Top 21 fall events in metro Atlanta: Ultimate guide to festivals and fairs

From crafts to craft beer, apple fritters to pumpkins, costume contests to fair rides, fall in Atlanta and its surrounding communities is full of opportunities for fun. So, get out and enjoy the leaves and the varying experiences with family and friends. Here’s our guide for planning:

Yellow Daisy Festival

More than 400 artists will line the events meadow at Stone Mountain Park once again this fall. Enjoy unique food, live music, a beer garden and, of course, the main-attraction - crafts ranging from quilts to pet wear to fine art and lots in between. The Vintage Village, a presentation of vendors with one-of-a-kind items for sale, will make a return this year.

Location: Stone Mountain Park; Website: Yellow Daisy Festival; Dates: Sept. 5-8; Time: Thursday and Sunday - 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday - 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Admission: (included with paid Park parking) $20/daily, $40 annually

Helen Oktoberfest

This Oktoberfest calls itself the longest-running in the country! Get in the spirit with the Oktoberfest Parade Sept. 7, and stick around for the tapping of the first keg just afterward at the Helen Festhalle.

Location: Helen Festhalle; Website: Helen Oktoberfest; Dates: Sept. 5 to Oct. 27; Time: Monday-Thursday - 6-10:30 p.m., Friday - 6 p.m. to midnight, Saturday - 1 p.m. to midnight, Sunday - 1-7 p.m.; Admission: Free-$20

Atlanta Food and Wine Festival

Join foodies from around the world as they revel in this four-day celebration of Atlanta’s finest food offerings. The event features more than 200 chefs, mixologists, sommeliers, and other food industry experts. Experience food from top talent presenting burgers, ice cream, tapas and everything in between!

Location: Historic Fourth Ward Park; Website: atlfoodandwinefestival.com; Dates: Sept. 12-15; Admission: $325-$465

Gwinnett County Fair

Fun, fast rides, an exhibit hall full of Georgia-grown goods and crafts, livestock shows, and entertainment! It’s all here for 11 days in September. Check the website for full schedule and plan your trip - or two - to the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds for a whole lot of fair fun.

Location: Gwinnett County Fairgrounds; Website: Gwinnett County Fair; Dates: Sept. 12-22; Time: gates - weekdays from 5-9 p.m., Saturday - 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday - 1-9 p.m.; Admission: Free-$10

Pumpkins at Callaway Gardens

Catch the magical glow of jack-o-lanterns at Callaway Gardens. It’s a great family getaway with an enchanted forest, some of the state’s biggest pumpkins on display, a corn maze and fall-themed refreshments. It’s also 2,500 acres of fall topiaries, sunflowers and the namesake autumn gourd; consider upgrading your visit with an overnight stay.

Location: Callaway Gardens; Website: callawaygardens.com; Dates: weekends Sept. 14 to Nov.2; Admission: $19.99-$29.99

North Georgia State Fair

A circus, rides, food, bull riding, demolition derby, monster trucks, a flower show, Georgia-grown exhibits, fire performers: You name it, this nearly 100-year-old fair’s got it! Be sure to check the website before you go to see what’s available on what days.

Location: Jim R. Miller Park & Event Center; Website: northgeorgiastatefair.com; Date: Sept. 19-29; Time: Hours vary - check website; Admission: Free-$10

Blue Ridge Blues and BBQ Festival

It’s great music against a mountain backdrop. Catch Shannon York, The Crossroads Band, Tee Dee Young and more while you enjoy delicious barbecue from more than 15 vendors in one of Georgia’s most picturesque mountain towns.

Location: Downtown Blue Ridge; Website: blueridgebluesandbbq.com; Date: Sept. 21; Time: 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Admission: $12

JapanFest Atlanta

Designed to foster understanding in the Southeast of Japanese culture, this weekend-long event features performing artists, unparalleled Japanese cuisine, crafts for children, goods for sale and more. Join more than 20,000 other visitors for a truly immersive experience!

Location: Gas South Convention Center; Website: japanfest.org; Dates: Sept. 21-22; Time: Saturday - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Admission: free-$90

East Atlanta Strut

Artists, food, games, bands: they’re all part of a neighborhood festival that brings together a community to celebrate culture and quirkiness. Put your best foot forward in the Strut bake-off, get in on the Leaf Blower Madness Tournament or watch dragons, dancers, bikers and bands in the Strut Parade!

Location: East Atlanta Village Farmer’s Market lot - Strut HQ; Website: eastatlantastrut.com; Date: Sept. 28; Time: noon to 6 p.m.; Admission: $5 (for those 21 and older)

Sweet Auburn Music Festival

This street festival brings together live music, great food and celebrity sightings for two days of nonstop fun. Catch upcoming modern acts, alternative acts, R&B and gospel sounds alongside food from around the world and unique vendors.

Location: Sweet Auburn neighborhood; Website: sweetauburnmusicfest.com; Dates: Sept. 28-29; Time: Saturday - 11 a.m. to Sunday 7 p.m.; Admission: free

Fall Festival on Ponce

Arts and crafts in a historic park: It’s the perfect way to kick off October. Expect more than 125 displays featuring folk, fine and outsider art. You’ll also find a dedicated children’s area and great food and drink.

Location: Olmsted Linear Park; Website: festivalonponce.com; Dates: Oct. 5-6; Time: Saturday - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday - 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Admission: free

Atlanta Pride Festival and Parade

The official parade for Atlanta Pride Week steps off at noon from the Atlanta Civic Center MARTA station. Be among the 100,000 spectators to watch its progression down Peachtree Street and 10th Street to an end point near Piedmont Park.

Location: Piedmont Park; Website: atlantapride.org; Dates: Oct. 12; Time: noon; Admission: free

The Great Pumpkin Fest

It’s worth the drive to Canton for some wholesome fun in the form of DJs, food, craft vendors, hayrides and lots of things kids will love like a bounce house, a petting zoo and a pumpkin launcher. Get OTP, and get in the Halloween spirit at this sixth annual festival - costume contest starts at noon.

Location: Cherokee Veterans Park; Website: playcherokee.org; Date: Oct. 12; Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Admission: free

Chalktoberfest

A combination celebration of chalk art and craft beer, this festival will bring out 80 artists and beer from 40 breweries. Browse arts and crafts vendors and live music and enjoy food and drink all weekend as you take in the live chalk art artists will be putting together on street surfaces.

Location: Historic Marietta Square; Website: chalktoberfest.com; Dates: Oct. 12-13; Time: Saturday - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday - 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Admission: free

Georgia Apple Festival

Head north to apple country and take in a longstanding celebration of this versatile fruit. Pick up a fried pie as you stroll the lanes of arts and crafts vendors from across the Southeast. Grab lunch and make time for games and activities for the kids. And swing by the town square for more vendors, too!

Location: Ellijay Lions Club Fairgrounds; Website: georgiaapplefestival.org; Dates: Oct. 12-13, 19-20; Times: Saturdays - 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sundays - 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Admission: Free-$10

Harvestfest and Scarecrows on the Square

Enjoy a day of fall fun on the Square in Marietta. You’ll find crafts, a touch-a-truck event, a costume contest, carnival games and more! Competitors ages six and up can sign up for a pie eating contest. And, of course, there are the scarecrows - contest entrants that will line the Square during the event.

Location: Glover Park at Historic Marietta Square; Website: mariettaga.gov; Dates: Oct. 19; Times: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Admission: Free

L5P Halloween Festival and Parade

Get your fill of food and drink, art, live music, a Halloween parade and area ghost tours this October in Little Five Points! The parade, a moving celebration of the quirk and eccentricity that is Little Five, featuring jugglers, costumed creatures, floats, drill teams and bands, is on Sunday.

Location: Little Five Points; Website: l5pbiz.com/halloween; Dates: Oct. 19-20; Admission: Free

CompassionCon

This event centers on humanization and interdependence with a focus on care for self, community and the Earth. Expect wellness activities, mobile health care units with testing for HIV and blood pressure, and health care resources alongside music, art and food trucks, children’s activities and storytelling.

Location: Decatur Legacy Park; Website: compassioncon.org; Date: Oct. 27; Time: 1-5 p.m.; Admission: Free

Native American Festival and Pow-Wow

Come out and experience Georgia’s largest Native American gathering. Learn about skills like bow making and flint-knapping. Search the artist’s marketplace for holiday gifts. Take in dance and drum competitions. Experience a real tipi and catch wildlife presentations. It’s all in one place this fall!

Location: Stone Mountain Park Historic Square; Website: stonemountainpark.com; Dates: Oct. 31-Nov. 3; Time: Thursday and Friday - 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Admission: $15.99

Chomp and Stomp

Just through Krog Street Tunnel, you’ll find a community party packed with Bluegrass music, artists and, the signature attraction - chili. Purchase an official spoon, and be ready to chow down on delicious chili when the whistle blows! Proceeds from this neighborhood fundraiser help keep local parks usable.

Location: Cabbagetown; Website: chompandstomp.com; Date: Nov. 2; Time: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Admission: Free

Decatur Wine Festival

Experience more than 350 wines, ciders and nonalcoholic drinks from across the globe, and help support the Decatur Arts Alliance. A live DJ will keep the vibe upbeat.

Location: Downtown Decatur; Website: decaturartsalliance.org; Date: Nov. 9; Time: 12:30-4:30 p.m.; Admission: $50-$70