15 Must Visit Food Festivals In Georgia Worth Planning Around

Georgia knows how to throw a food celebration that feels equal parts feast and festival.

Across the state, communities gather to honor the flavors that define their region, whether it’s freshly caught seafood on the coast, peaches at their sun-kissed peak, or barbecue that’s been tended since dawn.

Live music fills the air, local vendors showcase their best bites, and every event carries a sense of Southern hospitality that makes visitors feel instantly welcome.

1. Atlanta Food & Wine Festival (Atlanta)

Picture this: over 200 of the South’s best chefs, mixologists, and winemakers all gathered in one place. That’s what happens every spring when Atlanta becomes the ultimate playground for food lovers.

You’ll taste everything from reinvented Southern classics to innovative fusion dishes. The festival spans multiple days with tastings, demos, and late-night parties that celebrate regional cuisine in style.

2. Taste of Atlanta (Atlanta)

Craving a little bit of everything? This festival brings together dozens of Atlanta’s hottest restaurants for one massive tasting extravaganza. Sample signature dishes without committing to a full meal – genius, right?

Live music keeps the energy pumping while you hop from booth to booth. It’s like a delicious scavenger hunt where everyone wins, and your taste buds get the adventure of a lifetime.

3. Savannah Food & Wine Festival (Savannah)

Savannah’s historic charm meets culinary excellence at this waterfront celebration. Lowcountry cuisine takes center stage, with fresh seafood and Gullah-inspired dishes stealing the show.

Celebrity chefs host intimate dinners while wine seminars educate your palate between tastings. The cobblestone streets and moss-draped oaks create an atmosphere that’s as enchanting as the food is memorable.

4. Shrimp & Grits Festival (Jekyll Island)

Ever wonder who makes the best shrimp and grits? Jekyll Island settles that debate annually with a friendly competition that draws crowds to the coast. Local restaurants battle it out, and you’re the lucky judge.

Between tastings, enjoy live music and beach vibes that make this festival feel like a vacation within a vacation.

5. Georgia Peach Festival (Fort Valley & Byron)

When Georgia peaches are at their juiciest peak, Fort Valley and Byron throw the ultimate tribute. Peach ice cream, peach cobbler, peach salsa – if you can dream it, someone’s probably making it here.

The festival also features parades, concerts, and a beauty pageant. It’s pure summertime nostalgia wrapped in fuzzy, sweet perfection that’ll have you planning next year’s visit before you leave.

6. Vidalia Onion Festival (Vidalia)

Who knew onions could be this sweet – literally? Vidalia celebrates its world-famous crop with a festival that proves these aren’t your cry-inducing kitchen staples. Onion rings, onion burgers, even onion ice cream challenge your taste buds.

Cooking contests showcase creative ways to use these Georgia gems. You’ll leave with recipes, stories, and maybe a bag of onions to take home.

7. Georgia Apple Festival (Ellijay)

Ellijay transforms into apple heaven each fall when orchards open and the festival kicks off. Apple pies, apple butter, apple fritters – basically, if it involves apples, you’ll find it here in abundance.

Mountain scenery provides the perfect backdrop for hayrides and craft vendors. The crisp autumn air mixed with cinnamon-spiced everything creates an experience that defines cozy perfection.

8. Dahlonega Chocolate Crawl (Dahlonega)

Forget gold – Dahlonega’s real treasure is chocolate. This crawl takes you through the historic downtown, where shops and restaurants offer decadent samples that’ll satisfy any sweet tooth.

Truffles, hot chocolate, chocolate-covered bacon (yes, really) – creativity runs wild here. It’s a self-guided tour that lets you explore at your own pace while indulging in pure, chocolatey bliss at every stop.

9. Atlanta Brunch Festival (Atlanta)

Brunch isn’t just a meal in Atlanta – it’s a lifestyle, and this festival celebrates it properly. Bottomless mimosas flow while restaurants serve up creative breakfast-lunch hybrids that redefine morning eating.

DJs spin tracks that turn brunch into a party atmosphere. Whether you’re team sweet or team savory, you’ll find dishes that make rolling out of bed absolutely worthwhile and delicious.

10. OysterFest (Atlanta & Savannah)

Slurping oysters might not sound glamorous, but this festival makes it an art form. Both Atlanta and Savannah host versions that bring coastal flavors inland and beachside, featuring fresh oysters prepared every way imaginable.

Shucking competitions add entertainment between tastings. Pair your oysters with craft beer, and you’ve got a combination that’s briny, refreshing, and surprisingly addictive for seafood enthusiasts.

11. Georgia Wine Country Festival (Dahlonega)

Georgia’s wine country surprises people, and this festival showcases exactly why. Dahlonega’s vineyards produce award-winning wines that pair beautifully with local cheeses and charcuterie spreads offered throughout the grounds.

Live music complements the relaxed vibe while you sip and stroll. Mountain views make every glass taste better, proving that great wine doesn’t require a plane ticket to California or France.

12. Taste of Marietta (Marietta)

Marietta’s historic square becomes a culinary showcase when local restaurants set up shop for this beloved annual event.

Sample everything from Southern comfort food to international flavors without leaving the charming downtown area.

Live performances keep things lively between bites. The community vibe makes you feel like a local, even if it’s your first visit to this welcoming North Georgia town.

13. Rhythm & Ribs BBQ Festival (Tifton)

Barbecue smoke and blues music fill the air when Tifton hosts this finger-licking competition. Pitmasters from across the region battle for bragging rights while you enjoy the delicious results of their labor and skill.

Ribs, pulled pork, brisket – all cooked low and slow to tender perfection. The music lineup matches the food quality, creating a festival that feeds both body and soul simultaneously.

14. Hahira Honeybee Festival (Hahira)

Hahira buzzes with excitement when this sweet festival takes over town.

Honey tastings reveal flavor differences you never knew existed, from wildflower to sourwood varieties that’ll change how you view this golden nectar.

Beekeeping demos educate while honey-infused foods delight. It’s quirky, educational, and surprisingly delicious – proof that small-town festivals pack big flavor and charm into every sticky-sweet moment.

15. Big Pig Jig BBQ Championship (Vienna)

Vienna hosts the Olympics of pork when the Big Pig Jig rolls into town. This isn’t just another barbecue festival – it’s a serious competition where pitmasters bring their A-game and decades of secret family recipes.

Spectators enjoy samples while watching the intense cook-off unfold.

The atmosphere combines Southern hospitality with competitive fire, making every bite taste like victory tastes – smoky, tender, and absolutely magnificent.