A county tradition
About the Ellijay Apple Festival
A time-honored tradition in Georgia's Apple Capital, celebrated every October since 1971.
Our story: the history of the festival
Local legend has it that apples helped revive North Georgia's economy after the boll weevil wrecked cotton farming in the 1920s. In 1971, Ellijay began hosting the Georgia Apple Festival to honor the apple, and the town has celebrated it every year since. The 2026 festival marked 55 years.
The boll weevil certainly played a part in cotton's fall, but it was not the only cause. Historians point to three other factors behind the decline of cotton in Georgia:
- Lasting devastation after the Civil War
- The emergence of a global economy
- Lower cotton prices as other parts of the world produced more of it
Whatever the exact mix of causes, apples became central to the mountain economy. Today Gilmer County grows more apples than any other county in Georgia, more than 600,000 bushels a year according to the New Georgia Encyclopedia. For the longer story, read our history of apples in Ellijay.
The festival grew from a small arts and crafts show. It celebrates that history with fine arts, handmade crafts and food, and of course apple fritters, fried pies and other apple treats.
Why the festival matters
The Georgia Apple Festival is more than a celebration of apples. It is run by the community: the Ellijay Lions Club and the Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce organize it together. It showcases the work of the farmers who have grown apples in these mountains for generations, and the artisans who make every item sold at the craft booths.
What to expect at the festival
The main event fills the Ellijay Lions Club Fairgrounds at 1729 South Main Street over two weekends in October. Expect the smell of fried pies, cider and caramel apples, and long rows of craft booths.
The Chamber lists more than 250 vendors, and the New Georgia Encyclopedia describes more than 300 at the juried craft show. The festival's rules require everything to be handmade, handcrafted or grown by the artist, and the artist has to be at the booth. That makes it a good place to find pottery, woodwork, jewelry and other one-of-a-kind pieces, along with apple butter, jams and other apple products.
On the same days, the free Apple Arts Festival takes place downtown near the Ellijay Welcome Center on Broad Street. Many visitors also spend part of the day at the orchards along GA-52, where U-pick season peaks in September and October.
Before you go: the fairgrounds are smoke free, and weapons, alcohol and pets are not allowed. Bring cash for parking. See the 2027 festival guide for parking, shuttles and timing tips.
Make your own Apple Festival memory
Come early on a Saturday morning or on a Sunday for lighter crowds. Pick a bushel at an orchard, then stop at an apple house for a fried pie on the way home. If you can stay the weekend, our fall weekend itinerary fits the festival in with a waterfall hike and a winery stop.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Apple Festival tickets cost?
In 2026, admission to the main festival at the Ellijay Lions Club Fairgrounds was $10 per person, and children under 12 got in free. Hours were 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. Prices and hours for 2027 have not been announced yet.
Are pets allowed at the Apple Festival?
No. Pets are not allowed on the fairgrounds, though service animals are, and animals cannot ride the shuttle buses. The separate Apple Arts Festival in downtown Ellijay, held on the same days, has been pet friendly.
When is the Apple Festival in 2027?
Organizers have not published 2027 dates yet. The festival is traditionally held on the second and third full weekends of October, which would make it Saturday–Sunday, October 9–10 and October 16–17, 2027. Check the official festival site before you book. The 2026 festival ran October 10–11 and 17–18.
Where do I park?
Community groups run paid lots near the fairgrounds, with fees that vary and cash preferred. Free shuttles run from lots including downtown Ellijay (Hipp Street), Gilmer High School and Mountain View Elementary. Accessible parking is available at the Lions Club and at the Larry Walker Education Center, which has an accessible shuttle.
Who runs the Georgia Apple Festival?
The festival is a joint venture of the Ellijay Lions Club and the Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce. This website is an independent visitor guide and is not affiliated with the festival organizers.
Sources: Georgia Apple Festival, Ellijay Lions Club, Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce, New Georgia Encyclopedia.