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Celebrating Ellijay's apples since 1971
Discover the Magic of the Ellijay Apple Festival
An independent guide to the Georgia Apple Festival, the orchards of Georgia's Apple Capital and the mountains around them.
Georgia Apple Festival 2027
Expected Saturday–Sunday, October 9–10 and October 16–17, 2027
Organizers had not announced 2027 dates when we last checked. The festival is usually held on the second and third full weekends of October, so these are projected dates. Confirm on the official festival site before you book.
- Where
- Ellijay Lions Club Fairgrounds, 1729 South Main Street, Ellijay, GA 30540
- 2026 hours
- Sat 9 a.m.–6 p.m., Sun 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
- 2026 admission
- $10; children under 12 free
- Pets
- Not allowed at the fairgrounds; service animals welcome
Welcome
Your resource for the Ellijay Apple Festival
Every October, Ellijay celebrates the fruit that has shaped Gilmer County's economy for generations. The Georgia Apple Festival runs across two weekends at the Ellijay Lions Club Fairgrounds, with a large arts and crafts show and plenty of apple treats. It is a popular fall trip from Atlanta and beyond.
Come hungry. Fried pies, cider, apple butter, caramel apples and cider donuts are part of the tradition, both at the festival and at the apple houses along GA-52. Many visitors pair a festival day with picking their own apples at one of Ellijay's orchards.
This site helps you plan the trip: expected dates, admission, parking and shuttles, which orchards to visit, and what else to do in the North Georgia mountains while you are here. We are not the festival organizer, so for official details always check the Georgia Apple Festival.
Activities around Ellijay
Explore Ellijay beyond the Apple Festival
Ellijay sits where the Cartecay and Ellijay rivers meet, surrounded by national forest. Hike to Amicalola Falls or climb the old stone tower at Fort Mountain State Park. Take an easy stroll in River Park, float the Cartecay, or ride the Bear Creek trails. You can even stand at the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail atop Springer Mountain.
After a day outdoors, try a local vineyard or cidery on the Sips trail, or head downtown for dinner at River Street Tavern, The Roof or Cantaberry.
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Springer Mountain
The southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail, with forest trails and long views. It is one of the most rewarding day hikes within reach of Ellijay.
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The Big Poplar
The Gennett Poplar on the Bear Creek Trail is more than 100 feet tall and roughly 18 to 20 feet around, a short walk from the trailhead.
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Cartecay River
Kayak, tube or just sit by the water. The Cartecay is the river that flows past the orchards on GA-52 and into downtown Ellijay.
Ellijay orchards
The orchards of Georgia's Apple Capital
Gilmer County grows more apples than any other county in Georgia, more than 600,000 bushels a year according to the New Georgia Encyclopedia. A visit is not complete without a stop at an orchard or apple house. A few favorites:
- B.J. Reece Orchards on GA-52 East, with U-pick in September and October, a petting farm, fried pies and cider donuts.
- R&A Orchards, about 160 acres, with a market, bakery and cafe open year-round and weekend U-pick in season.
- Red Apple Barn on Tails Creek Road, where the Pritchett family planted its first trees in 1965. Pick apples, pumpkins and flowers in season.
- Hillcrest Orchards, growing since 1946, with its weekend Apple Pickin' Jubilee in September and October.
- Aaron Family Orchards, in business since 1938, for apples and a family-run apple house.
Shopping in Ellijay
Shop the historic downtown
Downtown Ellijay's courthouse square and River Street are lined with antique shops, boutiques and specialty stores such as Ellijay Antiques, Outback Antiques and Bavarian Chocolatier.
- Historic downtown Ellijay: browse clothing, home decor and antiques in the blocks around the square.
- Gilmer Arts: the gallery and the George Link Jr. Playhouse, both on Dalton Street, host exhibits and community theater.
- Farmers market: the Gilmer County Farmers Market has typically run on Saturday mornings in season. Confirm days and location locally.
- Apple houses: for jams, ciders, fried pies and bags of apples, follow our Highway 52 drive.
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