Local Events
There's Always Something to Celebrate in the North Georgia Mountains
One of the best things about staying at Tanglewood Cabin Rentals is that the fun doesn’t stop at your cabin door. Sautee Nacoochee and the surrounding mountain communities of Helen, Dahlonega, and White County are alive year-round with festivals, outdoor adventures, cultural events, and local traditions that have been drawing visitors to these mountains for generations.
Whether you’re planning your stay around a specific event or simply stumbling upon something wonderful during your visit, the North Georgia Mountains have a way of surprising and delighting at every turn. Below is a collection of some of our favorite local events happening throughout the year — bookmark this page and check back often, as we keep it updated with the latest happenings in our corner of Georgia.
Pro tip: Peak event seasons fill up fast! We recommend booking your cabin early if you’re planning to visit during Oktoberfest, fall foliage season, or any of the major festivals listed below.
🐣 Easter Egg Hunt — Unicoi State Park & Lodge April 4, 2026 | All Day 1788 Hwy 356, Helen, GA
Spring has arrived in the North Georgia Mountains and Unicoi State Park is celebrating in style! Bring the kids out for a festive Easter Egg Hunt set against the beautiful backdrop of one of Georgia’s most beloved state parks. It’s a perfect way to kick off a holiday weekend in the mountains — and with Tanglewood just down the road, you can make a full Easter getaway out of it. Check unicoilodge.com for registration details and age group information.
🎈 Helen to the Atlantic Balloon Race — Helen, GA June 4, 2026 | Mass Ascension at 7:00 AM
Witness one of the most breathtaking spectacles in the Southeast right from your backyard! The Helen to the Atlantic Balloon Race is the South’s oldest balloon event and the only long-distance hot air balloon race in the United States. Around 20 brilliantly colored balloons lift off from Helen’s alpine valley at 7:00 AM, racing the wind all the way to I-95 — a journey of at least 225 miles that can take anywhere from one to four days to complete. Local balloon events continue Thursday evening through Saturday, with flights around 7:30 AM and 6:00 PM daily. Spectators can help with balloon inflations, join a chase crew, or even take a tethered ride. Visit helenballoon.com for full details.
🏍️ Biker Nation’s Reunion Rally — Helen, GA June 4–7, 2026
Rev up your engines and head to Helen for one of the region’s most exciting motorcycle events! Biker Nation’s Reunion Rally takes over the scenic mountain town of Helen with live music, motorcycle vendors, a Poker Chip Run, bike show, and VIP guided rides through some of the most breathtaking roads in the Southeast — including Blood Mountain and Wolf Pen Gap. Only 90 miles from the Tail of the Dragon, this is a bucket-list ride. Check reunionrally.com for dates and pre-registration details.
🎆 Fourth of July Fireworks — Helen, GA July 4, 2026 | Dusk (9:00 PM – 9:30 PM)
Celebrate Independence Day the right way — under a mountain sky lit up with color! Helen’s annual Fourth of July Fireworks display is one of the most spectacular in North Georgia, launching at dusk from behind the Alpine Village Shoppes and Helen Welcome Center. Grab a spot along the Chattahoochee River, enjoy food from one of Helen’s riverside restaurants, and take in a patriotic evening the whole family will love. For more information call 706-878-2181.
🦌 Wildlife of Unicoi — Unicoi State Park & Lodge 2nd and 4th Saturday of Each Month | 12:00 PM | Free
Get up close with the wild side of North Georgia! Unicoi State Park hosts their popular Wildlife of Unicoi program on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month starting at 12 PM at the Visitor Center. Learn about the fascinating animals that call these mountains home and get a rare chance to meet some local critters face to face. Free to the public! Reserve your spot at unicoilodge.com or call 706-878-2201 ext. 550.
🍺 56th Annual Helen Oktoberfest — Helen, GA September 10 – November 1, 2026 Helen Festhalle | 1074 Edelweiss Strasse, Helen, GA 30545
Get ready for the longest-running Oktoberfest in the United States! The 56th Annual Helen Oktoberfest returns to the official Helen Festhalle for another unforgettable season of authentic German music, traditional food and drink, dancing, and mountain celebration. Now in its 56th year, this iconic North Georgia tradition draws visitors from across the country and is truly one of the Southeast’s most beloved annual events.
The 2026 celebration runs on the following dates:
September 10–13 (Thursday–Sunday)
September 17–20 (Thursday–Sunday)
September 24–27 (Thursday–Sunday)
October 1–November 1 (Nightly)
And don’t miss the special Halloween Costume Party on October 31st — a fan favorite that brings a festive twist to the final stretch of the season!
With Tanglewood just a short drive away, you can base your Oktoberfest getaway right in the heart of the mountains. Book early — weekends during Oktoberfest season fill up fast! Visit helenga.org for tickets and full event details.
🎭 Fasching 2026 — Helen, GA January 30 – February 14, 2026
Before Lent arrives, Helen celebrates in true European fashion with Fasching — the German equivalent of Mardi Gras! This beloved winter tradition includes pub crawls, scavenger hunts, costume parties, sidewalk parades, and celebrations at Helen’s most iconic venues including the Hofbrauhaus, Heidelberg Restaurant, and the Helen Chamber Festhalle. Visit helenga.org or follow Facebook.com/fvhelen for the full schedule.
