The 2026 dates are October 10–11 and 17–18. The organizer describes the pattern as the second and third weekends of October (Georgia Apple Festival FAQ). 2027 dates are not yet published; the organizer’s site will have them first.
Two festivals, two places
| Georgia Apple Festival | Apple Arts Festival (downtown) | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Ellijay Lions Club Fairgrounds, 1729 South Main Street (organizer) | Downtown Ellijay Welcome Center, 10 Broad St. (Gilmer Chamber) |
| Admission | $10 per person; children 12 and under free (organizer FAQ) | Free |
| Hours (2026) | Saturday 9 AM–6 PM, Sunday 9 AM–5 PM (organizer FAQ) | Sources conflict: the organizer FAQ says the same times as the main festival; the Chamber calendar listed 10 AM–6 PM for October 17–18 |
| Pets | Not allowed; service animals are (organizer) | Pet-friendly |
| What | Juried handmade and hand-grown goods, demonstrations, live music and fair food | Arts and crafts vendors and food |
The main festival
The organizer describes the festival as two weekends of hundreds of vendors with handmade and hand-crafted items, on-site demonstrations, live music and fair food. It began as a small arts and crafts show, grew into a four-day event, and is named for the apples ripening in local orchards. (organizer) Every item sold must be handmade, handcrafted or grown by the artist, who must be on site, and applications are juried (organizer FAQ). It runs rain or shine, is smoke-free and bans weapons (organizer FAQ). Tickets are always available at the gate (organizer).
Parking and the shuttle
Paid parking is available at several lots around Ellijay, with a free shuttle to the festival. The shuttle lots are Downtown Ellijay (Hipp Street); Gilmer County Head Start (305 Calvin Jackson Dr.); Mountain View Elementary (350 Calvin Jackson Dr.); Gilmer High School (408 Bobcat Trail); and the Larry Walker Education Center (1860 South Main St., handicap parking with accessible shuttle). (Gilmer Chamber)
Local community organizations run the festival parking lots, and fees vary by lot. Cash is preferred. Lots fill quickly, and traffic patterns may change without showing up in map apps. (Gilmer Chamber) Lots within walking distance of the fairgrounds are on South Main and Old Hwy 5 (Gilmer Chamber). The festival does not rent wheelchairs or scooters, and handicap parking is first come, first served (organizer FAQ).
Parking for the downtown Apple Arts Festival is not listed by any organizer. The Hipp Street lot is the one downtown lot named in the festival plan, and it is a paid shuttle lot (Gilmer Chamber). See our parking page.
A festival Saturday from the square
Start at the Apple Arts Festival on Broad Street, have lunch on the square or River Street, then take the shuttle from the Hipp Street lot to the fairgrounds if you want the main festival. One closure to know: the Tabor House History Museum closed on the festival Saturdays in 2026 (Historical Society).
Contact
The festival’s contact page lists a general-questions phone of (706) 635-7400 and the email info@gilmerchamber.com, both Gilmer Chamber contacts. Vendor questions go through the Eventeny app. (organizer)
Apple Festival questions
Why is Ellijay called the Apple Capital of Georgia?
The city uses that title for itself. The Chamber says Gilmer County harvests over 22 apple varieties from June through November, and apples were being shipped out of the county by the 1920s.
Source: City of Ellijay
When can you pick apples near Ellijay?
The Chamber says Gilmer County harvests over 22 varieties from June through November. Each orchard sets its own picking days and hours, so check before you drive out.
Source: Gilmer County Chamber
What are Red Apple Barn's hours?
The farm market is open Monday to Saturday 9 to 6 and Sunday 1 to 5:30. Apple picking is Saturday 10 to 5, Sunday 1 to 4 and Monday to Friday 11 to 3. It is at 3379 Tails Creek Rd.
Source: Red Apple Barn
Is R and A Orchards open all year?
R and A Orchards says its market, bakery and cafe are open year-round.
Source: R and A Orchards
When is the Georgia Apple Festival?
On the second and third weekends of October. The 2026 dates for the 55th festival are October 10–11 and 17–18. The organizer has not yet published 2027 dates.
Source: Georgia Apple Festival
How much is Apple Festival admission?
$10 per person, and children 12 and under get in free. Tickets are always available at the gate.
Source: Georgia Apple Festival
What are the Apple Festival hours?
Saturday 9 AM to 6 PM and Sunday 9 AM to 5 PM.
Source: Georgia Apple Festival
Is the Apple Festival on the square?
No. The Georgia Apple Festival is at the Ellijay Lions Club Fairgrounds, 1729 South Main Street. The free Apple Arts Festival is the downtown sister festival, at the Welcome Center on Broad St.
Source: Georgia Apple Festival
Is the Apple Arts Festival free?
Yes. The downtown Apple Arts Festival at 10 Broad St. is free, pet-friendly and accessible, held the same weekends as the main festival.
Source: Gilmer County Chamber
Can I bring my dog to the Apple Festival?
Not to the fairgrounds festival: pets are not allowed, though service animals are, and no animals may ride the shuttle buses. The downtown Apple Arts Festival is pet-friendly.
Source: Georgia Apple Festival
Where do you park for the Apple Festival?
Paid lots around Ellijay, run by community organizations, with a free shuttle. The shuttle lots include Downtown Ellijay (Hipp Street), Gilmer County Head Start, Mountain View Elementary, Gilmer High School and the Larry Walker Education Center.
Source: Gilmer County Chamber
Is Apple Festival parking cash only?
Fees vary by lot, and cash is preferred. Lots fill quickly, and traffic patterns may change without showing up in map apps.
Source: Gilmer County Chamber
Can I rent a wheelchair at the Apple Festival?
No. The festival does not rent wheelchairs or scooters, and handicap parking is first come, first served.
Source: Georgia Apple Festival
Who do I contact about the Apple Festival?
The festival's contact page lists (706) 635-7400 and info@gilmerchamber.com, both Gilmer Chamber contacts.
Source: Georgia Apple Festival
Where do you park for the downtown Apple Arts Festival?
No organizer lists parking for the downtown festival. The nearest officially named lot is the paid Hipp Street shuttle lot used for the main festival.
Source: Gilmer County Chamber
Dates, hours and fees change. For anything official, the city has the final word: City of Ellijay official site
