumpy Old Men Brewing
May 2nd-May 31st
Location: Grumpy Old Men Brewing
Stop by Grumpy Old Men Brewery Thursdays to sing along to your favorite songs for karaoke night! And drop by select Fridays & Saturdays from 3pm-6pm for great drinks, great music, and a great time. With indoor and outdoor seating available you can even bring your dog to join in the fun! Enjoy delicious fare from the ever-changing food trucks, while you listen to some fantastic local artists! And on Monday nights come on out for SINGO and Thursday nights is Karaoke!
May 2nd: Karaoke
May 3rd: Gregg Erwin
May 4th: Salty Dawgs Food Truck
May 9th: Karaoke
May 10th: Travis Bowlin
May 11th: Rummage Sale & Music from Orange Walls
May 12th: Salty Dawgs Food Truck
May 16th: Karaoke
May 18th: Grumpy Old Man & Dawn Loves Nash and Get Skewers Food Truck
May, 23rd: Karaoke
May 24th: Drew Ashworth
May 25th: Jordan Denton & Salty Dawgs Food Truck
May 26th: Karaoke
May 27th: VooDoo Daddy Seafood Food Truck
May 30th: Karaoke
May 31st: Dr. Paul
May 3rd
Location: Paradise Hills
Participate in Paradise Hills delicious supper club happening monthly! Each month they will be having a seasonal themed menu that includes salad, your special entrée, and desserts. This month’s theme is Italian Feast Buffet! Dinner is $35 a person and reservations are required. Please call 706-745-7483 to reserve your spot.
BMW Georgia Mountain Railway
May 3rd-May 5th
Location: Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds
Are you ready to feel the cool mountain breeze on your face as you weave through stunning mountain roads? Then the BMW Georgia Mountain Railway is just the place for you! Hosted at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds this exciting weekend will be filled with Appalachian mountain riding, steak & chili dinners, amazing speakers, and training. Start the riding season in the North Georgia Mountains!
Sugar Creek Raceway
May 3rd-May 18th
Location: Sugar Creek Raceway
Catch zooming cars at Sugar Creek Raceway in Blue Ridge, Georgia all summer long! Don’t miss a second of the action at this amazing off-road racetrack! Gates open at 5pm and hot laps start at 7pm.
May 3rd: Schaeffer’s Oil Spring National Super Late’s visit the Creek
May 18th: Topless Outlaws show their tips on how to get around our Blue Ridge Bullring
Live Music Fridays at Crane Creek Vineyards
May 3rd-May 25th
Location: Crane Creek Vineyards
Come out for live music Friday nights at the Farmhouse Market at Crane Creek Vineyards. The vineyards will be open late Friday nights, with extended hours until 8pm. Grab a glass of wine, a charcuterie board, and a seat and enjoy!
May 3rd: Farmhouse Fridays
May 4th: Winery Tour
May 4th: Harvest String Duo & Tim Morgan
May 10th: Farmhouse Fridays
May 11th: Winery Tour & Pop-Up Art Market
May 11th: Rail Town Music
May 17th: Farmhouse Fridays
May 18th: Winery Tour
May 18th: Appalachian Monk & Holden Le Dinh
May 24th: Farmhouse Fridays
May 25th: Winery Tour
May 25th: Jane Kramer & Andy Johnson
Live Music at Bear Claw Vineyards & Winery
May 3rd-May 31st
Location: Bear Claw Vineyards
For award winning wine, live music, and food truck Bear Claw Vineyards is the place for you! Join them every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for live music and food trucks. Kids and dogs are welcome too. The live music schedule for each weekend is shared on their website each Thursday so be sure to check back!
Blue Ridge Adventure Race
May 4th
Location: The Downtown Pavilion
Adventure your way through some of the most beautiful areas in Blue Ridge at the 27th Annual Blue Ridge Adventure Race. Racers will embark on a 12-hour adrenaline filled day with 20–30 miles of mountain biking, 6–12 miles of trekking, and 4–8 miles of canoeing. Come watch as teams race through mountains, lakes, rivers, trails and more.
Blue Ridge Soap Box Derby
May 4th
Location: Fannin County Middle School
Watch the annual Blue Ridge Soap Box Derby at Fannin County Middle School! It’s going to be an afternoon of fun, with all profits going to The Children’s Fund at Fannin County School System.
Blairsville Kiwanis Star Wars Day Pancake Extravaganza
May 4th
Location: Blairsville Longhorn Steakhouse
Get ready for a hearty pancake breakfast from Blairsville Kiwani’s Club at Longhorn Steakhouse from 8am-10am. On top of delicious pancakes there will also be games, prizes, and plenty of fun for kids & adults alike! Tickets are $7 a person for kids ages 8 & up and all proceeds go to funding the clubs’ projects & youth. Wear your best Star Wars outfit and drop by May 4th for all the fun!
Run for the Rhodos 5K
May 4th
Location: The Hamilton Gardens
Join in the fun for Hamilton Garden’s first annual Run for the Rhodos 5K! This race will weave through the wooded trails of the beautiful Hamilton Gardens! Registration is $40 per runner and benefits Hamilton Garden’s on-going mission to FUEL NATURE!
Spring Festival
May 4th
Location: Ducktown School
Head across the border to Tennessee for the Spring Festival! From 11am-5pm there will be arts & crafts, bluegrass music, and lots of fun!
Kentucky Derby & Cuatro de Mayo Fiesta
May 4th
Location: The Tavern at Old Toccoa Farm
Celebrate Cinco De Mayo and the Kentucky Derby all in one at Old Toccoa Farm’s Kentucky Derby & Cuatro de Mayo Fiesta! There will be horse race watching and mint juleps on one side of the party, and music & tequila on the other! It’s going to be a blast! The party takes place at the Tavern on May 4th from 5pm-9pm. Admission is $50 a person, reservations required.
Bridgerton Tea Party
May 4th
Location: Staurolite Barn
Are you a fan of the hit Netflix show Bridgerton? Well now’s your chance to dress to impress and go back in time to Regency Era England with a Bridgerton themed Tea Party at Staurolite Barn! Your $45 ticket will include all your tea party snacks & treats, a cup of English tea, and tea party favors. And, there will be a cash bar at the event as well.
Michelle Malone- Live Music is Better Series
May 4th
Location: Blue Ridge Community Theater
Get ready for a taste of folk, blues, country, and a little bit of rock n’roll music from sweet songstress, Michelle Malone. You’ll be clapping your hands and tapping your toes all night long! Don’t miss this night of music at Blue Ridge Community Theater for their Live Music is Better series! Michelle will take the stage at 7:30 pm on May 4th and tickets are $35 for this awesome show!
Live Music at Paradise Hills
May 4th-May 26th
Location: Paradise Hills
Visit the winery at the beautiful Paradise Hills hidden in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The tasting room offers Paradise Hills wine, a selection of craft beers, hard cider, and wine slushies as well as cheese and charcuterie boards, tapas, and shared platters. You can enjoy your drinks and snacks as you listen to local artists perform select Fridays 4pm – 8pm & Saturdays from 1pm – 5pm.
May 4th: Scott Stambaugh
May 11th: Chris Carpenter
May 18th: Chris Clinton
May 24th: Troy Underwood
May 25th: Tom Edwards
May 26th: Andy Johnson
Live Music at Cartecay Vineyards
May 4th-May 26th
Location: Cartecay Vineyards
Sip on delicious wine surrounded by the North Georgia Mountains! Enjoy live music select Saturdays & Sundays from 1:30pm-5:30pm. Listen to the music of local artists while enjoying your wine outside either on the Chimney Patio or the Tasting Barn’s covered porch. Live music, good wine, and beautiful mountain scenery; it doesn’t get much better than that!
May 4th: Jorge Valenzuela
May 5th: Rick Stone & Egg Roll Boyz Food Truck
May 11th: Jerry Sorn & Egg Roll Boyz Food Truck
May 12th: Nick Stuard & Egg Roll Boyz Food Truck
May 25th: Ellijay Songwriter’s Festival with Will Tipton and Grace Milton & Mountain Dogs Food Truck
May 26th: Ellijay Songwriter’s Festival with Cotter Hill & Salty Claw Food Truck
Live Music at Chateau Meichtry
May 4th-May 27th
Location: Chateau Meichtry
Come sip on wine by the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains at Chateau Meichtry. This beautiful winery located in Talking Rock, GA has both outdoor & indoor seating options, so you can enjoy the atmosphere of the winery no matter the weather. On Saturdays & Sundays you can sip on your favorite glass of wine while you enjoy live music from local artists from 1:30pm-5:30pm. And there’s food trucks on the weekends as well!
May 4th: Man Bites Dog & The Get Skewers Food Truck
May 5th: Brett Cantrell & The Get Skewers Food Truck
May 11th: Ryan Davis & Joe’s Lonestar Tacos
May 12th: Foster Greene & Cousins Maine Lobster
May 18th: The Orange Walls & The Off Road Food Truck
May 19th: Steve & Steve and The Eggroll Boyz
May 25th: Anna Shinholster & The Joe’s Lonestar Tacos Food Truck
May 26th: Drew Ashworth & The Off Road Food Truck
May 27th: Cam Blackburn & The Smokehouse Food Truck
Live Music at Misty Mountain Hops
May 4th-May 31st
Location: Misty Mountain Hops
Misty Mountain Hops is a music-centric restaurant and pub so it’s only fitting that they bring in live music. Stop by select Fridays and Saturdays from 6pm-9pm for great food and great live music from local artists!
May 4th: Dan Foster Live
May 10th: Brandon Johnas
May 11th: Trailer Hippies
May 17th: Zach Gruczkowski
May 18th: Nick Watson
May 24th: Canon Tyler
May 25th: DaisyChain
May 31st: Chantal Lynn
Art Classes and Workshops
May 5th-May 23rd
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association
Photo Courtesy of the Blue Ridge Arts Association
Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association offers classes year-round for artists looking to expand their skill set. This month you can learn to express yourself through stained glass, collage, watercolor and more! And check out more upcoming art classes at https://www.blueridgearts.net/adult-classes.html
May 5th: April Showers Bring May Flowers Stained Glass
May 10th & May 11th: Collage Connection
May 18th & May 19th: Abstract Painting with Acrylics
May 23rd: Painting a Floral Still-Life in Watercolors
Line Dancing Class
May 6th-May 27th
Location: Tooney’s Music Venue
Have you ever wanted to learn how to line dance? Well now’s your chance! Tooney’s now offers free, weekly line dancing classes Monday nights! The class is open to people of all ages and dance experience! Doors open at 6pm and classes start at 7pm. Come on down and show us what you can do!
Yoga in the Park
May 7th-May 28th
Location: Downtown City Park
Every Tuesday night from 6:30pm-7:30pm, spring thru fall, stretch those tired muscles with a yoga class in Downtown City Park! Admission is pay what you can. This is a great way to relieve stress after a busy week of exploring Blue Ridge!
Top of Georgia Plein Air Festival
May 9th-May 11th
Location: The Hamilton Gardens
Admire art in the beautiful Hamilton Gardens with the return of the Top of Georgia Plein Air Festival! This 3-day painting event will see artists competing for $2,000+ worth of prize money. Visitors are invited to watch these talented artists at work, do some shopping, and admire the artists’ galleries on display. Admission is free to spectators!
Live Music at Tooney’s
May 10th
Location: Tooney’s Music Venue
Come on out for live music at Tooney’s HUGE music venue select Friday and Saturday nights and enjoy the best live music McCaysville has to offer! Check their website often for live music updates. And every Thursday night get ready to take to the stage with open mic night!
May 10th: Hardwired: A Tribute to Metallica
Shoot for the Stars Golf Tournament
May 10th
Location: Butternut Creek Golf Course
Calling all golfers! Butternut Creek Golf Course will be hosting a special golf tournament to benefit the Union County Scholarship Fund. Register here: https://blairsvilleunionchamber.chambermaster.com/eventregistration/register/132539
Hiawassee Highlands Wine Festival
May 11th
Location: Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds
Drink wine all the day long at the Hiawassee Highlands Wine Festival at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds! There will be live music, arts & craft vendors, live music, food, garden tours, and 30+ wineries in attendance at this awesome event! Tickets are $40 a person online or $45 at the gate.
Deana Carter
May 11th
Location: Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds
Country music is coming back to the Fairgrounds with Nashville star, Deana Carter! Carter is known for hits like, “Strawberry Wine,” “How Do I Get There,” and “I’ve Loved Enough to Know.” And joining Carter on the Anderson Music Hall Stage is special guest Mackenzie Carpenter! Tickets are $35+ handling.
Georgia Mountain Classics Annual Car Show
May 11th
Location: Downtown Blue Ridge
Celebrate Mom at Paradise Hill’s Mother’s Day Brunch Buffet! There will be fresh pastries, muffins, croissants, an omelet station, chicken Florentine, biscuits & gravy, specialty desserts, and much more! There will also be a special Mimosa Bar available for additional purchase. Adults are $55 a person, children 6-12 are $25.95, and children 5 & under are $6.95. Seating is limited. Reserve your spot by calling 706-745-7483.
Mother’s Day Brunch at Brasstown Valley
May 12th
Location: Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa
Enjoy a delicious Mother’s Day Brunch at Brasstown Valley Resort & Spa! From 11:30am-3pm you can enjoy a wide selection of entrees & sides like Sweet Cake Waffles, Baked Mahi-Mahi with Peach Salsa, Lemony Crepe Casserole, Springer Mountain Chicken Breast Truffle, and so much more. Adults are $59 a person, children 6-12 are $29.95 and children 5 & under are $10.95. Make your reservation today by calling 706-379-4617.
Mother’s Day Brunch at the Oaks Lakeside Kitchen
May 12th
Location: The Oaks Lakeside Kitchen
The Oaks Lakeside Kitchen will be hosting a Mother’s Day Brunch from 11am-3pm. There will wonderful food options available like Seafood Paella, a selection of meats from the Carving Station, Banana Bread French Toast, an Ice Cream Sundae Station, and more! Tickets are $58 per adult, Young Adults (6-12) $26, and children 6 & under $8. Reservations can be made by scanning the QR code or by calling 706-896-4141.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
May 16th-May 31st
Location: Blue Ridge Community Theater
This thrilling play follows charming rebel McMurphy and his short sentence in a minimum-security mental institution. Throughout the play you’ll see McMurphy quarrel with head nurse, Nurse Ratched and lead the other patients into a revolt against the mental institution. Will McMurphy pay for his insubordination? Find out in Blue Ridge Community Theater’s production of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest! Shows are Thursdays – Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2pm. The show runs May 16th-June 2nd. Please call the box office at 706-632-9191 for tickets.
Sip, Paint, & Create!
May 17th
Location: Paradise Hills
Enjoy a fun paint class and a glass of wine at Paradise Hill’s Sip, Paint & Create class. This private class will include all your supplies and a free glass of wine. Then leave with your new masterpiece! Tickets are $45 a person.
Georgia Mountain Fire & Smoke Cooking Festival
May 17th- May 18th
Location: Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds
Come on out to the Fairgrounds and experience this culinary feast! There will be over 100 chefs in attendance cooking up a storm on top-of-the-line grills/griddles/smokers and offering generous samples of their creations. And the night before you can meet the chefs and talk all things cooking at the Meet & Greet Celebration! Mark your calendars and get your taste buds ready for this one-of-a-kind event!
The Dahlonega Arts & Wine Festival
May 18th-May 19th
Location: Historic Downtown Square, Adjacent Hancock Park
The Dahlonega Arts & Wine Festival combines jazz, art, and wine into one amazing event! On both Saturday & Sunday in Downtown Dahlonega there will be a Wine & Beer Garden featuring fine local wines & craft brews, arts & crafts, and exciting jazz performances. Tickets for wine & beer can be purchased in the Wine & Beer Garden the day of the event.
Discovery Days
May 18th-May 19th
Location: Project Chimps
Get the chance to go behind the scenes at Project Chimps! You’ll take a 60 guided tour of the chimp sanctuary where you’ll like spot some of the chimps! There will also be food vendors onsite and a space to enjoy a picnic lunch by the lovely koi pond. Come on out and learn more about these fascinating creatures!
Ellijay Songwriters Festival
May 20th-May 31st
Location: Ellijay Area
The Ellijay Songwriters Festival, is a 14 day musical event where premier Nashville and Georgia songwriters and bands will perform at some of Ellijay’s best wineries, breweries, restaurants, and music venues. And over 60 of these incredible performances are FREE! On top of great live music the event will also feature food & craft vendors, a golf tournament, a car show, outdoor activities, wine dinners, a Memorial Day celebration, and all kinds of fun family entertainment. The event runs in Ellijay May 20th-June 2nd.
Hiawassee Pro Rodeo
May 24th-May 26th
Location: Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds
Celebrate the long weekend by watching bucking broncos & bulls at the annual Hiawassee Pro Rodeo! See some of the world’s best contestants from the U.S. and Canada as well as some amazing specialty acts! The whole family will love it! Tickets are $20 for adults and children 5 & under are free!
Winery Comedy Night
May 25th
Location: Paradise Hills
Get ready for a night of laughs at the Winery Comedy Night! Live professional stand-up comics will make you laugh all night long! Grab a glass of wine or a beer and let the laughter flow! Doors open at 6:30pm and the show starts at 8pm!
Memorial Day Parade
May 25th
Location: Blairsville, GA
Honor those who have fallen in service to the United States Military during a special military service at Blairsville’s Annual Memorial Day Parade. The parade starts at 10:30am in Downtown Blairsville.
Spring Arts, Crafts, and Music Festival
May 25th-May 26th
Location: Downtown Blairsville
This fun annual event takes place annually in Downtown Blairsville and this year’s event will be held Memorial Day weekend! There will be a parade Saturday at 10am and both days will have lots of crafters & live music! The Spring Arts, Crafts & Music Festival is free to attend!
48th Annual Spring Arts in the Park
May 25th-May 26th
Location: Blue Ridge Downtown City Park
The Spring Arts in the Park is back for it’s 48th year in a row! Shop artworks from over 175 juried fine artists! There will also be food vendors and artist demos all weekend long. Admission is $5 for adults and children 12 & under are free! All proceeds go towards the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association.
Georgia Apple Blossom Festival
May 25-May 27th
Location: East Ellijay
The Georgia Apple Blossom Festival is back and better than ever with craft vendors, live music, food vendors, and family fun! Celebrate spring in North Georgia in Ellijay! Pets are welcome!
Spring Fling
May 26th
Location: Staurolite Barn
Jump into spring at Staurolite Barn’s Spring Fling! This FREE event will feature live music, craft vendors, and unique finds. You won’t want to miss it!
Salute to America- Remembering Our Veterans and First Responders Concert
May 26th
Location: Fannin County High School
The Tri State Community Band and Singers of North Georgia come together to remember our veterans and first responders with a Salute to America Concert. The concert will take place May 26th at 6pm in Fannin County High School’s Performing Arts Center. A free-will donation will be collected.
Annual Memorial Day Ceremony
May 27th
Location: Fannin County Veterans Memorial Park
Come out to Fannin County Veterans Memorial Park to honor the brave men and women who lost their lives serving our great country. The North Georgia Honor Guard will be conducting the ceremony, where there will also be a rifle salute and Taps, posting of the colors, placing wreaths, the singing of the National Anthem, and a Huey on display. The ceremony will take place in the park from 12pm-1pm.
Free Book Fair
May 30th
Location: Learning Tree Academy of Blue Ridge
Bring the kiddos out for Learning Tree Academy of Blue Ridge’s FREE Book Fair! There will be fun inflatables, Mables Snow Shack, and hundreds of new and used books for children 2-12 years old. Get ready for a summer of reading with this great event!
North Georgia Highlands Seafood Festival
May 31st
Location: Mayors Park, Young Harris
Come enjoy premium seafood in North Georgia at the North Georgia Highland Seafood Festival in Young Harris! There will be music, arts & crafts, a beer & wine garden, and plenty of delicious seafood. Admission is $5 a person.
