10 Popular Festivals In Helen, GA

1. Dropping of the Edelweiss

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Helen, Georgia celebrates New Year’s Eve with the family-friendly Dropping of the Edelweiss event. Good food, lovely music, endless fun, funky hats, and dancing are all part of the lively festivity of this charming town. As the attendees wait for midnight, they can enjoy themselves at the bar or indulge in mouth-watering appetizers as they dance to the music. Just a few moments before the clock strikes 12, participants will head outside for the dropping of the edelweiss. Who knew that such a small mountain can have so many festivals to bring its people and its guests together?

Dropping of the Edelweiss

Takes place: December

2. Oktoberfest

Get ready to party at the longest-running Oktoberfest celebration in the USA. Also called Alpine Haven, it happens at the Helen Festhalle on Edelweiss Street and kicks off in September continuing till October. Dress in a beautiful Bavarian costume and be a part of the energetic environment here. There’s beer, delicious German food, bands, dancing and lots of fun activities to indulge in, but the highlight is music, which includes very enjoyable performances by Austrian and German bands. There is a nicely done seating arrangement too, so relish your meal and drinks while you enjoy Polkas, Waltzes, and Chicken dance or just put on your dancing shoes and sway to the tunes of live music.

Oktoberfest

Address: 1074 Edelweiss Strasse, Helen, GA 30545, United States

Website: Oktoberfest

Takes place: September to November

Price: Starting at 8 USD

3. Cabin Fever: Bluegrass and BBQ festival [Last event in 2019]

A day full of fun with family and friends at the Cabin Fever: Bluegrass and BBQ Festival is what can be a great idea while you are visiting Helen. Organized at the Smithgall Woods State Park, enjoy the barbecue and live bluegrass bands the whole afternoon amidst a wonderful crowd. There are local artisans who showcase their wares, and also, multiple food vendors serving mouth-watering food and drinks. They ensure that no one gets bored as they also arrange many games for kids as well as adults. Apart from this, you can get hiking opportunities here or just go ahead and explore this amazing park. If you’re going to be staying in a cabin in Helen, make your “cabin fever” experience more complete by heading out and joining the fun in this amazing festival.

Cabin Fever: Bluegrass and BBQ festival

Address: Smithgall Woods State Park,61 Tsalaki Trail, Helen, GA 30545

Website: Cabin Fever: Bluegrass and BBQ festival

Takes place: October

Price: 10 USD

4. Corvair Springfest

For more than 35 years, more than 100 proud owners of their beloved Corvair take part in this Springfest that celebrates everything about this fantastic car. During this, you will get to see a range of Corvairs and there is a technical session in which you know more about it. Hosted by the four regional clubs of the Corvair Society of America, Corvair Springfest is a perfect place for the car enthusiast to meet and have a good time. The festivities further include car corral, valve cover races, raffle, swap meet, cash bar, rally through the scenic countryside, slow drags, 50/50 drawing, door prizes and a lot more. Relish German beer and delicacies from the food vendors during this Helen, Georgia event.

Corvair Springfest

Address: 1074 Edelweiss Strasse, Helen, Georgia 30545, United States

Website: https://corvairspringfest.com/

Takes place: April

Price: Starting at 5 USD

5. Annual Easter Egg Hunt [Last eventt in 2019]

Hosted by the Unicoi State Park and Lodge, the Annual Easter Egg Hunt is a very loved festival here; especially for the kids. The main attraction is the Glow-in-the-Dark Easter Egg Hunt, which keeps the young ones entertained for a long time. Starting with craft activities for kids, the festival also features live music, hayrides, and other fun events. These activities are organized at the Unicoi Visitor’s Center and you can even purchase goodies like Glow Gear and others. You also get a delightful range of food and drinks.

Annual Easter Egg Hunt

Address: Unicoi State Park, 1788 Hwy. 356, Helen, Georgia

Website: Annual Easter Egg Hunt

Takes place: April

Price: Starting at 5 USD

6. Helen to the Atlantic hot-air balloon race

Imagine watching colorful hot-air balloons against the breath-taking backdrop of blue skies! Helen boasts some of the most romantic things to do with your significant other and this event is definitely a great addition. One of the most exciting events that you can witness while in Helen is Helen to the Atlantic Balloon Race. Starting at Helen, the race finishes somewhere in Maine and Miami. Tethered rides are also possible so enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience as you ride in one of these balloons floating over the magnificent mountains and the picturesque views of the countryside. You can pack some sandwiches and wine to enhance the ride. The event is organized very efficiently and there is a lot of space, so it doesn’t feel crowded at all. Be sure to carry your camera as there is a lot of scope for photography here.

Helen to the Atlantic Hot Air Balloon Race

Address: 33 Munichstrasse, Helen, GA United States 30545

Website: Helen to the Atlantic Hot Air Balloon Race

Takes place: June

Price: Free entry

7. Festival of Trees

Imagine spending the holidays in a rustic Vrbo vacation rental in Helen and then joining in the Christmas spirit of the community by going to this festive event. The Festival of Trees is an auction where you will find amazingly adorned Christmas trees and wreaths available for bidding. They are donated by local organizations and businesses. Furthermore, there is a contest of tree and wreath decoration. The mission of organizing this Helen festival every year is to gather money for the benefit of the United Way of White County. Place a bid on these trees and if your bid is the highest, you win. These beautiful trees can be great souvenirs or gifts for your loved ones, and you also get an opportunity to contribute something to the community. Since it’s organized at the Unicoi State Park & Lodge, there are nice cabins, a restaurant and lots to explore.

Festival of Trees

Address: Unicoi State Park, 1788 Highway 356, Helen, GA 30545

Website: Festival of Trees

Takes place: November

Price: Free entry

8. Helens Fall Arts and Craft Show

It is said that Helen is spectacular during fall and a visually appealing craft show sounds like a great idea during this time. A two-day event organized in the Unicoi State Park, Helens Fall Arts and Craft Show is a great choice if you are an art and craft lover. Happening during Oktoberfest, this Helen, GA activity encompasses a very vibrant range of crafts-related items. You will see artists showcasing their wonderful creations in fine and decorative painting, basketry, fiber art, woodcrafts, furniture, sculpture, pottery, photography, functional pottery, pen and ink drawings, fused glass, clothing and a lot more. Also, food vendors are there, who serve mouth-watering preparations.

Helens Fall Arts and Craft Show

Address: Unicoi Hill Park, Main Street, Helen, GA 30545

Website: Helens Fall Arts and Craft Show

Takes place: September

Price: Free entry

9. Annual Christkindlmarkt

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Enhance your holiday by enjoying Christmas shopping at this annual open-air bazaar. It is one of the fun-filled events happening when Helen gets decked out for a traditional German-style Christmas. Organized mostly during the weekends of November and December at the Annual Christkindlmarkt, you will find many vendors offering a very attractive assortment of local and imported Christmas specialties, food and drinks, and several other goodies. You can pick some fantastic Christmas gifts for your loved ones. Not just the adults, but the kids too have a lot to look forward to, including enjoyable music and candied treats.

Annual Christkindlmarkt

Address: Downtown Marketplatz, Alpine Helen, GA

Website: Annual Christkindlmarkt

Takes place: November to December

Price: Free entry

10. Annual Lighting of the Village

The name ‘Santa Claus’ always brings out the child in us! This is one of the major attractions of this festival when a horse-drawn carriage arrives with Santa and Mrs. Claus. The children have fun gathering around Santa and the ambiance is so lively. The Annual Lighting of the Village marks the beginning of the holiday season in Helen with great pomp and grandeur. Enjoy musical performances by local artists till evening and watch while the whole town starts glowing with the lights at 6 pm.

Annual Lighting of the Village

Address: Downtown Helen at the Bandshell, 8600 N. Main St., Helen, GA 30545

Website: Annual Lighting of the Village

Takes place: November

Price: Free entry

Helen: a paradise of festivals

It’s a wonderful idea to get acquainted with a place through the local festivals. Time your trip to this magical town right during the festival season and you will not only get to enjoy the plethora of thrilling things to do here but give your vacation the ultimate touch of fun. Helen offers an exotic array of festivals, which celebrate the different seasons and makes you fall easily in love with the charisma of this place. If you’re down with it, there’s plenty of options when it comes to where to stay in Helen. Ready to explore? Start packing your bags as Helen has lots of merriment in store for you.