October is here and that means chilly afternoons at the winery, beautiful mountain views covered in colorful fall leaves, and lots of amazing Fall Festivals. Learn what this busy month has in store for you:
The Game’s Afoot
October 1st
Location: Blue Ridge Community Theater
The play follows Broadway’s Sherlock Holmes actor ‘William Gillette’ and his costars celebrating Christmas together in his Connecticut Castle. But one of his guests is unfortunately stabbed to death and the Christmas fun quickly comes to an end as things turn dangerous. What will happen to William and the rest of his guests? Find out in Blue Ridge Community Theater’s production of ‘The Game’s Afoot happening Thursdays – Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2pm. The show runs September 14th thru October 1st, call the box office at 706-632-9191 for tickets!
Annual Helen Oktoberfest
October 1st-October 29th
Location: Helen Festhalle
Live like you’re in Germany for the day at Helen’s Annual Oktoberfest taking place nightly September 28th thru October 29th in the Festhalle. Helen is known for their German style architecture so there’s no better place to celebrate! AND they’ve been hosting this great event for the past 53 years, making it the longest running Oktoberfest in the United States! On top of beer there will be live music, food, and plenty of fun happening nightly in the Festhalle. Tickets are $10 a person Mon-Thurs and $12 a person Friday-Sunday.
Oktoberfurst Celebration
October 1st
Location: The Waterfront Bar
There will be more German fun at the Waterfront Bar’s 3rd Annual Oktoberfurst Celebration! There will authentic German foods & beers, polka music, a costume contest, door prizes and much more! It’s going to a blast!
Plein Air Exhibit
October 1st-October 15th
Location: The Blue Ridge Art Center
After the 2023 Plein Air International Paint Out you can come out to the Art Center to admire the artists beautiful creations. The works will be on display and available for purchase from September 12th-October 15th. You can also expect to see them at the upcoming Fall Arts in the Park festival.
Copptoberfest
October 1st-October 3rd
Location: Buck Bald Brewing
Why not celebrate Oktoberfest in Copperhill at Buck Bald Brewing! From now until October 3rd they will have delicious beer, pretzels, and all kinds of fun on their large outdoor patio. And if you get the Copptoberfest Stein for $20 your first fill will be FREE and each additional pour will include 3oz of beer more than a regular glass. So what are you waiting for!? Put those lederhosens on and come on down!
Live Music at Bear Claw Vineyards & Winery
October 1st-October 29th
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!
October 1st: Gregg Erwin
October 7th & 8th: The 2nd Annual Travis Bowlin’s Cigar Box Guitar Party & Hand Crafted Artisans Festival
U-Pick Apples
October 1st-October 30th
Location: Deep Roots Orchard
It’s apple season! Pick your own fresh apples right off the tree at Deep Roots Orchard. Picking is Wednesdays-Sundays from 10am-5:30pm and there will be tractor rides as well!
4th Quarter Artist in Residence: Rita & Clive Poole
October 1st-October 31st
Location: Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association
Come admire Rita & Clive Poole’s beautiful art in the newly refreshed “Artist in Residence Gallery”. Their Wood Turning and Marquetry works will be on display at the Art Center September 23rd thru December 16th with an opening reception on October 21st from 5pm-7pm.
Art Classes and Workshops
October 1st-October 28th
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains 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, watercolor, leather making, and more! And check out more upcoming art classes at https://www.blueridgearts.net/adult-classes.html
October 1st: Autumn Leaves in Stained Glass
October 5th: American Sign Language II
October 7th: Painting Autumn Trees in Watercolor
October 28th: Leather Workshop
U-Pick Apples
October 1st-October 29th
Location: Mercier Orchards
We all love Mercier Orchards and we’re so glad that it’s finally apple season again! Come on out to pick your own apples on the weekends and enjoy some family fun tractor rides! Check their U-pick schedule here for all the details and fruit availability: https://mercier-orchards.com/u-pick/
Live Music at Cartecay Vineyards
October 1st-October 29th
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!
October 1st: Adrian Stover
October 7th: Johnny Summers
October 8th: Gregg Erwin
October 14th: The Georgia Back Porch Band
October 15th: RustedMelody
October 21st: Brett Cantrell
October 22nd: Lindsay Beth Harper
October 28th: Ryan LittleEagle
October 29th: Hush Money
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!
October 1st: Doug Easterly & The Get Skewers Food Truck
October 7th: Matty Croxton & The Off Road Food Truck
October 8th: Surrender Hill & The Fry Baby Food Truck
October 14th: Maddie Lane & The Shack Food Truck
October 15th: Halem Albright & The Fry Baby Food Truck
October 21st: Anna Shinholster & The Get Skewers Food Truck
October 22nd: Drew Ashworth & The Off Road Food Truck
October 28th: Adrian Stover & The Smokehouse Food Truck
October 29th: Barefoot Boone & The Off Road Food Truck
Apple Picking Jubilee
October 1st-October 31st
Location: Hillcrest Orchard
Join in the fall festivities now thru October 31st! Your $18 entry fee includes all kinds of fun activities like; cow milking, wagon rides, cow train, new Jump Pad and Ball Zone, Live entertainment, pedal karts, big and little kid trike tracks, petting farm, apple tree maze, mini-golf, moonshine and apple museums, big slides and playgrounds, Fall photo spots, swimming pig races and duck races! PLUS there will be all kinds of great foods and of course apple ciders & slushies! The Apple Picking Jubilee is sure to be a blast for the whole family!
Line Dancing Class
October 2nd-October 30th
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!
Acoustic Sunsets at Hamilton Gardens
October 5th
Location: Hamilton Gardens
Head to the beautiful Hamilton Gardens in Hiawassee GA Thursday nights for their Acoustic Sunsets Concert Series. The event takes place every Thursday night through October 5th from 6pm-9pm and will include food trucks and live music. Bring your lawn chairs or picnic blankets and come on out for an evening of fun!
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)
October 5th-October 15th
Location: Blue Ridge Community Theater
Experience all 37 of William Shakespeare’s famous place in just 97 minutes in Blue Ridge Community Theater’s production of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged). This show breaks the fourth wall and regularly involves audience participation so be prepared to be a part of the action! Shows are Thursdays – Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2pm. The show runs October 5th-15th, call the box office at 706-632-9191 for tickets!
Guided Hikes with the Benton McKaye Trail Association
October 6th-October 20th
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.
October 6th: Shady Falls Trailhead to Lake Blue Ridge and back
October 16th: Hike to Buck Bald and return
October 20th: BMT Highway 515 to Weaver Creek and return
Georgia Mountain Fall Festival
October 6th-October 14th
Location: Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds
In Hiawassee, GA you can join in all the fun at their week-long Georgia Mountain Fall Festival! There will carnival rides, craft vendors, delicious food, musical performances, educational demonstrations, and so much more! You won’t want to miss out on the fun, happening daily October 6th-14th! Admission is $6 to the carnival, $16 for carnival & concerts, and children 12 & under are free!
Build a Burger to Help Build a House
October 6th
Location: Fannin Brewing Company
Come on out to Fannin Brewery to support Habitat for Humanity and enjoy some good food & beer! Tickets are $30 and will include a souvenir glass, one beer, and your choice of burger. Sides will be provided by The General Ledger and there will also be a raffle and Habitat items for sale.
Live Music at Paradise Hills
October 6th-October 28th
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 Fridays 4pm – 8pm & Saturdays from 1pm – 5pm.
October 6th: Gerry Herndon
October 7th: Dr. Paul
October 13th: Hill Roberts
October 14th: Chris Carpenter
October 20th: Zach Alexander
October 21st: Rusted Melody
October 27th: Mother Legacy
October 28th: Curtis Jones
Live Music at Tooney’s
October 6th-October 27th
Location: Tooney’s Music Venue
Get ready 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!
October 6th: Hunter Root
October 21st: The Cadillac Three
October 27th: The Steelwoods
Live Music at Misty Mountain Hops
October 6th-October 28th
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!
October 6th: Paul Constantine
October 7th: Rob Grater
October 8th: 1st Annual Sunday Funday Tasting Party
October 13th: Frankie Sparks
October 14th: Daisy Chain
October 16th: Open Mic Night
October 20th: Travis Bowlin
October 21st: Cannon Tyler
October 27th: Greg Erwin
October 28th: Adrian Stover
October 29th: Halloween Costume Party
Live Music Fridays at Crane Creek Vineyards
October 6th-October 21st
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!
October 6th: Teddy Baker
October 7th: Wyatt Espalin
October 13th: Jane Kramer
October 14th: Austin Coleman
October 20th: Wyatt Espalin
October 21st: Struck by Lighting
Fall Festival at the Old Epworth School
October 7th
Location: Old Epworth School
This wonderful fall festival at the Old Epworth School takes place on October 7th and will be filled with craft vendors, good food, outdoor activities, and more. The event will raise funds for the Appalachian Mountain Regional Campus Council, which helps to maintain the grounds of the Epworth school campus and gives thousands of dollars for college scholarships every year. Entry is free but donations are welcome!
Fly Fishing Film Tour
October 7th
Location: Farmers Market in Blue Ridge
Fishermen! Come on out to Cohutta Fishing Company’s Fly Fishing Film Tour at the Farmers Market in Blue Ridge. There will be food trucks, live music, free casting lessons, a friendly casting competition, and the filming at 6:30pm. Purchase tickets at the shop for $25.
BBQ Competition & Cruise In
October 7th
Location: Union County Farmer’s Market
Sample some delicious mountain bbq and vote on your favorites! There will plenty of food including, ribs, chicken, brisket, and pulled pork along with sides and desserts. The event runs at the Union County Farmer’s Market from 3pm-7pm.
October 7th-October 15th
Location: Downtown Cherry Log
Take a quick drive to Cherry Log, GA for their fall festival, happening the first 2 weekends of October! There will be arts and crafts, homemade goods and treats, bluegrass, country, and gospel music and of course lots of fall fun in Downtown Cherry Log!
Georgia Marble Festival
October 7th-October 8th
Location: Lee Newton Park
Jasper, Georgia is celebrating it’s 41st Annual Georgia Marble Festival! Join in the fun October 7th & 8th where there will be live music, a fine art gallery, live demonstrations of marble & granite sculpting, delicious food, arts & crafts, and so much more! The fun runs at Lee Newton Park on Saturday from 10am-6pm and Sunday from 10am-4pm.
2nd Annual Travis Bowlin’s Cigar Box Guitar Party (Music & Art Festival)
October 7th-October 8th
Location: Bear Claw Vineyards & Winery
Come on out to Bear Claw Vineyards & Winery the first weekend an October for live music, food, wine, and fun! Bring along a new and unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots as your entry fee! Visit Bear Claw Vineyards on Saturday from 12pm-9pm and Sunday from 12pm-6pm.
October 7th-October 8th
Location: Woody Gap School, Suches, GA
Come on out for the annual Indian Summer Festival at Georgia’s smallest public school. There will be vendors selling pottery, quilts, jewelry, homemade goods, leather crafts, furniture and so much more! And there will be great food options like BBQ, hot dogs, hamburgers, funnel cake, and cotton candy. It’s sure to be a great event of family fun!
Sugar Creek Raceway
October 7th-October 21st
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.
October 7th: Strictly Stocks Championship Night
October 21st: First Annual Apple Fest Finale! Southern All-Star Super Late Model Series
Downtown Market Blue Ridge
October 7th-October 28th
Location: 400 West Main Street
Enjoy this wonderful market every Saturday from 9:00am-1:00pm now till November (weather permitting) right in the heart of Downtown Blue Ridge! There will be all kinds of vendors offering food, artisan goods, arts & crafts, furniture, and more!
October 7th-October 28th
Location: Staurolite Barn
Halloween frights await you on Staurolite Barn’s Haunted Hayride Tour! The hayride will take you through the darkest corners of the property where scares await. And for the younger ones there is Halloween movies with yummy snacks like apple cider, hot cocoa, and popcorn. Haunted Hayrides will take place every Saturday from 7pm to 10pm October 7th thru October 28th.
Tales from Poe & Costume Contest
October 10th-October 24th
Location: The Dogwood
Come on out for this frightfully fun reader’s theater experience at the Dogwood! Tuesday nights October 10th-24th at 6:30pm you’ll get the chance to hear some of Poe’s most haunting works read aloud. Each night there will also be a costume contest, spooky cocktails, and frightfully good food. Tickets are $40 a person.
2nd Thursdays Stateline Stroll
October 12th
Location: Riverwalk Shops
